Late summer and early fall are when the bass begin to focus on shad. Targeting these bass often requires a variety of techniques, a willingness to move quickly and using your eyes to locate schooling activity.
FLW Tour pro Braxton Setzer relies on several baits this time of year to cover different sections of the water column.
Looking for Baitfish Activity to Locate Bass
Locating shad activity is a must when the bass switch gears from feeding on bluegill to shad according to Setzer, who has a degree in Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture from Auburn University.
“This is when I start to look shallow. The shad will begin their move towards the shallows and the creeks and that is what the bass will be keying on. It could be the last points towards the main lake or along deeper banks leading into the creeks,” he says.
Another tip Setzer shares is to pay attention and use your eyes and ears.
“You want to always be looking at your graph for baitfish, but many times you will hear or see bass busting baitfish. You also may see just one little splash and go towards it and the bass will be under a school of baitfish,” says the Alabama pro.
Topwater Lures for the Summer to Fall Transition
This is a prime time of year to throw a topwater and Setzer always has at least one rigged and ready to go.
“The Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil is a great bait for when they are chasing bait because it casts well and is easy to walk,” he begins.
He prefers to throw this bait on a Phenix X-13 rod with a 7.1:1 reel spooled with braid with a short monofilament leader.
A popper is another bait in Setzer’s arsenal this time of year.
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“Right at that transition between summer and fall, there are usually still bluegill bedding and some bass will be shallow feeding on them. I like to use a popper and chug it along slowly around bluegill beds,” he says and adds that the Yo-Zuri 3DB Popper is his go-to.
He fishes the popper on a Phenix X-10 rod paired with a 7.1:1 gear ratio reel and he spools it up with 40- to 50-pound Yo-Zuri Superbraid with a 12- to 18-inch leader of 12- to 15-pound monofilament.
Lipless Crankbaits as a Shad Imitation
This style of bait is perfect for covering water and imitating shad. Setzer uses a variety of different models, weights, and even silent models. Each has a different role for him in both where he fishes it and how he retrieves it.
“I like to use a lighter version, like the Rattl’n Vibe in 3/8-ounce for keeping it up in the water column and will switch to a heavier, ¾-ounce Duel Hardcore Vibe 75 if I need to get it down deeper,” he says. “I’ll also use the silent version like the Duel Hardcore Silent Vibe 70S if the fish are seeing a lot of lipless baits, because it sometimes makes a difference when they can’t hear it coming for a long way.”
Depending on the bait he is using, he uses a variety of line combinations with his 7’3”, medium-heavy Phenix M1 and 6.4:1 reel.
“I use a 40- to 50-pound braid, if I am around grass and will sometimes switch to a short leader of 20-pound fluorocarbon and if I am fishing open water or with the smaller bait, I like 12- or 15-pound fluoro,” he says.
Bass Don’t Just Eat Jerkbaits in the Cold Weather
Jerkbaits aren’t just for winter and pre-spawn. Setzer uses them often during the summer to fall transition, although the retrieve with the ripper may be altered.
“One big difference is that I like to keep the bait moving. Instead of a ‘twitch, twitch, pause’ retrieve, I keep twitching it non-stop because the fish are active when they are chasing bait,” he says.
His top pick for jerkbaits, regardless of the season, is the Duel Hardcore Minnow Flat in the 110 size. He prefers 6’10”, medium-light a Phenix Maxim rod with a 6.4:1 reel spooled with 8- to 12-pound fluorocarbon.
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“I change the line size based on the cover I am fishing around and how deep I need the bait to dive, an 8-pound line will allow the bait to dive two-feet deeper than heavier line and that can make a difference,” he says.
Crankbaits Cannot Be Overlooked as the Summer Comes to an End
Burning a squarebill in the shallows is another approach Setzer will take in late summer and early fall.
“The biggest thing is to make contact with any cover with your bait. That deflection is critical this time of year and will trigger fish even if they are not actively feeding,” he says and says the Yo-Zuri 3DB Square Lip is his top pick.
He fishes this bait on a Phenix X-13 with a 6.4:1 reel spooled with 16- to 20-pound Yo-Zuri TopKnot fluorocarbon.
Color Choices for Hard Baits as Summer Ends and Fall Begins
For all of these baits, Setzer keeps it simple and chooses shad patterns this time of year. There are some exceptions, if the water is dingy; but generally, any shad pattern will do.
Early fall fishing can produce fast action for bass anglers who are able to locate bass keying on baitfish. Having a variety of different reaction baits that can cover the water column is your best bet to covering water and locating bass this time of year.
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