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A few days ago my friend Marlin talked me into a finger-freezing expedition into a local, Fall Largemouth heaven. I had been watching the barometer drop like a stone and I knew that sometimes, contrary to conventional wisdom, lake fish can really go on the bite when that happens. I also knew that you can get cold and wet….and skunked!…..too. But some fishing is better than no fishing, so I was up for the adventure.

I threw my camo raincoat into the rig for just in case, and headed to the water. As I suspected, the water temperature had dropped significantly, but the SouthWest Washington lake we were fishing is one of my favorite Largemouth producers and I have had success there even in November. Also, it was late afternoon, so surface temperatures had been given a chance to recover a little warmth. So electric-motoring off down the lake in my canoe we went, bucking the wind and searching for big Fall Bass.

Marlin was looking for surviving weedbeds. I was looking for rocks that might still be radiating a little heat. We found a cove that had both and guess what? Fish on! The first was a dinky little volunteer that I could hardly tell was there. But Marlin's observation was right, that fish gave us hints about his bigger buddies' hiding places! We caught a few nice fish in several good spots and Marlin had a monster on for awhile, but it somehow managed to escape, defeating Marlin's best fish playing tactics and my best boat handling skills.

Mostly, I was trying to hold our position by running the MinnKota in reverse so we could both cast to good spots. A few times even the highest speed did no good and we would run helplessly with the wind or spin suddenly, just at the wrong time. Underestimating the force of the wind gusts, I allowed us to be pushed right over the top of some of the most likely fish-holding areas several times. Dumb guy! But it can be that way when the winds of November come early, and at least I managed to avoid the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald! We were also able to slip through some shallow, confined areas that a bigger Bass boat could not have managed.

As the sun went down and the wind picked up even more, especially on the open lake areas we were trying, we both got a little too cold to stay as long as we had planned. But it was great to be on the water for awhile, and I really got a kick out of watching my friend battle a big Bass out of a weedbed, through several arcing, diving, pumping, drag-yanking runs and in to where I could finally lip him and hand him over. Marlin's big, happy grin reminded me of why fishermen put up with foul-weather Bassing.

While October can offer some tough fishing and inactive fish, that expedition offered few challenges besides the wind. Slow-moving, grub-trimmed spinnerbaits in obvious places did the trick, but we did try the venerable jig-and-grub combo as well. When conditions do get really tough, jigs and other soft plastics generally produce better than flashier, faster-moving baits. Slow-rolling or dragging a spinnerbait along the bottom with occasional blade rolls will sometimes produce, even in very cold water.

Choosing and using baits in the Fall are best accomplished by keeping water temperature and clarity in mind. When the water gets down into the low 50's and high 40's, big Bass will not move far to inspect or pick up your offering. Their metabolism has slowed down and they are just too lethargic to move fast. They can still pull hard and offer a good fight, but usually they just do not have the energy to run far or jump at all. A surface headshake and wallow on top is about the best they can muster.

With the jig-and-grub combo as well as with spinnerbaits, I like to run the head of a 4 or 5 inch grub straight up the shank of the hook and as close to the lead head as I can get it. I always have the grub's curled tail pointing downward. This helps to keep the tail from fouling on the hook point during the cast and it also lets the tail flutter along the bottom, stirring things up and looking like wiggling, live prey. I also like to keep the grub lubricated with some kind of attractant such as Yum Crawdad flavor, Smelly Jelly Crawdad or in the Columbia River, Smelly Jelly Herring/Salt (Do Bass see alot of herring? No! But I am certain that they like the smell anyway!). The odor seems to help make a difference in how much effort a coldwater Bass is willing to make. Remembering that the bite can be very light, I trim the jig's fiber brush guard almost even with the hook point. This lets it collapse better when the fish mouths the bait, while still keeping most of the weedless/snagless features of a guarded jig. In really cold weather, I switch to an Uncle Josh pork frog which I believe has a better 'feel' and stays more lifelike than cold plastic. Remember to take it off the hook and put it back in the bottle, or it will shrivel into a cement-hard little booger that you'll have to saw off next time you want to use that jig!

Slowly dragging a weedless 6 inch Texas-rigged Zoom or Power Worm, or a swim-tail Senko in black, white or watermelon seed works if you keep it low and slow, feeling carefully for a slight 'tick' or a 'mushy' resistance that might just be something more than a weed, stick or rock. As in early Spring, a 'parked,' lightly-twitched, slowly-retrieved suspending stick bait can work too. If you are fishing murky water, try a worm rattle pushed into your grub or worm. Just a little extra, subtle noise can help the sleepy fish home in on its target. Often a grub, worm or Senko-style bait will sink quite well with no additional weight. Get used to casting an unweighted soft plastic, and work it very slowly. I believe that a coldwater Bass is more likely to hold onto it longer than a weighted offering. This may be one reason slow-fished tube jigs work so well. They are small, subtle and usually have only a small weight, hidden in the head. The fish feels nothing but lifelike, 'squeezable' skin.

As strange as it may seem up here in the cold North, Bill Dance's 'Dancin' Eel' or smaller tadpole version can work in the Fall as well. Even with dying, shrinking weed-beds, the treble hook can be a drawback, but just like crankbaits, the diving bill causes a head-down attitude that can keep you from snagging up if you are careful. Fish in sparse weeds, the edges of brush or weeds, bump it carefully over submerged limbs and logs, or bring it over rocky bottoms. Try cranking it down to or near the bottom, then retrieving slowly. It is not necessary to get the bait vibrating strongly and the tail does not have to 'wiggle' frantically. In colder water, I think a slower retrieve mimics a stunned, helpless baitfish more than an eel and it will provoke bites. If the bigger one doesn't work, try the smaller one. Have several colors on hand.

Here's an odd little fact to keep in mind when you are fishing in clear water: In cold water, the shape of the Largemouth's eye changes slightly, resulting in clearer vision. That's right! He can see better! Use the most lifelike baitfish, worm or crawdad imitating bait you have. And remember that in cold, clear weather, the fish can see you better than he could in warmer months. Don't spook him by getting too close and showing yourself.

As I was reminded on the last outing, the weather can be unrelenting and unforgiving. Gear up appropriately, wear long underwear, make sure and have wet-weather gear, bring some warm fluids along and try some fingerless gloves or fold-back mitts. The more comfortable you are, the better a fisherman you'll be.

Is it worth your effort to even go out after Bass in November?

Well I think it is, but let's discuss that next month!

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