The short answer
For bass schooling on shad over flats, the Strike King Red Eyed Shad 1/2 oz; for surface busts early in the day, the Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg; for cooling, clear water, the Lucky Craft Staysee 90SP V2 jerkbait.
Our verdict
Fall Bass Lure Top Picks
Fall bass follow the bait. Tactical Bassin’s October list puts it plainly: “The Fall bite is happening and bass are chasing baitfish!” Casey Ashley, writing for Bassmaster, adds: “water temperature determines everything in the fall.” Here are eight lures that fall guides and pros name, each linked at an exact size and colour. For rods, reels and line, browse our fishing gear guides.
Fall lure finder
Find a fall bass lure for the water you are fishing
Pick the stage of fall and a price tier. The suggestion is our editorial starting point among the eight lures below, drawn from the fall sources cited in each review, not a test result.
Tiers are relative to the lures in this guide; live prices are in the comparison table below.
Picks: Strike King Red Eyed Shad, Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg, BOOYAH Buzz, Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait, Z-Man JackHammer, Lucky Craft Staysee 90SP V2, Berkley Frittside 5, Zoom Trick Worm
Compare the picks
Compare the 8 Fall Bass Lures
Figures are the maker’s unless a cell names another source.
Strike King Red Eyed Shad 1/2 ozLipless CrankbaitSchooling bass, flatsLipless crankbait$7.53 Prime
Evidence: a poster on r/bassfishing in a fall-lures thread; colour not stated; not a test
Strike King KVD Sexy DawgWalking TopwaterTopwater, schooling bassWalking topwater$10.97 Prime
Evidence: Lucky Tackle Box sells tackle; its fall article names the Sexy Dawg, size not stated
BOOYAH Buzz 1/2 ozBuzzbaitTopwater, early fallBuzzbait$10.50 Prime
Evidence: Casey Ashley's Bassmaster fall column names a buzzbait, no brand; no independent test found
Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait 1/2 ozDouble-Willow SpinnerbaitClear water, flatsSpinnerbait$10.99 Prime
Evidence: Ashley and Lucky Tackle Box name fall spinnerbaits, no model; no independent test found
Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer 1/2 ozBladed JigStained water, coverBladed jig$19.79
Evidence: FishUSA sells it; its fall guide names the JackHammer, size not stated, and advises "a chatterbait in chartreuse and white" for stained or murky water
Lucky Craft Staysee 90SP V2Suspending JerkbaitClear water, suspended bassSuspending jerkbait$9.99
Evidence: Lucky Tackle Box sells tackle; it names the 'Staycee 90', version not stated
Berkley Frittside 5Flat-Sided CrankbaitLate fall, cold waterFlat-sided crankbait$12.99 Prime
Evidence: Tactical Bassin's October pick list, not a written test; its colours were out of stock
Zoom Trick WormTexas-Rig WormSoft plastic, woodStraight-tail worm$5.99
Evidence: Casey Ashley's Bassmaster fall column (2016); a pro's pick, not a test; not this colour
How We Picked Lures for Fall Bass
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, published third-party articles and angler reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What each lure had to show
- A named fall source for the lure or its exact type.
- Maker specs, checked against the Amazon listing; “not published” where the maker gives none.
- An exact Amazon listing: colour, size, stock and seller on the day of writing.
Where the fall advice comes from and overlap with our other bass guides
Where the fall advice comes from
Casey Ashley’s Bassmaster column (2016) lists his five fall lure types. FishUSA’s fall guide and Lucky Tackle Box’s fall article come from tackle sellers, so we grade them as retailers. Tactical Bassin’s October list is a pick list with retailer links. A r/bassfishing thread adds angler picks. None is a lab test.
Overlap with our other bass guides
Our early spring bass lures guide picks the JackHammer’s StealthBlade sibling, and our bass lures for beginners guide links the same Zoom Trick Worm in Watermelon Red Magic. See also our topwater and jerkbait guides.
Fall Bass Lures: Detailed Reviews
Strike King Red Eyed Shad 1/2 oz, Lipless Crankbait
Strike King Red Eyed Shad 1/2 oz
Anglers who find fall bass schooled on shad over flats.
