Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.

com
 A Bass Fishing Tips & Tactics Publication

Bass Fishing Tips & Tactics’ Goal:

Provide useful and actionable educational material to those

wishing to enhance their knowledge and improve their fishing
skills …

Fall Bass Fishing Secrets … Revealed!

Jim Hickey
Bass Fishing Tips & Tactics
Maryville, Missouri

http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

Copyright - © Jim Hickey 2009

All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

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Disclaimer

This report has been written to provide information that will help you learn some
alternative Fall bass fishing strategies. Every effort has been made to make this
report as useful and accurate as possible however there may be mistakes in text
or content.

This report should be used as a guide – not as the ultimate source of information.
The purpose of this e-book report is to educate. The author and publisher do not
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Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

 Fall Bass Fishing Tips & Tactics

If you’re like me,

strong feelings with
mixed emotions start
to creep in when you
first notice the earlier
sunsets and cooler
temperatures as
Summer gives way to
Fall. Just as the
bright colors of
autumn leaves yield to the dull hues of decay, so vacillates my spirit as
I witness Fall bass fishing flow then ebb as Winter approaches.

Amongst all the turmoil of the season’s transitions, one fact rings loud
and clear …

Fall bass fishing provides the best opportunity for hopeful anglers to
catch not only large numbers of bass but also the opportunity to hook
that trophy “fish of a lifetime” we all dream about.

Setting the Stage – the Summer to Fall Transition Period

Anyone used to fishing ponds, lakes or reservoirs with fairly deep water
should realize many summertime bass reside in main lake areas.
While residing in main lake areas, summertime bass typically relate to
main lake points, offshore bars, submerged structure, deep weed beds
and creek channels.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

The reasons bass prefer these summertime locations are simple; the
deeper water areas offer a combination of cooler temperatures (hence
relief from summertime heat) and presence of forage since many
baitfish such as shad or herring.

Just as bass prefer areas with cooler temperatures and plentiful food,
baitfish also live out in the main lake for similar reasons. As
environmental conditions change, the Summer to Fall transition kicks
off and usually occurs between mid-September through mid-October
depending on your latitude.

When the calendar passes autumn’s equinox, a combination of

shortened days and cooler air masses work to lower water
temperatures throughout the aquatic system. As temperatures fall,
signals are sent out to the fish causing both bass and baitfish to slowly
start the migration from their summertime, deepwater haunts into
shallower creek arms and bays.

Though many bass start

their movement toward the
backwater areas, changing
weather patterns can
quickly alter water
conditions and force the
fish back towards deeper
water. In turn, bass are
often very transient, scattered and difficult to pattern during the switch
from summertime to fall habits and patterns. Accordingly, fishing
during this transition time can be slow but persistence often yields
decent fishing and great insight into the beginning of the true Fall
migration.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

Fortunately the summer to fall transition is relatively short (a few
weeks at most) ultimately leading the way to multiple weeks of
absolutely great fishing as the bass prepare for the winter slow-down
and period of near dormancy.

Special Fall Bass Fishing Tip/Tactic - 1:

Actually this is a Late Summer to Early Fall bass fishing secret

I employ in ponds and reservoirs with populations of schooling
baitfish like shad (South & Western US) or herring (Eastern
US). As the Summer starts to wind-down, schooling baitfish
start to congregate in the main lake area and bass often do as
well. The reason … simply to take advantage of ambush
situations where they can corral baitfish quickly and grab a
fast meal (a healthier version of McD’s I guess!).

I have had some great days on western reservoirs catching

unsuspecting bass as they thrashed at shad on the surface.
Some of the more memorable days, however, were catching
bass herding herring on a number of fertile, vegetated lakes of
the East. The diagram below depicts a common situation
where this situation often occurs.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

As the baitfish schools cruise the water searching out
plankton, they would frequently encounter blooms in waters
around and over submerged weedbeds like coontail and
pondweed.
Though the weedbeds may appear dense and impenetrable, a
fairly open system exists within the internal structure creating
perfect hiding places for bass to wait in ambush. When the
school of herring swims around and over the weedbeds, the
bass then start to herd the baitfish against the surface. Take
the time to position yourself in the area of the weedbeds and
have rods rigged with jig & worms, tubes, lipless/shallow
running crankbaits and small Spinnerbaits and the action can
be fast and furious in spurts of a few minutes at a time.

The Fall Trilogy – Early Fall, Mid-Fall, and Late Fall Periods

The Early Fall – Baitfish Factor …

During the summer, baitfish such as shad and herring reside in

deepwater, main lake areas just as many bass do. Once the water
temperatures start to slowly decrease, baitfish start to migrate to the
shallower bays and flats in the lower portions of creek arms in search
of forage (plankton) as they prepare for the coming winter period just
like the bass.

It should be of little surprise that the bass will be “hot on their tails” as
the bass also start to strap on the proverbial “feed-bag” to prepare for
the winter doldrums.

