1- Find the bait
The most important thing to remember in the fall is that fish are bait oriented and they will relate to bait now more than any other time of the year. As summer temps begin to fall, fish and bait alike begin to school up. Look for pods and bait balls this time of year and the fish will not be far behind. As the water gets colder, the bigger and tighter the bait balls will be.
2- Water temperature
Always pay attention to water temperatures. Anywhere from 75-55 degrees should signify that the fall feeding frenzy is on. This time of year temps change frequently and bass will move accordingly. Unlike spring and summer, big bass are going to be in search of warmer water, and bait fish.
3- The Chase
This time of year fish are chasing bait and you’re going to experience a lot of follow ups. Although slowing down may seem like the thing to do, often in the fall speeding up your retrieve will help trigger more strikes. As the water begins to dip below the 55-50 degree mark, you will have to change your approach, and begin to slow down.
4- Go Big
Don't be scared to go big. This is the fall time and the feed bag is on. Fish are looking for big meals, that are high on protein, and energy to help them get through the long winter months. Although they will chase baits this time of year, they are sooner to chase a big meal, and that is more worth their while. Think of it this way, by giving fish bigger bait, you are giving them a "better bang for their buck".
5 - Dress warm
“It is much easier to take off a layer you have, then put a layer on that you didn't bring.” This is a saying that most of us have heard before, and is still true today. This time of year brings cold mornings, usually warming in the afternoon, and then cooling down again in the evenings. For this reason it's always important to layer up . I like to utilize my Fishbum Outfitters clothing, especially this time of year. They offer many different rain and wind resistant shirts and jackets to keep you going all the way to freeze up and onto the ice.