November Bass Fishing Strategies: Navigating the Fall Frenzy

As the autumn leaves fall and the chill of November sets in, bass fishing enthusiasts know that this month brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The cooling water temperatures trigger a shift in bass behavior, making them more active and hungry as they prepare for the winter ahead. To help you make the most out of your November bass fishing adventures, here are some effective strategies to keep in mind.

1. Follow the Baitfish

Bass are opportunistic feeders, and in November, they're often on the hunt for schools of baitfish. Keep a keen eye out for signs of baitfish activity such as jumping or splashing on the water's surface. Bass will likely be nearby, ready to ambush their prey. Use lures that imitate the size and color of the prevalent baitfish in your area to increase your chances of a strike.

2. Target Shallow Areas

Cooling water temperatures push bass toward shallower waters where the sun's warmth penetrates more effectively. Focus your efforts on areas with shallow cover like docks, fallen trees, and rocks. Bass tend to congregate around these structures for both shelter and easy access to prey. Cast your lures close to these areas, allowing them to sink and retrieve them slowly to entice the bass lurking beneath.

3. Experiment with Crankbaits

Crankbaits are highly effective lures in November, especially in varying depths of water. Choose crankbaits with different diving depths to cover the entire water column. Shallow-diving crankbaits are excellent for targeting fish near the surface, while deeper-diving ones can reach bass holding in the mid to lower depths. Vary your retrieval speeds and pauses to find the rhythm that triggers the most strikes.

4. Jigging for Success

Jigging is a versatile technique that can yield excellent results in November. Use jigs paired with trailers that mimic crawfish or other bottom-dwelling creatures. Cast your jig near underwater structures and let it sink to the bottom. Once it reaches the desired depth, give your rod a gentle jigging motion to make the trailer come to life. Bass find this presentation irresistible, often resulting in aggressive strikes.

5. Stay Weather-Aware

November weather can be unpredictable, with cold fronts and warm spells occurring frequently. Pay close attention to the weather forecast and adjust your fishing strategies accordingly. Bass tend to be more active before a cold front and during stable weather conditions. Take advantage of these periods to maximize your chances of a successful outing.

Conclusion

November bass fishing presents a unique and exciting challenge for anglers. By understanding the behavior of bass during this transitional period and employing the right techniques, you can increase your chances of landing some impressive catches. Remember to stay observant, adapt to changing conditions, and most importantly, enjoy the thrill of the chase. With these strategies in your arsenal, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the fall frenzy and make the most of your November bass fishing adventures. Happy fishing!

Chasing Lunkers: Mastering the Art of Bass Fishing in November

HAPPY NOVEMBER Y'ALL!

November is a month of transition. As the crisp autumn air settles in and leaves crunch beneath our feet, bass anglers know that it's also a prime time for fishing. The cooling water temperatures trigger changes in bass behavior, making November a thrilling month for those eager to master the art of bass fishing. In this guide, we'll explore some tried-and-true techniques to help you make the most of your November bass fishing adventures.

Understanding Bass Behavior in November

Before diving into the techniques, it's essential to understand the behavior of bass during this time of year. As the water cools down, bass become more active, feeding voraciously to bulk up before the winter months. They tend to move to shallower waters, often following schools of baitfish. Structure and cover such as rocks, fallen trees, and docks continue to be attractive to bass in November.

1. Crankbaits for Shallow Water Action

Crankbaits are versatile lures that can be incredibly effective in November. Opt for shallow-running crankbaits that mimic the movements of injured baitfish. Cast them along the shoreline, around rocks, and near submerged structures. The erratic movements of crankbaits can trigger aggressive strikes from hungry bass.

2. Jig Structure Fishing

When bass seek refuge around structures like rocks and fallen trees, a jig and pig combination can be your secret weapon. Use a jig paired with plastic trailer to mimic crawfish, a favorite fall bass snack. Cast your jig near the structure and let it sink. Slowly retrieve it, giving the bass time to react to the lifelike presentation.

3. Topwater Lures for Explosive Strikes

Believe it or not, Topwater lures can still be effective in November, especially during warm spells or in the late afternoon when the water has absorbed enough sunlight. Walking baits, poppers, and buzz baits can all entice bass to strike on the surface. Work them around shallow areas, paying close attention to any signs of activity.

4. Slow-Rolling Spinnerbaits in Cool Waters

Spinnerbaits are productive lures in the fall, especially when slow-rolled just above the bottom. Choose spinnerbaits with Colorado or Indiana blades for their thumping action, which can attract bass even in low visibility conditions. Retrieve the spinnerbait slowly, allowing it to bump into rocks and other structures to trigger strikes.