$7.53 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A half-ounce lipless crankbait for fall bass schooled on shad over flats.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/bassfishing poster: 1/2 oz, colour not stated.
Ashley writes that “The fall fish like to school up on bait” on flats with isolated stumps, brush or grass, and once the water is below 55 he throws a lipless bait there in “a shad pattern, white or chrome.” The Red Eyed Shad itself comes from a poster on r/bassfishing: “Personally my favorite is the “Strike King Red Eyed shad 1/2 oz”.” One angler’s view, not a test.
Specs (linked: Sexy Shad, REYESD12-590, 1/2 oz)
Pros
- Free-floating rattles and a free-fall action, per Strike King
- Shad colour matches Ashley’s fall pattern
Cons
- Treble hooks foul in thick grass, as another poster in the thread warned
- No length published by Strike King
- Weight: 1/2 oz (Strike King)
- Hooks: size 3 trebles (Strike King, product-page answer)
- Length: not published (Strike King)
- Price tier: $
Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg, Walking Topwater
Anglers who see bass busting shad on the surface at first light.
$10.97 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A 4.5 in walking bait for bass busting bait balls at the surface.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Lucky Tackle Box: Sexy Dawg, size not stated.
Lucky Tackle Box says that when baitfish ball up, “they instinctively move to the surface,” and advises: “Try fishing a walking bait, something like a Zara Spook or a Strike King Sexy Dawg.” Jordan Lee, in a Mossy Oak column on summer and early-fall baits, keeps one tied on because bass school on top “especially early in the morning, during the summer” (he uses green gizzard; we link Bone).
Specs (linked: Bone, HCKVDSD-665, 4.5 in)
Pros
- Walk-the-dog topwater at 5/8 oz for casting to breaking fish
- Named for fall by Lucky Tackle Box
Cons
- A low-light bait: FishUSA calls early morning and late evening prime for topwaters
- Lucky Tackle Box sells tackle and is not independent
- Size and weight: 4.5 in, 5/8 oz (Strike King)
- Hooks: size 2 trebles (Strike King, product-page answer)
- Price tier: $$
BOOYAH Buzz 1/2 oz, Buzzbait
Anglers searching shallow banks and creek arms for scattered bass in early fall.
$10.50 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A half-ounce buzzbait for finding scattered fish while the water is still warm.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Amazon listing specs; BOOYAH’s page unreadable; Ashley names buzzbaits, no brand.
Ashley’s first fall bait: “Until the water gets below 55, I love to throw a buzzbait to find those scattered fish.” He names no brand or size; the BOOYAH Buzz is our pick for the type, at 1/2 oz because the 3/8 oz whites were out of stock when we checked. Specs are the listing’s; BOOYAH’s site showed no product page.
Specs (linked: Snow White Shad, BYB12605, 1/2 oz)
Pros
- Surface buzzbait for covering water above Ashley’s 55-degree cut-off
- White shad colour for a shad-chasing bite
Cons
- Specs from the listing only
- Ashley names the lure type, not this model
Who should buy it
Anglers searching shallow banks and creek arms for scattered bass in early fall.
- Weight: 1/2 oz (Amazon listing)
- Hook: Mustad 5/0 (Amazon listing)
- Price tier: $$
Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait 1/2 oz, Double-Willow Spinnerbait
Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait 1/2 oz
Anglers fishing clear banks on windy fall days who want a bait running higher than a lipless.
$10.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A half-ounce double-willow spinnerbait for flash on windy, sunny fall banks.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Strike King (maker page).
Lucky Tackle Box says fall spinnerbaits are “all about the flash”: “If you’re in clearer water, stick to a silver double willow leaf combo.” Ashley fishes a 3/8- to 1/2-ounce spinnerbait “up in the water column” over schooling fish, adding: “in the fall I always seem to do best with a No. 3 Colorado blade on the front and a No. 4 1/2 willow leaf on the back.” We link the Willow/Willow 1/2 oz; Strike King also sells a 3/8 oz Colorado/Willow closer to Ashley’s choice.
