September Bass Fishing Report

 

Without much warning at all, fall weather has landed on our heads.  Fish are moving and the bass are beginning to put their feed bag on.  Though our lakes do not ice over in the winter, water temperatures in mountain lakes still drop significantly, greatly slowing down the metabolism of bass.  Since those bass won’t be eating as much over winter they gorge themselves in the fall in preparation for the slow feeding time in winter.  This is where we step in, it’s time to power fish and catch them while the catchin’ is good!  The dog days of summer can be a drag and call for some really slow fishing, fortunately the fall is a much different story and can be an extremely fun, and productive, time to fish!

 

When you hit the water this time of year transition away from fishing so much main lake and focus on major creek arms on your lakes.  A main staple for bass in local lakes here are shad and blueback herring, in the fall the baitfish school up even bigger and start looking for the warmest water left on the lake, which is often in the back of creeks in the shallow water.  Panfish will still be a staple of the diet for bass; they just won’t be found traveling in huge schools in and out of creeks.  Where should you look for the bass?  Target large feeding flats in these creek arms as well as shallow points.  These areas will likely fish the best when there is some key piece of structure close by, either rock or brush.  If you put down your walking topwaters at the end of this summer, pick them back up, and keep it at the ready to fire on the deck of your boat.  Put a jerkbait in your hand to cover the top column of water and follow it up with a swim jig or an underspin, don’t be afraid to be aggressive with your action on these baits, remember fish aren’t feeding up this time of year out of enjoyment, they have to eat before they truly slow their metabolism.

 

If you put a camera in my boat and watch me fish for the fall you would mostly see me with some sort of shad imitation bait, like the swim jig or underspin I mentioned above, accompanied by a jerkbait or a walking topwater.  If I’m fishing shallow water I will have a square bill and a spinnerbait tied on.  In the instance we get a major cold front or a fall turnover my finesse tactics would be some light line with a tube and a ned rig. 

 

Get after ‘em this fall and remember to check back for a winter update!  Emali me at ty@headwatersoutfitters.com or call our shop directly (828-877-3106)  if you want to get out on the water and see how I approach fall bass fishing first hand! 

 

 

 If you put a camera in my boat and watch me fish for the fall you would mostly see me with some sort of shad imitation bait, like the swim jig or underspin I mentioned above, accompanied by a jerkbait or a walking topwater.  If I’m fishing shallow water I will have a square bill and a spinnerbait tied on.  In the instance we get a major cold front or a fall turnover my finesse tactics would be some light line with a tube and a ned rig. 

 

Get after ‘em this fall and remember to check back for a winter update!  Email me at ty@headwatersoutfitters.com or call our shop directly (828-877-3106)  if you want to get out on the water and see how I approach fall bass fishing first hand!