Both the baitfish and bass tend to remain sections of major creek arms
and bays closest to the main lake during this Early Fall period. As a
result, bass are somewhat scattered and are sometimes hard to
pinpoint while in a pseudo-transition state. Structures and weed beds
located near the entrance to creek arms and bays as well as deep
weed-laden flats are typical haunts used by Early Fall bass and baitfish.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

If aquatic weeds comprise a significant structure fish relate to in the
lakes, rivers or reservoirs you fish carefully monitor the pattern of
dying vegetation. Remembering to key in on deeper, more vibrant
weed beds and weed-lines as shallow vegetation dies off can often
provide excellent dividends in both the quantity and quality of the bass
caught in vegetated waters …

Even though bass are still transient in nature and are typically
scattered during the Early Fall period, they are already starting to feed
heavily and can be readily caught when located. A definite plus for the
Early Fall bass fishermen …

Fishing Tactics for Early Fall

Since bass are scattered and roaming in Early Fall, a prime objective is
to target fish associated with shallow structures. These shallow bass
are actively feeding therefore it is usually easy to take advantage of
their aggressive behavior and experience some truly exceptional days
on the water.

Lure selection should focus on baits that can cover water and structure
as quickly as possible since the goal is to pick off any aggressively
feeding bass in the area.

Fish are typically keyed on larger forage to prepare for the slower
conditions during the winter season. Not only do you want to select
lures that can cover water quickly but you also want to use larger
profile artificial baits.

Primary candidates for Early Fall artificial lure selections include:

• Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits with big blades,

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

 • Larger shallow and deep running crankbaits in baitfish patterns,
• Jump-baits and large topwaters,
• Lipless crankbaits and
• Light colored swimming jigs.

Theses lures can all be productive when presented to early fall bass
under the right conditions.

After refining your lure selection there are a couple of key points to
remember about Early Fall bass location. First, Early fall bass are often
on the move and scattered so isolated structures are often more
productive during this time than areas where structure is more densely
packed. Additionally, remember to note the condition of aquatic
vegetation you are planning to fish and shift to deeper weed beds as
shallower vegetation shows signs of stress.

Also since the fish are targeting schools of baitfish, Early Fall bass will
often suspend in the upper parts of submerged structure (tops of weed
beds, bushes or suspended over rock piles. It is important to keep
your lure presentations higher in the water column since the bass are
usually NOT relating to bottom structures.

Early to Early-Mid Fall Bass & Weather

During most of the Early Fall and into the Mid Fall period, both windy
and rainy weather can play a key role in increasing bass feeding
activity. The effect of both conditions on surface results in lower levels
of light penetration, adding increased levels of dissolved oxygen (DO)
and slightly cooling temperatures. Even though these same conditions
tend to shut-down bass fishing in the Late Fall, all three factors can
significantly enhance bass feeding activity during these times.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

Note - the timing of these facts and tactics will vary depending on your
local climate and may not even apply to the far southern portions of
Florida since it never really gets cold there!

Special Fall Bass Fishing Tip/Tactic - 2:

Here’s a little Early to Mid Fall bass fishing secret I first

discovered while fishing reservoirs in the Western U.S. then
subsequently verified on several natural pond systems in the
Northeast. Most of us cringe when we hear the weather
person on the evening news start talking of impending cold
fronts and the brisk, windy weather that follows. I know I did
until I encountered a situation where bass were herding
baitfish (shad out west and herring in the east) in the rolling
surf of wind-swept shores.

Normally the post-front winds blow from the northwest

therefore the area where this condition exists is typically on
the southeast side of the lake. When conditions are right, the
bass are in an absolute feeding frenzy and I have personally
caught numerous largemouth and smallmouth in excess of 16
inches with the largest being 23 and 21.5 inches, respectively.
The fishing can be absolutely insane with lures such as jigs
and lipless crankbaits leading the way!

The Heart of the Matter – The Mid-Fall Period …

When they refer to fall bass fishing the Mid-Fall period is the one they
are talking about. By this time, water temperatures have fallen to the
low sixties/upper fifties and the bass have really strapped on the old

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

feed bags. The techniques will be similar in nature to the early fall
period but the location of your quest shifts further into the back of
creek arms and bays.

The reason for this is the fact that the bass are following the schools of
baitfish which are searching out their primary forage plankton.
Plankton tend to thrive in the upper end of creek arms and backs of
bays since those areas are usually receiving more concentrated levels
of nutrients they feed on. One indication of a rich phytoplankton
population is the presence of a greenish coloration to the water (the
phytoplankton are green due to the presence of chlorophyll for
photosynthesis).

As the creeks discharge water into the creek arms, the water is often
laden with the requisite nutrients derived from fertilizer runoff thereby
feeding the phytoplankton which in turn feeds the baitfish with the
bass hot on their proverbial tails!

Which creek arms might be best?

Simply the creeks with an active in-flow of water since the influx
carries both the nutrients required to feed the plankton and it provides
a constant source of dissolved oxygen helping offset the oxygen
depleting effect of dying plankton and other vegetation.

