Fall Bass Fishing For Finicky Bass In Tough Conditions!

In the last 2 weeks the lake has been drawn down for Fall, then a hurricane dumped flooding rains and filled it back to full pool! Where did the bass go and how do you catch them during these crazy changing conditions? Come along for a day on the water as we strategize about the changing conditions, implement 2 patterns, and put fishing in the boat. 

Fall brings so many great fishing opportunities. The bite can be amazing and there are so many awesome techniques that come into play as the water cools. But what about when the weather doesn't cooperate? What do you do when it blows, or a cold snap happens, or it floods? Can you still catch fish? Today was a grind for the guys but watch closely as they analyze the conditions, pick key spots based on those conditions, and start catching fish. 

Using a 2-pattern approach Matt and Tim were able to have consistent action on what should have been a brutally tough day. While they didn't catch giant fish they got a ton of bites and identified a pattern for quality fish. When they just wanted to get bit, they ran the backs of shallow pockets with topwater, lipless crankbaits, blade baits, and a fluke. When they needed a better bite they moved to main lake grass mats and covered water until the right fish ate the frog. 

Below you'll find links to the gear the guys used throughout the day. Some of these baits are staples in their arsenal that you'll immediately recognize, some of them came out to help mimic the small shad that had gathered in the shallows. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you'll see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Topwater... 

Walking Bait- Rapala Skitter Walk (Shad Translucent): https://bit.ly/3mIem6Z

Tim's Frog- Jackall Gavacho (Chart Strike Gill): http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Matt's Frog- R2S Bully Wa 2 (Little Allen): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a


Tiny swimbaits and Crankbaits... 

-Spro BBZ-1 Baby Shad (Blue Back Herring): https://bit.ly/325h8ez

-Spro Fat John 50 (Honey Shad): http://bit.ly/2V03giW

-Jackall TN-50 Lipless (Scale Minnow): http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh


Blade Baits... 

-Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

-Damiki Vault (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2


Fluke...

-Zoom Fluke (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2OFjvjx

-Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap (Size 2): http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

-Owner CPS Spring (Small): http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf


Tim's Frog Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 7'3" Extra Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- Sunline FX-2 60 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/31u57xA


Matt's Finesse Crank Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro Deep Flex 864 (7'2" MH): http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

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

Line- Sunline 10 lb Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


Fluke Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Stradic 2500 HGFL: http://bit.ly/35Bufnb

Line- power Pro Braided 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 8 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

fishing web.jpg

How To Catch Suspended Bass! (Fishing During The Fall Draw Down)

When water levels start dropping fishing gets tough! That is, unless you know where to look. As water levels fall, bass back away from the shore and suspend in open water. Targeting these suspended bass is one of the biggest mysteries in the sport of bass fishing. Today, we're going to show you how we do it!

Most reservoirs have some form of Fall draw down. One reservoir will drop a few feet to reach Winter pool, another might drop 150 feet. Regardless of how far the water falls, the bass' overall behavior is similar in both situations. Once bass begin to suspend most anglers will complain of a tough bite. They go from catching less fish, to catching no fish, to not even being able to see fish on the graph in a matter of days or weeks. 

What do you do? You adapt! Today Tim is explaining where he looks for these bass and what he uses to catch them. His method is very simple, employing a handful of consistent lures to coax these open water fish into biting. Below are links to the exact baits (including exact sizes and colors) and some of the gear he uses to throw them. The links go directly to Tackle warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Favorite Topwater Baits… 

-River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Favorite Colors: Abalone Shad, Ghost Minnow, Sooner

-Evergreen Shower Blows 125: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Favorite Colors: Skeleton Chartreuse, American Shad, Bone

-Teckel Kicknocker: http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

Favorite Colors: Chart Shiner, Lime Ice, Bone


Alabama Rig… 

Baits- Keitech 4.8 Fat Swing Impact (TW Shad): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Non-Hook Baits- Keitech 3.3 Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Rig- G-Funk Cali Rig (Clearlake Camo): http://bit.ly/2nD76fw

Heads- Matt Allen Swimbait Head 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN


GlideBait... 

-R2S S-Waver 168 (Light Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh


Jerkbait... 

 -Megabass Vision 110+1 (Pro Blue): http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX


Senko... 

Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Baby Bass/Natural Shad

Hook- Owner Sniper Finesse (Size 1/0): http://bit.ly/2kfdv37


Dropshot... 

Bait- Keitech Easy Shiner 4" (Electric Shad): http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten 3/16 Tear Drop: http://bit.ly/2V2B63h


A-Rig/Glide Bait Combo... 

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

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

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 20 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Topwater/Jerkbait/Senko Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 6'10" MH: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX MGL 70 HG: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Power Pro Macuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

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

Budget Dropshot Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

Line- Power Pro Specra 15 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sunline Sniper 8 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

suspend web.jpg

Underspin Tricks You've Never Tried That Catch More Bass!

Underspins are a great way to catch bass in the Fall. They add flash and vibration to your favorite swimbait and help it stand out amongst a crowd of baitfish. Whether you're throwing a big swimbait in search of a giant bass or a tiny finesse swimbait just looking for a bite, rigging it on an underspin can make a huge difference!

Tim has a handful of underspins that he relies on to consistently catch fish. Whether he's throwing a 2.8 keitech on a spinning rod, or a larger swimbait deep in the grass, there is a perfect hook for every application. When the fish are short striking or targeting the blade, he's got a trick to add a stinger hook to the blade to hook those finicky bass as well! If you're not throwing an underpin this Fall, you're missing a great opportunity to load the boat with quality fish. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits, hooks, and components Tim showed in the video. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've also included some of his favorite rod/reel combos for these techniques, including a budget combo for anglers that are just getting into this style of fishing. 

