Fall Returns

[RuddyDuck]

With Fall weather finally making a comeback, what are some of your favorite Fall patterns, lures, water temps/time of day and techniques to put some Bass in the boat?

Last year was my first time for Fall Bass(usually duck hunting) and I seemed to catch most on lipless cranks fished over the remaining weeds. No weeds no fish. Odd thing was when I slowed down over these same areas, I wouldn't catch anything, but throw the crank again and I would start catching bass again. This even was the case in mid November. This year I hope to do more Fall Fishing to figure them out more and also try a few more lakes. I have to say, I did enjoy my first year of Fall Bassin last year!

[Lals]

Like you it was my first year of fall bass fishing, in many years anyway. So I am not the best source:>) For the previous 15 years I was chasing Muskies. So my experience is limited but was pleasantly surprised at the quantity and quality of the bass. It kept me focused on bass but did manage a few muskies!

My best baits were: Early fall was buzzbaits and jigs(swimming and "drop and fall") Mid fall was a spinnerbait with a swimbait trailer and then late fall it was a wacky worm. As the fall went on, the more the mid day bite was best. Also, weeds were key all fall for me as well. I do need to try lipless more this fall! Thanks!

[bassfshin24]

My favorite time of year for bass fishing is just around the corner. Man I love getting on the water when the temps drop into the 50's. My best baits during the fall are usually a jig, lipless, and spinnerbait. Last year was my first fall hitting Mille Lacs and the jerkbait bite was unreal. I hope I can make a trip up there at least once this fall.

[PurpleCatMan]

Hey BF24, what temps (water and air) did you find the JB to be most productive on ML? JB's are my absolute favorite way to catch a fish. I'll take it over a top water any day.

[PurpleCatMan]

^Oh and what set up do you like to throw?

I've had okay experience with a St. Croix 7ft MH crank bait rod, citica reel, 12lb mono and an xrap. I'd really like to get more casting distance though

[bassfshin24]

After last fall I would agree with you on jerbkaits being one of the most fun ways to catch fish. I think the water temps were in the low 50's last fall when I got into them pretty well. They were mid to low 40's this spring when I got into them. So for me I'll be throwing a jerkbait from 60° down to the low 40's but I think the low to mid 50's was the most productive last fall. I actually like to throw my jerkbait on a spinning setup. For some reason I feel like I get more action out of it. I'll be throwing it on a 7ft Medium Vendetta with 8lb flouro. I found last fall that the Flouro was a huge factor in getting bites. I had two other guys with me throwing them on mono and I just felt like they weren't getting down to the depths they needed to be. I was also throwing an X-rap.

[PurpleCatMan]

That's cool man. Ya I think i'm going to have to try a little bit lighter flouro, and I might try a medium action fast tip to get more D... just can't get down with the spinner rods.

[RumRiverRat]

Lipless cranks burned over remaining green weeds on the windy side of a lake was incredibly productive for Juan Grande and I last fall.

Shallow cranks are my go to in the fall. Spinnerbaits, hard and and soft swimbaits, swim jigs and and pitching Jigs to shallow wood all are things I do.

Going to spend more time throwing buzzbaits and walk the dog baits this fall.

[RuddyDuck]

This year I do want to try swim baits and swim jigs over the weeds to mix it up a bit. Maybe some jerkbaits too. I was out last night and it isn't fall yet, water was 73. Bass were on the edges of the weeds where I got them last fall. Caught most on Square bills fished around and over the weeds in 8-10ft of water. Weeds are pretty thick yet.

[bemidjibasser]

Double cowgirls and big topwaters produced several nice bass late last year for me. Not intentional, but they produced nonetheless. If I was targeting bass in the fall a deep diving crankbait in a craw pattern would be right near the top of my list along with a rattle bait and a jig. Find green weeds and fish them thoroughly...

[RuddyDuck]

Well it seems like Fall took a break for a bit, but some real cool weather is coming for the weekend. Suppose to be low's in the 30's and only in the 50's on Sunday. Sat sounds like a cold rainout.

How to you guys fish a weekend like what is coming up? Do you still fish aggresive or slow it down a bit on key spots?

[Basschaser]

I am wondering the same thing for this weekend. I will be on a lake that I have never fished before (Minnewawa up by McGregor). Since I am not familiar with the lake, my plan was to cover a lot of water with lipless cranks and maybe some shallow cranks. Now I'm starting to think that with this cold and rain coming in I may have to slow down and key in on weeds.

[th64]

My plan A is always fast and shallow-when bass are shallow they are usually ready to bite-fast of course is the best way to cover new water. Green weeds and shallow close to deep water is best. After that plan B is slow, even dead sticking or live bait-Remember that movie "The Quick and the Dead" thats my motto-

Good Luck!

[TR21HP]

Basschaser,

Only fished Minnewawa a couple of times but there is some rice on the lake and some mid lake weed beds with rock that should still produce. The greener the weeds the better of course. Good luck and let us know how it went. It has some great dock fishing but I'm sure they may be pulled all ready, if not check some out.

[bucketmouth64]

do you spend time working reeds or lily pads in the fall? Or do you concentrate on open water flats in shallow/deep water, drop offs, and look for weed lines?

[bassfshin24]

I've done really well in the fall in the lilypads. I always make a point to throw a swimjig or spinnerbait through them when they are dying.

[Lals]

Fall bite is strong right now. 23 fish with 3 fish of 19"+. Here is a picture of the largest, just under 20. Most were caught on a spinnerbait. The fish were hammering the bait -- never seen anything like it.

[Craigums]

Thats a fatty!

[Juan Grande]

Nice one Lals!

[RuddyDuck]

Looks like you've had some great Fall Bassin. Nice fish!

The wind is suppose to really kick up today and tomorrow. Then it looks like it is really gonna cool down the next week or two. I think I will get out one day this weekend. Still deciding if I should go duck hunting the other day or just Bass fish both days!

I went out Weds after work for two hours and did pretty poor. Got 1 14in bass, two dinks and 5 smaller pike. The pike were hitting, but not the bass. Just couldn't find much for weeds to fish on this lake. All fish came in what weeds I could find. I was fishing fast with lipless cranks. I was surprised how many boats were out for a mid week day in OCT. I suppose it was nice out.

[Lals]

Got out today. Water Temps were 57/58. I caught 19 Bass. The biggest is a bit over 21". Picture below. Also got a 20.5" and 2ea. 19" bass. The fish came on a Spinnerbait, Clackin Crank, and a Jig and craw. Fish were shallow.

http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/tomlal...?sort=3&o=0

[Juan Grande]

Wow, that 21 is nice Lals. Did you get a weight?

[bassfshin24]

Wow that's a hog!

[xangief]

I'm fishing this weekend but being so cold in the morning, should I start shallow and look for them all day or start deep and do shallow when water warms up a bit?

[Lals]

Thanks guys. I don't have a scale, so I really don't know. If I estimate, I use the In-Fishermen size conversion chart which would put it around 5.5lbs.

Xangief, tough question as it depends so much on the lake. The main lake I have been fishing has 2-3 foot clarity. My best bite early is some rock piles I found just outside the weeds. Actually these spots are money all summer and all day as well. Early for me this time of year is 9 to 10AM. Good indication where the fish are is pannies. If you see groups of them(pan fish) you are in "business". The bite does get better as the day goes. You need to keep moving until you find active bass.. One spot last week I caught 11 in 45 minutes, this week nothing. They do seem to group together more this time of year or get active as a group, in my opinion.