I've only been bass fishing for a few years and I do have several baits that I am comfortable with.

The time off I have is:

Oct 10-16 water temp should be in low 70s to upper 60s

&Nov.14-21 water should be lower 60 down to 50

I'm wanting to take 3-4 outings 6am-2or3pm for each vacation time And on each trip i will only use baits that I very rarely use.

  my ideas are

1.)to have you members give me bait ideas to use(techniques as well)

 these cannot include the things i feel comfortable with:which I will

 include later in the post

2.)I will only try these techniques 1 or 2 at the most each day.I will      not use my"go to baits at all because they will be at home.I will only bring the suggested tactics.(this is to keep me from making 20 casts and giving up on the tactic.

3.)I have lots of baits and types and if i use your suggestions I will purchase the bait types needed(please if you give the name brand know that i cant just buy $20 crank baits and $30-$40 swim baits but i will purchase similar baits if you so suggest them.That is to say I can't sink a ton of cash into this.Between now and then I will purchase some baits That I may need

4.)I'll be fishing Smith Mountain Lake (the Elite series was here in late spring)22,000 beautiful acres hehe(canhad  find clear and stained water)

 from aluminum boat with a 60hp.the only veg here is a little grass,no pads or other.

5.)I'm doing this for confidence building and to try new techniques.I am most familiar with and will not be using(wire arm spinnerbaits,texas rigged worms and lizards,Shad Raps[similar style cranks].

6.)I will post my selections and try my best to use the techniques and post results.(this should be very fun)

thank you all for any replies and ideas.I love this Forum and hope I can contribute more as I get more into the Bass Fishing addic...er well obsession.

Down here the water temp. doesn't get that low till about a month after each of the dates you claimed but I know I've had good luck in water between 50 and 60 degrees split shotting a craw worm or creature bait around here. This works well over hydrilla or coontail grasses under the water on flats. I don't really know why but I think it may slow your bait down and that will cause more strikes since the fish's metabolism is lower due to the low temp.  If the lake you are fishing is very deep then I would try a crankbait 6-8 foot depth.  I like to use bandits, there inexpensive and have great action.  If the water is clear look for a bandit crankbait called "original perch" color.  Remember to crank the bait a little slower down on tree tops and logs.  If the water is very staind I would look for "Pear with black back" or solid "pear with the red eyes". Maybe try a lizard weightless or with a small weight if possible. Anyway just providing a few tips. Hope you wax em!

crankbaits worked great in october.Perch wasn't so great but threadfin shad worked well.I think it matched the forage better.Split shot worm worked well.I'm used to TX rig,and the bites were different feeling.Weightless lizard didn't produce for me but i never did well with lizards in the fall any way.

In my november arsenal i tried simbaits=skunked

                                             cranks=skunked

       Of course the lake as very murky where i usually fish because we got several inches of rain a few days before i went.We found some shad in creeks and coves but could't seem to catch a bass.

tghanks for your input

I found something that works great in cold, muddy late fall waters. Black /Blue Chatterbait with a matching Rage Tail Baby Craw for a trailer. Don't swim it, but use it like a jig, and only move it about an inch at a time, then let it sit there for 20 seconds. Keep it in the prime target area all day that way, and even a lazy, lethargic bass will slurp that up, trust me.