The Fall transition can be a topwater angler’s dream! When the bass are feeding and you’ve got a bait that matches the hatch, it feels like you can do no wrong! Poppers, walking baits, buzz baits, and frogs, can all produce days on the water you’ll never forget. But what about the other days? The days when the bite shuts off or the bass key in on a specific baitfish so aggressively that you can’t lure them away… These 4 tricks will make all the difference on the tough days.
Step 1 is to go natural. Stick to colors that perfectly match the baitfish. Its not the time for bright chartreuse or bone, stick to the ghost tones. Step 2 is to downsize and match the exact size of the baitfish the bass are targeting. Step 3 is to accent your hooks with feathers, colors changes, etc… to create the most natural bait possible. And finally, step 4 is to focus on subtle baits.
Below is a breakdown of Tim’s most reliable baits this time of year. We’ve also included links to the hooks and hardware upgrades he recommends. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
Poppers…
-Yellow Magic Popper: http://bit.ly/2al0dKP
Colors: Japanese Shad, Smoke Shad
-Megabass Pop Max: http://bit.ly/2qqfmm1
Colors: MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi
Frogs…
-Spro Poppin Frog 60: http://bit.ly/2HsyqIJ
Colors: Misty Shad, Speck
-LiveTarget Hollow Body Frog 55: http://bit.ly/2Q40BAk
Colors: Brown Black, Tan Brown
Walking Baits…
-Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH
Colors: American Shad, Blue Back Herring
-River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea
Colors: Ghost Minnow, Funky Tiger
Buzzbaits…
-Big Bite Baits Suicide Shad 1/4 oz: https://bit.ly/3iDnLLi
Color: Nickel
-Dirty Jigs Canterbury Buzz 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2cWI6if
Bait- Keitech 4.3″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Toads…
-Big Bite Baits Tour Toad: http://bit.ly/2NtAghc
Colors: Pearl Shine, Silver Shine
-Zoom Horny Toad: http://bit.ly/2aY5lBt
Colors: Grey Ghost, Watermelon Seed
Hook- Gamakatsu Superline Spring Lock 5/0: https://bit.ly/3mkwZi1
Hooks…
Red Treble- Owner ST-36 (Size 4, 2): http://bit.ly/2wSknXp
Feathers- Owner Feathered Hooks (Size 4, 2): http://bit.ly/2m7XrAx
Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire (Size 2, 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Ultimate Frog Combo…
Rod- Shimano Expride 7’3″ Expride: http://bit.ly/2czPlZl
Reel- Shimano Curado DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
All-Around Topwater Combo…
Rod- Shimano Expride 7′ Medium Light+: http://bit.ly/2czPlZl
Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Budget Topwater Combo…
Rod- Dobyns Colt 7′ Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2lU0LfV
Reel- Daiwa CR80 High Speed: http://bit.ly/2Cgk5Nh
Line- Power Pro Braided Line 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel…
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
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What we wear…
Sun Mask: http://bit.ly/2JcA8xi
Sun Shirt w/ Hood: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G
Light Fishing Pants: http://bit.ly/2foDx10
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Equipment We Recommend…
Minn Kota Ultrex Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Humminbird Solix 15 Electronics: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej
Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Hot Foot Throttle Control: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO
Loc-R-Bar Boat Security: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP
Favorite Storage Box: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2tfxFvw
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Wire Cutters: http://bit.ly/2soB34k
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite sunglasses: http://bit.ly/2glE3eN
Hero8 Camera: http://bit.ly/37hVTX4
ElectroSamson Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Frabill Net: http://bit.ly/2FNdnQr
Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our 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!
#bassfishing #topwater #popper
It’s that time boys!! First thick fall morning of late fall. Get your transition baits rigged!!
Suggestion: Never let a kid, or anybody else for that matter, fish behind you while you are lecturing people on how to catch fish! All of the attention is on the kid and not you!
Sometimes I use 1/4 oz buzz bait or even smaller 1/8 oz or slower bait like a crazy crawler or 1/8 oz jitter bug or a 1/8 oz hula popper on a st coix bass x rod 3/16 to a 5/8 oz spinning rod lt diwia reel 8 to 10 lb test moss green stran line
I was struggleing with a night crawler thats how u know the lure might not work
That was funny, watching JD nearly spin the boat in circles as Tim was talking. Too bad JD didn't catch anything while Tim was talking. Can't beat that father and son time!!
Fall bass are near the bottom seeking crawfish. Drag a football jig and you'll be surprised.
That’s awesome, the kid is basically controlling the boat all on its own , I would’ve loved to had access to a boat at that age
Fall is usually the hardest time for me 🙁
Awesome Tim… you need to do a video on helping lil guys on baitcasters! Looks like he's mastered it… it can work on GFs too! Lol
I really wanna know what to use in ponds that have heavy structures falling trees everywhere but the bass are in there cause when I use what u said to use I come back with grass, seaweed sticks all of stuff but bass u guys fish in boats I'm on land most of the time what to use from the bank
Little man at 10:34 I FELT THAT
The little pro J D workin trolling motor whipping the bait caster and reading the fish finder. Great video.
