Where Do Bass Go During The Fall Transition?! (And The Best Baits To Catch Them)

Fall Bass Fishing has arrived!! Here's what you need to know! Bass are schooling and feeding on baitfish. If your favorite patterns are beginning to fail, you need to adapt right away. Regardless of the type of lake you're fishing, we're here to help. From where bass position in different types of fisheries, to the baits we use to catch them, we're about to lay it all out for you!

Fall is a peak time for bass fishing. Whether you like to fish shallow or deep, there are aggressive fish to be caught. We use different lures depending on the type of fishery, but the concept is always the same; find the baitfish, find the bass. Keep moving, keep searching, and keep watching for signs of life in the water. If you can find the baitfish, active bass aren't far away!

Below is a breakdown of the gear we recommend using during these conditions. We've included rigging components where applicable and even included our favorite colors for each technique. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: https://bit.ly/38YpPIz

TOPWATER...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Color: Spotlight Shad

•Whopper Plopper 90: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Color: I Know It

•MissileBaits Buzz Wagon: https://bit.ly/4wnejBo

Size: 1/2 oz

Colors: Black, Silver

•Jackall Gavacho: http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Colors: Chart Strike Gill

KARASHI...

•Megabass Karashi 80: https://bit.ly/4lgNFFK

Colors: Albino Pearl GB, Mat Shad

CRANKBAITS...

•Megabass Blowly: https://bit.ly/3RNQZxL

Colors: Kasumi Ito, GG Wakasagi

•Damiki BTC 50: https://bit.ly/3OVb3Lc

Colors: Mossy Shad, Threadfin Flash

CHATTERBAIT...

•Zman Elite Evo Tungsten Chatterbait (1/2 oz): https://bit.ly/3YkW2Hd

Color: Electric Shad, Bama Bream

•ZMan 4.5" Chattershad: https://bit.ly/4jPaGOX

Color: Electric Shad

SOFT JERKBAIT...

•XZone Whiplash Shad: https://bit.ly/3IpMKQo

Colors: Electric Shad, Baby Bass, Pro Blue Red Pearl

•Megabass Sling Shad: https://bit.ly/41tgaaT

Colors: Bluegill, Oikawa

Hook– Gamakatsu Superline Offset Round Bend: https://bit.ly/4l2QhGL

Size: 3/0 (Megabass) or 5/0 (Whiplash)

WEEDLESS UNDERSPIN...

•BKK Titan Diver (4/0): https://bit.ly/3kzagCo

•Xzone 4.75" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

MINI UNDERSPIN...

•Tactical Mini Underspin: https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

Size: 1/4 oz

•Keitech 3.3" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/418wxdb

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

PITCHIN JIG...

•Dirty Jigs Compact Pitchin' Jig: https://bit.ly/2hAIyCV

Color: The Go To, Alabama Craw

•Xzone 3.5" Adrenaline Craw: https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Pumpkin Plum Party

URCHIN BAITS...

•Tiemco Harinezume 88MM Elastomer Creature: https://bit.ly/4yX6YL5

Favorite Colors: Dark Mimizu, Loco Beetle, Green Pumpkin

•Berkley Moeba: https://bit.ly/4wu7i1w

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Bloodshot

BUDGET TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick HMG 6'8" Medium Mod Fast: https://bit.ly/4epUFz1

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT: https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line– Power Pro Moss Green (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET JIG COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Maverick 735C: https://bit.ly/3ncP1nX

Model: 7'3" Heavy +

Reel– Shimano SLX A (HG): https://bit.ly/3ZWPeho

Line- Sunline SniperFC (16 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET URCHIN COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Bass X  7'1" Med Hvy Fast: https://bit.ly/3A5CFSU

Reel– Seviin GF (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line– Sunline SniperFC (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BUDGET CHATTERBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick HMG 7'5" Medium Heavy X Fast: https://bit.ly/3AyrAiW

Reel– Abu Garcia Max5 Pro: https://bit.ly/4pGZ4Az

Line– Seaguar Red Label (17 lb): https://bit.ly/2LOVEwA

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Maverick 7' Med Hvy (705CB): https://bit.ly/47alYsM

Reel– Seviin GF (7.3:1): https://bit.ly/3qa2SQZ

Line- Sunline SniperFC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

4 Tricks That Catch Bass Right Now!

September can be great fishing when you know where to look! Jump in the boat with Matt for a fun day on the water. He's targeting bass during the early Fall transition and showing you exactly what it takes to consistently catch fish this time of year.

