Target: Late Season Largemouth

October can be a challenging month to target bass in the Northeast. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass will be actively feeding during this month, so that isn’t the issue. The challenge is in locating them.

Once the water temperature drops back down into the low 60s, the largemouths will move back into the shallows to feed on baitfish and the newly emerged crawfish that will inhabit the backs of coves and creeks. Once found, anglers can load the boat with hungry bass in a matter of minutes, but catching them is the easy part. Success requires fall anglers to identify which coves are likely to hold largemouths and then perfectly time the bass’ movements in order to intercept them during their “migration.” The easiest way I’ve found is to focus solely on pinch points that lead to shallow flats.

In this context, a pinch point is an area where a lake or pond narrows for a short distance. This narrowing forces the bass to congregate while passing through, allowing an angler to fish a higher-percentage area than if simply combing a large, shallow flat. A pinch point often also has some current moving through it, which greatly helps in positioning bass. However, the most advantageous aspect of fishing a pinch point is that the bass must move through it on their way to shallow water and then again on their way from shallow water. This type of situation is where I have the most success using a football jig.

Since a pinch point is generally deeper than its surrounding areas, anglers should use a lure that can successfully be fished anywhere from about 3 feet down to 20 feet. In this situation, especially if the area is rocky and there is some current, few lures will outperform a football jig. A football jig allows an angler to fish thoroughly, yet cover water relatively quickly. Bass may bite the jig during its fall or while it is being dragged along the bottom. The jig size to use depends on the depth. For anything less than 8 feet, 3/8-ounce would be the best choice; for 8 to 15 feet, I would go with ½-ounce; and for anything deeper than 15 feet, ¾-ounce. Colors can be matched to local forage and water clarity, but I have had the most luck with black/blue.

Fish the area by positioning your boat just outside the pinch point, on the down-current side. The jig should be cast up-current and then slowly dragged or swum along the bottom. First cast near the shore and then work your way toward the middle of the deeper channel. If there is a strong current, the best approach may be to cast up-current and simply let the current bring the jig back to you. This technique most naturally imitates the movement of prey that the bass are accustomed to seeing.

Equipment can vary depending on depth and current. When fishing areas with little or no current and less than 10 feet of water, I go with a 6-foot, 8-inch Denali Rosewood medium-heavy worm and jig rod paired with a Lew’s 6.4:1 Tournament MG bait-casting reel. If fishing water deeper than 10 feet or in areas with a lot of current, I up my gear to a Denali Rosewood 7-foot, 4-inch heavy worm and jig rod paired with a Lew’s 7.1:1 Tournament MG bait-cast reel. The longer rod and faster gear-ratio reel helps pick up line much faster in deep water or strong current. In either situation, I spool the reels with 14-pound-test fluorocarbon.