Northwest Fishing Reports

It's going be my first year fishing for bass in the Fall . People are excited for fall bass fishing, but so Far, I've not done well . Can someone break down their methods/techniques for Fall bass fishing? Maybe share your top 3 go-to setups? Fishing in the morning vs evening? Should I fish shallow or deeper during Fall? A few sentences would do, no need for essays. Thanks.

I like using Rapalas and casting to weed edges or pockets in a weed edge. Also logs or stumps on the edges are good for largemouths. Think of a spot that looks like it would provide some shelter and be a good place to 'pounce' from. But realize that when a Rapala lands, it takes some reeling in to get it to depth. If the fish are at the base of the weeds or stumps, the Rapala may be a distance away before it gets down there. If these don't work in areas that look 'bassy', try something like a Rooster tail, that drops immediately where it lands, and then shoots up and away when you start reeling. I do need to work on my plastics though, for fish that need that little extra coaxing, to entice a bite. Not much info, but I hope some helps. Good luck.

Thank you for sharing. I was planning on buying some Rapalas to try this weekend. Which Rapalas is your favorite to use?

Well I have a few basic patterns: Rainbow trout and perch always seem to do well for me. You may want to try a couple sizes, like 5, and then a 9 or 11 to entice the larger ones. I'm thinking of these for Largemouth. One of each pattern in a 5, should be good enough to get you started though.

If you are thinking of trolling for smallmouth, you may want some deeper divers, maybe with a rattle, maybe a scatter type to provide more erratic action. I do some trolling for walleye and smallmouth in central Washington and use some really deep divers like Hot Lips, that are intended to bounce along soft and rock bottoms. It can almost become addicting, picking up one of this type here and one of that type there, so you have lots covered. Just make sure you do mix 'em up if you end up with a large selection and one thing isn't working.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Rage Tail's - twin tail is my favorite for bass.

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let it sink to the bottom, and pop it, and let it fall, the tail action will draw them out.

The key is to look for structure, weeds, under docks, trees, and rocks. They will be there!

Tight lines!

Last time out (before the end of Aug.) on Lk. WA, we found the LM have moved up as they usually do in the Fall. To me, Fall is the time to use horizontal presentations, a bit faster moving stuff. Maybe topwater, swim jigs, spinnerbaits. Remember that the weeds are up to the surface and the outside weed line is some where around 20' to 25' on most of Lk. WA, so that pretty much defines what is practical. I may be trying a frog, the Live Target bluegill, or even just a 10" Powerworm, unweighted. This is not to say that a jig on the bottom, a tube or Senko won't work. They'll hit darned near anything this time of year. It would be a good time to try something new, so you'll have confidence in it for next Spring!

When "Fall" actually begins the answer to your question is simple....EVERYTHING! Honestly, cruise around if it looks like it would work good there, throw it. That's what's great about Fall bassin'. Keep in mind we are still on summer patterns for the most part, a few cool days is all. Late September through October is when I find things light up!

Short enough?

I find a lot of bass out deep in fall on my favorite lake...was out tonight casting out to deep water was the pattern...got 23 bass nothing huge 11" but lots of action (probably had 50-100 hits pops, swirls, taps and rolls) 15-30ft in front of the lily pads. I was tossing neon rapala #5 and getting bites on top and if they don't hit it sitting try swimming it and twitching it and pausing...they tend to chase the minnows in the fall and hit anything that moves. I also have luck with perch color and bass brown color...countdown rapalas work now and in October...I usually toss them close to shore count a second and reel them back in...have had lots of fish on after the one second fall. Bass are schooling and swimming and lots of the fish you see rising aren't trout they are bass yep even out deep in middle of the lake. Good luck and hope that helps.

For me, fall is go-big or go-home time. The fish are trying to put on weight, so I prefer bigger baits and I agree with a previous poster to keep it horizontal. I'm typically throwing cranks, spinnerbaits, and jerk baits. I'll keep a rod with a 5 inch senko wacky rigged available as well.

Doing very well catching bass while trolling for trout on a gig harbor area lake. About a dozen released tonight. Doesn't seem to matter what lure or fly I'm using.