“ Most people don ’ t realize how important bluegill are this time of year , especially for the big bass ,”
Jeremy Lawyer leans heavily on baits that he knows will get slightly bigger bites in late summer / early fall tournaments the window because just cashing a check – say finishing 12th or something at that event – sucks , because they only take the top six guys to the All-American . It ’ s all about making ( the Regional ), or that whole season is for naught , and that ’ s always been my mindset .”
Wiggins has also qualified for the All- American and enjoyed plenty of success in end-of-season events in his home state of Alabama . He subscribes to a similar shift in thinking for any multi-day championship .
“ You don ’ t have to worry about points ( at championship events ); you ’ re not just trying to get a limit ,” Wiggins said . “ In any of those big events , you try to win , because they pay the most or get you to the All-American . For those events , my practice was always different : You have to write off anything that can ’ t win it for you .”
Expect tough fishing
Fall fishing has always been known to be a little trickier than the rest of the year , primarily because the summer heat has taken its toll and water levels are typically at their lowest . It can be a challenging time to fish for bass , but that opens up the possibility of doing well just by catching an above-average limit every day .
“ Fishing is tough that time of year , but it ’ s going to be tough on everyone ,” Lawyer reasoned . “ When it ’ s like that , it would be easy to try to downsize to get a small limit . But most of the time , just catching a limit doesn ’ t make a difference , because the guys who win swing a little harder and are focused on catching big ones .
PHOTO BY TYLER BRINKS
Lawyer claimed the 2016 All-American .
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM
“ I almost always spent my practice time trying to find a bite or technique that would get me a few bigger bites to put me in a position to win . That ’ s always how I looked at any championship tournament “
Lawyer believes that shallow water offers some of the best chances at bigger fish in September .
“ I think the majority of fish want to come shallow in the fall , and Dion Hibdon always told me that it ’ s better to be fishing where they ’ re going and not where they ’ ve been ,” he said . “ There are some exceptions , but I believe shallow water gives you your best chance .”
Wiggins employs a similar outlook . He ’ s also learned to have a short memory during fall events .
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