When the leaves start to change color and the temperature drops, bass fishing enters one of its most exciting seasons — fall. For anglers like me, this is prime time to catch bigger, more aggressive bass. But to make the most of this season, you need the right gear, especially the right lures. Today, I want to share my experience and favorite picks for the best fall bass fishing lures that have worked wonders for me.
Fall bass are actively feeding to bulk up before winter, which means they are aggressive and willing to chase bait. The key is to mimic their natural prey and trigger their feeding instinct. Here’s my full review of three top-performing lures you can grab right now.
1. Spinnerbaits – My Go-To Fall Search Bait
If I had to choose just one lure for fall bass fishing, it would be a spinnerbait. The flash and vibration of a spinnerbait are perfect for covering water and finding where bass are holding. During fall, shad and baitfish schools are moving into creeks and shallows, and spinnerbaits imitate them perfectly.
Why I Love It:
- Covers water fast: Perfect for when you’re searching for active fish.
- Works in stained water: The blades produce vibration and flash that bass can’t ignore.
- Versatile retrieve: You can slow roll it, burn it, or yo-yo it depending on the mood of the fish.
Pro Tip: I throw a white or white/chartreuse spinnerbait with double willow blades when the water is clear. If it’s cloudy or the water is murky, I switch to a Colorado blade for extra thump.
2. Lipless Crankbaits – Great for Schooling Bass
When bass are actively chasing shad in the fall, a lipless crankbait can be a game-changer. These lures can be cast a mile, allowing me to reach schooling fish easily. Their tight wobble and rattle get bass excited and provoke reaction strikes.
Why I Love It:
- Excellent for covering open water: I can bomb it across a flat and rip it back quickly.
- Triggers reaction bites: Even inactive fish can’t resist the vibration.
- Great for fall flats: Perfect for fishing near grass edges or shallow points.
Pro Tip: Burn it fast when you see fish busting bait on the surface. If the bite slows down, try a yo-yo retrieve and let the bait flutter down — this often triggers strikes from following bass.
3. Soft Plastic Jerkbaits – Subtle but Deadly
Sometimes fall bass can get picky, especially if there’s a lot of fishing pressure. This is when I slow down and throw a soft plastic jerkbait. Rigged weightless, it darts erratically just below the surface, mimicking an injured baitfish.
Why I Love It:
- Perfect for finesse situations: When bass won’t hit reaction baits, this saves the day.
- Natural presentation: Looks like an easy meal for a hungry bass.
- Fun to fish: You control the action with your rod twitches.
Pro Tip: I like to fish these around laydowns, docks, and shallow grass edges where bass are ambushing bait.
How I Approach Fall Bass Fishing
Using the right lures is only part of the equation. Here’s how I usually approach a fall day on the water:
- Start in the main lake: I look for points and creek mouths where bass may be staging.
- Follow the bait: If I see shad flicking on the surface or birds diving, I head straight there.
- Adjust retrieves: Fast retrieves for active fish, slow and subtle for finicky ones.
- Pay attention to the weather: Windy days are perfect for spinnerbaits and lipless cranks, while calm days are great for jerkbaits.
Fall is a time of transition, and the bass are on the move. The key is to stay mobile, keep casting, and match the hatch.
Fall is one of my favorite times
This year, to chase bass. The air is crisp, the water temperature begins to drop, and bass get aggressive as they feed up for winter. If you’ve ever fished during the fall, you know how exciting it can be — big bass chasing baitfish on the surface, explosive topwater strikes, and fast-paced action. But to take full advantage of this magical season, you need to choose the best fall bass fishing lures that match what the fish are eating.
In this guide, I’ll break down the most productive lures for fall bass fishing, how to use them, and why they work so well this time of year. Whether you are new to bass fishing or a seasoned angler, these tips will help you catch more fish and enjoy every moment on the water.
Why Fall is Special for Bass Fishing
Before we dive into the lures, it’s important to understand why fall is such a unique season for bass. As summer ends, water temperatures cool, and oxygen levels in shallow areas improve. Baitfish such as shad, minnows, and bluegill start moving into creeks and shallow bays, creating a buffet for bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass instinctively feed aggressively to build up energy reserves before winter slows their metabolism.
