Making The Transition From Summer to Fall Fishing

As the weather begins to cool, anglers start making the transition from summer to fall fishing. The behavior of bass undergoes considerable shifts from summer to fall. Gaining an understanding of how bass reacts to these changes can help anglers fish the fall transition much more successfully. Lower water temps impact largemouth and smallmouth bass. Summer-to-fall transition changes fish behavior, movement patterns, and preferred catching methods.

How Fall Temps Affect Bass Fishing

Bass swim to deeper water in the summer because the temperature is much cooler and offers higher oxygen. The air gets colder and water surface temperatures decrease as fall draws near. This causes a “turnover” effect in the lake. The surface water starts cooling quicker than the water below resulting in deeper water becoming warmer.

Once this turnover is complete, the warmest water will be located in deeper regions of the lake, while shallow waters become cooler, making these places favorable to bass fishing. This gives fishermen a fantastic chance to target bass in shallow water in the fall.

Bass Fishing Behavior During The Summer to Fall Transition

Because of the warm water in the late summer, bass become lethargic, but as fall approaches, fish behavior becomes active. The active feeding season for smallmouth and largemouth bass starts as they prepare for winter. Their primary goal is to feast by pursuing schools of baitfish. Anglers need to understand this variation in behavior since it affects where and how bass will feed.

It is important to know where the baitfish are in the fall as opposed to the summer. As baitfish move to the shallows, they create feeding areas for bass. Bass follow baitfish as their number one food source during the summer-to-fall transition. High baitfish and shad populations in lakes, reservoirs, and creeks, are the reason for the unique prominence of bass migration. 

Where to Find Bass During Fall Transition

Fall is a prime time to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass, but it requires adapting your techniques to match their seasonal behavior.

1. Fishing Shallow Waters

As bass move into shallow waters to feed on baitfish, this is where anglers should focus. Look for areas where baitfish are schooling, as this is where bass will be ambushing their prey. Fishing topwater lures and the wacky rig is very productive.

2. Targeting Bluff Walls and Channel Swings

As water levels change in the fall, bluff walls and channel swings become prime areas to fish. Bass can conceal themselves in these places and ambush baitfish passing through. Crankbait and jig fishing can be productive along these drop-offs for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

3. Focusing on Laydowns and Remaining Vegetation

In the cooler months, when the vegetation dies off, bass will cling to whatever available cover. Laydowns (fallen trees) and any vegetation that remains alive may hold bass. You can get excellent results by fishing a jig or a Texas-rigged soft-plastic bait through these locations.

4. Creeks, Rivers, and Flats

As fall unfolds, smallmouth and largemouth bass use creeks and rivers that flow into bigger bodies of water as feeding grounds. When not overly shallow, flats can be great places to catch bass when they stray in quest of baitfish. In these regions, moving baits like crankbaits and spinnerbaits are effective.

5. Lakes, Ledges, Channels

As summer gives way to fall, water levels in many lakes start to decline. This modification impacts the bass-holding region. Fish seek areas such as points, ledges, and deeper channels. Concentrate your fishing efforts on places with steep banks or drop-offs when fishing lakes with notable water level fluctuations. Drop shot excels in these situations.

Baitfish And Shad Migration in Fall

The success of fall fishing is influenced by baitfish and shad. During the summer, shad remain in deeper, cooler water. Shad and baitfish move toward the backs of creeks and shallow areas to eat plankton. Following these migrations, bass feast on shad as they prepare for the colder months. Finding these schools of baitfish is crucial to successful fall fishing. Locate shad and baitfish, and you will locate bass. 

Ideal Baits For Fall Bass Fishing

Different baits shine during the fall transition, depending on where you are fishing and the conditions. Here are some of the best options:

• Jigs: Versatile for working through heavy cover, laydowns, and along bluff walls.
• Crankbait Fishing in The Fall: Excellent for mimicking baitfish, crankbaits work well in channel swings and across flats.
• Umbrella Rigs: These multi-lure setups mimic a school of baitfish and are effective in deeper water or where baitfish are schooling.
• Spinnerbaits: Great for covering water in rivers and creeks, spinnerbaits work well in stained and clear water.
• Drop Shot Baits: Great for offering a smaller presentation to bass in deeper water.
• Power Shot Rigs: Similar to the drop shot, this finesse technique targets bass around structure and vegetation.
• Jerkbaits: A go-to bait in the fall for targeting aggressive bass in shallow to mid-range depths.
• Wacky Rig: Works well around remaining vegetation and in shallower areas where bass are feeding on baitfish.
• Topwater Lures: A top choice for fishing shallow cover or around vegetation, as bass strike aggressively at the surface in the fall.

Making The Transition From Summer to Fall Fishing Conclusion

Success in fall fishing depends on adjusting to water temperatures, baitfish migration patterns, and bass behavior. Concentrate on good locations where bass are chasing shad and other baitfish. Employ successful tactics and lures, like jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits, to mimic the voracious eating habits of bass. Making the transition from summer to fall fishing will provide some of the best fishing for any angler.