Mid-Fall Fishing Techniques

Lure selection and presentation methods are similar to early fall but
the location has shifted to the back of creeks. Once the bait and bass
move into the upper portions of the creek arms and backs of bays, you
still want to focus your lure presentations on isolated structures

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

scattered across the flats, especially those near some sort of break-
line.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

An even better situation occurs
when you locate scattered
structures in creek arms with
well-defined creek channels and
migration pathways between the
structures and the creek channel.
The more well developed creek
arms contain both the channel (a
major break-line) and adjacent flats. The best flats are usually those
with scattered structures opposed to those with extensive structural
elements.

Narrow creek arms tend to have limited flats adjacent to the channel.
In this situation, bass often use the confined area of the narrow creek
environment to corral the baitfish into tight pods thereby making them
easier prey. When this condition exists, it is very common to see bass
busting schools of baitfish in these confined settings.

Special Fall Bass Fishing Tip/Tactic - 3:

When you encounter bass busting schools of baitfish on top

throw a variety of lures (jigs, tubes, topwaters, crankbaits)
into the action and strikes are often fast and furious. Many
times the bass working the surface are the smaller (12” – 14”);
nice but bigger fish would be a nice addition. The larger fish
are often sitting below the surface feeding activity waiting to
“slurp-up” any stunned or injured bait falling beneath the
main school. Though it can be difficult to get a bait through
the smaller bass feeding on top, switching to heavier lures and
targeting the edge of the surface activity will often get the
baits to the deeper (and larger) opportunistic fish!

Lure selection during the mid fall period should be the same as in Early
Fall. Larger profile baits that can be worked quickly around shallow,
isolated structures are often best.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

Prime examples include:

• Spinnerbaits with large blades in baitfish patterns;

• Buzzbaits in baitfish or bright patterns (my personal favorite);
• Thick bodied, weightless worm or stickbait as a follow-up to
misses on buzzbaits;
• Lipless crankbaits in baitfish patterns;
• Shallow, square-billed crankbaits; &
• Large-profile, light-colored swim jigs.

When starting your search in the creek arms for bass in the Mid Fall
period, one approach to maximize your time on the water is to motor
up into the backs of the creek arms and then slowly work your way out
toward the mouth. Once you’ve located the main concentration of
migrating bass and baitfish, you can then focus your efforts in that part
of the creek to optimize your results.

One other thing to keep in mind, during this period, though the bass
still relate to isolated structure (i.e., scattered tree pods over the flat
rather than flats covered with standing trees), the fish tend to be more
concentrated on the structure they’re relating too. After locating the
section of the creek holding the greatest numbers of fish, keep working
each structure since multiple fish are likely holding on or near it.

As the mid fall period starts to wind down and make the transition into
the Late Fall, the appeal of the larger, faster moving baits wanes. This
means it is time to re-define both your approach and tactics when
seeking Late Fall bass.

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

The Beginning of the End … The Late Fall Period …

When the late fall period starts, the migration patterns of the early and
mid fall periods are reversed as both baitfish and bass move back out
from the creek arms and bays into the main lake area.

Bass will still be actively feeding; they are more prone to be feeding
later in the day when surface water temperatures are warmest. This
response is related to the actions of the baitfish whose activity is
closely tied to the activity of phytoplankton in the open water
environment.
During the latter mid to late parts of the day when the Sun is highest,
phytoplankton activity increases in the upper portion of the water
column drawing the baitfish up as well.

The concentration of baitfish near the surface again creates a situation

the bass can capitalize on since the water surface becomes a barrier
the bass can use to corral the baitfish making feeding more effective.
During the late fall, it is quite common to see pods of baitfish suddenly
busting on the surface in the main lake area as the bass are basically
herding them against the surface.

Tactics to catch schooling bass include the use of

topwaters and stickbaits as long as the water
temperature is over 50o F, lipless crankbaits, or
weighted jigs and grubs.

Once the surface schooling action dies and bass

drop back to deep creek channels or weed beds,

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

the best approach for late fall bass turns to slow, subtle presentation
techniques involving hair jigs and spoons.

When fishing hair jigs, adding small profile pork trailers and using a
slow, steady and very subtle retrieve is a key factor when effectively
presenting these baits. Another approach can be to use a spoon and a
slow vertical jigging presentation around deep structure.

The late fall period is often the slowest and most tedious part of the fall
season though bass are usually tightly schooled and some days can be
truly exceptional. This is especially true when you come across those
concentrations of larger bass. Even though their cold-blooded
metabolisms are extremely sluggish, well executed, slow presentations
of lures such as hair jigs and pork eel combinations can yield excellent
results.

Late Fall Bass & Weather …

Unlike the attraction of bass to foul weather conditions in the Early to

Mid Fall periods (when water temperatures are still above the mid
fifties), Late Fall bass are generally turned off during the same
conditions. Optimum weather for enhancing Late Fall bass activity is
associated with calm winds and afternoon sunshine which warms
surface waters often triggering baitfish activity and bass activity is
close behind …

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com

Added Bonus Figure: Lower half of a Midwestern reservoir with indications of
bass and baitfish locations for each of the Fall seasons discussed in this
special report

Copyright © 2009 Jim Hickey http://bassfishingtips-tactics.com