Randy Howell Offers Tips on Targeting Bass During the Fall Turnover
from The Fishing Wire
Randy Howell catching fall bass
When the thermocline starts to break up and the cold water from the depths begin to mix with the warmer surface water it is called the turnover. The fish scatter and can be hard to locate. Many of the big fish will go very shallow and hold onto any piece of cover or structure they can find. Which is exactly why I like to fish super shallow and focus on targets.
I like to find shallow flats near deeper areas, especially areas where grass is or was present. I look for any sort of structure like logs, grass patches, and even a single stick up can be enough to hold a fish. I will move quickly from target to target and hit as many key spots as possible.
Missing the target by even a foot or two is enough to keep the fish from biting, that’s why it’s important to make multiple cast and intentionally bump the target with your bait. Casting accuracy is extremely important when fishing this way, which is why a finely tuned 7.3 Daiwa Tatula or Zillion reel with the T-Wing casting system is crucial. I like to use a Steez 7’2″ med/hvy rod for casting accuracy and control. I spool up with 16 lb.Gamma fluorocarbon line to haul em out of cover.
My three favorite baits for this time of year are; a 3/8 oz. double willow blade Hawg Caller spinnerbait, a Livingston Lures Walk-n-Pop 77 top water popping bait, and a 1/2 ounce Lunker Lure Flat Shad buzzbait. For sub-surface fishing I will use the Livingston Lures Howeller squarebill crankbait.
Photo Credits: BASS/Wired2Fish
Randy Howell Lands A Bass
When I pull into an area and locate a target I drop my Power-Poles and make several accurate casts at each target. If I am trying to cover a lot of water quickly I will utilize the buzzbait and the Howeller squarebill. If I want to slow down and really pick the area apart I will go with the Walk-n-Pop and the spinnerbait.
The one advantage to the squarebill is that I can bounce it off of the targets and generate a reaction strike. For the spinnerbait I can slow it down quite a bit and really keep it in the strike zone longer than the other baits.
As your water begins to turnover, and fishing gets slow, I suggest going shallower than ever before. Make an effort to slow down, make precise casts with a variety of baits, and you can make one on the toughest seasonal changes, very productive.
Until next time, Good luck and God bless!!
–Randy Howell