Late Season Bass Fishing

[BassNut33]

Hi I am new to the forum and would like to know how other people have been doing this fall. I have done very well on Chisago the last few weeks. Just wondering what other lakes folks have done well on for Bass the last few weeks.

[Craigums]

Hey Bassnut welcome to the boards... Ive been doing pretty good using jigworms in 7-8 feet of water looking for any remaining green weeds.

PS check out this section of FM, its were all the cool people hang out...

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/57/1/Bass

[BassNut33]

Thanks for the info, when you say Jigworm are you refering to a shacky head presentation?

[Greg Clusiau]

I like tossing crankbaits during this time. Works for me.

[Deitz Dittrich]

cranks are a good option. I like rat-l-trap type ones. I have fallin deeply in love with the suspending flat shad by Sebile. Its been my go to as of late.

[NTW]

Deitz, when you throw that suspending flat shad do you have a favorite retrieve speed or cadence?

I use similar baits and had a good run during the spring by keeping them moving at a good clip but this fall the bait only seems to work if I crawl... I haven't tried throwing many pauses in there, I keep forgetting.

[Deitz Dittrich]

NTW- I do throw a lot of pauses. As the water temp drops, you are correct I like to slow it down. And throw more pauses. Which is why I like the suspending version. The sinking version would get a bunch of dead gunk on it. If I were to describe my speed, it may be closer to fishing it like a carolina rig.. Sweep, reel in the slack.. I'm using a 7.5' rod so the sweeps are longish?

[NTW]

Thanks for sharing...I am going to play with pauses a little bit more this weekend.

I've been using a 7'6" rod too, so I'll see if that sweep pause idea pans out for me.

[BassNut33]

I was planning on throwing traps this next time out as well. I also am planning on dragging an strike king anaconda or a 12 inch power worm and Shacky head as well.I also like throwing a heavier swim jig and letting it fall and ripping up off the bottom.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Shhhh, Nut.. dont give out all the fall secrets..

Fall is the only time of the year I will throw cranks on braid.. I will 45 degree a deeper weed edge and will get my crank stuck intensionally, let it sit a sec and then rip it out and pause and let it float up.. can be very good!!!

[BassNut33]

Thats all I will say, I might have a few more tricks up my sleve haha. Thanks for the advice, I will put it to use out on the lake.

[NTW]

Well the shallow cranking pattern was not great and pauses didn't seem to help much. I only caught 4 fish and none bigger than 2lbs...couldn't find steady action with the deep bite either. But the weather was great!

[Chad_Fish]

When the fall bite starts to slow down and water temps start dropping into the low 40's. My best success has came while keeping my bait in contact with the structure. Whether it be throwing DT 10's in 6-8ft of water with a slow steady retrieve digging them into a hard bottom. Or fishing jigs rippin em through weeds or bumpin them off rocks and wood always keep them in the strike zone for as long as possible and make contact. Don't be afraid to lose a bait or two.