5 Finesse Fishing Tricks For Early Fall Bass

Early Fall can be awesome bass fishing! The fish are gorging on baitfish as we head toward the cooler months. You can throw all sorts of reaction baits to catch them but what do you do when conditions don't line up and the fishing gets tough? Do you struggle to catch fish when everyone else is talking about how great it is? Today you're going to learn to finesse fish through the tough days and its going to make a huge difference for you!

Tim loves to power fish but when the going gets tough he immediately reaches for finesse tackle. The beauty of Fall is that bass become incredibly predictable. As the grass dies back the fish pull up against hard cover. Dock pilings, lay down trees, rocks, etc... all become easy targets that consistently hold bass. Because fish are pulling to cover you can fish effectively with slow moving baits like dropshot, tube, Neko rig, etc.

We're not suggesting that you stop reaction fishing (Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, etc...) during the Fall. Instead, recognize there are great opportunities for both fishing styles and when the fish stop responding to fast moving baits, immediately slow down. You'll be amazed how many fish you can catch on what would have been a very tough day.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and tackle that Tim shows in the video, including key colors for Fall fishing.

Dropshot Baits...

-Reaction Innovations Flirt 4.95” (Lickety Split, Morning Dawn) : http://bit.ly/2CMB33J

-Damiki Armour Shad 3” (RP Blue Pearl, American Shad) : http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

-Keitech Swing Impact Fat 2.8 (Electric Shad, Rainbow Shad) : http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Roboworm Straight Tail Worm 4.5” (MMIII, Prism Shad, Aarons Pro Shad) : http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

-Bite Me Small Smasher - (Silver Smoke Blue, Green Pumpkin Purple Flk) : http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

-Strike King Dream Shot 4.25” (Brown/Purple, Moon Juice) : http://bit.ly/2KNXuK9

Dropshot Terminal...

-Swagger Tackle Tungsten drop shot weight (3/16th, 1/4oz) : http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

-Owner Mosquito Light hook size 1 : http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

-Lazer Trokar Dropshot hook Size 1 : http://bit.ly/2ahxJOr

Shakeyhead Worms and Terminal...

-Dirty Jigs Shakeyhead 3/16th, 1/4oz : http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

-Reaction Innovations Flirt 4.95” (Lickety Split, Morning Dawn) : http://bit.ly/2CMB33J

-Roboworm Straight Tail Worm 6” : (Aarons Pro Shad, MMIII, Prism Shad) : http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Neko Rig Terminal, Parts, and Worms...

-G7 Worm Tube Pliers. : http://bit.ly/2PRMNrG

-G7 Worm Protect Tubes Size 6 for 5” Senko : http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

-Yamamoto 5” Senko (Electric Shad, Natural Shad) : http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

-Z-Man Zinker Z 5” (Smelt, The Deal) : http://bit.ly/2ZVJANs

-Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hook Size 1 : http://bit.ly/2kfdv37

-Swagger Tackle Pagoda Nail Weight 1/16th, 1/32nd : http://bit.ly/2iGNSFW

Tubes and Heads...

-Dry Creek 3.5” Tourney Tube (Old Ugly, Green Pump Purple Copper Flake) : http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube - (Green Pump Purp Cop Flk, Dark Grn Pumpkin Smoke Purple) : http://bit.ly/32e23VR

-Bite Me Big Dude Tube Head : http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S

-Bite Me Flat Eye Tube Head : http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

Finesse Swimbaits and heads...

-Megabass Dark Sleeper (Donko, Wakasagi) : http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

-Keitech Easy Shad 3” (Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl) : http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

-Keitech Swing Impact Fat 2.8” (Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl) : http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Damiki Armor Shad Paddle Tail : RP Blue Pearl, American Shad) : http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/8oz) : http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Ned Rig Worms and Heads...

-Swagger Tackle Tungsten Flanders Head (1/8oz) : http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb (Fishalicious, Goby Bite, Super Bug) : http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

-Roboworm Ned Worm (Hologram Shad, Prism Shad, Desert Craw): http://bit.ly/2j9F0X

Catching Bass In The Fall Transition On Frogs, Jigs, and Dropshot

Come along for an awesome topwater morning! We launched the bass boat in total darkness so we'd be ready for first light. As soon as you could see, the bass began exploding on our frogs! Once the sun was up we headed to the docks in search of bass with jigs, dropshot, texas rigs, and an old faithful curly tail grub. Ross England has filmed several finesse videos with us in the past but today you really get to see him approaching docks. Hop in the boat and enjoy a great day of fishing on Clearlake!

