| In September, bass often key in on baitfish as their main food source. Look for surface signs such as birds diving or bass breaking the water as they chase schools of forage. Even in lakes without shad, young bluegill, perch, or crappie often fill this role. Watching for these movements helps you determine where bass are likely feeding. Electronics can also help you spot bait balls below the surface, showing you where predators may be lurking. The more you understand baitfish behavior, the easier it becomes to find bass in shifting early fall conditions. Pay attention to wind direction, because baitfish are frequently pushed toward windblown banks, where bass lie in wait. Shady coves or creek arms can also concentrate forage when water temperatures start to cool. Early mornings and late afternoons are prime times to observe baitfish activity along calm shorelines. If you see occasional swirls or flashes in the shallows, bass may be feeding just out of sight. Keeping track of these small clues will help you narrow down productive water and stay one step ahead of roaming fish. By patiently studying how forage moves throughout the day, you can anticipate where bass will position and increase your odds of steady action.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. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater, along with being made in the USA by real fishermen. We recently restocked the HellaMite Pro Pack, which is loaded with 60 baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also restocked our Green Pumpkin and Smoke Purple HellaMite. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Its 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. |
| Once you’ve located baitfish, the next step is presenting a lure that resembles what bass are eating. Soft plastics such as lizards, insect larvae, craw-styled baits, beetles, and worms can mimic small forage when rigged or worked at different depths. Use natural colors to resemble baitfish or panfish in your waters. Downsizing to smaller profiles can help when bass are keyed in on tiny prey. Rigging techniques like weightless presentations or light jig heads allow a subtle, lifelike fall that entices strikes. Matching size, color, and action gives you an edge in tempting fish that are feeding selectively. Experiment with different retrieve speeds until you find one that mimics how the forage is moving that day. A gentle twitch or pause in your presentation can trigger a reaction strike from otherwise hesitant bass. If the water is clear, keep your colors light and translucent, while stained water may call for darker or more solid tones. Pay attention to how bass react, short strikes or follows often mean you need to refine your approach. Developing confidence in a few versatile soft plastics helps you stay efficient when bass feeding patterns change throughout early fall in September.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, and the 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 that triggers strikes! |
| Bass in September often separate into deep and shallow groups, creating two extreme scenarios. Some stay near summer haunts like reefs, points, and steep breaks where they can quickly move between depths. Others will push shallow, using grass, docks, or brush for shade and feeding opportunities. Successful anglers sample both areas until a productive depth or pattern emerges. Keeping an open mind about location ensures you don’t overlook fish concentrated in either zone. Adjusting quickly between deep and shallow water gives you more opportunities to connect with bass during this transitional month. Pay attention to water clarity, as bass may choose deeper zones on bright, calm days but venture shallower under low light or wind. Seasonal fronts can also influence where fish hold, often pushing them toward cover or staging spots just off the main channels. Observing how baitfish behave, whether they are suspended over a structure or tightly against the bank, provides clues about where predators will set up. A systematic approach, alternating between offshore and shoreline targets, helps you cover water efficiently. Flexibility and observation are key to unlocking where bass prefer to feed as summer fades to fall.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic 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. |
| When targeting deep fish, focus on structure that attracts both forage and ambushing predators. Offshore humps, ledges, and rocky points are excellent places to start. Use soft plastics such as worms, craw-styled baits, or insect larvae on drop-shot or Carolina-rig setups for a controlled, natural presentation. Slow, steady retrieves along the bottom help you cover water while feeling for subtle bites. Pay close attention to where you get strikes, as depth and cover type often repeat across a lake. Fishing patiently in deeper zones rewards you with steady action once you locate a school. Vary your angles when working a piece of structure, as bass may only respond when a lure approaches from a particular direction. Make note of the exact depth or contour where bites occur, since bass often gather along a precise break or ledge. Light changes, such as an overcast sky or setting sun, can cause deeper fish to rise and feed more aggressively. Keep an eye on your electronics for small clusters of marks near bottom features, as these often reveal hidden schools. Consistency and attention to detail in deep water often lead to some of the most rewarding catches of the season.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! |
