How To Fish Topwater, Spinnerbaits & Swim Jigs
For More Bass In Fall ~ by Darl Black

Posted on September 22, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Largemouth Bass - Topwater Baits

Topwater baits play a key role in early fall bass fishing.

Typically, summer bass anglers either probe deep offshore structure with Carolina rigs, shaky worms and drop-shot, or target specific cover by repeatedly flipping Texas-rigged creature baits. But early fall opens opportunities for success with different lures. The most productive lures are ones that operate best in less than 10 feet of water, and are intended to be fished at a faster pace. Remember, early fall is a time of transition, as bass follow preyfish. Therefore, bass may not be at the same location as they were only days before – you’ve got to cover water.

With most largemouth keyed on migrating baitfish in the fall, here are several useful presentations all around the country.

Topwater – What angler doesn’t love the thrill of a bass blowing up on a surface lure? For open water (i.e. surface not congested with weeds) bass experts like topwater lures that spit, sputter and swish across the surface like an injured baitfish. My favorites in these categories are the Storm Chug Bug, Heddon Crazy Shad, and the Zara Spook – but there are many additional options too. The biggest tip for topwater is not to set the hook upon seeing the explosive strike, but wait for the line to tighten.

Largemouth Bass - Spinnerbaits

Many anglers rely heavily on spinnerbaits in the fall.

Spinnerbaits – On clear water lakes, I never fish a spinnerbait on calm days, reserving it for times when the wind is blowing. A choppy surface breaks up the light entering water, thereby helping to better create the baitfish illusion of a spinnerbait. If you know baitfish schools are riding near the surface over weeds or on a shallow flat, then a double-willow blade spinnerbait may be the ticket. In clear water, I want a spinnerbait skirt in a realistic baitfish pattern. In dingy water, either white or chartreuse skirts are typically preferred. If the water is truly muddy, some bass pros like a double Colorado blade model with one red or orange Colorado.

Swim Jigs – Many bass anglers opt for a swim jig instead of a spinnerbait – particularly under calm conditions. Shallow-water swim jigs are shaped slightly different than regular pitching, flipping or dipping jigs. Their conical or torpedo-shaped head is designed to slide through brush and vegetation. Furthermore, a swimming retrieve is employed instead of the usual bottom-bumping with a regular jig. To help create the baitfish illusion, a double-tail grub is added as a trailer instead of a craw or chunk. Swim jigs can be fished in difficult cover that would foul a regular spinnerbait. Terminator, Jewel and Bass Stalker are among the manufacturers offering shallow-water swim jigs.

Next post: How to fish swimbaits,
crankbaits and frogs for more bass in the fall.

Get more fishing tips at darlblack.blogspot.com

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For More Bass In Fall ~ by Darl Black

Havalon Announces August Email Winner!

Posted on September 19, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Wayne Dekle-Havalon Knife Winner

Havalon Knives is pleased to announce that Wayne Dekle from Texas, has won a free Havalon knife set. Wayne was eligible because he subscribed to our email news during the month of August. His choice of prize: the Piranta Edge. He will receive the knife, a set of replacement blades and a knife holster.

 

If you want to be eligible to win, just sign-up for our
email news on the home page of our website.

Good luck!

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Where to Find Largemouth Bass During Fall Fishing
~ By Darl Black

Posted on September 15, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Largemouth Bass

In the fall when largemouth bass follow gizzard shad up the creek
arms of reservoirs, anglers can
find themselves fishing some
shallow water.

The end-of-summer into fall is a transition period for bass. However, it’s impossible to paint bass in all the varied environments with one broad stroke. It’s important to recognize the general scenario that occurs on most waters, but be prepared for exceptions, too.

Large man-made reservoirs: As water temperature begins to cool, schooling baitfish species that spent the summer offshore over deeper water will begin moving towards the bank. Gizzard shad (a dominant baitfish found in many man-made reservoirs throughout the US) migrate up the major creek arms into shallow water. Bass follow the bait. But as preyfish schools in the shallows decline, bass then fallback to somewhat deeper water for the coldest temperatures of the year.

