Entry 153-1
Denny Brauer on November Bassing
How to Catch Bass in November with Denny Brauer
Editor’s Note: Denny Brauer has been fishing in professional bass tournaments since 1980. A twelve-time winner in Bassmasters tournaments, Brauer was named Angler of the Year in 1987 and holds the money winnings record on the Bassmasters’ circuit. Brauer also won the FLW Tour Angler of the Year in 1998 and is the first angler to be featured on the Wheaties cereal box.
Question: What are the bass doing now in November?
Brauer: November is the tail end of the transition period when bass are moving from their summer pattern to their winter pattern and are moving from deep to shallow water. At this time of the year, bass follow the shad into coves and pockets. These coves and pockets are where the bass will feed before they move into deep water for the winter. This month holds great opportunities to catch large numbers of bass. Right now, the main thing to remember when fishing for bass is you need to learn on what they’re feeding. Fish with lures that imitate the food they are seeking like Strike King’s Spit-N-King, buzzbaits and spinner baits.
Question: How do you use the buzzbait?
Brauer: I fish it under the water, reeling slowly and crawling along the bottom (grin). I fish the buzzbait anywhere I see large pods of bait. I use the buzzbait to flush the shad, similar to how you flush a covey of quail. I adjust the speed of the buzzbait until I start getting strikes. If the water is clear, I use a fast retrieve. If the water is muddy, I slow down my retrieve. Do not be afraid to use a black Strike King buzzbait. I promise you will get more bites than ever before, especially in November.
Question: Everyone else is using white buzzbait. Why are you suggesting black buzzbait?
Brauer: The bass have seen too many white buzzbaits during the summer and the fall. The black buzzbait gives them something different to look at, and besides Shad are not a dark image on the surface. For some reason, when the water starts to cool down, the black buzzbait seems to turn on the bass.
Question: What size buzzbait do you use?
Brauer: It depends on the water I’m fishing. If the lake doesn’t contain big bass, I use a 1/4-ounce buzzbait. If I’m fishing in a lake with good quality fish, I use a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce buzzbait. My favorite model is the 3/8-ounce buzzbait fished on 20-pound-test line.
Question: Will you fish down the bank or on points of the lake?
Brauer: I fish wherever I can locate bait. The majority of the bait I’ll find is in the backs of pockets or creeks. If you pay attention to what’s happening on the surface of the water, you can see the shad flipping, and you’ll know you’re in the right area.
Contents:
- Part 1: How to Catch Bass in November with Denny Brauer
- Part 2: Why Fish Spinner Baits Now
- Part 3: How Brauer Fishes Spit-N-King This Month
- Part 4: Why November is a Prime Month for Jig Fishing
- Part 5: Yes, I’m Cranking