| Shallow cover comes alive in early fall as bass move in to feed on panfish and other prey. Vegetation mats provide shade and shelter for both bass and forage, making them prime targets. Pitching or punching a heavy-rigged soft plastic like a lizard, beetle, or craw-styled presentation through the grass can draw aggressive strikes. Around docks or laydowns, lighter presentations such as insect larvae or worms can tempt fish holding tight to cover. Early and late in the day, bass often patrol the edges of weeds or wood, where subtle surface twitches can attract bites. Mastering these shallow options gives you access to quality fish even on tough days. Look for small openings or thinner patches in thick vegetation, as these spots often serve as ambush points for feeding bass. Slight changes in depth, such as a depression or ditch leading into shallow cover, can also concentrate fish. If wind is blowing into a shallow flat or mat, bass frequently position on the upwind side where the food gets pushed in. Overhanging trees or shaded banks give bass a sense of security and are worth probing with a quiet presentation. Working methodically through each piece of visible cover helps you uncover hidden fish others may overlook.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 MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Watermelon Red Worms have been restocked as well. 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, Electric 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 Restocked 6-inch Worms, including Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue, Fire TGR, Wild Berries, Bone, 10w30 Synthetic, Zombie Blood, and Chocolate MNT! — 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. |
| Because the September bass shift often, flexibility is essential for success. Start with faster presentations to cover water and identify active areas. Once you find a concentration of fish, slow down with soft plastics such as worms or craws to bring additional bites. Don’t be afraid to leave unproductive water quickly. Sometimes a short move can make all the difference. Vary retrieves, depths, and angles until you pinpoint what the bass prefer that day. A willingness to adapt separates consistent catches from empty livewells during this transitional season. Keep track of weather changes, as a sudden breeze, cloud cover, or drop in temperature can quickly reposition bass. Experiment with both vertical and horizontal presentations to see which triggers more strikes. Pay close attention to how long it takes before bites occur because sometimes a long pause is more effective than constant movement. If you fish a spot thoroughly without results, return later in the day as conditions may have shifted in your favor. The more approaches you test, the greater your chances of staying on active fish throughout the month.Introducing the Newest 8-Inch MagDingo Worms! These are the ultimate game-changer in bass fishing! Engineered for anglers who know SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a fixation for the larger bait. The MagDingo Worm boasts a solid 8-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. The 10-count packs are now available in a variety of 6 crucial colors, including the 10w30 Synthetic, Black & Blue, Zombie Blood, Green Pumpkin, Wild Cherry, and Watermelon Red. Each worm is made in the USA from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for maximum attraction, the 8-inch MagDingo 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 trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass. |
| Patterns are powerful tools when bass behavior seems scattered. When you discover baitfish activity at a certain depth or along a specific type of bank, search for similar setups elsewhere. Conditions like water temperature, clarity, and available cover often repeat across different areas of a lake. Apply what you learn about depth, cover, and lure choice to duplicate productive spots. Soft plastics in proven shapes like lizards, beetles, or insect larvae. These can then be used with confidence in new locations. Turning just one success into a repeatable plan is the key to steady catches all month long. Keep mental or written notes about where and when bites happen, noting details such as time of day and wind direction. Over time, these observations reveal seasonal patterns that shorten your search on future trips. Pay close attention to subtle environmental cues, like shade lines or small points, that might connect several productive areas. When conditions change, revisit places that once held fish, as patterns often cycle back during the same day. Building a library of repeatable situations helps you fish smarter rather than harder, increasing your odds of consistent success.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. Owner Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! The WEEDLESS Block Head Jig features high-quality construction that helps increase your hook-up ratios and keep your bait clean from snagging rocks or vegetation. 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 precious 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 that triggers bites. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure. |