Fall Bass  Continued  © Fred Kane 2001

Dave Carrothers Catch!

When fishing this autumn pattern, Zeke will usually start casting a spinner bait while working the shoreline. When working the shallow shoreline Zeke will either drift or use his electric motor moving parallel with the shoreline. Zeke likes to investigate the shallows with a spinner bait in autumn. He has three distinct retrieves. At first he will crank the lure very fast skittering it over the surface of the water. Then he will cast to the same spot and reel just fast enough so the lure ticks the top of the weeds. Lastly he will cast to the same spot, retrieve until he reaches the outside edge of the weedline and the lets the lure flutter to the bottom.

He lets the lure rest for about 15 seconds then slowly reels back to the boat in a stop and go retrieve allowing the spinner to flutter a little bit at a time.When working the shoreline and if there is a row of docks cast to each dock. Always start at the second dock support from shore casting to each side and under the docks.

When retrieving along the side of the docks keep the spinner bait as close to docks as possible. As the hour comes closer to noon Zeke will move to outside edge of the weedline. Deep diving crank baits in ten to twenty feet of water are very effective tools. Work these tools parallel with the outside edge of the weedline. Sometimes you will find a step along the weeds.

Cast beyond the weeds, slowly retrieve and then drive the crank bait to the bottom with a fast retrieve. This emulates a bait fish in flight and fleeing bait fish makes bass swim faster for the meal.

Each lake changes in the fall because of the turn over. Most anglers have stowed their gear until next year so their aren't that many fishermen on the water. Also a bass will move farther for a lure because the water temperature is more comfortable.

Good tools to use in the fall are noisy stick baits and crank baits. These lures cover a large parcel of water quickly. Both lures should be dark colored lures. The color of Zeke’s favorite lures on Crooked Nose Bay in autumn are perch, blue gill, pumpkin seed, or natural minnow. The color of the natural minnow lures Zeke uses are black and silver or black and white.  After he checks the deeper water and the sun is high in the sky Zeke will move back to the docks. This is the time he will use a Texas rigged rubber worm under and around the docks and at the end of the docks. Also Zeke will use a jig and pig combination. Usually the jig will be 3/4 ounce black or brown with a splash of blue on the skirt and the pig will be frog or toad shaped. Sometimes he tips the jig with a black, brown or yellow 2 1/2 inch plastic curly tail. Make sure you retrieve these lures very slowly. Raise the tip of your pole about three inches, drop the tip, then reel in the line until it is tight and repeat this retrieve back to the boat. Patience and line watching are the rule.

As the afternoon sun fades away Zeke will work both sides of point. He will start at the shore line moving deeper casting a spinner bait retrieving across the side of the point. As he nears the end of the underwater point he will switch to a crank bait. Sometimes at the deepest end of the under water point he will use his Texas Rigged rubber worm.

Often Zeke will be very successful with these presentations in the autumn months on most the bodies of water. Always explore the outside weedline, isolated clumps of weeds, rock piles, points, and any other large under water structure you can find. At this time of the year the fish are on a feeding frenzy preparing for the long winter months ahead.

It is not unusual to fish at Crooked Nose Bay and catch other species of fish in the same area casting the same lures. These fish had all summer to feed and grow and they all are large enough and hungry enough to attack your lures. Fish for autumn bass, smile ear to ear and receive congratulations from your partner. It will be a day to remember and you will write a positive note in your journal. Using crank baits, worms, and spinners every autumn you will have days to remember.