Aug 26th 2024

Top 5 Bass Fishing Lures to Use in September

As the sweltering heat of summer begins to wane and the first hints of autumn cool the air, bass start to change their patterns. September is a transitional month, offering anglers unique opportunities to catch aggressive, feeding bass. As temperatures drop, bass sense the approaching fall and begin to prepare for the colder months by feeding more actively. This shift in behavior creates prime conditions for anglers to target bass with specific lures that take advantage of these changes.

The cooling water temperatures encourage bass to move from their deep summer haunts to shallower waters in search of food. They often congregate around points, creek mouths, and other structures where baitfish are plentiful. The first few weeks of September can still be quite warm, but as the days progress, the nights get cooler, and this temperature fluctuation spurs bass into a more predictable feeding pattern. This transition period is crucial for anglers who want to capitalize on the bass's increased activity.

Fishing during this time requires a strategic approach, as bass are not only more aggressive but also more selective about their prey. They are looking to fatten up before the leaner winter months, making them more likely to strike at lures that mimic their natural forage. Therefore, choosing the right lures that can effectively imitate the prey bass are targeting is essential for a successful fishing trip in September. Below are the Impulse Rods top 5 bass fishing lures that will help you reel in the big ones this September. Impulse Top Picks For September Bass Lures.

Impulse Top Picks For September Bass Lures.

Shallow Diving Crankbaits
Lipless Crankbaits
Spinnerbaits
Soft Plastic Jerkbaits
Buzzbaits

1. Shallow water crankbaits for bass.

September is the time when bass start moving from their deep summer haunts to shallower waters to chase baitfish. Shallow diving crankbaits are designed to mimic these baitfish, making them an excellent choice for this month.

These lures typically dive to depths of 2 to 5 feet, making them perfect for targeting bass in the shallows. The design of shallow diving crankbaits often includes a square bill, which helps them deflect off cover without snagging. This is particularly useful when fishing around rocks, stumps, and other structures where bass like to ambush their prey. The erratic action of these lures, combined with their ability to bounce off cover, triggers aggressive strikes from bass that are actively feeding.

Selecting the right shallow diving crankbait involves choosing the right color and size. In September, natural colors like shad, bluegill, and crawfish patterns are highly effective. Sizes typically range from 1/4 to 3/4 ounce, with 1/2 ounce being a versatile choice for most conditions. These lures are especially effective on windy days when bass are more likely to be in the shallows chasing baitfish.

Why They Work: Shallow diving crankbaits are perfect for mimicking baitfish, which bass chase in the shallows during September. Their erratic action and ability to deflect off cover trigger aggressive strikes.

Best Vegetation: Fish them around rocks, stumps, and submerged vegetation near the shore.

Conditions: Windy days and overcast conditions, when bass are actively feeding in shallow waters.

Specs: Choose crankbaits that dive to 2-5 feet, with sizes ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 ounce. Natural colors like shad, bluegill, and crawfish are top choices.

Tournament Use: Highly effective for quickly locating and catching feeding bass, making them a tournament favorite.

Versatility: Ideal for bank fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing. Their snag-resistant design allows you to fish them around various structures without worrying about getting hung up.

2. Lipless Crankbaits For September Bass

Lipless crankbaits are a fantastic choice for September bass fishing. These versatile lures can be fished at various depths and speeds, making them perfect for targeting bass that are transitioning between deep and shallow waters. The design of lipless crankbaits includes a flat, lipless body that produces a tight, vibrating action, attracting bass from a distance. One of the key features of lipless crankbaits is their ability to cover a lot of water quickly. This is particularly useful in September when bass are on the move and can be found in different areas of the lake.

By varying your retrieve speed, you can fish these lures at different depths and imitate the frantic movements of fleeing baitfish, which triggers predatory strikes from bass. Selecting the right lipless crankbait involves considering the weight, size, and color. Typically, lipless crankbaits weigh between 1/4 and 3/4 ounce, with 1/2 ounce being a popular choice. Colors like chrome, red, and gold are effective, especially in clear water where visibility is high. These lures are particularly effective in open water, around grass beds, and over submerged vegetation where bass are likely to be feeding.

Why They Work: Lipless crankbaits produce a tight, vibrating action that attracts bass from a distance. Their ability to cover water quickly makes them ideal for targeting bass on the move in September.

Best Vegetation: Fish them over grass beds, submerged vegetation, and open water where bass are likely to be feeding.

Conditions: Clear water and sunny days when bass are actively chasing baitfish.

Specs: Choose lipless crankbaits weighing between 1/4 and 3/4 ounce. Colors like chrome, red, and gold are particularly effective.

Tournament Use: Excellent for covering large areas and locating active bass, making them a valuable tool in tournaments.

Versatility: Suitable for bank fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing. Their ability to fish at various depths and speeds makes them a versatile choice for different fishing scenarios.