During the Fall transition, low light is a critical time for catching big bass. These fish are adapting to changing conditions and will often feed heavily at first and last light when their odds of success are the highest. Once the sun is up they'll sit in the shadows and wait for their next feeding opportunity. Understanding when its time to fish reaction baits and when its time to slow down and finesse is the key to consistent success.

In today's video we began by targeting the active morning feeding period with three different frogs (linked below). Once the sun hit the water the active bite vanished. If we had stayed in this are it would have been a struggle all day to get bit so we opted to move across the lake to an area covered with docks. By switching to hard cover (dock pilings) and shadows we were able to consistently catch fish the rest of the day.

Ross England has made a career targeting bass in docks. He loves to finesse fish amongst the pilings and today we got to see it in action! He used a combination of dropshot and curly tail grub to coax midday bass out from under the docks. It was a pleasure to watch him methodically approach each dock and successfully locate the bass within.

Below is a breakdown of the equipment we used during today's video. You'll also find links to the videos we've done with Ross in the past as well as a link to his guiding website.

Videos Featuring Ross...

-Dropshot Fishing Tips: How To Catch Fish All Winter : http://bit.ly/2kCiNFZ

-Dropshot Tips For Big Bass! Ft. Ross England : http://bit.ly/2k7U9Na

Ross England's Clearlake Guide Service Website: http://bit.ly/2mb7DIP

Matt's Baits In Order Of Appearance...

Frog- River2Sea Bully Wa 2 (Little Allen, Ghost): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

Creature- Keitech Crazy Flapper 4.4 (Green pumpkin Fire): http://bit.ly/2c3cXrp

Jig- Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig 5/16 oz (Green Pumpkin Craw): http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

Jig Trailer- Yamamoto Double Tail 4" Grub (Watermelon): http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Underspin- Owner Flashy Swimmer 5/0 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Underspin Swimbait- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact (Pro Blue Red Pearl): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Ross's Baits...

Frog- Jackall Kaera (Glitter Bluegill): http://bit.ly/2Fz6SA3

Grub- Yamamoto 4" Single Tail Grub (Smoke Blk Flake): http://bit.ly/2kFzGPZ

Grub Hook- Revenge Darter Hedz 1/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2cHMZbm

Dropshot Worm- Roboworm 6" (Margarita Mutilator): http://bit.ly/2asZyH3

Dropshot Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Matt's All-Around Dock Combo...

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Curado DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Ross's Finesse Combo...

Rod- Powell Endurance 7'3" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2QyFvNk

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- 8 lb Power Pro Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 8 lb Seaguar Red Label: http://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

Fall Swimbait Tricks - Which Swimbaits Catch More Fish?

Swimbait fishing is easy! As soon as you know the subtle tricks you'll start catching fish consistently. Have you tried swimbaits on your home lake without success? Are you the guy thats wondering if your lake even has a swimbait bite? We're here to tell you that EVERY lake has a swimbait bite, it doesn't matter where you fish or how small the "average" fish in the lake tends to be, bass love eating other fish. The issue isn't the bass, the issue is a combination of (lack of) confidence and the wrong (swimbait) tool for the job. Today, Tim is sharing all his confidence baits. He's covering everything from giant glidebaits all the way down to finesse paddle tails. Tim's goal is to explain how to consistently catch bass using a variety of swimbaits throughout the Fall.

Swimbait fishing is all about details. Knowing which baitfish your bass are targeting, what times they prefer to feed, and where their ambush points are, may seem overwhelming at first but don't be intimidated. You'll be amazed that when you start paying attention to the subtle nuances these questions and more will answer themselves during the course of your fishing. As your knowledge increases, you naturally gain confidence and your success will sky rocket.

Preparation is also key when swimbait fishing. Understanding the fish is half the battle but preparing your equipment is equally important. Many anglers go through the time and expense to hook a giant swimbait fish but fail to land it because their gear isn't up to the task. Large swimbaits require more specialized equipment than any other lure in bass fishing.

Below is a breakdown of Tim's favorite baits by style. We've also included a full breakdown of the rods, reels, and equipment he trusts to land those giant bass once they strike.

Small Swimbaits...

-Basstrix 6" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

-Megabass Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

-Keitech 2.8-4.8 Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Rage Swimmer: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Small Bait Rigging...

Swimbait Head- Matt Allen Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Finesse Head- Guppy Head: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Bladed Head- Okashira Screw Head: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

Underspin- (Weedless)- Owner Flashy Swimmer: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Underspin- Blade Runner 1/2 oz Flash Trix (Anchovy): http://bit.ly/2oocg0a

Line Through- Red One Systems Kit: http://bit.ly/2m2rcmx

Boot Tail Baits...

