Early Fall Bass Tips

Well, we are definitely beginning to enter the fall bass pattern in the Northwest.  If you can disregard the ridiculous fist pump, here are some fall bass tips that will help you bag more fish.

The shad and other baitfish are starting to move back up into the bays and creeks at this point.  This this 3+ pound largie that I caught this morning was taken at Hayden Lake, ID, in a foot of water.  If you read our post entitled Late Summer Smallmouth, you will see that we have been fishing 25-40 feet deep jigging throughout August.  However, water temperatures fluctuate often in the Northwest, and can move fish patterns in just a matter of days. 

The Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass have moved up into the shallows once again, and present an excellent opportunity for anglers from boat and shore to capitalize on this opportunity.  The water temps are currently ranging from 72 degrees to as high as 80 degrees during high sun days.  With water temps still high, bass are very aggressive.  The largemouth from the picture above was taken on a 5" pumpkin pepper sinking worm by Mr. Twister.  I was also throwing a 7" Senko by yamamoto in Green Pumpkin color.  7-9 inch worms result in less hook sets by smaller bass, but can definitely help you find that lunker.  For those of you who have not tried a Mister Twister lure, they are excellent, high quality, and almost half the price of Yamamoto lures.  I love both Yamamoto and Mr. Twister, so pick by preference and wallet size.

If you launch at the back of Hayden, for fish the back of Spirit, Fernan, etc, you may be having trouble chasing the largemouth into the thick weeds.  Unfortunately there is a big millfoil problem at Hayden, causing much of sportsman's access to be unfishable.  I found size 2 Wacky, Weedless hooks at Cabelas for about $2.50.  These will help you fish your senkos or twisters wacky, while still hitting these high vegetation ares.  Buy yourself a couple packs, as you will use them.

Night time topwater will still help you land more bass during fall.  The bass are still rising and hitting bugs off the top, so take advantage of the opportunity with flies, jitterbugs, poppers, and topwater plugs.  Work varying retrieves, and make sure that you allow the bass to take the lure under before you set the hook.  The large majority of anglers set these topwater bates too quickly, resulting in a missed strike and wrapped line.

In conclusion, during the Early Fall Bass Pattern, take it to them in the shallows.  Match the bait with Green Pumpkin, and Pumpkin Pepper colors.  Finally, don't be afraid to swap out baits often, or change the size/color to make a better presentation.  Sometimes it takes a subtle change to bring the lunkers out.  Join us at www.hungryhook.com for more information.  Fall might be the best fishing time of the year if you approach the bass right.  Feel free to leave a comment should you have any questions, and most of all, respect the lake.

About the Author

As the co-author of www.hungryhook.com we are working to build the Northwest's #1 fishing site. We accept submissions from fishermen of all expertise from across the country, and give them the ability to promote their own fishing tips and products.