Jacob Wheeler talks transition bass
Sep 7th, 2016 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Sep 7th, 2016 at 12:00 AM
Fall, the season where everything starts to die off. Sure, the leaves are pretty in the parts of the country where they change, but it signals the icy grip of winter isn’t far off for those areas as well.
Now for the brighter side of fall. It is also a time of the year that bass start to prepare their bodies for the upcoming colder months by putting the feedbag on. Sure, everything is kind of rotting away all around you, but the fishing should start to pick up for the next couple of months.
So, how does one whack these bass in transition from warm to colder water? Well, Ranger Boats pro Jacob Wheeler decided to share a few thoughts on the subject. Check it out.
“For me, fall signals a big transition time for bass,” said Wheeler. “The bass really feed heavily, especially further north. September through November can be excellent months for catching numbers of bass and big bass, too.
“Sure, there can be a stingy fall funk going on, but once you figure out where they are, they can be pretty easy to catch since they are trying to put on weight for the upcoming winter months. “
Walking baits rule the roost for Wheeler.
“This will come as no surprise, but a walking bait is my go-to for fall bass,” said Wheeler. “I love the number 11 Rapala Skitterwalk. I replace the back hook with a number two VMC feather treble.
“I will work this bait fast over the shallow flats. The bass are often up there feeding heavily. Look for baitfish activity. This is probably the top time of the year to use this lure.”
Wheeler gets his buzz on in the fall.
“Another great lure for fall bass is the buzzbait,” said Wheeler. “I use the Accent Game Changer. I will use this lure around boat docks, steeper channel banks and undercut banks.
“I usually put a Larew Biffle Bug on the back to bulk it up a bit and make it look more like the baitfish the bass are feeding on.”
Move a little deeper as the water temperatures drop.
“Later in the fall, I will usually fish deeper,” said Wheeler. “Generally speaking when the water temperatures get into the lower fifties, the bass get off the flats and transition to deeper water. Channel bends, points, cover like that.”When this happens, I will throw a crankbait. I use the Rapala DT-6. Shad colors are best. I really like the Live River Shad color. It’s a newer option and it works very well.
“Vary your retrieve until the bass let you know what they want. This bait can work in even colder water as well.”