Featured Tip

Late Fall Means Topwater Feeding Frenzy

Late fall can mean only one thing to a bass fisherman. Feeding Frenzy! This is the time of the year when bass feed heavily before winter. There are several lures and techniques that can be used, but my favorite lure choices are the Heddon Zara Spook and the Rebel Pop-R. These topwater baits can produce some unbelievable catches in the fall. The key is knowing how the bass migrate during each season. During the fall, bass come out of the deep water summer pattern and head toward the coves to feed. Most bass fishermen like to beat the banks in the cove, but a lot of the bass will be behind you roaming in open water feeding. Go around the cove and always keep a watchful eye on bass busting in the middle of the pocket. Shallow timber coves with a small creek channel running through them are a good place to start. If you do not have any luck next to the bank, position the boat in the middle of the pocket and fan cast until you find them. The Zara Spook is a big fish bait. A subtle "walk the dog" presentation works well. Let the bass tell you what they want. You may have to pause the bait for a few seconds to trigger a strike. The Pop-R is a more erratic bait that produces a bigger wake in the water. You may also have to vary your cadence like the Zara Spook to get a strike. I have found that the "pop-pop-pause" retrieve works the best unless the fish are extremely active. Sharp hooks are essential. Always keep the hooks on your topwaters razor sharp. Remember that a topwater is like a crankbait — keeping the fish down is a must. Letting the fish thrash around on the surface will result in a lure handed back to you. These topwater techniques can be fished all day long. I have caught fish all times of day using the Pop-R. If the topwater bite does die down during the day, flip a tube or jig, but always keep your topwater rod at arm’s length in case you see a bass bust on a shad. If you miss a bass on topwater, throw back to him with a tube. More times than not, you’ll catch that fish. The equipment I like to use is a fast gear ratio reel like the Pflueger Trion and a 6’6" medium rod with 14- to 18-pound test line depending on the cover. Fall fishing can be a great experience for an angler when using topwater baits. Just get out there and jump from pocket to pocket until you find them, then load the boat.

By LUKE ESTEL

Luke Estel is a member of the Heddon Pro Staff and a freelance writer from Illinois.

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