I have read that its better to use crank baits in the fall because the bass are foraging for the coming winter, but I've seen on these forums anglers using plastics such as worms in the fall. Now the question I have is; does it matter, is it geographical, or is it a myth. Thanks for the responses I'm still learning.
you can use both try plastic weightless and be patient... cranks can work, but mostly in the fall i use rattle-traps, spinners, buzzbaits, spooks, jigs, and swimbaits... soft plastic's i do well with zoom baby brush hogs.. i also throw flukes, senkos, and t-trigged worms .... this time of year is weird.
On 10/15/2013 at 2:02 AM, Grizzn N Bassin said:you can use both try plastic weightless and be patient... cranks can work, but mostly in the fall i use rattle-traps, spinners, buzzbaits, spooks, jigs, and swimbaits... soft plastic's i do well with zoom baby brush hogs.. i also throw flukes, senkos, and t-trigged worms .... this time of year is weird.
Oh, ok i'm just wondering because I have been having luck with liped and spinner baits. Just on case they are not working ill know what else to try. Thanks
Another question; when does the bass fishing really drop off season wise up here?
Probaply should ask this in another section.
i mean fall fishing can be awesome and it can suck... i fish pretty much till theres ice on ponds... last year i caught them in late November and late feb... but when the water temp gets down in the 40's its very slow fishing.. very very very slow.... a cast for, me if im jig fishing can last 10 mins or more depending who deep im working and how long my casts are.. on sunny days sometimes you can catch smaller bass roaming around rocks in small ponds and they'll hit a moving bait... you can catch some serious monsters in the winter just be patient.. Baits i use are 6'' t-rigged worms, jigs, and swiwbaits on the bottom "slow rolling"...
there should be some articles about winter fishing on here
Thanks for the info. I just started bass fishing and I want it to last as long as possible before it gets to cold and ice over.
I have still be able to get a few on plastic worms. On Saturday I landed 10 on plastic worm and 8 on a jig. Jig fish were bigger on average. Couple days later with some really good cloud cover the crank bait bite was on fire. Fall fishing can be amazingly good. I catch some of my biggest bass in Sept and Oct. Like Grizz said though in November it really slows down. I have had better luck in the fall with a silver buddy then a jig. I usually put the boat away when I cant brake through the ice anymore.
I fish a variety of small lakes down here in South Carolina. Each fishery seems to have its own favorite bait types and colors. My best hawg factory gives up nothing to cranks and spinnerbaits - it's soft plastic or nothing (well, I've gotten a couple on jigs here and there..). And, it's been that way all year.
I believe in the idea of matching the forage as best you can. I decided last week to hit a different lake. Was catching zero until it dawned on me... Hah! This lake is connected to a major river - that means shad forage. Put on a white spinnerbait and bang, it was on.
It sounds like you're finding some things that work where you are. Stick with 'em until you notice the action trailing off, and then introduce other approaches while you still have contact with the fish.
Another thing I keep in mind is.. I'm into fishing for as long of a haul as I'm allowed, so I always take some time to experiment at the risk of spending some time or outings not catching anything. What usually happens, though, is I discover other spots and tactics that pay off either right away, or at another time when nothing else is working.
There are no "rules" on what lures to use for what season. I use the same basic stuff all year long, location, and presentation method is key. Some days they hit moving baits, some days they don't. Some things are obviously more effective at certain times of the year than others, but no season is ever a bad season to fish soft plastics.
On 10/17/2013 at 9:48 AM, Lil said:I fish a variety of small lakes down here in South Carolina. Each fishery seems to have its own favorite bait types and colors. My best hawg factory gives up nothing to cranks and spinnerbaits - it's soft plastic or nothing (well, I've gotten a couple on jigs here and there..). And, it's been that way all year.
I believe in the idea of matching the forage as best you can. I decided last week to hit a different lake. Was catching zero until it dawned on me... Hah! This lake is connected to a major river - that means shad forage. Put on a white spinnerbait and bang, it was on.
It sounds like you're finding some things that work where you are. Stick with 'em until you notice the action trailing off, and then introduce other approaches while you still have contact with the fish.
Another thing I keep in mind is.. I'm into fishing for as long of a haul as I'm allowed, so I always take some time to experiment at the risk of spending some time or outings not catching anything. What usually happens, though, is I discover other spots and tactics that pay off either right away, or at another time when nothing else is working.
Appreciate the tips.
On 10/17/2013 at 10:21 AM, ww2farmer said:There are no "rules" on what lures to use for what season. I use the same basic stuff all year long, location, and presentation method is key. Some days they hit moving baits, some days they don't. Some things are obviously more effective at certain times of the year than others, but no season is ever a bad season to fish soft plastics.
