A Smallmouth Bass caught while fishing from a canoe in the fall. presentations have caught me more Smallmouth Bass over 3 pounds than any other lure I use. Jerkbaits are loved by bigger Smallmouth Bass. A personal favorite way to target large Smallmouth Bass is to float a slow stretch of the Juniata River in a canoe during mid-October. A canoe offers a low presence in the water and does not disturb as many fish as a boat when the water is low. During this time of year, weed beds from the summer months begin to die off and clump in slack water areas. Large Smallmouth Bass utilize the dead grass to hide under and wait to ambush potential prey. Casting curly tail grubs parallel to the grass clumps proves deadly time and time again. The big Smallmouth Bass just cannot resist an easy meal. Another unique fall Smallmouth Bass fishing opportunity is to jig live minnows. While live minnows work year-round, Smallmouth Bass seem to especially love minnows in the fall. Jigging live minnows in deep water over rocky structure in lakes can draw bites from big bass. Bouncing minnows below fast water in rivers is also a great technique. Large Smallmouth Bass in the fall will use the current often to ambush baitfish. Bank or shore fishing in the fall should not be overlooked as well. A popular spot where the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers meet, known as "The Point", has produced many large Smallmouth Bass for shore anglers during the fall. Fishing lakes from shore is also a viable option. Using live shiners www.fishandboat.com underneath a float can be extremely effective at catching big Smallmouth Bass in lakes from the shoreline. Fall is an excellent time of year to hit the water in search of big Smallmouth Bass. The scenery of fall foliage and aggressive bites from hungry Smallmouth Bass can make for memorable outings on the water. The normally wary Smallmouth Bass tend to more willingly take lures, which keeps the excitement constant as any cast can produce something special. Plan a day and head out to your favorite Smallmouth Bass fishery this fall. A day catching Smallmouth Bass is always a day well spent. Poppers and topwater lures are effective at catching Smallmouth Bass in the fall. Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2020 35http://www.fishandboat.com