| As fall progresses, smallmouth bass begin moving from fast, shallow water to deeper sections of the river. This migration is a natural response to the changing season as bass prepare for colder temperatures and winter conditions. Anglers should focus on targeting areas like the lower half of swift water spots and deeper pockets where bass will stage before winter. These fish may hold in different locations depending on the time of day or week, making it crucial to adapt and explore various sections of the river. Understanding this movement helps anglers plan better by knowing where to find the fish at each stage of the season. As temperatures continue to drop, bass seek areas with more stable water conditions, often near structure such as rocks, ledges, or submerged logs. By positioning themselves in these deeper spots, bass can conserve energy while remaining close to potential food sources. Anglers should also be mindful of water clarity, as cooler water tends to be clearer, making the fish more cautious. Using subtle presentations can improve the chances of catching smallmouth during this transition. Patience is key during this period, as the fish can be far less aggressive.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fact, we just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost and 10w30 Syntheic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater. |
| In the early morning, smallmouth bass often feed along shallow gravel banks, especially when chasing minnows or other small prey. This feeding behavior is typically brief, so anglers should be ready to take advantage of this window by using soft plastic baits like lizards, beetles, or insect larva imitations to mimic the prey fish. As the day progresses, smallmouth move to deeper areas, but the morning provides excellent opportunities to catch active, feeding fish. By targeting these shallow zones early, anglers can maximize their chances of success before the fish transition to more secure, deeper locations later in the day. Timing and observation are key to anticipating these early morning feeding periods. The low light conditions in the morning often make smallmouth more aggressive and less wary, allowing anglers to use slightly bolder presentations. It’s important to make long, accurate casts, as smallmouth can be skittish in the shallows, especially in clear water. Water temperature also plays a role in warmer fall mornings tend to extend the feeding window, while cooler mornings may shorten it. Anglers should be prepared to switch their tactics quickly.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action-triggering strikes! |
| Fishing in rivers requires a variety of soft plastic baits because smallmouth bass will hold near different types of structures throughout the day. Logs, rocks, and deeper channels each demand a different approach and presentation to be effective. For example, in faster water or over submerged logs, soft plastics like cray-styled baits or worms can stay above or navigate through the cover effectively. In deeper, rockier sections, dragging or bouncing soft plastic lizards or worms along the bottom tends to work well. To increase success, anglers should come prepared with several rod setups, each rigged for specific types of structure, allowing for quick adjustments without retying during active fishing times. It’s important to adjust the weight of the rig to match the current, as heavier weights may be necessary in faster water to keep the bait near the bottom, while lighter setups work better in slow-moving or shallow sections. In addition, matching the color and size of the soft plastic to the surrounding environment and the bass’s prey can significantly increase the likelihood of a strike. Experimenting with different retrieval speeds and actions can also help anglers.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. Act quickly, these new colors won’t stay in stock for long. We also recently restocked our Ghost, Red Bug, Purple Rain, Brown Bug, Electric Chicken, and Goby Wan colors. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Iits unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility. |
| The passage of a cold front can change the behavior of smallmouth bass dramatically. A front will cause a temporary slowdown in activity, particularly on the back end of the system. However, this doesn’t always mean fishing will be poor, as bass may still feed during certain periods, especially a few days after the front. Anglers who pay attention to weather patterns and are patient during post-front conditions can still catch fish, sometimes even larger ones, as the bass regroup and resume feeding. It’s important to stay flexible and persistent during these conditions rather than abandoning the water too quickly. Cold fronts tend to make smallmouth more lethargic, so slow presentations with soft plastics, like worms or cray-styled baits, can become more effective as bass are less likely to chase fast-moving lures. Finding deeper water or areas with stable temperatures will often improve your chances, as smallmouth may seek out these zones for more consistent conditions. Understanding that smallmouth might hold tighter to structure after a cold front can help in pinpointing their location. Clear skies and high pressure after the front may lead to more cautious bass.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round! |
| In clear water, especially in river systems, smallmouth bass can be highly sensitive to disturbances. Long, accurate casts are necessary to avoid spooking fish, particularly in ultra-clear environments where they can detect both anglers and lures more easily. By casting from a greater distance, anglers reduce their chances of being detected and increase the likelihood of a successful hookup. Practicing casting accuracy also allows for better lure placement, especially when targeting small pockets of fish or tight cover where smallmouth often hide. Precision and distance go hand in hand when fishing clear, open rivers. When fishing in areas with fast current, making accurate casts upstream and allowing your lure to drift naturally with the current can mimic a more realistic presentation, enticing the bass to strike. Long casts give you more coverage of the water, allowing you to explore a wider range of depths and structures without repositioning the boat or disturbing the area. The ability to land a soft plastic bait exactly where it needs to be—whether near a submerged log or in a deep pockets can make the difference between success and failure.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added new MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electic Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater. |
| As the water cools and smallmouth bass move into deeper, slower sections of the river, soft plastic baits become an effective tool for reaching these fish. In fall, smallmouth tend to settle into deep holes as they prepare for winter, and soft plastic worms or crayfish-style baits allow anglers to target these areas with precision. The key is to let the soft plastic sink to the bottom and use a slow, methodical retrieve to mimic the movements of prey in colder water. By fishing deep, anglers can continue to catch smallmouth even as the season shifts to colder weather. Adjusting the weight of your rig to match the water depth and current is important for keeping the bait near the bottom, where smallmouth are likely to be holding. Focusing on areas with structure, like submerged rocks or deep ledges, will improve your chances as these spots provide shelter and feeding opportunities for bass. Soft plastics with a slow, lifelike action tend to perform better in colder water since smallmouth are less aggressive and prefer a more subtle approach. Always experiment with different colors, as water clarity can change rapidly during this time, affecting the bass’s ability to detect the bait.Our newest FreshBaitz Mandingo Trick Worm is the ultimate game-changer for anglers with a passion! Engineered for the angler who knows SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a penchant for the larger bait. The Mandingo Trick Worm boasts a solid 7-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. Officially available in a vibrant array of 8 colors. Each worm is made from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for total and maximum attraction, the Mandingo Trick Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing the big ones. Proudly made in the USA by real anglers to help elevate your fishing experience and catch more bass year-round! |
| Smallmouth bass often stage along current breaks and in eddies near fast water, where they can feed with minimal effort. These areas, typically found at the tail end of swift water spots, provide ambush points for bass as they wait for food to drift by. Anglers should focus on casting soft plastic baits like beetles or insect larvae into these areas, allowing them to drift naturally with the current, simulating a wounded or disoriented prey. Eddies also offer calmer waters where smallmouth can gather, making them prime locations to find feeding fish. Fishing these spots strategically can yield consistent catches throughout the fall season. It’s crucial to vary your presentation based on the current’s speed letting the bait drift slowly in slower water while using a slightly faster retrieve in stronger currents. Soft plastics that have natural buoyancy work well in these situations, as they can hover just above the bottom, mimicking prey caught in the flow. Pay attention to water depth and use lighter rigs in eddies to keep the bait in the strike zone longer. Current breaks caused by rocks, logs, or other debris are ideal places, as smallmouth often hide while waiting for food to come by.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose. For creature baits, we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you pressure time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action. |