As the leaves begin to change and temperatures drop, bass behavior shifts, making fall one of the best times to fish with spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits are versatile and effective for covering water quickly, triggering reaction strikes, and targeting bass feeding up before the winter. This article explores why spinnerbaits shine in fall and how to optimize your fishing strategy to land more bass during this season.

Why Spinnerbaits Work in the Fall

In the fall, bass are often chasing shad and other baitfish as they prepare for winter. Spinnerbaits, with their flash and vibration, perfectly mimic these baitfish. The combination of blades and skirts creates an appealing profile that bass find hard to resist. Spinnerbaits also excel in various conditions, including windy days, stained water, and around structure like wood or grass.

Wind is your friend when fishing a spinnerbait in the fall. It breaks up the surface of the water, making it harder for bass to get a good look at the lure. This encourages reaction strikes. When fishing on a windy day, focus on points, shallow flats, and areas where the wind pushes baitfish into corners.

Choosing the Right Spinnerbait for Fall

1. Blade Type
   In fall, the choice of blade can make all the difference. For clearer water and faster retrieves, opt for willow blades. These blades provide a lot of flash and less drag, allowing the lure to mimic fast-moving baitfish. Colorado blades are better suited for murky water or slower retrieves due to their added vibration, making them ideal for fishing in low-visibility conditions. Look for some War Eagle or Booyah spinnerbaits at Lurenet.com!
2. Size and Color
   The size of your spinnerbait should match the forage in your lake. In the fall, bass are often chasing larger baitfish like shad. Opt for spinnerbaits in the 1/2 to 3/4-ounce range, and stick to natural colors like white, chartreuse, and shad patterns for most conditions. If you’re fishing in stained water, consider brighter colors like chartreuse and orange.
3. Trailer Options
   Adding a soft plastic trailer to your spinnerbait can enhance its action and profile. In cooler water, a trailer with minimal action, like a swimbait or a straight-tail trailer, is often more effective. These trailers help slow down the lure and give it a more realistic baitfish appearance.

Key Techniques for Fall Spinnerbait Success

1. Slow Rolling
   One of the most effective fall spinnerbait techniques is slow-rolling. This involves reeling in the spinnerbait just fast enough to keep the blades turning, allowing it to maintain contact with the bottom or structure like submerged timber and grass. This technique is ideal for cold, clear water and for targeting lethargic bass.
2. Burning the Spinnerbait
   In contrast to slow rolling, burning a spinnerbait means reeling it in as fast as possible. This can trigger aggressive reaction strikes from bass feeding up for winter. Burning is most effective on windy days or when fish are actively chasing baitfish.
3. Bumping into Cover
   To increase your chances of a strike, try bumping your spinnerbait into cover like rocks, stumps, or logs. This erratic movement mimics a fleeing baitfish and often triggers an instinctual strike from nearby bass. Be sure to use a spinnerbait with a strong wire to withstand these collisions.

Final Thoughts

Fall spinnerbait fishing is all about adapting to changing conditions. Whether you’re slow-rolling along a grass line or burning the bait across windy flats, spinnerbaits offer a versatile and effective way to target bass in the fall. Pay attention to blade selection, color, and retrieval speed to optimize your chances for success.

Get out on the water this fall and take advantage of the bass’s aggressive feeding behavior. With the right spinnerbait and technique, you’re sure to catch more fish!