By Mike Frisch
We just returned from a trip to Worthington, MN filming a Fishing the Midwest TV episode. We caught nice walleyes casting small crankbaits to rocky shorelines.
And, last October and November a couple fishing buddies and I had productive days targeting walleyes trolling deep diving baits on South Dakota’s Lake Oahe on a pair of trips. In fact, the biggest walleye of my fishing career came on Oahe last fall
Those experiences reminded me of how productive crankbaits can be during fall.
Fall crankin’ can be very effective for walleyes, but bass eat cranks in fall too. In fact, one of the most productive methods I use to catch largemouth bass during my last open water fishing days in November involves casting deep diving crankbaits.
Here are some keys to late fall crankbait fishing.
High action crankbaits are top producers during the warm waters of summer and early fall. As the water cools, however, baits with more subtle movements are often more productive, especially when chasing walleyes. Shad style baits often have a more subtle action and work well during fall.
When it comes to bass and bait selection, my best November fishing often occurs when fishing remnant weedlines using deep running baits. The Elite XD series of crankbaits come in various sizes and running depths. I have had outstanding success in November by matching the running depth of the bait to the outside edge of the remaining weed edge.
Choosing a bait that runs to the proper depth is important and so is bait color selection. For walleyes, I like bright colors in off colored waters and more natural patterns in clear water. When targeting largemouth, many of my best catches have come on bluegill imitating colors. However, when choosing lure color on a given day, experimenting with other colors if your initial choice doesn’t produce is sound advice.
A final consideration for crankbait fishing during late fall involves lure speed. When trolling walleyes in summer, I prefer 2 mph most days. During fall, I usually slow my speed to 1.5 mph.
When casting crankbaits for bass in late fall I prefer making long casts with slow retrieves as well. A key component to this fishing is the use of a slower gear ratio reel allowing for slower retrieves. Plus, a long casting, smooth reel is best. My go to crankin’ reel is the Speed Spool RX in the 5.6:1gear ratio. It casts very well, is smooth, and that slower speed is perfect for crankbait fishing. Plus, it’s very affordable too.
If you’re still into making fishing memories in late fall, give crankbaits a try. You might just be rewarded with some of the season’s best fishing!
As always, enjoy your time on the water and remember to include a youngster in your next outdoors adventure!
Mike Frisch hosts the popular Fishing the Midwest TV series. See www.fishingthemidwest.com.
PHOTO – Bass like this eat crankbaits during late fall!
