As summer transitions into fall, bass fishing enters a prime season. The cooler temperatures and shorter days trigger significant changes in bass behavior, making early fall one of the best times to catch big bass. Knowing how to adjust your tactics and selecting the right early fall bass fishing baits will greatly increase your success.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the best fall bass fishing tips, focusing on understanding the seasonal behavior of bass and the top baits to use in September and October.
Understanding Bass Behavior in Early Fall
Early fall is a transitional period for bass. As water temperatures drop, bass move from their deeper summer habitats to shallower areas, driven by the need to feed heavily before the winter months. Baitfish, such as shad, also move into shallower waters, giving bass a prime opportunity to gorge themselves.
Key Behavioral Changes in Early Fall:
- Increased activity: As the water cools, bass become more active, especially during early mornings and late evenings.
- Chasing baitfish: Bass begin to follow baitfish into shallow coves and points, making these areas hotspots for anglers.
- Feeding aggressively: Early fall bass tend to feed heavily, particularly under overcast conditions or when there’s wind, which disrupts the water’s surface and makes them feel more secure.
To capitalize on these conditions, choosing the right early fall bass fishing lures is crucial.
Best Baits for Early Fall Bass Fishing
1. Crankbaits
Crankbaits are ideal for covering water and mimicking the movement of baitfish in early fall.
- Squarebill crankbaits: Perfect for shallow water and around cover, especially where bass are ambushing bait in creek channels or around submerged grass.
- Lipless crankbaits: Excellent for targeting schooling bass in open water or near weed edges. Their fast, erratic action triggers strikes from bass chasing shad.
2. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits excel at imitating schools of baitfish, especially during early fall when bass are feeding aggressively.
- Willow leaf spinnerbaits are ideal for clear water, where the flash mimics shad.
- Colorado blade spinnerbaits produce strong vibrations, making them effective in murkier waters or during low-light conditions.
3. Topwater Lures
Topwater baits offer exciting action in early fall, especially during overcast mornings and evenings.
- Poppers: Great for calm conditions when bass are patrolling the shallows.
- Buzzbaits: Excellent for covering water quickly when fish are feeding near the surface.
- Walking baits: Ideal for imitating fleeing baitfish when bass are schooling.
4. Jigs
Jigs are versatile and effective year-round but particularly useful in early fall when bass are feeding in transition areas.
- Football jigs: Perfect for dragging along rocky points or deeper structure.
- Flipping jigs: Ideal for targeting shallow cover like docks, fallen trees, and brush piles.
5. Swimbaits
Soft plastic swimbaits are great for mimicking the profile and movement of shad, which bass are chasing during early fall.
- Paddle-tail swimbaits fished near the surface or along weed edges can be deadly, especially when bass are targeting baitfish schools.
Key Locations for Early Fall Bass Fishing
Knowing where to fish is just as important as choosing the right lures. During early fall, focus on the following areas:
- Shallow coves and creek channels: Baitfish are abundant here, and bass follow. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits to work these areas.
- Points and secondary points: Bass use these areas as transition zones. Jigs and crankbaits work particularly well here.
- Weed lines and submerged grass: Bass will hide in the grass to ambush baitfish. Lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits fished along the edges are highly effective.
- Riprap and rocky shorelines: These areas warm quickly and attract both baitfish and bass. Crankbaits and jigs are perfect for working these rocky zones.
Final Tips for Early Fall Bass Fishing
- Follow the bait: Bass in early fall are highly dependent on baitfish movements. Keep an eye on schools of shad to locate feeding bass.
- Adapt to the weather: Overcast and windy days tend to encourage bass to feed more aggressively, making them easier to catch in open water. Sunny days might push bass into cover, requiring a more precise approach.
- Stay versatile: Conditions can change quickly in early fall, so be ready to switch from topwater lures in the morning to crankbaits or jigs as the day progresses.
Conclusion
Early fall offers one of the best opportunities for bass anglers to catch fish as bass feed heavily before winter. By understanding seasonal bass behavior and using the right baits—such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, jigs, and swimbaits—you can increase your chances of success. Whether you’re fishing shallow coves, working weed lines, or targeting rocky points, early fall bass fishing is all about staying adaptable and following the bait.
Try these tips on your next outing, and you’ll be sure to enjoy a successful fall fishing season!