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

Is the fishing getting tough on your lake? Are you struggling to find fish that will bite? As the water cools the Fall to Winter transition begins. Bass will seemingly vanish from areas that were productive all Fall and figuring out where they've gone can seem overwhelming. Don't worry, we know where they're going! And even better, we know how to catch them!

This transitional period signals the change from bass feeding heavily before Winter to a focus on Winter survival. Most bass will become lethargic, focusing on minimal movement. This lethargy requires them to find a location that has quick access to food, quick access to deep water, and enough cover to feel "comfortable" through the cold months. Now that you understand the components of a great Winter location, its time to look at a map of your lake.

Focus your time in 3 locations; Bluffs, Points, and Funnels. Bluffs, which are essentially very steep walls with instant deep water access will typically be found on the outside bend of a creek or river channel. Steep points that meet the criteria are typically the largest outside points on the main body of the lake. Funnels refers to anywhere the lake narrows down and "pinches", creating an area that current, fish, and other food will need to pass through.

Once you've found the areas, its time to focus on catching the fish. There are two methods to catching Winter bass. The first is to fool them into biting with realistic presentations that move slowly. A slow moving offering gives the bass time to examine the potential meal and choose to eat it. The second approach is to trigger a feed response with short bursts of movement. This approach is incredibly effective, even in the coldest of water, but must be combined with stationary periods to allow the fish to reach the lure. Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment we have confidence in during the Fall to Winter Transition.

The Baits In Order Of Appearance...

-Damiki Vault Blade Bait 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

(Real Shad, Holo Ayu, Black Holo)

-Blade Runner Duh Spoon 1 3/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

(Morning Dawn, Electric Chicken, Shad)

-Lucky Craft Staysee 90 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2dBzMmz

(Ghost Minnow, Crystal Pro Blue, Baitfish Silver)

-Megabass Vision 110+1 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

(GP Pro Blue, HT-Ito Tennessee Shad, M Shad)

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

(Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad)

-Cool Baits "Down Under" Underspin 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

(Silver/Black, Silver Shad, Ol' Faithful)

-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/8 oz 1/0 hook: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

(Blue Shad, Gizzard Shad, Naked Shad)

-Finesse Football Jig 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2d2apsm

(Super Matt Brown, Go To)

-Yamamoto 5" Double Tail Trailer: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

(Green Pumpkin/Black Flake)

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher Dropshot Worm: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

(Green Pump/Purple, Smoke Purple Flake)

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

(Rainbow Trout, Hold Over, Hitch, Ayu)

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

(Just Shad, LC Hitch, Rainbow Trout)

Favorite Jerkbait Combo (Great for Blades, and Small Swimbaits too)...

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Jerkbait Combo...

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

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

Line- 12 lb Seaguar Red Label: http://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

The TacticalBassin FINESSE Swimbait Head Is Here!!!

Announcing the TACTICALBASSIN FINESSE SWIMBAIT HEAD! This new head is designed to fill a huge void for bass fishermen. When heavy hooks are too much but you’re not looking for a micro hook either, the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head is exactly what you’re searching for! This new head incorporates a medium wire 4/0 hook that pairs perfectly with 3 1/2 inch to 5 inch swimbaits and paddle tails.

Many companies offer tiny finesse heads and big heavy wire heads but few have heads that fit the middle (which is exactly where most fishermen are). For this project we partnered with Dirty Jigs Tackle and the already proven design of the Matt Allen Swimbait Head (see link below). We used the exact head shape (fantastic profile), same 30 degree line tie (destabilization to get more bites), and proven twin keeper system (single wire keeper paired with a lead collar keeper). By working from this already proven head design we were able to compare hooks and wire sizes with ease. It didn’t take long to find the perfect hook, a medium wire 4/0.

This 4/0 hook will land big fish with ease but won’t overpower smaller baits when a finesse approach is needed. The reduced wire size (as compared to the Matt Allen Swimbait Head) will also allow anglers to fish this head on lighter line and tackle, allowing for more bites in clear water finesse situations. If you loving throwing small swimbaits and paddle tails and need a hook to “do it all”, this is your hook!

If you’re in a big bass environment, especially around heavy cover, the Matt Allen Swimbait Head is your best bet. If you’re throwing micro swimbaits like a 2.8 keitech, a Guppy Head with its small 1/0 hook is a great match, but if you’re fishing anywhere in the middle, its time to try the TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head.

The Heads…

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Head: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

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

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

Recommended Finesse Swimbaits…

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.8 - 4.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-River2Sea D Walker 100: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

-Megabass Spark Shad 4": http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

-X Zone Lures Swammer 3.5" - 4": http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

-Basstrix Paddle Tail 4" - 5": http://bit.ly/2aiy7SR

-Strike King Rage Swimmer 3.75 - 4.75: http://bit.ly/2evZF8j

Favorite Combo For This Technique…

Rod- G Loomis GLX 843 MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch 150 MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braided Line: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

5 rods from highest price to most budget-minded that will work great for this technique…

-G Loomis NRX 853C JWR (7’1” MH): http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

-Dobyns Xtasy 7’2” Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/36fIHCg

-Shimano Zodias 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

-Shimano SLX 7’2” Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

-Daiwa Aird X 7’ Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2Z2JfYG

Deep Crankbaits Tricks To Catch More Bass This Fall

Ready to catch a big Fall bass on a crankbait? Matt and Tim share some awesome tips to help you catch more crankbait fish in the midst of a Fall feeding frenzy! They’re catching these bass 2 and 3 at a time but that doesn’t stop them from explaining retrieves, bait modifications and so much more while reeling in their fish! If you’re interested in throwing crankbaits for Fall bass, let Matt and Tim help you do it more effectively.

