Early Fall Bass Fishing
Early Fall Bass Fishing
September in Iowa, a month where we usually begin to see the signs of the coming fall with cooling temps. By now, we’ve endured the hot summer months with highs in the mid to upper 90’s with heat indexes crossing the century mark. Bring on the cooler weather!!
We will see averages range between 72 and 79 degrees in the eastern part of the state, with lows dipping down to 47 degrees at times, with typical evening temps in the mid-50’s. Central and western Iowa is just a bit cooler by a couple of degrees, but the evening temps are a welcome reprieve from some of the hottest days we experience. The cool air also means we will start seeing cooler water temps at our favorite bass fishing destinations.
Bass are always on the move. In the spring, we will see them up shallow for the annual spawn. As water temps begin to rise, the fish will transition to deeper haunts for the summer. The reverse happens with cooling water temps. The same goes for the baitfish that bass feed on. Many of Iowa’s natural and man-made reservoirs hold shad, and they too will migrate to shallow waters. For much of the year, shad will live out in the open water, feeding on plankton and insect larvae found to within 5 to 10 feet of water. As the water temps begin to cool and the days shorten, the amount of plankton in the lake is declining and shad will move to shallow water to find food.
“As the water cools in September, we’ll see the largemouth bass at Rathbun move into shallow areas chasing the high abundance of small shad, 2 to 3 inches, “said Iowa DNR Fisheries Management Biologist Mark Flammang. “I often catch largemouth as I’m throwing crankbaits toward points in the fall, and some of my best largemouth have come just before dark.”
For smaller lakes in the Southeastern part of the state, things will cool faster, and the thermoclines will be breaking up. “Instead of confining myself to the upper 8-feet of our lakes, I think you can begin to find them orienting to deeper structure. That makes some of the brush/rock piles at Wapello and Hawthorn some prime real estate for largemouth at that time”, added the biologist.
Let’s talk about wind for a minute. Many anglers, this writer included, tend to shy away from windy days; however, wind can definitely be your friend. You know what they say about experience, right? It is the ultimate teacher. While fishing in a 24-hour fundraising event for Recycled Fish, we fought the wind much of the day. Venturing towards the dam at Big Creek Lake and while we were not targeting largemouth bass, the shad had been blown up against the face of the dam, and the white bass were stacking up ready to feed. We boated over 200 fish and almost won the event.
As the wind blows across points or into bays and dams, you can target largemouth using shad imitating crankbaits, thrown downwind and cranked upwind against the current. Several great lures imitate shad that should always be a part of your fishing arsenal, especially in Iowa. Strike Kings KVD Rattling Square Bill Crankbait is one that I’ve added to my tackle box in the last few years. It’s a perfect representation of the shad the bass chase.
You can find them in three different sizes, and the square bill is outstanding in rocky areas where you want to “bump” the bait as you retrieve it. Swimbaits like the Bucca Baby Bull Shad will work as well, and plastic swimbaits or minnow baits combined with a 1/4 oz jig will get the job done. Topwater baits will also work, and one that I’ve recently added is the Whopper Plopper by ©River 2Sea. They make a ton of noise, and these can be found in a variety of colors and sizes, one of which is called the “I Know It,” which looks like a shad. As far as the name goes, we’ll have to ask Larry Dahlberg what he was thinking there.
The Zara Spook is also a well-known name and one that I’m sure many of you have in your tackle boxes already. Another bait that I’ve been introduced to recently is the Suicide Shad by Big Bite Baits and one that I’m genuinely excited to use this season. Excellent looking shad bait.
“Our top bass fishery in northwest Iowa is undoubtedly the Okoboji chain of lakes; East Okoboji, West Okoboji, Upper Gar, Minnewashta, Lower Gear,” says Iowa DNR Fisheries Research Biologist Jonathan Meerbeek. “September is an excellent time to target bass in fisheries such as the Okoboji chain of lakes. In general, recreational boating traffic is at a sharp decline, and fish are preparing for the winter months…. putting on feed bags that will propel them through the cold winter months.”
Located in the northwest portion of Iowa, the Okoboji chain of lakes, or Iowa Great Lakes as they are also known, can be an exceptional choice when chasing early fall bass. “This can be a great time to target fish as they move to a more shallow habitat to exploit prey resources,” added the biologist. “In general, September is a good time to consider “up-sizing” your lure choice, especially if larger fish are on your radar. Big Largemouth Bass, (and even smaller fish), do not shy at large lures during this period, and often the best way to target big bites is to use big lures.”
In general, fish prepare for the coming winter months during September. This is a prime time to target fish as they move to more shallow habitats to exploit prey resources. “Perhaps the most exciting is getting on a topwater bite, but those days can be “hit or miss” and often are influenced by the windy conditions that we can experience here,” continued Meerbeek. “Other fast-moving lure types, such as spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and crankbaits can also provide good action for bass during September.”
We’ve taken a good look at bait options for this time of year so let’s have a quick look at the rod and reel options you have. A 7-foot spinning rod with a 14-pound braid or 10-pound monofilament is an excellent choice for reaching distant fish when your rig is a heavy shad imitating lures. Another perfect choice is a baitcasting rod, 7 to 7 and a half-foot in length, medium action with a reel loaded with a 14-pound braid will help pull some of the bigger fish you’re chasing out of thick cover along the shoreline and creek channels. Don’t be afraid to cast into the shallows, especially if the wind has been blowing. The wind will create a current that pushes baitfish up and over and even around points. Cast all along those points until you find the fish.
There’s no doubt that as Iowa’s summer begins to give way to cooler weather, bass will start their migration to more shallow haunts, getting ready for colder weather and eventually winter. This can be one of the better times to put your personal best in the boat. Tight lines all!
By Ben Leal
September 2021
