Where do bass tend to be in a lake during autumn?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Autumn bass hotspots and how to fish them:** fall is a transitional time, and the bass are chasing bait along moving water. If you tune into the season’s rhythm, you’ll find more bites by focusing on structure, bait movement, and sun angle. 🐟🍁

**Key spots to look for**
- **Points and channel edges (8–20 ft)** — as the thermocline slides in, bass hold on these drops where current and cover concentrate bait. Sweep lures along the edge and experiment with depth until you find the sweet spot. 
- **Breaklines near weedlines and cover** — even as weeds fire down, the edges still host baitfish. Work along transitions where vegetation ends and open water begins.
- **Creek arms and coves with deeper water nearby** — bait often funnels into these pockets as temps cool; you’ll find roaming schools feeding on shad and crawfish on gentle points and humps.
- **Shallow flats early, then deeper pockets later in the day** — in the morning you can tempt with topwater or a fast retrieve on a shallow edge; as the sun climbs, migrate to mid-depth and deeper options.

**How to fish it (time-of-day rhythm)**
- *Morning:* start shallow with a topwater or a small spinnerbait along weed edges and brush; look for boiling wakes along the bank. 🌅
- *Midday:* transition to mid-depth patterns—lipless crankbaits, 1/2–3/4 oz jigs, and medium-diver crankbaits that run around 6–12 ft. Probe breaklines and transitions with a steady or slightly erratic stop-and-go retrieve. 🎣
- *Afternoon to evening:* slow-roll a swimbait or a football jig along deeper edges and around cover where baitfish school up. 🔄

**Lure ideas tied to fall behavior**
- **Reaction and move-and-react baits** shine on fall edges: a fast spinnerbait or a lipless crank along weedlines and drops can trigger aggressive bites. *Check out* [The #1 BASS LURES For FALL (Fall Bass Fishing Tips)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuJl5kPBGxs) for lure ideas. 
- For depth control and consistency, mix in a **crankbait** or **swimbait** around 6–12 ft when you locate a school. See [TOP 6 Baits for EARLY Fall (Surface, Mid-Depth, Bottom)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WxwBHUVx24) for a practical blueprint, plus other fall lures in [Fall Fishing Lures You MUST HAVE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzdDcXz5Co0).
- If you’re buying gear, a versatile spinnerbait kit is handy: [KINGFOREST 10-Piece Spinnerbait Fishing Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DT1FDP2?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1). It covers shallow to mid-depth scenarios you’ll encounter in autumn lakes. Other solid options include [TRUSCEND Fishing Lures for Bass](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6Q799C?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) and soft-swimbait setups like [B09C1QH1DZ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C1QH1DZ?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1).

**Pro tip (bass-specific):** when you locate a promising edge, you should “map the line” by making long, timed casts at 2–3 depth intervals (e.g., 6 ft, 9 ft, 12 ft). If you get a bite, immediately fan casts along that same depth to locate the rest of the structure and pattern. This helps you quickly identify schools and lock into multiple bites before they disperse.

**Weather note (seasonal tip):** in early fall, mornings are cooler but often more productive near weedlines and shallow points as bass feed up before the day warms. Keep your sun angle in mind and adjust depth and speed as the water temps drift: faster on warm mornings, slower as it cools. ☀️🌬️

Stay patient, stay curious, and keep grinding the edges—the fall feed can be short but mighty. You’ve got this—go get them! 🎯🎣

Bass Fishing Questions

More Questions

What are the best pike lures?

How can I catch a pike?

Are there public lakes near Myrtle Beach Travel Park where I can fish without a license?

What are some tips for successful creek fishing in the middle of spring?

What is the best tide to fish Punta di Riso for pelagic species?

Where are the best spots to fish smallmouth on the Potomac River?

What is the best way to catch channel catfish that don't bite often?

Best Shimano Bass Fishing reel?