The morning starts off slow, as Matt catches a few fish around structure, adjacent to grass flats. As the sun gets higher, he dials in a pattern targeting open water bass around baitfish. He stays with those fish, catching them on multiple baits, before they finally shut down and settle along deep water structure. Not done yet, Matt adapts to the conditions, and begins catching those same fish in deeper water, with an urchin. The Fall transition can be complicated, but it can also be very rewarding.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits Matt used throughout the day. We've also included links to the exact rod and reel combos he used to fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

THE MINNOW...

•Dirty Jigs HD Guppy: https://bit.ly/3WCfvSn

Size: 1/4 oz

•Rapala Crush City 4.25 Freeloader: https://bit.ly/3QWwj4b

Color: Shad

THE JIG...

•Dirty Jigs Compact Pitchin Jig: https://bit.ly/2hAIyCV

Color: The Go To

•Xzone 3.25" Muscle Back Craw: https://bit.ly/43DZXOQ

Color: Green Pumpkin Black

TOPWATER...

•Megabass Dog X Diamante Sonic Slide: https://bit.ly/4c6PIIw

Color: ITO Clear Shad

Subtle– Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Aggressive– Megabass Dog Max: https://bit.ly/4wowh6Z

UNDERSPIN...

•Dirty Jigs Mini Underspin: https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

Size: 1/4 oz

•Xzone 3" Swammer: https://bit.ly/2PogV0q

Color: Pro Blue Red Pearl

FLUTTER SPOON...

•Nichols Lake Fork Flutter Spoon: https://bit.ly/2ICAGKL

Color: Shattered Glass

URCHIN...

•Tiemco Harinezume Eco 88 mm: https://bit.ly/4yX6YL5

Color: Green Pumpkin

•Zman Texas Eye Jighead (3/0): https://bit.ly/45zbxgP

Size: 1/8 oz

ROUND URCHINS...

•Yamamoto Uni Mas: https://bit.ly/4fC83Pc

•Yamamoto Uni Max: https://bit.ly/4gW4V3a

•Berkley Moeba: https://bit.ly/4wu7i1w

•Hideup Coike: https://bit.ly/3QyUgwU

URCHIN COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Elite 7'1" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

Reel– Bates Salty Hundo 100: https://bit.ly/4ueBBcj

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate Shock Leader (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2O4UElB

JIG COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'3" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Daiwa Kage SV 150: https://bit.ly/3JEBep4

Line– Seaguar Smackdown Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/43KGHQH

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (15 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

TOPWATER COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis GLX 7' Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3PmpCqj

Model: 843C MBR

Reel– Shimano Metanium 70 DC A (HG): https://bit.ly/49al91d

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

UNDERSPIN COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 7'2" Med Light: https://bit.ly/2KS92gK

Reel– Shimano Twin Power FE 3000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line– Seaguar PEX8 Braid (21 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Seaguar Grand Max (12 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

SPOON COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend X2 7'3" Med Hvy Fast: https://bit.ly/3IOSXcJ

Reel– Seviin GX Casting: https://bit.ly/4octPMZ

Line– Daiwa J Braid Grand (50 lb): https://bit.ly/488sttq

Leader– Sunline Saltimate FC (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2O4UElB

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Free Rig Fishing For Fall Bass! ( Underwater Footage, Baits, and Rigging Tricks )

The "Free Rig" is an overlooked technique for catching bass in Fall! Have you tried the Free Rig yet? This rig modifies the traditional "Texas Rig" to create bait separation for a more natural fall. Give your bait more freedom, allow for slower falls, and catches a ton of fish this time of year!