Why do men at the bar surrounded by 1000 women pic you ? Cause ya took the titties out.
Lures are the same Go natural. Also I’m outa gin 🇨🇦
Anyone else tune out adult and watch small kid use a bait caster 🇨🇦👍
Hi Mate, from Australia. Hey whats the Lure brand type of the green Popper you have in your Thumbnail please?
Great video! Would like to thank you and Matt for taking the time and effort it takes to put out these videos and sharing it with everyone. Keep up the great job you guys are doing. Hope your transition is going smoothly and welcome to Tennessee.
I will remember to do these on tough days. The down sizing top waters I would have not done.
Been getting skunked, now I have something else to try. It does get frustrating,I mean pissed off frustrating. At least I'm on the water getting some exercise in my kayak. Better days ahead, I'm sure. Thanks.
You had me thinking this was a prank video
Letting the kids drive the boat, and fish while you make a video! Amazing content!
Best part of this video was your son owning the boat and bait caster – that was really cool
I dont recognize you without sunglasses!
Will a tiny torpedo baby bass colour
Lil man is the 🐐 can’t wait to have my boy wit me on the water….. one day! Lol
So so true it's been a week for me fuck
This a smallmouth or largemouth video???
Thanks Tim! I feel like you were watching me last weekend. I was throwing a frog, popper, choppo and got no bites while fish were blowing up all over the place.
Thanks for the lesson and wise words. My friend Skyler needed it. lol
Love teaching the kids. Can't wait till they show us where the fish are!
Cream makes a ultralight frog in a 2 pack in dark green works well !!!!
Try 3 to 4 in Rapala in black and silver !!!!!!!
Tim, I just started a Veteran owned fishing gear company called Kane Fishing Gear. I would be honored sir if you would allow me to send you one of my fishing shirts. My website should be up and running on 09-23-20. In the meantime, my e-mail is pic@kanefishing.com. If your allowed, e-mail me and I will send you one of my shirts. I really think you will like my design. Thank you for the fantastic videos, I thoroughly enjoy them.
Throw a buzz bait on mono or braid?
Can you put a fluke on a buzz bait
I live right outside of Chattanooga and have been fishing that lake my entire life. I went out Tuesday the day before this video is made. It was the toughest day I could ever remember there. I was there from sunup to sundown and fished everything from Soddy Creek down 2 Wolftever Creek. Had another guy with me that I consider a good fisherman we only got one half pounder in the boat the entire day. Chickamauga lake is tough right now. Also saw more bait then I've ever seen there. It was everywhere. I'm thinking the fish for eating good just like he said in the video. Good news is the fish should be getting good and fat. And the weather was absolutely perfect the cloud cover. I've been watching your videos for a long time and couldn't believe that you moved my home Lake. Welcome to Tennessee. Thanks for the info and keep on doing what you do.
Hey guys the past week has been just like this. Baitfish everywhere, the fish are only occasionally busting on them tho. It doesn't seem like the bass are grouping them up, it's like they are grouping themselves up. Almost no bites, and usually short strikes. So frustrating…
Also you guys keep saying go natural colors, is this still true in muddy water? I fish lakes that are basically big ponds. The water clarity doesn't change much from season to season.
Can u help me I fish at this lake where I always catch bass and now they are gone in fall they won’t bite anything any tips on why
I needed this video. I went out on the bank yesterday and couldn’t buy a bite to save my life
On another note weekend fishing is rough for me at Chick. Mainly because its not a wide waterway, so the large cruisers put out a nasty wake, which most of the time comes over the top of the boat, splashing the front of the walking deck, shifting you all over the place. Even with a seat up front its tough at times, which makes it all that much harder to catch fish on deep water, points at the mouths of sloughs, etc. Even in the sloughs you will find people just blazing through 30-40 mph shooting out a huge wake, with no respect to the fisherman on the bank, or kayakers, or swimmers, much less fishing boats.I assume shallow water fish are spooked as well because all the traffic. So do you have some advice for the "Weekend Warriors" out there?
I don’t care how many fish you catch, fishing with your child (or any child) is rewarding for everyone. I’m in my sixties and can remember fishing with my dad. He in his 80’s and still fishing.
For instance you can most always find a school of fish on the community hole, that is between Harrison Bay and Chester Frost, just as well as a little bit out from Waconda Bay on the Old Hwy 58 Road, which is underwater. But on the weekends I cant get a hit.
Nice video bro, glad to see ya on the Chick, bringing up the youth. Watching this video hits home because I fish with my son every time, and he's about the age of your son, and works the trolling motor, and flips a caster. Downsizing worked for us, but down here on Chick our weekends are garbage, because of the pleasure boaters. Any chance we can get a video that explains the difference and transition to catch fish from week days to week ends. Because what Ive found on chick is I can tear fish up all week, but on the weekends as you said, " I cant buy a bite."