Tackle Warehouse Pro Picks for Fall Bassin ’
Jared Lintner
Mark Menendez
Justin Lucas
Water temps are dropping , baitfish and shad are migrating to the back of the creeks or living around the existing vegetation . Make sure to look for the healthiest grass . If you don ’ t have grass , key on the deeper creek channel bends and pockets .
Brabec Baby Double Buzz Buzzbaits
Draws big bites this time of year when fished with a slow to medium retrieve near channel swings adjacent to flats in major creeks .
Tip – Black is my No . 1 choice . Use a big trailer to keep the bait up so you can fish it slower .
Fall fishing to me is all about finding the baitfish and really paying attention to what size they are . This is the time of year I focus on topwater , crankbaits , swimbaits and spinnerbaits .
Berkley Choppo
The Choppo is the bait of choice if I ’ m fishing closer to the bank and need to cover a ton of water . It ’ ll work almost anywhere in the fall .
Tip – Because there are three sizes , you can pick the size that best imitates whatever baitfish are present .
Fall fishing locations are primarily dictated by baitfish , and bass will follow the baitfish buffet . Wind will always favor the angler as it positions bass to ambush their meal .
Strike King KVD Magnum Squarebill
Focus on laydowns on creek channel swings with the 4.0 size . The oversized profile attracts larger bass .
Tip – Use 17-pound Seaguar AbrasX and deflect it off cover to create strikes . 1 / 0 heavy , roundbend Gamakatsu treble hooks help move large bass from the cover .
Jackall TN 70
Mimics dying shad / baitfish in back of creeks and pockets . Fish near any type of healthy vegetation .
Tip – Try different retrieves such as burning it or using the lift-and-drop technique .
Berkley Frittside Crankbait
This is hands down my favorite crankbait that I have ever thrown . It ’ s very easy to cast , has incredible action and flat out catches bass . It imitates shad perfectly .
Tip – Use the smaller 5 Jr . size if you want to catch more fish and match smaller shad . Use the ghost morning dawn color if you ’ re fishing clear water .
Strike King Rage Tail Grub
When shad migrate to backs of creeks and bass are feeding heavily on shad , oftentimes bass will ignore an angler ’ s offerings .
Tip – Rig a 4 ” Hot Chartreuse Rage Grub on a 1 / 8 – 1 / 4 Tour Grade jig head and cast directly into the schooling action giving a totally different presentation as the bass are so focused on shad .
Jackall Mikey Wakebait
Focus on creek channel swings with rock , wood or stumps and fish with a popping or snapping action .
Tip – Keep rod tip high and fish slow , use monofilamont , like Sunline Supernatural .
Berkely MaxScent Flatworm
No secret this is potentially the best smallmouth bait ever made . If you ’ re fishing for smallmouth in the fall , you better have this tied on !
Tip – Personally , I only use three colors : green pumpkin , black and smoke with black and purple flake . I like green pumpkin the majority of the time , black when it ’ s low light and smoke with purple and black when it ’ s super clear .
Strike King Tour Grade Buzzbait
Make repetitive casts to isolated cover in creek-backs using a Tour Grade Buzzbait .
Tip – For less aggressive bass remove skirt and use white ZToo jerkbait .
34 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2021