By Chip Leer
In rivers across the Midwest, smallmouth bass make a fall migration from their summer ranges to deep wintering holes in the main channel. Along the way, they stop at predictable places to rest and feed, offering savvy anglers some of the year’s best bass fishing.
One of my favorite fall fishing areas is the tip of a firm-bottomed, sandy bar bordered by softer substrate and vegetation such as wild rice. Depths of two to four feet are ideal.
I use a two-pronged attack to catch the most bass possible from each spot.
First, I cast a diving crankbait tight to the weed edge and quickly crank it down, then slowly bounce it along the bottom. Occasionally, I pause to throw slack in the line, which causes the lure to turn and often triggers a strike.
Casting crankbaits is a great way to pluck aggressive bass off the spot. After the initial flurry dies down, I toss a Carolina rig into the hot zone. My typical rig consists of a pegged sinker, 24-inch, 12-pound monofilament leader, 3/0 hook, and either a creature body or a soft plastic tube bait, rigged weedless. You can slowly drag the rig or let it rest in place, allowing the river’s current to activate the soft plastic.
I use a 7’-11” casting rod with 10-pound mono for crankbaits, and their medium-heavy 7’-1” or 7’-4” casting rod with a 30-pound braided line for my mainline on a Carolina rig.
Bouncing from one high-percentage spot to the next with these two tactics is a great way to enjoy banner days for hard-fighting bronzebacks. The action often lasts deep into November, meaning there’s still time to get out and enjoy this exciting rite of fall.
Based in Walker, Minnesota, noted fishing authority and outdoor communicator Chip Leer operates Fishing the WildSide, which offers a full suite of promotional, product development, and consultation services. For more information, call (218) 547-4714 or email [email protected]