Page 10 - Fishing Report | 9-13-17

Fishing with Dave – Pro Tips from Bassmaster Elite Angler Dave Lefebre

September in NW PA is a crazy month. It may just be the toughest month of the open water
season to consistently catch bass. Water temperature is dropping from the low 70s at the start
of the month to the low 60s or perhaps high 50s by the end of the month. Bass are transitioning
from summer to fall – changing food source and location. Trying to pattern
bass on an inland lake at this time is practically impossible. Where they
were yesterday does not mean they will be there tomorrow.

Every day is like starting over…you must hit the search button and go look-
ing. This is the time of year that I’m likely to have more variety of lures on
the deck that any other month because I may end up working deep sum-
mer structure, mid-depth, shallow and super shallow – all depending on
lake conditions. When in September search mode, on deck I’m likely to
have rods with several different Rapala Crankbaits, including a DT 14 or DT
10 for deep, a DT Flat03 for shallow, and a Rippin’ Rap.

Terminator Swim Jig
I will also have a Storm 360GT Search Bait which can
be fished at a variety of depths. For shallow cover, I’ll have a Terminator
Swim Jig with a double tail trailer and a Terminator Walking Frog. Yes, a
Frog because those decaying old mats of weeds can still hold some great
largemouths.

If I’m on a clear water lake with good population of small-
mouth bass, then I’m going to add jerkbaits. Transitioning
smallmouth are suckers for suspending jerkbaits. One will
be Rapala Shadow Rap Deep (slow sinking model) for
Rapala Shadow Rap Shad
deep fish and Shadow Rap Shad (slow rise model) shal-
lower smallies.

And I don’t want to forget my modified buzzbait – a small profile 1/8 or 1/4- Custom buzzer

ounce buzzer with the skirt removed and a thick bodied tube slipped on in
place of the skirt. I can throw it a country mile to cover lots of water quickly. Now Go Search!