Big bass are schooling and ambushing baitfish right now! If you’re not using a deep crankbait to reach those fish, you’re missing one of the best opportunities of the year to catch a new personal best bass! From coast to coast, baitfish gather along deep structure (bluffs, long points, creek channels, and cove backs) and bass of all species come together for the feast. There are a handful of baits that will help you target these fish effectively but few elicit as aggressive a response as the deep diving crankbait.

The guys are using 2 different crankbaits today to keep one of these schools of bass fired up. The bass have a school of baitfish trapped on a tapering point full of scattered rock and with 2 crankbaits flying, the action never stops! Any time you get around schooling fish your goal should be to always have a bait in the water. The key to consistent action is keeping the feeding frenzy alive. Below you’ll find a breakdown of the baits and gear the guys were using to catch these bass.

The baits…

Tim’s Crankbait- Strike King 10XD (Sexy Blue Back Herring): http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Matt’s Crankbait- Azuma Z Boss 22 (Grand Shad): http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

Alternate Option- 6th Sense Cloud 9 size 25 (Shad Craft): http://bit.ly/2BQ4uDs

Hook and Hardware Upgrades…

Matt’s Favorite Hook- Owner ST-36 (Size 1/0): http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Tim’s Favorite Hook- Owner ST-35 Short Shank (1/0): http://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Alternate Hook- Mustad KVD 2X Short Shank Triple Grip (1/0): http://bit.ly/2wSxIRz

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire Size 4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Tim’s Rod/Reel Combo…

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 968 CBR: http://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200 HG: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line- 16 lb Sunline Sniper: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Matt’s Rod/Reel Combo…

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7’6” MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200 HG: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

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

Budget Friendly Combo…

Rod- Shimano SLX 7'10" Heavy Moderate: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX XT HG*: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

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

*The added adjustment of the "XT" over the standard SLX makes dialing in a crankbait much easier for long range casting.

**Tim and Matt are both using "HG" models in their reels. This is a 7:1 ratio. This may come as a shock to many anglers but deep cranking on a 7:1 allows for more control of your speed, harder starts and stops, and more aggressive reactions. It is more difficult to reel than a 5:1 or 6:1 but the pros outweigh the cons**

Squarebill Crankbait Tricks To Catch Fall Bass

Bass can't resist a squarebill crankbait in the Fall! As the water cools in shallow lakes the bass pull to hard cover along the shoreline. They gather on rocks, logs, dock pilings, and any other hard structure. This move creates a predictable situation that bass fishermen can take advantage of with a fast moving crankbait. Learning to "trigger" bites is the key to this fishing style.

Today's video focuses on size, sound and speed. Understanding how to adjust these 3 variables will instantly take you from a casual fisherman to an expert crankbait angler. Mastering this technique can be done with a small handful of crankbaits and some moderately priced equipment. The key is to focus in on the details and don't be afraid to make adjustments. If you see larger baitfish, throw the larger baits. If you see other anglers fishing the same waters, switch to a silent offering. Did a windy day change the water color? It might be time to try a bolder color that you don't usually throw.

Making minor changes can result in huge successes as bass bunch together in the Fall. Anglers that are willing to constantly adapt will find the most success as the water continues to cool into the Winter months. Below is a breakdown of the baits, gear, and components to help you consistently catch squarebill fish this Fall.

Rattling Baits...

-River2Sea Biggie (Poppa): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

(Abalone Shad, I Know It, TS Minnow, Cold Blooded)

-6th Sense Crush 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

(Shad Burst, Threadfin Flash, Shad Greens, Craw Bomb)

-Spro Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

(Blood Craw, Chrome Olive, Spooky Shad, Clear Chartreuse)

Silent Baits...

-Lucky Craft 1.5 and 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

(Ghost Minnow, Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Spring Craw)

-6th Sense Crush Silent 50 and 100: http://bit.ly/2BGUQlS

(Rayburn Ghost, Shad Treuse Scales, Shad Trance, Delta Craw)

Larger Baits...

-Strike King 4.0 and 8.0: http://bit.ly/2dzeCUk

(TN Shad 2.0, Natural Shad, Green Gizzard Shad, Delta Red)

-6th Sense Cloud 9 Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

(Ghost Shad Scales, Sleeper Shad, 4K Shad, Delta Craw)

-Lucky Craft BDS 6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

(BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw)

Hook Upgrades...

Lighter Wire Red Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2dmxXK8

Lighter Wire Bronze Hook- Gamakatsu EWG Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Heavy Wire Black Hook- Owner ST-56 Treble (Size 2 and 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Split Rings- Hyperwire Size 2 or 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Matt and Tim's Favorite Squarebill Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Other Great Crankbait Rods...

-Expride 7' Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

-G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

-Dobyns Colt 705 CB: http://bit.ly/2lU0LfV