It’s Not Too Late For Great Bass Fishing!

Fall is definitely in the air in the Midwest, bringing with it cooler air and water temps. But there is still some great bass fishing before the freeze.

Once turnover occurs, bass begin to feed – getting ready for the winter months. And heavy feeding means great fishing action! Now is the time to target creek mouths and work back from there. The fish are beginning to find there way to the wintering holes, seeking out the best oxygen and forage sources.

I like to start out in the creek mouths with a #5 Rapala Fat Rap, covering water with a variety of different retrieves… searching for the active fish. Sometimes a fast, erratic retrieve does the trick, while at other times, a s-l-o-w, pausing crawl is the ticket. In either regard, my CastAway STM7 7’0” “Soft Touch” crankbait rod is my choice… its parabolic action captures every vibration from the Fat Raps as they seek their prey.

As I continue to work back in the creeks and canals I look for rock and wood as well as retaining walls. These areas can hold fish who are looking to ambush their next meal. Typically, I fish these areas with a 3/8 ounce single Colorado bladed spinnerbait, thrown on a CastAway MB66 HG40 6’6 medium power rod with 17 pound Berkley Sensation line. The single bladed bait helicopters down through the branches or along the rock or wall, and the Colorado blade causes more vibration, which can often trigger reaction strikes.

If the more aggressive strike is not present, I switch to a ¼ ounce jig with a pork trailer, which I throw on a CastAway7M HG40 7’0” medium heavy power rod with 17 pound Berkley Sensation line. When the water temps drop I believe that a pork trailer has a better action, feel and more natural taste than plastic… which can mean more strikes!

So, don’t put the “softwater” fishing gear way just yet! Get out and enjoy some great fall action… just be sure to practice CPR (Catch Photograph and Release) or selective harvest, so we all can enjoy the fight!

-Jeff Morton

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