Fall Bass Fishing: How to Catch ‘Em All

As the weather cools and the leaves start to change color, many anglers put away their fishing gear until spring. But fall is actually one of the best times to fish for bass, and you can rake 'em in until you're late for dinner.

How to Fish For Bass in Fall

Bass fishing in fall can knock your socks off, because the water is cooler and the fish are more active.

Here are some tips for fall bass fishing:

Know the water temperature, and use it to your advantage.
Choose the right location on the lake, where bass are holding this time of year
Choose a bait that matches the baitfish in your area. The color and size of your lure should match what the fish are eating.
Use the right technique. Fish structure such as rocks, logs, or weeds. The fish will be hiding around these areas waiting to ambush their prey.
Choose the right lure presentation
Mix it up and see what the fish respond to best. A slower retrieve may be necessary in colder water temperatures.

Bass Fishing in Fall Temperatures

During the fall months, water temperatures can vary greatly. This makes it difficult to know what the right water temp is for fishing crankbaits.

Monitor the water temperature closely. Don't use your wife's cooking thermometer, either! Use a water thermometer - Preferably a fishing thermometer you can lower to different water depths to check. The ideal water temperature for fishing crankbaits is between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Best Location on Lake For Fall Bass Fishing

Anglers should look for areas of the lake that have deep water near shallower water. Bass will often congregate in these areas as they prepare for winter. Another good option is to fish near submerged vegetation. This can provide cover for bass and give them a place to ambush their prey.

Finally, anglers should pay attention to the wind when choosing a spot to fish. Bass will often position themselves in areas that offer protection from the cool fall winds. This allows them to stay comfortable while they wait for food to swim by.

Fall Bass Baits

Fall bass anglers know that as temperatures cool and the leaves begin to change color, it's the time to fish crankbaits.

Whether you’re fishing deep or shallow water, fast or slow, there’s a crankbait that will do the job. And when the fish are active, as they are in the fall, crankbaits are an excellent choice.

Five Reasons to Use Crankbaits for Fall Bass:

The water is cool and the fish are active.
Crankbaits are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to catch bass.
Crankbaits allow you to cover more water and find active fish.
Crankbaits come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes to match any fishing situation.
Fall is the perfect time to use crankbaits for bass!

How to Fish Crankbaits For Bass in the Fall:

Choose the right lure. There are many different types and sizes of crankbaits available, so it’s important to choose one that will work well in the conditions you’re fishing in.

Go deep. Drop offs, ledges, and shelves 10-15 feet down can hold many fish in the fall. You're looking for the right water temperature.

Pay attention to the behavior of the fish. If the fish are actively feeding, then they are more likely to bite on a lure that is moving quickly through the water.

Choose the Right Crankbait for Fall

As the leaves begin to change color and fall from the trees, so does the behavior of bass. To be successful in fishing for them during this time, it’s important to use the right crankbait. The following guidelines will help you choose the best one for fall.

The color of the bait is important because it needs to match the forage that the fish are feeding on. In fall, that is typically going to be crawfish. This time of year, their bodies start to change color, turning a darker shade to blend in with their surroundings.

So, a good crankbait color to use would be something that simulates a darker crawfish like brown, green, or darker red with some black.

The size of the bait is also important. Bass are feeding heavily in preparation for winter, so they are looking for larger meals. Choose a crankbait that is 3 inches or longer.

Crankbait Presentation and Retrieval in Fall

Crankbaits do a great job to mimic the look and movement of small fish and crawfish (or crayfish, for some of you) making them irresistible to bass, especially in fall. But you might need to change it up a bit.

The first thing to keep in mind is that bass are feeding heavily in preparation for winter, so they're more likely to strike at baits. But, they may not be moving as quickly or as far to grab them. You might need to get the bait closer to where they are holding.

Most animals slow down a little bit in the fall. This includes game fish, and their prey, crawfish.

As the temperature of the water starts to drop, crawfish begin to change their behavior. They become less active and spend more time hiding in holes or under rocks. They move more slowly, favoring a slower retrieve.

Crawfish are most active at night during this time of year, so you may find bass looking for them into sundown and beyond, as well as the early morning hours.

What is a Crankbait?

A crankbait is a type of fishing lure that is designed to mimic the swimming action of a baitfish. Crankbaits are typically used to target bass, but they can also be effective for other types of fish such as pike and walleye.

Crankbaits come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be fished at different depths depending on the model. Most crankbaits are designed to be fished with a spinning reel, but there are also some models that can be fished with a baitcasting reel.

Crankbaits can be an effective fall fishing lure for bass, as they can mimic the movements of baitfish that bass are actively feeding on during this time of year.

Conclusion on fall bass fishing

Those in the know take advantage of some of the best bass fishing of the year by heading out to their favorite spot when fall arrives.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy success when fishing for bass during the fall months.