Fall is here, and we're reminded of it constantly with sights of pumpkins and even Christmas advertisements starting way too soon, but there's still plenty of fishing to take advantage of. This can be some of the best fishing of the year, and even though the waters have already started to cool down in many regions drastically, it's still a perfect time to fish a topwater bait on the surface.
Even though you may have to start wearing another layer of clothing in the mornings, don’t put away those topwater baits just yet.
Why Fall is Perfect for Topwater
One reason topwater is perfect for fall fishing is that bass are heavily feeding on baitfish as they prepare for winter. This coincides with the annual migration of baitfish, such as shad, as they seek comfort and safety. This is the perfect combination for baitfish imitating lures like topwater baits that perfectly mimic a school of baitfish along the surface. Since you can fish them quickly, you can cover a lot of ground as you search for actively feeding bass.
Another reason topwater baits shine in the fall is that this is when many bass group up in schools to feed on these shad. As they push balls of shad to the surface as they gorge on them, nothing gets their attention than a topwater bait as they are looking up to feed.
Also, the water temperatures this time of year are comfortable for bass, and they are on the move. The water is not too cold or too hot to make them lethargic, and bass are just about everywhere in the country in their ideal temperature range. They are moving and feeding, and even though air temperatures may have dipped quickly, it often takes much longer to drop water temperatures as quickly. This is why foggy days can be the norm this time of year, as the water is often warmer than the air above it, so a bass will still gladly chase and attack a bait on the surface even though you are wearing a sweatshirt or jacket to stay warm.
Types of Topwaters to Throw
Topwater fishing has evolved over the years, and now there are many topwater styles to choose from. All have a time and place, but during the fall, it often pays to have something that you can work quickly on the surface.
Slower-moving baits like poppers can still work, but they are better suited for working around targets. Instead, faster baits like buzzbaits, plopping style baits, and walking topwater baits are all excellent choices.
Buzzbaits are an exciting way to catch a bass, as their gurgling action along the surface is fun to watch and even more thrilling when a bass explodes on them. They are also a perfect way to imitate a small group of shad making a commotion on the surface. One great way to fish them this time of year is to remove the skirt and add a white buzzing toad, like the Netbait BF Toad.
Some buzzbaits, like the Berkley Riveter, also come in versions designed specifically for fishing with these toads and do not include a skirt, just a molded keeper to keep your soft plastic in place. Another bait like this that offers a smaller profile to imitate smaller shad is the Brazalo Custom Lures Wee Wacker that fits a smaller toad-style bait perfectly.
With these buzzbaits, you can burn down the bank quickly and often, the shallower water the better this year as bass will use the shoreline to ambush shad as they feed. Plopping style baits like the River2Sea Whopper and Berkley Choppo also shine this time of year, and like buzzbaits, you can fish fast right along the shoreline and expect to catch fish because of the commotion they make.
Walking baits are also perfect for fall topwater fishing, and the "walk the dog" action that they are known for is excellent for drawing fish to the surface as they seek their next meal. There are so many great walking baits to choose from, including old classics like the Heddon Super Spook to more modern styles like the Teckel Kicknocker, Lucky Craft Gunfish, and Bass Mafia Dead Man Walking.
Topwater Gear
When fishing topwater baits, choosing the right rod, reel, and line can help increase your odds of catching more bass. With topwater fishing, you are bound to miss a few bass that strike and completely miss the bait, but there are a few things you can do to hook more of them.
One is your line choice, and floating lines like monofilament and braid are the two best options. Monofilament has long been a preferred way to fish topwater baits. Still, a braided line with virtually zero stretch, such as 30- or 40-pound Seaguar TactX, is an excellent choice for buzzbaits, ploppers, and walking topwaters. The lack of stretch will help you hook more fish, especially those that bite at the end of a long cast, as it doesn't take much to set the hook and drive treble hooks with a braided line.
The added benefit is that braid will typically cast much further due to its smaller diameter, and help you reach fish busting shad on the surface at longer distances.
Rods can also help you land more fish, as you want a rod with some give to it, especially with bass thrashing at a lure with treble hooks. A softer tip, often found on most medium to medium-heavy baitcasting rods, will give you enough control to work a bait but still be forgiving enough to keep fish hooked.
With reels, a faster baitcast reel can also be a benefit, as you can quickly get a bait back when you see activity in another direction. Also, many times you are not working a topwater bait all the way back to you, so a faster reel will let you get the bait back in to make another cast more quickly, leading to more casts in a day of fishing.
Fall fishing is great because you can often fish how you want and catch them with many different lures, including topwaters. It’s one of the most fun ways to hook a bass any time of year, but they are ideal for fall bass fishing, so don’t put away your topwaters for the season just yet!