Northern natural lakes: The cooling water also triggers a movement of offshore native baitfish towards shallower water. In this case the preyfish are shiner species. Unlike large man-made reservoirs, natural lakes generally lack creek arms. Baitfish schools move to the weedy flats where bass begin to feast upon them. Eventually as shallower vegetation on the flats die off, bass will move to the deepest remaining green weeds.

Largemouth Bass

Don’t overlook dying pad beds in the early fall as a hiding place for largemouth bass.

Smaller vegetated lakes and river backwaters: On these small dishpan-like bodies of water, many largemouth bass spend the summer in shallow water under a canopy of thick weeds. Even though the weeds begin dying off due to cooling water and shorter amount of daylight, bass often hang tough in the shallow vegetation. At some point in the fall, largemouth will move out of the decaying weeds to slightly deeper water.



Next post: How to fish topwater, spinners
and swim jigs for more bass in the Fall.




Get more fishing tips at darlblack.blogspot.com




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~ By Darl Black

Why I Love Largemouth Bass Fishing ~ By Darl Black

Posted on September 13, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Largemouth bass are popular in part due to their explosive attacks on artificial lures.

You’ve likely heard it before. But it’s worth noting again. Largemouth bass are one of this country’s most popular gamefish.

The largemouth’s popularity is due in part to the species aggressive feeding nature. When on the prowl for food, largemouth will attack anything perceived as possible prey. This makes fishing artificial lures for the species a whole bunch of fun. When hooked, largemouth bass display short, powerful bursts of speed as well as aerial antics – although they are not as acrobatic as their smallmouth cousin.

In addition to being brash, the largemouth’s widespread availability also contributes to its popularity. Unlike some gamefish species with a limited range, thereby forcing fisherman to travel some distance to engage them, largemouth bass are everywhere. They inhabit diverse waterways in every state, except being absent from Alaska. It is truly the “gamefish next door”.

The largemouth’s ability to adapt to different environments, prey and sources, results in habitat options that includes everything, from the smallest farm pond to the largest reservoir. Largemouth can survive in shallow weedy environments on a diet of bluegills and frogs as well as in the open water of large lakes, feeding on pelagic shad schools. While not a lover of strong currents like smallmouth, largemouth do very well in mature rivers with ample backwater areas.

Bass pro Edwin Evers with nice fall largemouth taken on an XCalibur Wake Bait.

Fisheries managers refer to largemouth bass as a “warmwater” species. However, that designation should not be interpreted as meaning that largemouth bass prefer the exceptionally warm water temperatures of summer. Yes, largemouth can survive in lakes that climb into the high 80s, even 90s – however, those high temperatures are stressful on the fish.

The largemouth’s prime temperature feeding range is from the low 50s to the mid 70s. At these cooler temperatures, expect a lot more “action” from this species. That’s why across the country, the fall season is regarded as optimal bass fishing. During autumn, water temperatures are dropping from the 70s to the upper 40 degree range and bass are on the feed.

In my next post, I’ll discuss where you’ll find largemouth bass while fishing in the fall.


Get more fishing tips at darlblack.blogspot.com




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Havalon Announces Hunters Extravaganza Winner
~ Jacey Honey Glover

Posted on September 6, 2011 by HavalonKnives

Jacey Honey Glover_HuntersExtravaganzaWinner2011(a)Congratulations to Jacey Honey Glover of Texas! Out of the hundreds of entries, her name was drawn as the winner. She has won a complete Havalon knife set valued at $500.00. She will receive one each: Original Piranta, Piranta Edge, Piranta Z, Tracer 22, Piranta Cougar, Piranta Grizzly Bear, Piranta Timber Wolf, Piranta Whitetail, Piranta Elk, Piranta Big Horn,
Baracuta Edge, Baracuta Z, Baracuta Blaze, as well as an extra set of blades and a holster
for each knife.

If you’d like a chance to win a complete set of Havalon knives, stop by our booth at the ATA in Columbus, OH, January 10-12, 2012, and register. Good Luck!

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~ Jacey Honey Glover