Specs (linked: Sexy Shad, TGSB12WW-590, 1/2 oz)
Pros
- Double willow blades, as Lucky Tackle Box suggests for clear water
- Half-ounce weight in Ashley’s range
Cons
- Not Ashley’s Colorado/willow combination
- Painted blades, not the silver Lucky Tackle Box suggests
Who should buy it
Anglers fishing clear banks on windy fall days who want a bait running higher than a lipless.
- Weight: 1/2 oz (Strike King)
- Blades: willow/willow, painted (Strike King)
- Hook: Gamakatsu (Strike King)
- Price tier: $$
Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer 1/2 oz, Bladed Jig
Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer 1/2 oz
Anglers covering grass and wood in stained water while the water is still in the 60s.
$19.79 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A premium bladed jig for early-fall cover, while fast baits still work.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. FishUSA: JackHammer, size not stated.
FishUSA writes: “Early fall, when the water is still in the 60s and 70s, is the time for fast-moving baits like topwaters, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits.” After its first pick, the Elite EVO, it lists: “Z-Man Chatterbait Jack Hammer – Known for its fast start-up and strong vibrations, a favorite among pros.” We link Chartreuse/White, the colour FishUSA names for stained or murky water; the Elite EVO’s Amazon listing was above Z-Man’s price. Sold by DepartureOutdoors on Amazon at the time of writing.
Specs (linked: Chartreuse/White, CBJH12-02, 1/2 oz)
Pros
- Thin stainless blade and Gamakatsu hook, per Z-Man
- Vibration for early-fall cover and stained water
Cons
- Premium tier for a single bladed jig
- Third-party seller; FishUSA sells it and is not independent
Who should buy it
Anglers covering grass and wood in stained water while the water is still in the 60s.
- Weight: 1/2 oz (Z-Man; also 3/8, 3/4 and 1.25 oz)
- Blade: stainless steel; size not published (Z-Man)
- Hook: Gamakatsu heavy wire flipping hook (Z-Man)
- Price tier: $$$
Lucky Craft Staysee 90SP V2, Suspending Jerkbait
Anglers working points and suspended fish in clear water as it cools through the 50s.
$9.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A suspending jerkbait rated to 10 ft for cooling, clear water.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Lucky Tackle Box: Staysee 90, version not stated.
Lucky Tackle Box calls the jerkbait “a fall fishing staple” and names this one: “Something like a Lucky Craft Pointer Minoow or a Staycee 90 is an excellent option,” for fish in the 3-5 ft or 6-10 ft range. The Amazon title says 4 in and 8-10 ft; Lucky Craft’s table gives 3-1/2 in and 10 ft, its description 8-10 feet. Sold by Lucky Craft USA, the brand’s storefront.
Specs (linked: 371 Bone Pro-Blue, SS90SPV2-371, 3-1/2 in)
Pros
- Suspending jerkbait rated to 10 ft by Lucky Craft
- Sold by Lucky Craft’s own Amazon storefront
Cons
- Too deep for the 3-5 ft fish Lucky Tackle Box also mentions
- Lucky Tackle Box sells tackle and is not independent
Who should buy it
Anglers working points and suspended fish in clear water as it cools through the 50s.
- Size and weight: 3-1/2 in, 7/16 oz (Lucky Craft)
- Running depth: 10 ft, suspending (Lucky Craft)
- Hooks: two VMC #6 trebles (Lucky Craft)
- Price tier: $$
Berkley Frittside 5, Flat-Sided Crankbait
Anglers who keep cranking into late fall as the water drops through the 50s.
$12.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A small flat-sided crankbait for late fall, when the water falls into the 50s.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. Tactical Bassin October list: Frittside 5, Honey Shad and Kentucky Blue.
Ashley on the flat-sided crankbait: “I’ll use this in the late fall when the water temperature gets down into the 50s.” Fish then “suspend a lot in 5-8 feet.” Tactical Bassin’s October list names the “Berkley Frittside 5” in Honey Shad and Kentucky Blue; both were out of stock at size 5 when we checked, so we link HD Threadfin Shad. A customer review on Berkley’s site says the bait “is key in the early spring and fall” (maker-hosted customer review).
