Fall is one of the most dynamic and exciting times of the year for largemouth bass anglers. Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff angler Drew Gill shares how to locate fall bass, understand their behavior, and use four proven techniques to trigger more bites and land trophy-sized fish.

Drew Gill is one of the rising stars in professional bass fishing. A passionate teacher and skilled pattern angler, Drew has quickly made a name for himself by breaking down complex seasonal transitions into clear, actionable steps. His ability to read contour lines, bait movement, and fish behavior makes him a trusted voice for anglers who want to fish smarter.

Shop Fall Largemouth Gear

As the season shifts, so do the bass. Fall is a time of transition as they move from deep summer haunts toward shallow feeding areas. Shad migrate into creeks, pockets, and bays, and largemouth follow closely behind.

“Bass go where the food goes,” Drew explains. “In fall, that means following shad into the backs of creeks and around hard structure where they can ambush bait.”

Look for channel swings, creek mouths, and shallow flats with hard bottoms. These areas often hold both shallow-feeding bass and suspended fish chasing schools of bait just offshore.

A walking bait is Drew’s favorite way to cover water and trigger curiosity bites.

How to fish it:

• Cast around shallow points, docks, or along steep channel banks.
• Work it with short, rhythmic twitches to make it zig-zag across the surface.
• Add brief pauses to tempt following fish into striking.
• Use braid or copolymer line on a medium-action rod for best control.

A walking bait works as both a search tool and a precision lure for targeting isolated cover.

When bass relate to bottom cover, Drew turns to a ¾-ounce jig with a long trailer.

How to fish it:

• Target hard-bottom areas, secondary points, or transitions where rock meets clay.
• Let the jig fall on a tight line, then drag or hop it slowly across the structure.
• Use fluorocarbon line (17–20 lb) for sensitivity and strength.

This presentation appeals to crawfish-eating bass and produces some of the biggest bites of the season.

As baitfish begin stacking in deeper water, jerkbaits shine for catching suspended bass.

How to fish it:

• Cast along bluff walls, docks, or creek channels.
• Mix up the cadence: “twitch-twitch-pause” often works well.
• Use 12 lb fluorocarbon and a medium-fast rod to maintain control.
• The key is to let the bait hang in place during pauses—this often triggers reaction strikes.

A jerkbait is ideal when fish have pulled slightly off structure but are still feeding actively.

For anglers chasing giants, Drew recommends a large glide bait fished near the surface.

How to fish it:

• Retrieve slowly with long sweeps of the rod to create wide, fluid movements.
• Keep it within 3–4 feet of the surface where it looks most natural.
• Watch for followers and adjust your cadence until they commit.

“Big baits catch big bass,” Drew says. “In fall, they’re looking for a large meal before winter sets in, and a glide bait perfectly imitates that.”

Where do largemouth bass go in fall?
They move from deep summer areas into creeks and coves following migrating shad.

What lure works best for finding active fish?
A walking bait covers water quickly and helps locate feeding bass.

When should I switch from topwater to a jerkbait?
Switch once you stop seeing surface activity or bait schools move deeper in the water column.

Why use a heavy jig in fall?
A heavier jig maintains bottom contact in deeper or windier conditions and appeals to larger bass feeding on crawfish.

Are glide baits difficult to fish?
Not at all. Keep your retrieve slow and steady with wide sweeps, and watch closely for following fish before they strike.