Top Fall Bass Fishing Lures: Best Baits to Maximize Your Catch This Season
By: FishUSA Staff
October 16, 2024
Fall is a fantastic time for bass fishing as cooler temperatures bring bass into shallower waters, making them more aggressive and feeding heavily. One major key to success this time of year is choosing the right lures. Below is a guide to the best fall bass fishing lures to help you maximize your catch rates this season.
Fall is a fantastic time for bass fishing as cooler temperatures bring bass into shallower waters, making them more aggressive and feeding heavily. One major key to success this time of year is choosing the right lures. Below is a guide to the best fall bass fishing lures to help you maximize your catch rates this season.
Swimbaits are perfect for mimicking any baitfish that bass target in the fall, no matter the size or species. Their lifelike movement and versatility make them excellent for both shallow and deep water. As the baitfish gather in schools during fall, bass will target them aggressively, and swimbaits are the perfect lure to imitate that. They can be used in clear or slightly stained water and are very effective along weed edges and rock points.
Recommended products:
Keitech Fat Swing Impact – A popular soft plastic swimbait that pairs well with jig heads or weighted springlock hooks for a natural presentation. Its ribbed body produces vibration and its paddle a natural swimming motion that attracts bass during their fall feeding frenzy.
Gamakatsu Round 26 Jig Heads – Use these jig heads to fish swimbaits deep and ensure optimal hook-ups. Ideal for reaching those bass that have moved to deeper waters as temperatures cool down.
Gamakatsu Weighted Superline Spring Lock Hooks – Ideal for weedless rigging your swimbaits, especially in shallow cover. The weighted design lets your swimbait stay in the strike zone longer, increasing your chances of getting a bite.
Topwater Lures
Topwater lures can generate exciting surface strikes, especially when fish are actively feeding in shallow waters during early morning or late evening hours. As water temperatures start to drop, bass will become more aggressive, often chasing bait to the surface. These lures are particularly effective when there’s little wind, and the water is calm, allowing the topwater action to draw attention from hungry bass.
Recommended products:
Heddon Super Spook – A classic walking bait that draws explosive strikes from big fall bass. Its side-to-side movement mimics an injured baitfish, making it irresistible to opportunistic bass.
River2Sea Whopper Plopper – This prop-style topwater bait creates a unique sound and splash that attracts aggressive bass. Ideal for covering large areas of water quickly.
Berkley Choppo – Another effective topwater lure, great for creating commotion and catching the attention of nearby fish. Its compact design makes it easy to cast and control.
Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits
Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are excellent for covering water quickly and fishing around cover like weeds or wood. Their flash and vibration can trigger reaction strikes from active bass, especially in stained or murky water. In the fall, when bass are actively searching for food, these lures help you find feeding fish fast.
Recommended products:
Z-Man Chatterbait Elite Evo – A high-performing chatterbait that’s perfect for fall conditions. Its intense vibration and erratic action make it a great choice for drawing strikes in cooler water.
Z-Man Chatterbait Jack Hammer – Known for its fast start-up and strong vibrations, a favorite among pros. Heavy sizes are available that are ideal for covering deeper water and fishing around submerged structures or drawing reaction strikes.
Accent River Special Double Willow Spinnerbait – A solid choice for targeting bass in various water conditions. Its smooth retrieve and lifelike flash make it ideal for covering large flats or along weed lines.
Alabama Rigs
Alabama rigs allow you to present multiple swimbaits at once, mimicking a school of baitfish and triggering large bass to bite. This is especially effective in the fall when bass are actively chasing schools of shad and other forage. Use Alabama rigs to target suspended bass in deeper water or work them slowly along the bottom for lethargic fish.
Recommended products:
Hog Farmer Baits 5-Wire Umbrella Rig – Perfect for attracting larger bass feeding on schools of baitfish in the fall. With its multi-arm design, it presents an irresistible feast for hungry bass. These Alabama Rigs are also available in several options, some with no blades, others with few, and varieties with up to eight. Use more blades for more aggressive fish and less when trying to offer a more subtle presentation.
Jerkbaits
Jerkbaits are one of the most popular lures for fall bass fishing for a very good reason. As water cools, some baitfish will begin to die, offering an easy meal for opportunistic bass. A jerkbait mimics the actions of these dying baitfish perfectly.
Recommended products:
Megabass Vision Oneten Jerkbait: One of the most popular jerkbaits of all time thanks to a weighted balance system that aids in castability and offers unparalleled darting action. This Megabass jerkbait is available in a huge variety of colors and patterns to match any forage base.
Lucky Craft Lightning Pointer DD Jerkbait: Use this jerkbait when targeting deeper water fish that are suspended or hesitant to rise high in the water column. It’s larger profile and wide wobble make it ideal for targeting a big bite.
Jigs
Jigs are great for targeting bass in deeper water or around structure in the fall. Use them to work along the bottom around rock piles, stumps, or other submerged structure. As temperatures drop, bass move towards the bottom and often position themselves near rocks, brush piles, or drop-offs. Jigs can be fished slowly and methodically, allowing you to target these areas with precision.
Recommended products:
Finesse Jigs – Ideal for getting bites in tough conditions when bass are finicky. Their smaller profile can entice bites from bass that may not be as aggressive in cooler weather.
Dirty Jigs Finesse Swim Jig – A versatile jig that excels in a range of conditions, from shallow to deep water. Swim it slowly along the bottom or near submerged vegetation to trigger strikes from bass looking for an easy meal.
Final Thoughts
Fall is a prime time for bass fishing, but it requires the right approach and gear. By using the recommended swimbaits, topwater lures, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, Alabama rigs, jerkbaits, and jigs, you’ll be well-equipped to catch more bass during this exciting season. Experiment with different techniques, and don't hesitate to adjust based on the conditions of the day.