The Underspins... 

-Coolbaits Down Under (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Colors: Black Silver, Ol Faithful, Silver Shad

-Blade Runner Screw Lock Spintrix (3/8 - 1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2oocg0a

Colors: Anchovy, Black Shad, Unpainted

-Fish Head Spin Finesse (3/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3m5tuLv

Colors: Smokin Shad, Albino, Raw Shad

-Owner Flashy Swimmer (1/0, 3/0, 5/0): http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Favorite Underspin Swimbaits... 

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact (2.8, 3.8, 4.3, 4.8): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, TW Ghost Shad, Electric Blue

-Keitech 4" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors: Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad, Gizzard Shad

-River2Sea D Walker (100, 120): http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz

Colors: PB Red, Shamrock Shad

-Xzone Swammer (3.5" , 4"): http://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Colors: 309, 210, Tennessee Shad

Tim's Stinger Hook Modification... 

Hook- Owner Cover Shot size 2: http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

**Cut Off Keeper Barb before threading onto Split Ring**

Tim's Finesse Underspin Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500 HGF (Pre-Order Available): https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Sunline SX1 Braided 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 7 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Heavy Underspin/Flashy Swimmer Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy (Pre-Order Available): https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

**The Longer Handle Makes This New Rod AMAZING For This Technique**

Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

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

Leader- Sunline FC100 20 lb System Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Budget Finesse Underspin Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

Line- Power Pro Braided 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 8 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

underspin web.jpg

5 Finesse Tactics For Fall Bass Fishing

When the Fall Transition gets tough, turning to finesse will save the day. It might even get that big kicker bass you've been looking for! Tim is an expert with finesse tactics and today he's discussing the 5 rigs he turns to when the reaction bite shuts down. Do you have a favorite? 

Tim's 5 rigs include a dropshot, shaky head, ned rig, finesse swimbait, and finesse jig. He leans very strongly to the dropshot but each of these options has a key place in the arsenal. Pay attention to the details of his dropshot rigs including different hooks and baits to achieve different actions. While dropshot fishing isn't glamorous its incredibly effective in the Fall and is capable of fooling the biggest bass in the school. 

Below you'll find links to all of the items discussed in the video. We've included color recommendations, weight and size preferences, as well as some of our favorite gear to throw these lures. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Texas-Rigged Dropshot... 

Worm- Roboworm 4" Fat (Prism Shad): http://bit.ly/2awYSxM

Other Colors: Hologram, Aaron's Pro Shad

Hook- Owner Cover Shot (1/0): http://bit.ly/2ISr7bR

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Dropshot 1/4 oz (Black): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Nose-Hooked Dropshot... 

Worm- Roboworm Alive Shad (Hologram Shad): http://bit.ly/2kDNeYw

Other Colors: Prism Shad, Aarons Blue Smelt

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

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Dropshot 3/16 oz (Black): http://bit.ly/2UY7cgx

Other Great Dropshot Baits... 

-Berkley Maxscent Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/3lAAorL

Colors: Black Shiner, Natural Shad, Smoke Black Purple

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

Colors: Silver Smoke Blue, Smoke Purple Flake

-Damiki Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2VQ7g6o

Colors: RP Blue Pearl, PB Silver, American Shad

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

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, TW Shad, Electric Shad

Shaky Head... 

Worm- Netbait T-Mac 6.5" Worm (Junebug): http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

Other Colors: Texas Craw, Green Pumpkin

Hook- Canterbury Shaky Head 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

Ned Rig Baits... 

- Zman Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, The Deal, Canada Craw

-Zman TRD TicklerZ: http://bit.ly/2mGyDAC

Colors: Drew's Craw, Green Pumpkin, The Deal

-Xzone Ned Zone: http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: 309, Minnow Magic, Green Pumpkin Purple

Ned Rig Heads... 

Tungsten- Swagger Tungsten Flanders 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead- Z Man Ned LockZ HD 1/10: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Finesse Swimbaits... 

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

Colors: Electric Shad, TW Ghost Shad

- Keitech 4" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors: Electric Shad, Tennessee Shad

- Damiki Armor Shad: http://bit.ly/2KtPDAT

Colors: American Shad, RP Blue Pearl

-Megabass Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Wakasagi, Shirauo

Finesse Swimbait Head... 

Head- Guppy Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Finesse Jigs... 

Lead- Dirty Jigs Finesse Jig 5/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2eJinXo

Colors: Supermatt Brown, Go To, Green Pumpkin Craw

Tungsten- Keitech Football Jig 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1

Colors: Brown/Purple, Dark Green Pumpkin

Finesse Jig Trailers... 

-Strike King Rage Chunk: http://bit.ly/2Hd4MFA

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Blue Craw

-Netbait Paca Chunk: http://bit.ly/2d8mIXx

Colors: Watermelon Jelly, Green Pumpkin

-Yamamoto 4" Double Tail: http://bit.ly/2db9w1p

Colors: Smoke Black Purple, Cinnamon Blk Purple

"Bang For The Buck" Dropshot/Ned Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Vanford 2000 (Pre-Order Available): https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 12 lb Hi Vis: http://bit.ly/2FngUkQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 7 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Dropshot/Ned/Finesse Swim Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

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

Line- Power Pro 15 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 6 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Favorite Finesse Jig/Shaky Head Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

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

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

finesse web.jpg