Quick Fall Fishing Lure Strategy: Know WHEN to Switch!

Fall is one of my FAVORITE times to get out on the water!

But here’s the deal…

As the water cools and baitfish start moving around, the fish aren’t always going to be feeding the same way.

And if you’re throwing the wrong lure at the wrong time, you could be missing out on some BIG fish!

In this quick video, I’ll show you how I adjust my lure strategy in the fall to stay on the bite!

Featured Gear

• Moonwalker Topwater Plug
• Skinny Lipper XL
• Prawn Shrimp Lure
• 5″ Mulligan Bomber Paddletail
• Ultimate Fall Lure Bundle (Free Skinny Lipper XL)

1. Start With WHERE the Fish Are Feeding

Here’s something I always keep in mind when I’m fishing in the fall…

Just because fish are feeding doesn’t mean they’re feeding on top!

During those cooler early mornings, I love starting with a topwater like the Moonwalker when fish are actively feeding near the surface.

There’s nothing quite like watching a redfish or trout come up and absolutely CRUSH a topwater plug!

But what happens when you’re seeing baitfish getting chased and the topwater isn’t getting any love?

That’s when I’ll switch things up.

The Skinny Lipper XL is a great option when fish are chasing bigger baitfish just BELOW the surface.

It creates plenty of action and commotion without requiring fish to come all the way up to eat.

The lesson here? Don’t force a topwater bite if the fish are telling you something different!

Pay attention to where the action is happening and adjust your presentation accordingly.

2. Know WHEN to Slow Things Down

Not every fall fishing trip is going to be nonstop explosions and aggressive strikes.

Sometimes the fish just aren’t in the mood to chase.

And that’s when I see anglers make a BIG mistake…

They keep working the same fast-moving lures, hoping something will eventually bite.

Instead, I’ll slow things down and give those fish an easier meal.

A shrimp imitation like the Prawn is one of my favorite ways to do that.

I’ll work it around areas like:

• Grass edges
• Structure
• Deeper pockets
• Areas where fish can sit and ambush prey

The goal is to keep that lure in the strike zone and give less aggressive fish an opportunity to eat.

Remember, you don’t always need to change spots when the bite slows down. Sometimes you just need to change your presentation!

3. Match the Bigger Baitfish

One of the things I love about fall fishing is the opportunity to target BIGGER predators feeding on larger baitfish.

But just because there’s bigger bait around doesn’t mean you should blindly throw the biggest lure you’ve got.

You still need to think about WHERE those fish are feeding.

When I’m targeting bigger fish along drop-offs and deeper feeding zones, the 5″ Mulligan Bomber is a great option.

That larger paddletail profile helps imitate bigger baitfish, and I can adjust how I’m fishing it based on the situation.

And here’s something you don’t want to overlook…

That same lure can work in the shallows, too!

Rig it weedless, and you can fish shallower areas where predators may be hunting larger baitfish.

The important thing is matching both the baitfish AND the depth where predators are feeding.

Final Thoughts

If there’s ONE thing I want you to take away from this quick lesson, it’s this:

Fall fishing success isn’t just about WHAT lure you’re throwing. It’s knowing WHEN and WHERE to throw it!

Pay attention to the baitfish, watch how predators are feeding, and don’t be afraid to switch things up.

Those little adjustments can make a BIG difference in how many fish you catch!

Now I’ve got a question for you…

What’s your confidence lure when the fall bite starts heating up?

Let me know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best lure to throw for fall inshore fishing?

There’s no single lure that’s best for every situation! I like having options that cover different depths and feeding behaviors. Topwaters, subsurface plugs, shrimp imitations, and paddletails all have their place depending on what the fish are doing.

When should I switch from topwater to a subsurface lure?

If I’m seeing fish chasing bait near the surface but they’re not committing to a topwater, that’s a good sign to try something just below the surface. A lure like the Skinny Lipper XL can be a great adjustment.

What should I throw when fish aren’t aggressively feeding?

That’s when I like slowing things down with a shrimp imitation like the Prawn. Working it around grass edges, structure, and deeper pockets can be effective when fish aren’t willing to chase faster-moving lures.

Are bigger lures better for fall fishing?

Not always! When larger baitfish are present, a bigger profile like the 5″ Mulligan Bomber can be a great match. But the key is still matching the forage and fishing the right depth, not simply throwing the biggest lure in your box.