Weary fall bass?

[JimAZ]

I too am frustrated by "the weary fall bass" and I'd love some input. I'm in AZ, so clear water is my norm, but not so clear that I can see the fish. I was catching fine two weeks ago in water 68-70deg, but my last two trips was skunked, with water 65deg. Well, the shallow water is clear, but there aren't any fish. And no shad boils either. My electronics show piles of fish in the 20-50ft depth range... baitfish schools I assume? ... but I don't know how to fish these. (I should volunteer here, I am guilty of being a "pound the bank" fisherman. I don't know what else to do.) 

I was on Apache Lake on Sunday, and I met Bassmaster Elite Josh Bertrand at the launch. I take off, hit my normally productive areas - coves, riprap banks, points and ledges - using TX rigs and drop shot finesse, occasional crank baits. Zip, nada. I'm looking around and notice Josh is fishing in the middle of the lake... it's over 100ft deep. 

I would presume he's a pro and knows what he's doing, but I don't have the gall to pull up and ask him.  But maybe one of you guys know? I don't think this is western lake phenom either; I went to Louisiana for a 3 day trip last month, we killed 'em on Thursday, then a front blew in and the water temp hit 65, very slow Fri/Sat, and electronics showed fish suspended 25+ feet down. 

How do I catch these fall finicky bass?

[scaleface]

To me . clear water is two foot of visibility . If a bass is staring down my offering I am probably  not aware of it . 

[tkunk]

I don't think anyone's mentioned casting distance.  On a slick calm day, when bass are shallow and wary, I'll only throw lures that I can absolutely bomb.  If I can't cast out more than 75% of my spool with a lure, I won't use it.  I see guys trying to sight fish bass with drop shots, senkos, and other finesse lures, and they don't have a lot of success.  I have much better luck with swimbaits, jerkbaits, and tubes.  The lightest lure I'll throw is 1/4 oz.  Retrieving baits much faster than normal seems to help, too.

Of course, if you absolutely want to clean up, live bait is pretty awesome.

 

["hamma"]

14 hours ago, JimAZ said:

I too am frustrated by "the weary fall bass" and I'd love some input. I'm in AZ, so clear water is my norm, but not so clear that I can see the fish. I was catching fine two weeks ago in water 68-70deg, but my last two trips was skunked, with water 65deg. Well, the shallow water is clear, but there aren't any fish. And no shad boils either. My electronics show piles of fish in the 20-50ft depth range... baitfish schools I assume? ... but I don't know how to fish these. (I should volunteer here, I am guilty of being a "pound the bank" fisherman. I don't know what else to do.) 

I was on Apache Lake on Sunday, and I met Bassmaster Elite Josh Bertrand at the launch. I take off, hit my normally productive areas - coves, riprap banks, points and ledges - using TX rigs and drop shot finesse, occasional crank baits. Zip, nada. I'm looking around and notice Josh is fishing in the middle of the lake... it's over 100ft deep. 

I would presume he's a pro and knows what he's doing, but I don't have the gall to pull up and ask him.  But maybe one of you guys know? I don't think this is western lake phenom either; I went to Louisiana for a 3 day trip last month, we killed 'em on Thursday, then a front blew in and the water temp hit 65, very slow Fri/Sat, and electronics showed fish suspended 25+ feet down. 

How do I catch these fall finicky bass?

I'd cruise the lake watching my lcr for bait holding on, or just over flats, drops and sloping points within those depths. Making a mental note of their location. Then systematically, fish each "area" noted, with a finesse technique as these fish are most likely semi, or fully, dormant for the moment. Suspending after the front usually depicts and mostly demands, this finesse mindset. If you found the fish "just" off the bottom in these baitfish holding areas they may actually be actively feeding. And a dropshot fished just off the bottom should produce in this scenerio. Fish found suspending, around the "bait balls" are going to be a bit tougher. A darter head jig with a small "bait resembling" plastic, smothered in a matching scent, may produce some hits if its dropped and slowly jigged in their face. Or,.. the seemingly country wide universal green pumpkin yamamoto hula grub on a jighead slowly fished on bottom around these suspended fish may receive a hit from a  "rogue" fish getting edgy, and cruising the bottom searching for sustainance.

 Its not really a situation thats written in stone, when dealing with deeper, suspended, bass. They are more of a question mark, then when they are actively feeding up shallower. I've fished deep, and had a stellar day pounding above average fish, and then (and mostly) barely squeaked out a limit. Conditions,including water temps, time of year, and the strength of the last few fronts will mostly dictate whats about to happen. Keep in mind that what and where Im referring to,.. is a well known lake to me, and I know what the primary bait is, so it sounds easier than it actually is. You need a good understanding of your electronics, the lake, the weathers effect on bass, and a whole bunch of luck, to have a great day fishing deeper, on clearer waters in the fall.

  Fall is my favorite time of year as, the fish are mostly feeding up for winter, when they are active it can be a bonanza of the best fishing offered all year, and even when they aren't active? They can sometimes be "coaxed" to hitting a slowly fished lure, and when this being "coaxed" works? I've actually noticed a whole school of bass turn on, and act like they had been active all day. Pounding (the once slowly fished lure) like freight trains. Not something that happens often, but still does. Also the bass are fatter, therefore heavier, than any other time of the year. And if you've ever found a actively feeding big school of large smallies at this time of year? You know what Im getting at, its the shear pinnicle of bass fishing bliss. (at least for me)

Mostly?,.. weary fall bass, can be had by weary fall anglers. Its takes time, know how, and a dedication and persistance to deal with the crisp colder air temps, stronger, and more profound, fall weather fronts that plague the "un-weary" anglers. A seasoned angler will "know" what to do, where, and how. May not include shooting fish in a barrel,.but it may just produce a wallhanger, or the best day on the water ever. Its a chance, a shot, a possibility at best,..but one I believe is well worth it

 I hope this helps you some, and offers insight you sought

Keep ya line wet!