Article
Date: 10/5/2005
Fall
Bass
Patterns- By Dan Mathisen
As
the cooler temperatures start to take hold (many night already
have had nearly 40 degree swings), big changes are in store. The
transition period between summer and fall can be one of the toughest
times of the year to take bass. The right crankbaits
and some preparation can help. Start by spending time becoming
familiar with the baits you have. I divide them by depth, color
and sound. Once your baits properly divided and those modifications
have been made, it's a matter of finding the bass. Time on the
water will go a long way in this regard. Before fishing, you should
have a good working knowledge of the area you plan to fish. Locate
weedbeds, drops, channels and other forms of structure. This will
save time once the fishing starts.
Begin
your early fall fishing by working summer holding locations. After
all, this is where the fish will be starting from, so you should
too.
Summer
holding areas are normally deep points with wood, so fish these
areas with deep-running baits. Choose one that's designed to run
at least as deep as the water you're fishing. In most cases, you
will provoke more strikes if your lure is occasionally striking
the bottom or some of the cover there.
After
searching these summer areas, move along the channels, breaks
and weedbeds near or adjacent to these spots. You should have
these areas located and be able to find them quickly. Fish them
thoroughly - inside bends, outside bends, drops, ledges and humps.
Weedbeds
can be especially productive at this time of year. Rat-L-Traps
are the best tool for the job here. Try fishing the inside edge
- shallow side - first with a bait that runs at the depth of the
tallest weeds. Just “tickle the bait” through the
weeds as you retrieve it often the strike will come after the
Rat-L-Trap
pops free from the weed. These baits are especially effective
when retrieved across the tops of weeds. Crank them just fast
enough that they "tick" the tops of the vegetation.
If they foul in the weeds, a hard jerk will usually pull them
free.
From
there, if bass have not been found, move shallower until they
are found. Make your move in a consistent and logical manner.
Start deep and move up, slowly and carefully. Follow, and fish
thoroughly, any bends, breaks or irregularities in the cover.
Later
in the season, bass can be located in ditches, depressions and
other deep-water areas located along or on flats that are used
by them as late fall feeding areas. They tend to hold in these
areas as they are moving into their late fall feeding patterns.
Vary
the cadence of your pulls and stops until you find the triggering
technique. It varies from day to day and sometimes even within
the same day. Often, bass will strike suspending baits while ignoring
everything else in your tackle box.. If you're not having success
with a conventional crankbait, try a suspending bait.
If
you're uncertain as to the most productive depth to fish, consider
Yo Yo-ing a Rat-L-Trap.
These baits are versatile can be retrieved from top to bottom
and everywhere in between. Experienced anglers recommend varying
size, speed and running depth until you find what the fish want.
As
for color, there are about as many opinions and favorites as there
are anglers who cast these baits. Try using reds and oranges where
water clarity is less than gin clear. When visibility is tough,
most anglers, like brighter colors, such as red/oranges, chartreuse,
"clown" or "firetiger. In very clear water, many
successful anglers choose natural colors that emulate the prevalent
baitfish. Shad, bluegill, herring or crappie colors will shine
under these circumstances.
Admittedly,
I have not been the strongest crankbait
fisherman over the years. Developing skill at locating and catching
fall's transition bass can be a challenge at time. Crankbaits
can help. No other baits can cover so much water so quickly and
so thoroughly. Without the confidence my Team partner Vince Borges
has in this area, I’d probably still be flipping. Now I
am cranking the up and learning to keep the net close! Enjoy!
Dan
Mathisen
FishDelta.com
- All Species, All Delta
The
Ultimate Resource For California Delta Fishing
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