| As daylight hours shorten and water temperatures begin to cool, bass instinctively respond to these environmental changes by feeding more aggressively in preparation for winter. The combination of reduced sunlight and the cooling effects of early fall fronts signals bass to migrate and stock up on energy reserves. These shifts are natural and predictable, offering anglers an opportunity to anticipate movement patterns across their favorite lakes or rivers. Understanding that this change is not random but biologically driven helps anglers plan their approach with precision. Bass are no different from other wildlife that instinctively prepare for colder months through increased feeding activity. Recognizing these cues allows you to time your trips around the most active feeding windows of the season. As water temperatures gradually drop, the metabolic rate of bass slows slightly, but their need to bulk up before winter keeps them actively searching for food. This is why anglers often see increased surface activity and more frequent baitfish chases in early to mid-fall. Paying attention to temperature trends and daylight patterns can help predict when the bite will peak in your area. The first series of cool nights usually sparks this behavior, marking the start of consistent fall feeding patterns. By understanding these natural triggers, you can stay one step ahead and position yourself where bass are most likely to be feeding aggressively.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. |
| During the fall transition, bass follow familiar routes along contour lines and structural features within a lake. They often move from deeper summer areas toward mid-depth channels, coves, and shallower feeding zones as conditions stabilize. This migration isn’t uniform, and some fish move faster or farther depending on the water clarity, forage distribution, and lake size. Anglers who focus on structure, such as points, ledges, and creek channels, can more easily locate bass during these shifts. Because bass rarely move in open water without purpose, identifying key pieces of structure along migration paths helps narrow down productive areas. Paying attention to both underwater contours and nearby baitfish activity provides the most consistent clues to where bass are positioned. Bass often use these structural features like highways, pausing at drop-offs or cover where they can ambush passing prey. Changes in bottom composition, such as a small rock pile or a patch of submerged vegetation, can serve as key holding spots during their journey. As conditions continue to cool, bass may travel in small groups, stopping briefly at mid-depth staging areas before pushing shallow to feed. Understanding how they use these transition routes helps anglers predict not just where the fish are now, but where they’re heading next. By methodically working through these structural zones, anglers can stay on active fish throughout each phase of the fall migration.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! |
| Finding the productive depth zone in fall is often a matter of testing and observing patterns. Start deeper near channel bends or main-lake points, then gradually move shallower until you locate consistent fish activity. This progression helps you map the “magic depth” where bass are holding on a particular day. The same strategy applies to areas with vegetation, where bass use deeper edges as travel corridors to access shallower feeding areas. Treat weed lines and submerged plants as natural highways that bass follow as they shift position. Once you determine a consistent depth or type of cover producing bites, it can often be replicated throughout similar locations across the lake. Water temperature, sunlight, and wind direction all play a role in determining how deep bass will hold on any given day. On calm, sunny days, they may remain closer to cover in slightly deeper water, while overcast or windy conditions can push them shallower to feed. Depth can also vary based on the side of the lake, as the windward bank often concentrates baitfish and oxygen-rich water. Using your electronics to monitor baitfish depth and bottom composition helps fine-tune your approach. By staying flexible and adjusting as conditions change, you’ll consistently stay in tune with where the fish are positioned throughout the fall season.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. |
| Fall bass are in a heavy feeding mode, often forming loose schools to chase baitfish near the surface or around shallow cover. They typically move into shallow zones earlier in the afternoon and remain longer in the morning compared to summer patterns, creating extended feeding windows. This makes fall one of the most rewarding seasons to fish for both numbers and size. Bass are opportunistic feeders, so focusing on areas with visible forage movement can yield quick results. As temperatures cool further, expect short bursts of activity as bass take advantage of warming periods throughout the day. Knowing when and where these feeding flurries occur gives you the edge to capitalize on their heightened aggression. During these feeding windows, it’s common to see multiple bass striking in the same area, especially around active schools of baitfish. They often corral forage into corners, pockets, or along grass edges to feed efficiently. Anglers can take advantage of this behavior by positioning near transitional areas where deep and shallow zones meet. Timing is everything when the bite turns on. It can be fast and intense, but when it slows, moving locations or adjusting depth quickly can keep you on fish. Observing subtle surface disturbances or bird activity nearby can also signal when a new feeding cycle is about to start.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! |
| Because bass are more active in fall, faster presentations often outperform slow, methodical retrieves. Soft plastics such as lizards, insect larvae, craw-styled baits, beetles, and worms can all produce excellent results when worked with a stop-and-start or swimming motion. These baits imitate the natural forage that bass key in on during this season while allowing anglers to cover water efficiently. Focus on subtle vibrations and realistic movement rather than speed alone to trigger reaction strikes from roaming fish. Matching the bait’s size and color to local forage enhances effectiveness, especially in clear or lightly stained water. Using varied retrieve speeds can also help determine how aggressive the fish are on any given day. Target areas with active bait movement, such as windblown points, channel intersections, or edges of submerged vegetation, where bass are likely to ambush prey. In these locations, a soft plastic retrieved with a slight pause between movements often entices bites from following fish. When bass are aggressive, speeding up the retrieve or creating quick bursts of motion can trigger competitive strikes. Adjusting your presentation to mimic wounded or fleeing forage makes your bait stand out and encourages reaction bites. The key is staying versatile, switching techniques and retrieve styles throughout the day ensuring you match the mood and energy level of the fish.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. |
| In fall, most forage species have matured to their largest sizes of the year, and bass adjust accordingly by targeting bigger prey. This is why using slightly larger soft plastics can be advantageous, as they more accurately reflect the available food in the system. When bass are feeding heavily, they prefer to expend energy on larger, more rewarding meals rather than chasing small offerings. This concept explains why trophy-sized bass are often caught in the fall. It’s their peak feeding period before winter sets in. Anglers should observe local bait size and choose lures that match it as closely as possible for best results. Presenting a larger, natural-looking meal can often make the difference between a casual bite and a big strike. As water clarity and light conditions change, color selection also becomes important in creating a convincing presentation. In clear water, natural tones that resemble local forage will typically perform best, while stained or murky conditions may call for more contrast or darker shades. Paying attention to how your bait moves through the water. Its profile, fall rate, and action can help fine-tune your approach for more consistent results. Larger baits also allow you to maintain better contact with the fish’s strike zone, especially when targeting deeper or transitional areas. By combining proper size, color, and motion, anglers can closely imitate real prey and maximize their chances of attracting quality bites during the fall feeding surge.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. |
| Fall transitions occur gradually, with bass slowly adjusting their depth and location as water temperatures drop. Milder cold fronts usually cause only brief slowdowns, but severe ones can suppress feeding for several days. Understanding how weather systems influence bass behavior helps anglers stay patient and adapt quickly after a front passes. Once conditions stabilize, bass often return to predictable patterns, allowing steady fishing for weeks at a time. Wind direction and temperature changes can also influence where baitfish move, which in turn affects bass positioning. Finally, anglers should stay alert to changing weather while on the water. Strong winds and fast-moving fronts can make fall fishing both rewarding and challenging. After a front moves through, bass often become sluggish and hold tighter to cover until conditions stabilize. During this time, downsizing your presentation or slowing your retrieve slightly can help coax bites from hesitant fish. As high pressure settles in, sunny afternoons can bring the bite back as water temperatures rise just a few degrees. Paying close attention to barometric pressure and cloud cover will give you clues about when the fish are most likely to become active again. By anticipating these gradual shifts and adjusting your strategy accordingly, you can stay consistent through the unpredictable conditions that define the fall season. 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. |