If you haven't tried the Free Rig, this is the right time of year to experiment with it. The Free Rig isn't new, but is continuing to gain popularity, especially with newer Urchin baits. This rig shines around hard cover and will produce bites long after bass have become leery of traditional presentations. The benefit of this rig is it allows your bait to fall very slowly, while still keeping great contact with the bottom.

Below you'll find links to Tim's favorite baits for free rigging, along with the gear he uses to fish them effectively. We've also included our favorite colors for each bait to help you get started. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

URCHIN BAITS...

•Tiemco Harinezume 88MM Elastomer Creature: https://bit.ly/4yX6YL5

Favorite Colors: Dark Mimizu, Loco Beetle, Green Pumpkin

•Yamamoto Uni Mas: https://bit.ly/4fC83Pc

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purp Cop, Green Pump, Scuppernong

•Berkley Moeba: https://bit.ly/4wu7i1w

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Bloodshot

•Zman Fuzzy Nuggetz: https://bit.ly/3KFn2Mv

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Goby

BAITFISH PROFILES...

•Berkley 3.5" Flux Gill: https://bit.ly/4deiBV8

Dark Gill, Green Pumpkin

•Megabass Sling Shad: https://bit.ly/41tgaaT

Colors: G Biwahigai, Hasu, Oikawa

•Zman 5" Jerk Shadz: https://bit.ly/3yRocN0

Colors: Electric Shad, Smelt

CREATURE BAITS...

•MissileBaits Baby D Stroyer: https://bit.ly/3248BXL

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Super Bug

•Xzone Stealth Finesse Creature: https://bit.ly/3M0BXOU

Colors: Tilapia, Black Blue/Green Pumpkin

CRAW BAITS...

•XZone Adrenaline Craw Jr (3.5"): https://bit.ly/3ebTO5h

Colors: Green Pumpkin Blk Flake, Tilapia

•Rapala Crush City Bronco Bug (3.25"): https://bit.ly/4aUfkGv

Colors: Black Blue Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Blue

HOOKS BY BAIT STYLE...

Tiemco: Zman ZWG Hook (3/0): https://bit.ly/4qWQlLQ

Urchin: Gamakatsu Weedless Ball Rig (3/0): https://bit.ly/4i2attD

Dice: Owner Sniper Finesse (1/0): https://bit.ly/2kfdv37

Creatures: Owner All Purpose (2/0): https://bit.ly/4qXdQUY

BFS Creature: Owner Rig N Hook (1/0): https://bit.ly/2BnniXN

FREE RIG WEIGHTS...

Lead– Cast Again Tackle Frag Weight: https://bit.ly/4qxAfbm

Sizes: 1/8 – 3/8 oz

Tungsten– Nako Free Rig Weight: https://bit.ly/4xM7p9t

Sizes: 3/16 – 1/2 oz

Tungsten– Nako Skinny Free Weight: https://bit.ly/4zSUu7D

Sizes: 1/8 – 1/2 oz

TIM'S ALL AROUND FREE RIG COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 6'10" Med Hvy: https://bit.ly/47EvHYz

Reel– Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70 (7:1): https://bit.ly/3ZcBbCZ

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar JDM Grand Max (12 lb): https://bit.ly/46eb98G

TIM'S FULL SIZE BAIT COMBO...

Rod– Abu Garcia Zenon 7' Medium Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/43y32RU

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon MG–X: https://bit.ly/4dv7WT0

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sunline System Shock Fluoro (16 lb): https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

TIM'S SPINNING COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy 7'2" Med (723): https://bit.ly/2KS92gK

Reel– Dobyns Tatula MQ LT 2500: https://bit.ly/3IWhxbv

Line– Seaguar PEX8 Braid (21 lb): https://bit.ly/3UEhhl2

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

BUDGET FREE RIG COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Fury 7' Med Hvy (703): https://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

If you plan to do any shopping, using our affiliate links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!

