November is a huge transition month for bass in many lakes across the country. A combination of shorter daylight hours, cooling water temperatures, and biological changes all contribute to these seasonal patterns. In mid to late fall, there are windows of time when reaction baits will outproduce all other techniques. Learning to identify these windows is part of continued angling success this time of year.
A combination of factors will help the above patterns be successful:
- Water visibility greater than 3 feet
- Water temperatures between 55-65 degrees
- Moderate wind
- Low light levels (shade/clouds/rain)
Although these factors are not a guarantee to a successful fall day on the water, the will greatly increase your odds of success. In late fall, bass behavior can show aggressive feeding, especially on low light days. This is why power fishing and reaction baits can be so productive.
Baits like the GIANT DOG-X and DOG-X DIAMANTE walking topwaters along with a spinnerbait like the SV-3 are late fall favorites for producing both size and numbers of bass.
The GIANT DOG-X is a subtle walking bait best suited to calmer conditions, with a slow, steady cadence. Its compact, realistic profile and skating action create just enough disturbance to draw strikes from otherwise dormant fish. In contrast, the DOG-X DIAMANTE will handle larger chop or increased wind speed due to its size and splash-walking construction. When the water dips below 60 degrees, a slower cadence with some pauses can generate more strikes. When temperatures push past 60, often a more aggressive retrieve will do the trick.
These topwaters excel when fished near structure. Rock banks, bluffs, points, and around grass edges are some of the top areas in the late fall. Schooling fish pushing forage into pockets will also create opportunity with topwaters this time of year. Searching for baitfish breaking the surface and/or birds feeding will often provide a visual indicator of where to locate bass.
Rod action and line are also key elements of this technique.
A medium powered rod with a moderate to fast taper is a good option for the GIANT DOG-X. The Megabass OROCHIXX JERKBAIT SPECIAL or FLATSIDE SPECIAL paired with 12lb. test monofilament line is a great option. For a longer rod that handles both baits well, the OROCHIXX EMTF provides maximum casting distance and a supple bend that absorbs fierce strikes and headshakes.
When selecting topwater colors, the conditions always play a huge role. In general, a flat finish on low light days and a more translucent finish on brighter days are good starting points. These colors provide varying levels of contrast that will draw the attention of fish without becoming too unnatural.
Along with topwater, a high speed spinnerbait bite is a favorite tactic of many and heats up this time of year.
The SV-3 Spinnerbait can be “burned” between 3 and 6 inches under the surface, keeping it visible on the entire cast if possible. Fishing it this way will often cause bass to bite the lure like a topwater, by boiling the surface as they hit it moving just under the water.
The same factors for topwater success are also ideal for this style. Additionally, wind speeds of 10-20 mph with a choppy surface will act as cover to the bass and make them rise to bite the lure. Pre-frontal conditions or stable weather patterns are crucial. Like many reaction style baits, a front moving through can case a drastic loss of effectiveness once it passes through.
Another hot area to target is where wind is hitting the bank with the lowest light level, specifically near steep structures like bluffs/steep rocky banks and points. Paralleling steep banks is also an excellent way to catch them, especially if deeper water is close by.
When selecting a spinnerbait for late fall, colors mimicking shad and other baitfish such as Wakasagi, Hasu, and White Python can all be productive options. As always, the size of the bait determines how fast the bait will be retrieved. The heavier the weight, the faster the bait can be “burned.”
With both topwaters and spinnerbaits, the reality of the matter is that covering water is the primary goal. In late fall, bass are scattered shallow, and by covering as many of these areas as you effectively can, the results will show. So, set your trolling motors on high or hit the bank with your best hiking boots and tap the full fall potential!