Specs (linked: HD Threadfin Shad, BHBFS5-HDTFS, size 5)
Pros
- Flat-sided crankbait of the kind Ashley throws in late fall
- Shad colour for fish still on bait
Cons
- No running depth published for the size 5
- Tactical Bassin’s colours were not in stock
Who should buy it
Anglers who keep cranking into late fall as the water drops through the 50s.
- Size and weight: 2-1/4 in, 1/3 oz (Amazon listing; Berkley’s page did not show them)
- Running depth: not published (Berkley)
- Hooks: Fusion19 (Berkley)
- Price tier: $
Zoom Trick Worm, Texas-Rig Worm
Anglers who follow moving baits with a slow Texas rig around stumps.
$5.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 07:01 UTCVerdict
A 6.5 in straight-tail worm for bass holding tight to isolated cover.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. Casey Ashley, Bassmaster: Trick Worm, green pumpkin, junebug, red bug.
Ashley names a soft plastic for fall: “I’ll Texas rig this bait with a 3/16-ounce pegged weight and flip it on isolated cover like stumps and blowdowns.” He uses it when “the fish hold tight to cover and want a smaller profile bait,” in green pumpkin, junebug and red bug. Plain Green Pumpkin was listed at about double this price, so we link Green Pumpkin Magic. Sold by Tackle Shack Outdoors on Amazon at the time of writing.
Specs (linked: Green Pumpkin Magic, 6.5 in, 20 pack)
Pros
- Slim 6.5 in worm Ashley flips to tight-holding fall fish
- 20 worms per pack
Cons
- Not Ashley’s exact colour
- Third-party seller on Amazon
Who should buy it
Anglers who follow moving baits with a slow Texas rig around stumps.
- Length: 6.5 in (Zoom)
- Pack: 20 (Amazon listing)
- Price tier: $
Matching the Lure to the Fall Stage
Through the fall fishing season the right lure changes with the water: fast when warm, slower as it cools. Our guide to when to use each bass lure covers the whole year.
Early fall: water in the 60s and 70s
FishUSA’s rule is fast-moving baits: the Sexy Dawg, the BOOYAH Buzz, the Tour Grade spinnerbait and the JackHammer.
Turnover and the 50s
As “the lake is turning over,” Ashley writes, the water turns “that chalky, tannic color”; below 55 he throws a lipless bait on flats. FishUSA says “jerkbaits with long pauses, slow-rolled swimbaits, and jigs” take over through the 50s: the Staysee fits there.
Late fall below 50 degrees
Ashley’s flat-sided crankbait is the Frittside’s job. Lucky Tackle Box says bass switch from baitfish to crawfish below 50 degrees; of our picks, the Trick Worm in green pumpkin, a crawfish colour FishUSA names, comes closest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the best lure for bass in fall?
None of our sources names one. They tie it to the stage of fall, as in the section above.
Q. What is the #1 bass lure?
No source we used ranks one lure above all. For a first box, see our bass lures for beginners guide.
Q. What color do bass like in the fall?
FishUSA: shad colours “like white, pearl, and silver are the most reliable match,” with green pumpkin or brown for crawfish.
Q. What do bass like in October?
Baitfish. Tactical Bassin’s October list names topwaters, swimbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, underspins and a jig; we left out its underspin over hookup complaints in Tackle Warehouse reviews. For bigger swimbaits, see our hard swimbaits guide.
Q. Which fall bass fishing lures work from the bank?
None of our sources writes for bank anglers; Lucky Tackle Box says fall bass move “into the shallows, especially into the backs of creek arms, bays.” See our bass fishing worms guide; our winter bass lures guide picks up where late fall ends.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
Early: the BOOYAH Buzz 1/2 oz (check price), Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait 1/2 oz (check price), Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer 1/2 oz (check price) and Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg (check price). Below 55 degrees: the Strike King Red Eyed Shad 1/2 oz (check price) on flats, the Lucky Craft Staysee 90SP V2 (check price) for suspended fish. Late: the Berkley Frittside 5 (check price) and the Zoom Trick Worm (check price).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