This means bass are more willing to chase, which allows you to throw faster-moving lures and cover water quickly. The challenge is finding where they are holding, which often changes throughout the day. That’s where lure selection becomes critical.
Top Lures for Fall Bass Fishing
Here are the lures I rely on most when fishing during the fall season.
1. Spinnerbaits – The Ultimate Search Tool
Spinnerbaits are one of the most versatile lures for locating active fall bass. Their flashing blades and pulsing skirts imitate schools of baitfish perfectly. I use them to cover a lot of water quickly, especially when I’m not sure where the bass are holding.
When to Use:
- On windy days when baitfish are being pushed into coves and points.
- When the water has a slight stain and visibility is low.
- Around submerged vegetation, laydowns, and creek mouths.
How to Fish Them: I like to use a slow-rolling retrieve early in the morning, keeping the bait near the bottom. As the day warms up and fish get more active, I speed up my retrieve or burn it just under the surface to imitate fleeing shad.
2. Crankbaits – Covering Water with Confidence
Crankbaits are another excellent lure for fall fishing. Squarebill crankbaits are my go-to around shallow cover like rocks, stumps, and grass edges. Lipless crankbaits excel on flats and open water where bass are schooling.
Key Tips:
- Use shad-colored crankbaits in clear water and chartreuse or fire-tiger patterns in stained water.
- Vary your retrieve speed until you find what triggers strikes.
- Try ripping lipless crankbaits through grass to trigger reaction bites.
Crankbaits allow you to feel bottom contact, which is a great way to locate productive areas. If I get multiple bites in one stretch, I’ll slow down and work the area thoroughly.
3. Topwater Lures – Excitement on the Surface
Nothing beats a big bass exploding on a topwater lure. During the fall, bass often push baitfish to the surface, making this the perfect time to throw walking baits, poppers, or buzzbaits.
Best Situations:
- Early morning or late evening when light is low.
- Calm or slightly rippled water.
- Near points, flats, and creek mouths where baitfish are schooling.
I love using a walking-style topwater bait because it allows me to cover water while keeping the lure in the strike zone for a long time. A steady “walk-the-dog” action is usually all it takes to get explosive strikes.
4. Jigs – Big Bass Bait
If you’re looking to catch a true giant, jigs are hard to beat in the fall. As bass follow baitfish into shallow water, they also feed on crawfish and other bottom-dwelling creatures. A jig dragged or hopped along the bottom can look like an easy meal.
Where to Fish Them:
- Around docks, rocks, and brush piles.
- Along channel swings and secondary points.
- In deeper water if there’s a sudden cold front.
I pair my jigs with a matching trailer that has good action. Black and blue or green pumpkin are my go-to colors.
5. Soft Plastic Jerkbaits – Subtle and Effective
When the bite gets tough, I switch to soft plastic jerkbaits like flukes. They have a natural, darting action that mimics a wounded baitfish.
How I Fish Them:
- Rigged weightless on an EWG hook.
- Fish them around shallow cover or near schools of bait.
- Use short twitches of the rod tip to make the bait dart erratically.
This technique is deadly when bass are pressured or not actively chasing moving baits.
Bonus Lures Worth Trying
- Chatterbaits (Bladed Jigs): Combine vibration and flash, great for murky water.
- Swimbaits: Perfect for mimicking big shad when targeting bigger bass.
- Finesse Worms: Use on a shaky head or drop shot when the bite is slow.
Tips for Success in Fall Bass Fishing
- Follow the Bait: If you see baitfish flipping on the surface or birds diving, head in that direction.
- Adjust to Conditions: Bright, calm days call for natural colors and slower presentations. Windy or overcast days allow for faster retrieves and flashier colors.
- Stay Mobile: Don’t stay in one spot too long. Fall bass move with the bait, so keep searching until you find them.
- Use Your Electronics: If you have a fish finder, locate schools of baitfish and target those areas.
Final Thoughts
If you want to make the most of fall bass fishing, I strongly recommend having these three lures ready to go:
- Spinnerbaits for covering water quickly.
- Lipless crankbaits for chasing schooling fish.
- Soft plastic jerkbaits for finesse situations.
I’ve personally caught some of my biggest fall bass with these lures, and I’m confident they can help you too. Fall is short — so get out there, tie one of these on, and enjoy some of the best fishing of the year.
