Whether you are a novice or experienced angler, chances are you know that late fall fishing can be slow to say the least. With the bass transitioning to deeper waters eating less and less, this can cause a lot of difficulties for anglers trying to catch fish late in the fall. Today we want to help by covering four of the best late fall fishing tips that will help you catch more fish. so with that said, let's get right into it!

Tip 1: Throw BIG Baits

Despite the belief that bass eat less in the late fall, this is far from the truth. Instead, bass have fewer meals, but when they do eat they go after something big. Because of this, throwing bigger baits can be one of the best ways to catch bass in the late fall and is one of the most underrated tips from our experience. Despite being lethargic, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are trying to bulk up for winter which means they will eat a big bait if it comes their way. Specifically, we recommend trying one or all of the following lures in the late fall season:

• Swimbaits
• Big Jigs or Spinnerbaits
• Large-profile crankbaits

Overall, this is an excellent tip for the late fall, or even in the winter transition. Keep in mind that if the water is too cold, the bass don’t eat much of anything. In this case, it would be better to throw a smaller bait as we see with ice fishing or open water winter fishing.

Tip 2: Change it up!

As mentioned, bass will tend to eat bigger baits during the late fall season, but don’t be afraid to switch it up! It’s not uncommon for fall-time bass to be very finicky revolving around what they eat. If you know there are fish in the area, then be sure to switch lures often until you find what works. Unlike the summer months, bass aren't willing to eat any moving creature or lure they come across, which is why fall fishing is a true testament to the craft of finding what the fish will eat. Your skills as a bass fisherman are here to be honed and sharpened, you know!

Tip 3: Search for the fish

In the late fall, anglers will fish spots that have been good in the past, but will end up not moving or catching anything. During the late fall, the bass patterns are very sporadic, so it’s important to cover as much water as possible to try and find where the fish are located. With cold water, many bass species will school up. So, if you’re able to find the school, chances are you’ll have a great day on the water. The lures mentioned earlier are all great examples of moving baits that can be used to cover water and find the fish. We’d recommend something like the spinnerbait or crankbait that is a steady retrieval so you can truly cover as much water as possible in a timely manner.

Tip 4: Know Your Temps and Conditions

All of the tips above could potentially be thrown out the window depending on the water and air temperature of your area. It’s crucial to research the conditions of where you will be fishing and then decide what tactics to use based on that. If the water temps are on the colder side, as far as the late fall season goes, then stray away from moving baits and instead use a big bottom bait like the jig. If waters are still on the warmer side, then use moving baits and cover water for the shallow fall-time bass. It truly varies in each area, but if you use the tips mentioned as a general guide, you’re bound to catch some late fall bass!

Late fall can be as tough as winter, but we hope that with these tips you were able to gain a greater understanding of bass habits in this season. It can be tough at times, but never give up because you never know when a late-fall trophy bass will come up and eat your bait!