If you’re new to the fishing world, you must know that autumn is the favorite season for many anglers. The season is perfect since most fish are being more active, preparing for the upcoming winter. But choosing the right time is not enough. You need the right bait to get more fish. Don’t be afraid about having some trials and errors. We’re here to
Why Is Fall The Best Season for Bass Fishing?
Most fish being active during fall is only one of the numerous other reasons why it’s the best season. The primary reason is that you will catch bigger and fatter bass. This is because fall is when they’re bulking up for the winter. They need to survive the cold winter months, hence their binge eating during the fall.
Cold temperature also means the bass groups more often. You will have an easier time catching them since they become far more predictable than usual.
Best Baits for Fall Bass Fishing
So what is the best bait to catch bass in the fall? Technically, all bait that suits your fishing style is the best one. But if you’re still looking into the options, you can check the list below.
Lipless Crankbaits
The best thing about lipless crankbaits is that you can use them all year round. And if your fishing spot is flat and calm water, crankbaits will work like magic. Another reason to love this bait is that bass recognizes them from afar. Yes, this bait can cover a large area so you can cast it as far as you can.
Another good thing about this bait is that you can still use it until the winter. This is because lipless crankbait is a weighted lure that will sink naturally. Some bass welcomes the prey that is underneath them as it means an easy catch. You just need to pay attention to the vegetation or large rocks to prevent getting stuck.
Alabama Rig
Technically, it’s not bait. But Alabama rig means you can have multiple bait and hook at once. It’s a lighter version of an umbrella rig that is common in saltwater trolling. You can utilize this rig and have your favorite lures to attract more bass.
And because it gives an illusion of active, small prey, you can rest assured that bass will come at you immediately. However, an Alabama rig may be illegal in your state. So you need to check with the local regulations to know if you can use it or not.
Spinnerbaits
Since the bait can look like a group of shiners to the bass, it can be quite versatile when you know how to utilize it. Being in autumn, you may need to ante up your fishing game. Unless you’re trolling for bass, you need to alternate the technique before you eventually catch a bait.
With spinners, you can lure the bass that is near the surface as well as those that are swimming deep. When the temperature drops in the fall, just cast the lure a bit deeper. Spinner can do the job for you easily.
Catch the bass’s attention by rolling the spinner slowly. It will look like a small group of shiners.
Topwater
When we talk about using a topwater lure for fall fishing, we’re talking about a topwater walker. Being a primarily surface bait, you can use the dog-walking technique and have the lure zig-zagging near the surface. It will attract the bass due to the actions.
This lure works great when you use it near or on a small school of shiners that lurk in the water. Run the lure near the edge or under the dock to catch their attention. Make sure you time the cast and movement to arouse their curiosity.
Another topwater variation that you should try is the buzz bait. It’s unusual because it creates a buzz and ripples on the surface without scaring the fish away. It looks a bit strange, but it works great. You can use buzz bait when you fish in the early morning, or when you opt for evening or night fishing.
Soft Plastics
You may think soft plastics are only good for spring and summer fishing. But it’s good for autumn as well. You may compete with fewer anglers, but they tend to flock to a specific area. A soft plastic bait can help you catch more fish as it will stand out among the other bait. Whether you join the flock or fish solo, you are likely catching a bass sooner than usual.
The best thing about soft plastics is that it comes with numerous designs from worm-like to crawfish or other bright-colored shiners. You can test out and alternate between each color and shape will give you the biggest bass.
Some Extra Tips
So you have chosen the bait and geared up, ready for fishing. Here are some more extra tips to increase your success rate in catching a big bass.
The first is to pay attention to the time and temperature of the day. Paying attention to the weather forecast will help you a lot.
Some colder days mean you need a different type of bait to reach a new depth. Remember, colder days don’t always mean bad. It only means you need to cast your lure deeper.
Now you know that bass tends to go deep in cold temperatures. So during the fall, you need to find a shallow cover that is deep water adjacent. A dock or a small cover is often the answer. Of course, you can follow fellow anglers and go fish in the same area. But if you want a little more peace, then you need to find another area.
You can have all types of bait in this list. Maybe you already have some of them as your favorite. There’s nothing wrong with having several types of baits in your box. Autumn may require you to be smarter at using the lure. But we guarantee that you will soon love fishing in the fall.