5. Patience and Observation: Key Factors for Success

Lastly, one of the most critical aspects of bass fishing in November is patience and keen observation. Bass can be finicky, so it's essential to pay attention to their behavior. Look for signs of baitfish activity, such as jumping or splashing. Also, observe the water temperature and adjust your techniques accordingly. Sometimes, a slight change in retrieval speed or lure color can make a significant difference.

In conclusion, mastering the art of bass fishing in November requires a combination of understanding bass behavior, choosing the right lures, and practicing patience. By employing these techniques and staying observant on the water, you'll increase your chances of landing that trophy bass during this exciting fall month. So, gear up, hit the water, and enjoy the thrill of November bass fishing!

Tips For Locating Bass: Fall Conditions

 Well the first tip is, it's cold outside.

All jokes aside, bass typically move deeper the colder it is. Why is that? The deep water is more stable or they're following the baitfish. Bass will follow baitfish up shallow depending on weather, water temperatures and a number of things. It's important to follow the weather before you plan on going fishing, to take your best guess at starting point of where they may be. 

Next advice:

Start shallow if you see baitfish. If there are baitfish up shallow, start there. But, don't spend a lot of time on it. If you're not getting bites move deeper. By late fall, the bass have typically moved to deeper depths where they will stay for the majority of the cold season. 

Topwater Temptations: Luring In Monster Bass During Fall

 So, I'm not going to lie. The first time I heard someone say use top-water in the fall I thought, "I always use top water in the spring and kill it. Crankbaits work great for me in the fall." Well, crankbaits do work great in the fall. BUT, try the top water. You will not regret it. 

MLF has a great article about choosing Topwater baits. (Which I linked - just click it 😀), they discuss walking baits, buzz baits, poppers and more.

In my opinion though, nothing compares to a Hedden Torpedo. I have had excellent success in all times of the year in all conditions on torpedo's while smallmouth fishing. They come in three different sizes, so make sure you choose the size that's most confident for you.

Now, my second top-water pick is a popper. Poppers are excellent baits. Known for they're "popping" sound, you can throw them also all times of the year as well.

Don't miss out like I did on years of top water fishing in the fall. It does work and will help you catch a monster bass.

Meet The Blogger

Hello everyone,

I wanted to start off by thanking everyone who has encouraged me and helped me start this blog. 

Central PA Bass Fishing is more than just a blog to me. It's a way to spread awareness about bass fishing in a Northern State, promote conservation, share with everyone helpful tricks and promote bass fishing year round in the northern states.

About me:

I'm a 25 year old college student. I started this blog as a school marketing project but it has turned into so much more than just that. I love sharing fishing stories and comments with everyone in the fishing community and uniting us all for a better fishing future.  

Fishing Career:

I've been fishing since I could walk. It is something I enjoy very much with my dad. I don't limit myself to just bass fishing. I trout, steelhead and salmon fish also. In the early summer, I enjoy spending time on the Junita River catfishing as well. 

Hobbies:

• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Archery
• Hunting
• Cooking
• Social Media Marketing

Targeting Smallmouth Bass In Chilly Autumn Waters

The greatest debate between bass anglers is largemouth or small mouth? Well here in PA, there are largemouth but we're known better for our smallmouth and river fishing. MLF has some great information about targeting just small mouth in the colder months.

Here are some of the tips I find most helpful when looking for small mouth in fall waters. 

• Baitfish - (locating where the baitfish are schooled up is key to gathering an idea of where the smallies might be)
• Places such as, backwaters, islands, and good structures are a place to start.
• In northern states our typical baitfish are blue gill, sunfish, etc.. Each of the species of bait fish prefer different depths in the water column. It is important to research this before going out to give you an idea of where the big guys might be. 
• Water temperature - (typically as the temperature decreases fish move deeper.)

My bait recommendations:

• Crankbaits Medium Divers
• Swimbait
• Tubes

My importantly, get out at this time of the year and go fishing. Bass fishing isn't over in the northern states. It's only just begun. 

Navigating the Changing Seasons: Strategies for Successful Autumn Bass Fishing

 Strategies For Autumn Bass Fishing: 

1. Use Search Baits:
• Search baits such as crankbaits and top water baits allow you to fish faster and let you cover more water. This helps you to find fish. Depending on water temperature and which state of fall you are in, beginning, middle or late fall the bass can be shallow or deep. It's best in my opinion to use the search baits to find them, then you can move to some more finesse style baits. 
2. Water Temperature Drops
• Paying attention to cold fronts and temperature drops can be key to choosing your lures. As it gets cold bass metabolisms tends to slow down. They are less likely to chase fast moving baits. Try finesse baits in this situation. 
3. Changing Up Lures 
• This might seem like common sense, but don't be afraid to change your lures up. Try your lure and if you start getting frustrated change up your lure to something you're confident in or something you think might work.

Take Me Fishing has some great information about strategies for successful autumn fishing!