The Best JDM Urchin Bait You've Never Heard Of! ( But Your Friends Have )

Urchin baits have swept bass fishing and it's not over yet! While everyone is trying to figure out how to rig a Coike, there's a JDM bait that quietly solves the problems, and most US anglers don't even know it exists! Like many bass fishing trends, we're looking to the Japanese market for the next step in the evolution of Urchin / Uni / Coike baits.

Round Urchin baits are amazing fish-catching lures. They fool a lot of fish, and they trigger a feed response in GIANT bass as well. However, they have some inherent flaws. In order to have a high hookup ratio with these baits, you're confronted with fish mortality issues. Is it better to not catch the fish, or risk permanent damage to the fish? Insert the Tiemco Harinezume (Hedge Hog). This bait has the same fish–catching abilities, without any of the issues, and is already wildly popular in the JDM market.

Below you'll find links to some of our favorite Urchin baits, as well as the new baits being discussed in today's video. We've included all the rigging components, as well as some great rod and reel combos to fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

TACTICALBASSIN GEAR...

•TacticalBassin Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

TIEMCO CREATURE...

•Tiemco Harinezume Elastomer Creature: https://bit.ly/4yX6YL5

Favorite Colors: Dark Mimizu, Loco Beetle, Green Pumpkin

RELATED URCHIN BAITS...

•Berkley Maxscent Moeba: https://bit.ly/4wu7i1w

•Yamamoto Uni Mas: https://bit.ly/4fC83Pc

•Yamamoto Uni Max: https://bit.ly/4gW4V3a

•Coike Full Cast: https://bit.ly/4h0ZcFI

•Hag's Prickly Pear 19mm: https://bit.ly/4t07x3h

•Hag's Prickly Pear 25mm: https://bit.ly/4yYc6yy

Preferred Hooks Sizes By Size...

ECO 88mm – 3/0 Wide Gap

BABY ECO 70mm – 1/0 Wide Gap

MINI ECO 60mm – 1 Wide Gap

SWINGING JIGHEAD RIGGING...

•Zman Texas Eye Jighead (3/0): https://bit.ly/45zbxgP

Favorite Sizes: 1/8 – 3/16 oz

•Zman Texas Eye Finesse Jighead (1/0): https://bit.ly/4hIWzw6

Favorite Sizes: 1/15 – 1/10 oz

FREE RIG...

Hook– BKK Armor Point Offset HD: https://bit.ly/4lcHa6U

Weight– Free Rig Weight: https://bit.ly/4xl19W9

Bobber Stop– VMC Stopper: https://bit.ly/4xkiDSy

GIKA RIG...

•Gamakatsu Gika Rig: https://bit.ly/3TAQqYS

Favorite Sizes: 3/16 – 1/4 oz, 3/0 Hook

•Gamakatsu Gika Rig Weights: https://bit.ly/452hG4R

Favorite Sizes: 1/8 – 3/16 oz

WEIGHTED HOOK...

•Gamakatsu Weighted EWG Hook: https://bit.ly/3wndxGX

Favorite Sizes: 1/16 – 1/8 oz, 3/0 Hook

FOOTBALL HEAD...

•Zman Finesse Football Nedz: https://bit.ly/3U6jUOs

Favorite Sizes: 3/16 – 1/4 oz

•VMC Finesse Football Jighead: https://bit.ly/3CZ1cQK

Favorite Sizes: 3/16 – 1/4 oz

MATT'S URCHIN COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick World Class 7'3" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3qbGEya

Reel– Daiwa Kage SV 150: https://bit.ly/3JEBep4

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Seaguar Gold Label (20 lb): https://bit.ly/3UqrUbi

MID PRICED URCHIN COMBO...

Rod– Fenwick Elite 7'1" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

Reel– Bates Salty Hundo 100: https://bit.ly/4ueBBcj

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET URCHIN COMBO...

Rod– Dobyns Maverick 7'3" Med Hvy Fast: https://bit.ly/3ncP1nX

Reel– Shimano SLX XT: https://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line– Sunline SniperFC (20 lb): https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz