Fall brings about drastic and often fast changes to water temperature and cover, so you need a handful of versatile baits to adjust to the conditions and trigger bass. Wired2Fish contributor Dan Quinn lists his top 5 baits for locating and triggering bass at various depths and different cover types (full tackle list at the bottom).
QUINN’S TOP 5 FALL BASS BAITS
- Spinnerbait with Colorado blades. Slow rolling a spinnerbait is an excellent method for covering water and triggering bass keying in on baitfish. Once Quinn locates bass with a spinnerbait, he’ll often switch up to a slower vertical presentation to thoroughly fish the area.
- Bladed jig. Like a spinnerbait, bladed jigs are another moving (horizontal) bait that appeals to bass through a combination of size (big profile), flash, and vibration. Bass will often show a preference for one over the other, so it’s good to have both options at the ready when covering water.
- Buzzbait. Be it migrating frogs or schools of baitfish penetrating the shallows, never overlook the effectiveness of a buzzbait for fall bass fishing. The legendary buzzbait fishes fast and generates a ton of commotion, allowing you to eliminate dead water and trigger vicious blowups.
- Skirted bass jig. A great anytime option and perhaps the single most important bait in your box. Quinn relies on the jig for picking apart remaining stands of grass.
- Tokyo Rig. Like a jig, the Tokyo Rig can be fished horizontally or vertically and excels around cover and when bass are bottom oriented. The o-ring construction provides soft baits maximum freedom of movement.
FEATURED TACKLE:
- Terminator P1 Pro Spinnerbait, Double Colorado
- Storm Largo Shad (spinnerbait trailer)
- Terminator Shuddering Bait
- Yamamoto Zako (bladed jig trailer)
- Buzzbaits @ Tackle Warehouse
- Terminator Pro Series Jig
- 13 Fishing Caboose Craw
- VMC Tokyo Rig
- VMC Slider Weight
- 13 Fishing Invader (on Tokyo Rig)
- Plano Hydro Flo Hanging Bait Box 3505
- Rapala Red, White & Blue Trucker Cap