3. Spinnerbaits For September Bass Success.

Spinnerbaits continue to be a top choice in September for their versatility and effectiveness in various conditions. These lures consist of a lead head, a hook, and one or more spinning blades that create flash and vibration. The design allows them to be fished through heavy cover without snagging, making them ideal for murky waters and around structures. The spinning blades on a spinnerbait can be willow leaf, Colorado, or Indiana shapes, each producing a different type of vibration and flash.

Willow leaf blades are narrow and produce a lot of flash, making them perfect for clear water. Colorado blades are wider and generate more vibration, ideal for murky water. The skirt of the spinnerbait can be customized with different colors and materials to mimic local forage. Fishing with spinnerbaits involves casting them along the edges of weed beds, stumps, and logs where bass are likely to be hiding. Retrieve them at a steady pace, allowing the blades to spin and create a commotion that attracts bass.

Windy days with a bit of chop on the water are perfect conditions for spinnerbaits, as the increased water movement helps trigger strikes.

Why They Work: Spinnerbaits excel in murky water and around structure, creating flash and vibration that draw bass in. They're excellent for covering water and finding active fish.

Best Vegetation: Fish them along the edges of weed beds, stumps, and logs.

Conditions: Windy days with a bit of chop on the water. Overcast conditions also enhance their effectiveness.

Specs: 3/8 to 1/2 oz spinnerbaits with double willow or Colorado blades. White, chartreuse, and bluegill patterns are winners.

Tournament Use: Highly effective for quickly locating bass, making them a tournament favorite.

Versatility: Excellent for bank fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing. Their snag-resistant design makes them versatile around cover.

4. Soft Plastic Jerkbaits

Soft plastic jerkbaits are another great lure for September bass fishing. These lures are designed to mimic the erratic swimming action of injured baitfish, which is highly attractive to predatory bass. The soft, flexible body of these jerkbaits allows for a natural presentation that can be fished in various ways to suit different conditions and bass behaviors. One of the key advantages of soft plastic jerkbaits is their versatility. They can be rigged weedless with a Texas rig or nose-hooked for a more natural action. This makes them ideal for fishing through heavy cover, around submerged vegetation, or in open water.

The subtle, lifelike movement of these lures is particularly effective when bass are finicky or pressured. Choosing the right soft plastic jerkbait involves considering the size, color, and rigging method. Typically, jerkbaits range from 4 to 6 inches in length, with natural colors like shad, pearl, and watermelon being highly effective. The rigging method can vary based on the cover and structure you are fishing, with a weedless Texas rig being ideal for heavy cover and a nose-hooked presentation better for open water.

Why They Work: Soft plastic jerkbaits mimic the erratic swimming action of injured baitfish, attracting predatory bass. Their versatility and lifelike presentation make them effective in various conditions.

Best Vegetation: Fish them through heavy cover, around submerged vegetation, or in open water.

Conditions: Overcast days and periods of low light when bass are more likely to be feeding aggressively.

Specs: Choose jerkbaits ranging from 4 to 6 inches in length. Natural colors like shad, pearl, and watermelon are top choices.

Tournament Use: Highly effective for targeting finicky or pressured bass, making them a valuable tool in tournaments.

Versatility: Suitable for bank fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing. Their versatility in rigging and presentation makes them a great choice for different fishing scenarios.

5. Buzzbaits For September Bass Fishing

Buzzbaits are an excellent topwater lure for September bass fishing. These lures create a lot of commotion on the water's surface, mimicking the movements of fleeing prey and attracting aggressive strikes from bass. The design of buzzbaits includes a rotating blade that churns the water, producing a distinctive buzzing sound and creating a visible wake that bass find irresistible One of the key features of buzzbaits is their ability to cover a lot of water quickly. This makes them ideal for targeting active bass that are feeding in shallow water or near the surface. By varying your retrieve speed, you can control the action of the buzzbait and trigger strikes from bass that are lurking beneath the surface.

Choosing the right buzzbait involves considering the size, weight, and color. Typically, buzzbaits weigh between 1/4 and 1/2 ounce, with 3/8 ounce being a popular choice for most conditions. Colors like white, black, and chartreuse are highly effective, especially in low light conditions or murky water. Buzzbaits are particularly effective during the early morning or late evening when bass are most active near the surface

Why They Work: Buzzbaits create a lot of commotion on the water's surface, mimicking fleeing prey and attracting aggressive strikes from bass. Their ability to cover water quickly makes them ideal for targeting active bass.

Best Vegetation: Fish them over grass beds, along the edges of weed lines, and near submerged vegetation.

Conditions: Early morning and late evening when bass are most active near the surface. Overcast conditions also enhance their effectiveness.

Specs: Choose buzzbaits weighing between 1/4 and 1/2 ounce. Colors like white, black, and chartreuse are top choices

Tournament Use: Highly effective for targeting active bass, making them a valuable tool in tournaments. Versatility: Suitable for bank fishing, kayak fishing, and boat fishing. Their ability to cover water quickly makes them a great choice for different fishing scenarios.

September offers unique opportunities for bass anglers as the fish transition from their summer patterns to fall feeding habits. Whether you're fishing from a kayak, bank, or bass boat, these five lures give you the versatility and effectiveness needed to succeed.