Bank fishing tips for the Fall?

[Nepatizz]

Hey everyone,

 

The temperature is starting to get chilly where I am in the northeast, 60s most days. I am in need of some advice on approaches to fishing this time of year. I have always thought that bank fishing this late in the year would make it much less likely for me to catch a bass. Is this true if I'm only fishing from banks? How can I induce more bites from the bank this time of year? 

 

Feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks! 

[jimmyjoe]

   My temps are pretty much like yours. Of the last 16 bass I caught, 12 of them were on a 1/2 oz. double Colorado spinnerbait. The rest were #5 Mepps Aglias or some crankbait I forget right now. All were caught in less than 8 feet of water, most in less than 5 feet. All were caught within 25 feet of the bank. They're feeding. And they're feeding in water that warms from the sun. Bank position is great right now. Of course, a little colder and they will migrate to deeper water and bank fishing will be zip, zero, nada. So ring the dinner bell (whichever forage fish are primary in your waters) and get'em while you can!  Good luck!   jj

[Koz]

My most productive bait all year has been a chatterbait with a trailer. In the warmer weather a steady retrieve and occasional rip or pop was the best presentation. As things have cooled down I've changed to a lift and drop retrieve.

[Boomstick]

My temps are cooler than yours as most days are in the mid or lower 50s, but if I get a day in the 60s they usually chase -- squarebills and spinnerbaits are usually a good bet on those days. But I would be fishing baits like jigs, drop shots and ned rigs pretty heavily at this time of year. Poppers and jerkbaits can also be quite effective.

[TriStateBassin106]

The chatterbait bite has slowed down heavily this time of year. I live in New Jersey and the temperatures seem to have finally stabilized, it's been a tough bite but I haven't given up yet throwing texas rigs and chatterbaits. Need to buy some spinnerbaits and TRDs for restock soon anyway. 

[jr231]

What kind of waters are you fishing. ? 

[18Steel]

I’ve been hitting pads in the sun with kut tails with pretty good success. By me they still seem to be deep in cover. As soon as the sun starts to go down the bite is over.  

[schplurg]

Ask a question get a thousand different answers - that are all correct!

 

I've had my best fishing the past couple of weeks, every fish I caught was on a crank bait, evening time fishing til dusk. From the bank.

 

I caught 2 fish on this lake all season. Now suddenly I have 9 in maybe 4 hours on three separate days. I'm enjoying the heck out of it.

[Black Hawk Basser]

You should still be able to find them in shallower areas, but you may have to fish slower.  The weather has been similar here in Iowa, and I've still been catching fish from the bank.  I have definitely had to be a little more methodical with my retrieves, though.

[Nepatizz]

On 10/19/2019 at 7:49 PM, Yeajray231 said:

What kind of waters are you fishing. ? 

Usually very rocky reservoirs that have rip raff on the bank. The bottom gets flatter as the water gets deeper. Makes it tough to fish the bottom sometimes.