The Fall Crawl
An easy method for catching big bass.
By Wayne Ek
Crawling a jig or tube across the bottom during the annual fall frog migration
is probably one of the easiest and most productive patterns for catching big
fall bass. There is a problem, however. The window of opportunity to exploit
this pattern is very small. Here in central Minnesota we will usually see the
frog migration start
in late September. By early November this pattern is pretty much over.
The Pattern:
This pattern has been around for ages; I think it just gets overlooked. The
pattern starts around the same time hunting season opens and after a hard summer
of fishing a lot of anglers just don’t have the time
or energy to fish and hunt. Also, around this time of year the weather can get
rather cold and nasty, so fishing under those conditions just doesn’t sound fun.
But once the frog migration starts, the pattern holds no matter what the
weather. First, let’s do away with an “ old wives tale”. Aquatic frogs, like
the leopard frog, mink frog and American bullfrog, do not burrow into the mud on
the bottom of the lake during the winter. Nor do they hibernate all winter.
They do estivate during the winter, which means they are in a dormant state,
very lethargic and sluggish. These frogs will settle on the lake bottom. They
may lay behind brush, rocks or submergent vegetation or may even be partially
covered by silt. Because they absorb oxygen through their skin they cannot be
completely covered by mud. It’s thought that during the winter they may even
crawl or slowly swim around at times. These frogs need two things to survive the
winter, they have to be in oxygen rich water, and need to be in deep enough
water so they do not get ice bound.
The Location:
Because this pattern is based on frogs, you would think that the best fishing
locations would be in marshy, shallow water areas. I’ve found that not to be
true. I have my best luck in water that is 5 to 10 feet deep and has a hard or
semi-hard bottom, like sand, pea gravel or marl. Some of my best locations have
nothing to do with marshy areas, but are rocky shorelines bordered by heavily
forested areas. I’ve also found a couple of areas that have homes lining the
shoreline with manicured lawns, but behind the homes are large marshy areas and
the shoreline is a sand/gravel mixture.
The Equipment:
Fall bass have the potential of being the largest bass you will catch all year.
They have been feeding strong since late August to put on weight for the hard
water period. I like to use the same rod that I do some of my pitching and
flipping with. This is a Quantum PT (PTC666F). It’s a 6’6” medium heavy with a
fast taper. I use the Quantum Energy PT reel (E750PT) with a lower gear ratio
(5.1:1) for a little more power.
For
line I use a quality fluorocarbon. Normally on a pitching/flipping stick I
would be using a braided line in the 50-pound class, but for this pattern you
are fishing open water, light submergent vegetation or no vegetation. Also,
this pattern extends into the post lake turnover period, so the water can be
extremely clear. So a good quality fluorocarbon line in the 14 to 17 pound
class works great. For lures I’ve had my best results with just two types. My
first choice is a ½ oz. Strike King Premier Pro-Model jig in blue/black with a
3X electric blue trailer or green pumpkin jig with a 3X watermelon
trailer. And my second choice is a 4.5 or 5-inch green pumpkin tube,
Texas-rigged with a ½ oz. tungsten weight.
The Presentation:
The
fall crawl is so easy and simple that most people I take out don’t believe me at
first. All you have to do is cast out and let the bait settle to the bottom.
Now put your rod tip in the water and point your rod at the bait. Ok, this is
the hard part for most experienced
anglers, don’t move the rod. No shaking, hopping, jigging, doodling… nothing at
all. Just turn the reel handle a couple of times
very slowly and stop. Don’t move the bait with the rod; just very slowly turn
the reel handle. You’re just crawling the bait ever so slowly across the
bottom. You would think that with the water so cold and the bait moving so
slowly across the bottom that the bite would be light or soft. Nope, the bite
is savage. They just crush the bait and run, so hang onto the rod.
If
you get a chance this fall try this pattern, even if you have to fish in weather
better suited for duck hunting. I think you will be surprised at the quantity
and quality of bass you can catch this time
of year. This is truly a muti-species pattern, as I catch walleyes and northern
pike right along with the bass. Have a safe fall and we hope to see you on the
water.
Wayne Ek,
Agape Fishing Guides
classicbass.com Field Staff
Wayne Ek is a fishing guide, tournament
angler and writer in Alexandria, Minnesota.
