September can be a tough bite, and in some years that tough bite can extend all the way into October for a couple of weeks. For me, the go-to bait at this time of the year is a jig, specifically two models.
I want one that’ll fall fast with a small profile and another one that’ll drop real slow as it falls. I usually start with the fast dropper, and then if they aren’t taking that, I downsize to the slower fall model.
My choice for a fast dropping jig in the LOW52 Lowen’s Signature Finesse Jig made by LurePartsOnline. I like the 5/16-ounce model for the next few weeks. They come in packs of three.
I usually add a trailer to this jig. My favorite is a Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Baby Rodent. It’s only 3 inches long so it doesn’t slow the jig’s fall much, but it does make it look more realistic. I don’t care much about color, but I do want my trailer to complement my skirt — nothing weird or wacky.
The skirts are sold separately. I use a fine cut one, the LOW10 Lowen’s Fine Cut Mini Skirt. They come in at least eight colors. Use whichever one you like best. The fish eat this lure because it’s right in front of them, and it’s dropping fast. They react before it can get away. How pretty it looks isn’t all that important.
When that doesn’t get them going I switch to a LurePartsOnline LOW53 Lowen’s Signature Flipping Jig. My choice is usually the 1/8-ounce weight. And, like with my other jig, I order a pack of fine cut skirts to go with it. That makes for a little less bulk and a little more subtle movement.
As for trailers I like the Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Rodent. It’s bigger than the baby — 4 inches long. That gives my jig a slower and much more subtle fall than I can get with the finesse jig and Baby Rodent.
Another trailer I really like with this jig is a small version of an old-fashioned chunk. I’m talking about the ones with a thick body and two thin flappers on the back. The small ones can be hard to find so what you can do is take a pair of scissors and trim a big one back. Just follow along the edges and make it about half size.
Again, fish whatever color strikes your fancy. If in doubt, it’s hard to beat something that matches the hatch.
I fish my jigs just about anywhere. Rock, grass, channel edges and anything else that’s different from the surrounding area is a good place to start. My flipping jig is especially productive around, and in, laydowns. It’s hard for a bass to resist it when it’s slowly bouncing off limbs and then slowly falling down towards the bottom.
There’s no doubt that September and early October can be tough when you’re waiting for the fall migration. But tough doesn’t mean impossible. Go get ‘em!
