Fall Baits

[Ghostshad]

I was on WattsBar lake Friday in SpringCity Tn running my boat it had set for several months,the lake had been down for about 3 weeks. The water temp was 56 degree's in the afternoon,and as we were running i noticed bird's were everywhere on the water,& i mean evereywhere,main lake coves, shallow, deep.I don't know much about fishing ,i'm getting ready to retire the last of Fed, Here in Tn that "should be" PreSpawn.Now for my question with the information i've giving you " How would you start with the information i've given you ?  GodBless & Thanks for your help 

[roadwarrior]

Jerkbait

Rage Tail Menace, T-rigged (bullet weight)

GYCB Kreature, T-rigged, skirt forward

Norman Fat Boy (square bill)

 

I start with moving baits searching for the right depth. Points, the mouth of creeks and

any structure is what I would target.

 

 

 

[deep]

First find the depth the bass are at, and then find a technique that works for that depth. Vary speed (and baits) until you get bit, and expand on that.

 

Structure, depth and speed are the big things.

 

Also, surface water temperature doesn't mean a whole lot (to me anyway). Catch a bass and put the probe of a thermometer in its gullet; and you'll know the water temperature that matters.

 

55 degrees and under is winter, according to the cosmic clock.

[smalljaw67]

If the water is clear I'd look at a jerkbait as the first presentation and I'd look to the mouth of creeks and main lake points first. I'd also look at throwing a spinnerbait or square bill up shallow in the afternoon as the water warms, look to fish being further back in the creeks but don't ignore the birds, they will show you where the bait is at. The last thing would be the lipless crank, around me area the fish won't be in winter areas at that temp, they'll still be spread out and if you find bait then ripping a lipless crank off the bottom or over the remaining weed beds could be a big producer.

[lo n slo]

Dont forget to have a Rat-L-Trap tied on!

[Bankbeater]

Rat-l-trap

Mann's 1 minus

Bladed jig

Jig and pig

Spinnerbait

 

Around here I usually have better luck with moving baits.  If the above don't work I switch over to plastics.

[Mainebass1984]

 Every year before the onset of winter I do well using a blade bait once the water is around 55 degrees and below. Blade baits work great for small mouth.

[tander]

I start using a single Colorado blade, also a Smithwick Rogue jerkbait. If those two don't work, I use a 4" finess worm. Since here lately I started using the Ned Rig, I would probablt have one of those tied on also.

[ww2farmer]

I became a believer in blade baits (silver buddy style baits) this fall. I had several decent outings with them, that may (or may not..IDK)  have been better if I wasn't a novice with them.