November is here and the bass have been shallow for a few weeks. Have you been spending most of your time casting, into 2-4 feet of water? If not, now is the time to make your move. I would like to give some more specific details of how to find and catch bass during the fall.
One thing I now know is that you can stay in the creeks during fall. During this time of year, bass are moving up to feed on shad. Fish are able to sense that winter is approaching, and they eat more to fatten up before the temperature drops. Most creeks offer everything that shad and bass need: shallow water, deep water (creek channel), flats and rocks.
As you begin fishing one of your chosen creeks, begin scanning the surface of the water for shad (they jump and ripple the surface of the water). If you see a school of shad, this is a sign to start fishing in this area. Most often within creeks, both shad and bass are going to be on flats or shallow areas. Rattletraps, crankbaits and spinnerbaits are effective lures to try first. If you find that these lures are working well, continue using them until the bass become reluctant to strike. Then try different lures to keep the fish interested.
Another option to try is the deeper water within the creek. This is often located adjacent to a flat and easy to find. Simply identify the creek channel and within the bends of the channel you will find bluff walls, steep rocks or isolated wood. Fish often are concentrated in these areas. If wood is on the bank, try casting spinnerbaits and jigs near it. If the bend is rock, try working a jig or paralleling a crankbait along it. The main idea is to find what will trigger the bass to bite.
Fall fishing is a great time to catch lots of bass, including bigger-sized fish. Now that we are in the last few weeks of fall, it is a great time to get out and start learning how to better catch these fish. If you were discouraged by the tough summer bite, do not hang your rods up yet. Some of the best fishing of the year is upon us. Just remember to stay in the creeks and look for active fish.
I hope that this article helps you on your next trip to the lake.
If you have any questions or comments, you can reach me at brian@briancarper.com or (615) 278-6311.
God Bless, Brian