Fall Tactics

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Clear lake, mid to upper 70's water temp and sunny. What is the best bait for largemouth in general this time of year? Thanks.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Fall Tactics

^

 

[dmessy]

Re: Fall Tactics

Kinda hard to say. Has your lake experienced a "turnover" yet? This occurs when the lower fall temps cause surface cooling while the lower water is still warm(er). After the turn, the bass will start moving into the creek arm shallows stocking up for the winter. Use the same tactics as prestaging bass in the spring. Naturally, spinners work well as the fish will still chase a bait. I prefer a rubber worm using a split shot 16" up the line(kinda a poor mans carolina rig).

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Fall Tactics

Spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Bass are begining to key in on baitfish especially baitfish schools to fatten up for winter. As well you can and will find them anywhere so you need the speed/search qualities of these baits.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Fall Tactics

Spinner-bait, Just got my oct issue of In-Fisherman. Here are their top 5 for fall Largemouth<br /><br />1. Tubes especially with a flavor attractant<br /><br />2. Hair Jigs. Bucktail or foxtail<br /><br />3. Mini-jigs with prok rind or doubletail grubs. (Terminator Tiny-T and finesse Jig. ISG's Bambino finesse jig)<br /><br />4. Soft Plastics. Texas rig craw tube. Berkley power craw<br /><br />Ask me where they got 5 out of that. I think the attractant is supposed to be one. Good luck. Let us know how you do.

 

[derwood]

Re: Fall Tactics

The salt is changing as well....In little bits at a time. the water temp. has not changed here yet but the bait schools are thining out going to where ever it is they go....some are just getting to big as they grow for some of the smaller fish to eat so they are changeing thier diet to smaller stuff....but that does'nt effect artificials tooooo much right now.<br /><br />I don't think to much of change will be going on till the water temp. gets colder....then we shall see whats up this year.<br /><br />Derwood.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Fall Tactics

scoop- lmao<br />i really used in-f-man mgz to learn everything about fishing. well, at least after trying the onsite fish like h$ll method forever. i don't take it anymore, but its cause im cheap. <br />that's too funny they did that. i bet the editors would like to hear of it. <br />i think you can go on the PFB post in general, and the dmessy post in particular. <br /><br />but in general the chance of catchin big fish is greater this time of year, not counting occasional springtime eggladen mamas. they're out to gorge for winter like the ole bears & beaver. you get out there and fish like h$ll as usual. but this time be more optimistic, since the weather is nicer <br />i like the larger blue & silver crankbaits.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Fall Tactics

Thanks for all replys. Went on Tuesday and had a good day with at least 20 Largemouth and 1 2lb. smallie. All but a few on white spinnerbaits. The rest on punkinseed lizards in the weeds. Would fish rock walls and caught the smallie there and would burn the bait over the tops of weed beds and caught the largemouths there. Am going again tomorrow just before the front moves in tomorrow night. Again, thanks.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Fall Tactics

Spinnerbait, I am envious. Sounds like a great day fishing. I wish my honey do list was not so darn long.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Fall Tactics

Yea Scoop, I know, but the good thing about it is that was a honey-do job. Take the little lady with me.

 

[bKelly]

Re: Fall Tactics

Spinner_bait Nut,<br /><br />This time of the year the crank baits are my #1 lure. I target the active fish, I fish faster looking for the reaction strike. The bass are hitting schooling baitfish hard this time of the year. Like PFB said, they are feeding and getting fat for the winter. Many times, early in morning, the bass will move way off the shoreline and chase and attack baitfish in the open water. If they are breaking the water, I like using jerk-baits like a fluke or rattling rouges. <br /><br />I love this time of the year for fishing. The weather starts cooling off and the bass really start biting good.