Ok, thanks.
Funny thing is I have yet to catch a d**n fish on any of my crankbaits! I have actually never caught a fish on a crankbait in the few years I have been fishing. Although I don't fish them a whole lot. I have found the Texas Rig (Rage Craw) and jigs to be slaying the fish. I do most my fishing on the Verde River though so maybe that has something to do with it.
2 lures you should have tied on 24/7/365, Texas rigged plastic & a Jig-N-Craw.
This does not mean you should forget spinner baits or cranks but when that bite dies & it will you simply pick up the other 2.
I've worked an area with spinner baits or cranks catching pickup fish, then turm around fish the same area with plastics or jigs & pickup more.
On 10/17/2013 at 10:21 AM, ww2farmer said:There are no "rules" on what lures to use for what season. I use the same basic stuff all year long, location, and presentation method is key. Some days they hit moving baits, some days they don't. Some things are obviously more effective at certain times of the year than others, but no season is ever a bad season to fish soft plastics.
Yep!
This is it for me too.
Mike
I think the only rule we have in florida is..
COLD = slow fishing in the crap
HOT = Slow fishing in the crap
Spring time = Spinnerbaits and top waters
Any other time, throw what you like.
I know the North is a bit different due to the extreme temps but Here in Fl, I usually throw the same stuff the same way all year unless it's spring time. The bass are CRAZY for moving bait fish style lures in the pre spawn, spawn, and post spawn.
Right now I do Have luck with Crank baits and Spinner baits at one spot. Im gonna try another spot today hopefully, and start off using them again. If they don't work i'll jump to the plastics. Hell I have all weekend.
Thanks for all your tips so far.
On 10/17/2013 at 10:21 AM, ww2farmer said:There are no "rules" on what lures to use for what season. I use the same basic stuff all year long, location, and presentation method is key. Some days they hit moving baits, some days they don't. Some things are obviously more effective at certain times of the year than others, but no season is ever a bad season to fish soft plastics.
100% agree here. I've been having a great early fall on my usual bevy of soft plastics. Even added the Jika rig to my fishing arsenal and done extremely well (by my standards, that is).
It has crossed my mind to throw some hard lures, but I continue to throw soft plastics. Haven't tied a hard lure on in months.
Primary rigs (of late): Mojo, Jika, Weightless Wacky, Weighted Wacky
I'm using a baitcaster for heavier rigs (4/0 hooks, heavier weights, etc), and spinning setup for lighter stuff (1/0 round bend hook, 1/8oz weights, etc.) Weightless will be on both depending on what's working what's not.....
I throw my ritual of lures all year till one works then I have the pattern the bass are on for this moment but it can change. For plastics I like the plastic swimbaits like the yum money minnow or the renosky scattering shad you can only get from there website by calling them. The dying minnow presentation gets them every time. I work that money minnow to death soon as it gets colder. Up until the ice is on. I'm out there in the snow too. I just cast it out in the flats and twitch it then let it swim every which way on its own. Just set the hook hard.
All this month, my most productive bait has been to drop shot robo worms and the new zoom zdrops. I've not had a bite on a crank. I've not had a bite on a spinner. It's poppers, buzzbaits and drop-shot for me lately.
I keep it simple. Spinnerbaits when they are feeding. Jigs when they are not.
On 10/19/2013 at 2:46 AM, Todd2 said:I keep it simple. Spinnerbaits when they are feeding. Jigs when they are not.
So if they are feeding they will not hit a jig?
Like Catt I always have jigs and worms tied on and fish them during the outing. Unlike nearly everyone else's relies I use structure spoons often during the fall and winter periods. It's fun to fish cranks and spinnerbaits, more fun to catch bass.
Tom
On 10/19/2013 at 3:16 AM, Catt said:So if they are feeding they will not hit a jig?
I've had days where they were smokin spinnerbaits but couldn't get a bump on the jig. But I don't test it too much, if one works I stay with it.
All of fish in the past 2 weeks have been off jigs... I love them.so much. I think for hollowween I'm dressing up as my favorite jig
STOP...Senko Time.
(shim-e-stick is better though...to me anyway)
On 10/17/2013 at 10:21 AM, ww2farmer said:There are no "rules" on what lures to use for what season. I use the same basic stuff all year long, location, and presentation method is key. Some days they hit moving baits, some days they don't. Some things are obviously more effective at certain times of the year than others, but no season is ever a bad season to fish soft plastics.
^ Exactly. The bass don't change what they feed on, but the location of the forage may (probably will) change. I've caught bass on a t-rigged worm in every month of the year.
Tom