-Osprey Winged Talon: http://bit.ly/2IBlDTG

(Chartreuse Shad, TW Shad)

-Osprey Tournament Talon 6": http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

(Chartreuse Shad, Reverse Hitch, TW Shad)

-All American Trash fish 6": http://bit.ly/2xRdCFP

(Hologram Shad, Just Shad, Hitch)

-All American Sunfish: http://bit.ly/2ahBNOT

(Crappie, Female Gill, Pearl White)

-All American Trash Fish 8": http://bit.ly/2hmXtg1

(Chartreuse Shad, Just Shad, KC Ghost)

-Twerk minnow: http://bit.ly/2lEZufe

(Hitch, Gizzard, Reverse Hitch)

Paddletail Swimbait Hooks...

-5/0 Trokar for Trash Gill: http://bit.ly/2iTeTSh

-6/0 Beast for Trash Fish: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

-10/0 Beast for Trash Fish/Twerk: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

WedgeTail Swimbaits...

8" Huddleston ROF 12: http://bit.ly/2azFTon

8" Huddleston ROF 5: http://bit.ly/2UVHiuQ

ABT WagTail 9": http://bit.ly/2lBiT0G

Glide Baits...

-Baitsanity Antidote Glide: http://bit.ly/2ztUk9z

(Trout, Shad)

- River2Sea S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

(Light Trout, party crasher)

-Gan Craft Jointed Claw 178: http://bit.ly/2d5l48K

(Hitch, Rainbow, Wakasagi)

-Ima Glide Fluke 178: http://bit.ly/2xrMwo4

(Natural, Gizzard, Bone)

Multi-Joint Hard Swimbaits...

-BBZ Slow Sink 8": http://bit.ly/2cU1x5P

-Bull Shad 7" Slow Sink Gizzard: http://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM

Favorite Swimbait Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 35 lb Sunline FC100: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget-Friendly Combo...

Rod- Dobyns Fury 806 (8' Heavy): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano Cardiff 300A: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- 25 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Where Do Bass Go During The Fall Transition? (And How To Catch Them)

Fall is fast approaching and the bass are already on the move. If your fish are starting to disappear and you don't know why, we're here to help! As the nights get cooler the bass fishing changes over night, stumping many anglers. The offshore fish begin to gather and the shallow fish abandon their Summer cover in search of new spots. If you're not ready for what comes next it can leave you scratching your head.

The Fall Transition comes much earlier than most anglers realize. Its not a slow progression, the bass will begin their movements overnight. One day you're on an awesome topwater bite, the next you can't find a fish. When this happens its time to step back and look at what is motivating these fish to move. Whether you're targeting shallow bass or deep, the bass' next movement is motivated by the baitfish's location. As the bait begins to gather, so will the bass.

If your fish are out deep, expect them to begin gathering on the best structures. Expect to find them on corners of ledges with deep water access, long tapering points that break to deep water, and later you can expect them to transition toward the backs of deep coves. Shallow fish will abandon the scattered weeds in favor of thick weed clumps and hard structures. As the seasons progress these fish will begin bunching up along ambush points and pockets.

Below is a breakdown of the gear we recommend using during these conditions. We've separated it into shallow and deep approaches depending on which group of fish you're pursuing.

Shallow Flipping components...

Stopper- 6th Sense Peg X: http://bit.ly/2bHjowk

Weight- Vader Tungsten 1.5 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV

Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap 5/0: http://bit.ly/2sBsR1Z

Bait #1- Jackall Archelon (Green Pumpkin, School Gill): http://bit.ly/2uo4sN5

Bait #2- Strike King Rage Craw (Green Pumpkin, Dirty Craw): http://bit.ly/2uoqsLJ

Shallow Reaction Baits...

Crankbait- River2Sea Biggie Squarebill (Abalone Shad, TS Minnow): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Crankbait- Lucky Craft 1.5 Squarebill (Ghost Minnow, American Shad): http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Topwater- River2Sea Rover 128 (Ghost Minnow, Sooner, You Know It): http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Jig For Deep Or Shallow...

Jig- 1/2 oz Pitchin Jig (Go To, Molting Craw): http://bit.ly/2amL3of

Jig Trailer- Sweet Beaver (Green Pumpkin, Tramp Stamp): http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

Deep Water Baits...

Crankbait- Strike King 6XD (Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Delta Red, Pro Blue): http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Crankbait- Strike King 10XD (Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Delta Red): http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Hook Upgrades...

6XD - Gamakatsu EWG Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

10XD- Owner ST-36 Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Biggie- Owner ST-36 Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Preferred All-around Combo...

Rod- Expride 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget-Friendly All Around Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'2" Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm