Tips and Tricks for Late Fall Kayak Fishing

Trees have just a few leaves left on them, the lake looks abandon, many of the recreational boats have been winterized and are covered BUT there is great fishing for those willing to venture out. Safety is always the number one priority for me so a few tips, dress for warm and water wicking. Essential equipment is a life jacket and mine is always a non-inflatable model. No CO2 cartridge to rely on, no pull string to activate and the standard PFD (Personal Floatation Device) will help keep you warm. Redundancy is also a key. If you pedal, paddle or are motorized an emergency paddle is a good idea. Cell phone, water, power bar, signaling device…check. Let’s launch those kayaks and go fishing!

Throughout most of the year, fish feed because they want to, and the opportunity presents itself; in the fall, they feed because they HAVE to. In many regions cooler water and shorter days mean winter is coming and preparation for bass, crappie and other species requires loading up on the “groceries” like shad, the remaining crawfish, bluegill and other natural forage. With many lake levels at winter pool after a drawdown fish will migrate to secondary cover. Off shore creek channels, submerged wood, rock piles, gravel bars and points to name a few. The shad will now be heavily schooled up and bass will seek out the schools and “bust” the groups of gizzard and threadfin shad. Armed with this knowledge you can use several shad imitating artificial baits.

Generally, as water cools bacteria dies out leaving “gin” clear water or maybe moderately stained spots. Another key is surface water temperature, the activity of the fish at this time of year is largely based off water temps. In my home state of Tennessee, a zone of 60 falling to 50 degrees is prime time for the fall bite. Debbie and I launch in areas that allow us access to a varied amount of structure, bottom contour, steep banks and lots of potential for warming water conditions. The Northwest side of the lake gets the most sun exposure and objects that radiate or retain natural heat are often the targets we cast to. Again, advantage goes to the kayaks in skinny water or certain small river systems, so we venture out to the most productive waters.
That’s where to go BUT how about what to throw? For decades when other people stored their fishing equipment or climbed into a tree stand for deer hunting, I continued my search for the biggest bass. Conditions will dictate lure choices, but we’ve narrowed down the list.

Jigs.

A year-round bass bait, the jig is versatile and there are models, weights, colors and trailers that have us casting and pitching jigs every month of the year. With the option of open water, working heavy cover and varying the retrieve speed a jig positions you to catch bass well into the fall and even the winter. For the crappie enthusiasts’ tubes and grubs are often still referred to as jigs. Submerged trees in 8 to 12 feet of water are a gather place for late season crappie. My preference for the bass jig is the Denny Brauer Structure head in a 3/8ths ounce version, watermelon red flake in color trailed by a full size Ragetail craw in color #229 Roadkill or matching #18 watermelon red flake. Black and blue combination jig and trailer is another solid choice. An old school bait deadly for smallmouth is the hair jig fished naked (with no plastic trailer). Arctic fox white or a crawfish color combination are highly recommended. *Check out the Yank-Um tackle selection.

Crankbaits

Oval bill, squarebill or lipless each has the potential to bag a bass. There are an abundance of sizes and a rainbow of colors to choose from. A standard is chrome/blue, Strike King maker of the Red Eye Shad has a color #584 Oyster that is great for the end of the year bass fishing. A ½ ounce and ¼ ounce model is available, I carry both. A #3 or some manufacturers number them #300 mid-level oval lip crankbait can be effective for schooling bass. Most squarebill baits offered have a diving range of 4-6 feet. The beauty of this bait is the defection produced by the plastic squarebill coming into contact with objects. The deflection will many times trigger a bite from even the most lethargic fish. Pale colors for clear water, bright skies and no wind.
Spinnerbaits – A long time secret to late fall / winter bass fishing for me has been an old-time odd-looking spinner. The one I use could be referred to as the original “heavy metal.”

Manufactured over 35 years ago by an outfit based in Alabama, the Bumble Bee spinnerbait is equipped with an oversized willowleaf blade with a smaller standard Colorado blade also affixed to the wire arm. The flash and thump this thing produces is the best imitation of a giant shad I’ve ever found. WARNING: The long-term cast and retrieve of this monster for a full day will wear you out but, boy does it ever fool BIG bass. You can replicate this lure with a standard ½ ounce spinner by taking a split ring pliers and changing the back blade to a #7 or #8 willow. I’ve head great success with the nickel colored blade. Another altered spinner would be a 3/8th ounce spinner with a nickel Colorado blade forward and the addition od a #7 Indiana blade (gold or nickel). All three major species are likely to hit these selections but the fall bass bonus fish (if they inhabit your waters) are the hard fighting smallmouth.

** Many late season anglers are fans of jigging spoons, jerkbaits and deep diving crankbaits. If you’re looking for numbers those baits are handy, my goal is always that giant that will “stretch your string”, I’m sure many other baits, tactics and techniques will produce the last two months of the year.
Often this time of year you’ll have the water to yourself and multiple catches of big bass are stringer of crappie can be the reward for venturing out for late fall fishing.