Why You Should Start Throwing Bigger Lures This Fall

Still throwing the same small lures you used all summer?

They might deserve another trip… but it could be time to give them some BIGGER competition.

As we head into fall, I start paying closer attention to lure size. And there are situations where switching things up can help get your bait noticed.

But bigger isn’t ALWAYS better.

In this video, I’ll show you what makes me reach for a larger paddletail, when I stick with a smaller lure, and one common mistake to avoid once you make the switch.

You’ll have a better idea of what to throw on your next trip, and how to put it to work with confidence.

Watch below to see when it pays to go BIGGER.

Ready to go BIGGER this fall? Grab the Fall Bundle, featuring the 5-inch Mulligan Bomber used in this video, plus more proven lures for your next trip.

Click Here To Get Your Fall Bundle

Featured Lures

• Lure 1: Mulligan 5-Inch Bomber
• Rigging 1: 4/0 Weedless Hoss Helix
• Lure 2: 2.0 Paddletail
• Rigging 2: 3/0 Weedless Hoss Helix

Why I Start Reaching for Bigger Lures

During spring and much of summer, I like throwing 3.5- to 4-inch lures.

But as late summer turns to fall, mullet and other baitfish are often larger and more abundant. Redfish, trout, and snook are also feeding aggressively as seasonal patterns change.

That’s when I like to bump up to a 5-inch paddletail.

I’m trying to match the larger forage, give the fish a meal worth chasing, and help my lure stand out when there’s plenty of bait around.

The Mulligan Bomber is one of my go-to options. Along with that larger profile, it casts well and lets me cover water while fish are on the move.

The goal is to match what’s happening around you, rather than keep throwing the same thing out of habit.

When I DON’T Upsize

Before you start throwing bigger lures this fall, take a look at the bait and the water you’re fishing.

There are a few situations where I’ll stick with a smaller presentation:

• Smaller lures are catching fish. If you’re consistently getting bites, keep doing what’s working.
• The bait is tiny. Far back in a creek, you might find small baitfish, glass minnows, or little shrimp. A larger lure may not be the best match.
• The water is very clear. Bigger profiles can spook fish in those conditions, so I try to avoid them.

But if the smaller lures you’ve been throwing aren’t getting attention, it might be time to give a larger profile a shot.

Let the conditions help you make that decision.

Stop Overworking Your Paddletail

One of the biggest mistakes anglers make with larger lures is doing TOO MUCH with the rod tip.

Constant twitching, popping, and jerking can overwork the presentation.

With a paddletail like the Mulligan Bomber, I usually keep it simple with a straight, steady retrieve.

Another option is a smooth sweep:

1. Point the rod toward your lure and reel until the line is tight.
2. Stop reeling and pull the rod to move the lure through the water.
3. Reel up the slack, then repeat.

You’re smoothly pulling the lure, rather than snapping it around.

I’ll give it a couple of pops if I feel grass on the line or lure. Otherwise, I let the paddletail do its job.

A bigger profile already has plenty of presence in the water. You don’t need to go crazy to get it noticed.

Rig for the Water You’re Fishing

Most of the shallow water I’m fishing is around 1 to 3 feet deep, so I keep this lure on a weedless hook and don’t need much weight.

If you’re fishing deeper, a heavier weighted hook or a jighead may be a better choice.

The key is choosing a rig that puts the lure where you need it.

A bigger lure doesn’t automatically call for a bunch of extra weight. Match your setup to the depth and conditions.

Lure Choice Is Only Part of the Puzzle

On this trip, I caught a redfish around 3 p.m. on the 5-inch Mulligan Bomber in Slam Shady.

The water was a little dirty, which can be a good situation for a larger profile.

But the location mattered, too.

That fish was holding right off a point where wind-driven current was wrapping around the shoreline. I show the area in Smart Fishing Spots so you can see exactly how that point was positioned.

Choosing the right lure helps. Putting it in front of fish is still the biggest part of the puzzle.

Final Thoughts

Fall is a good time to have larger lures ready.

If bigger baitfish are around and your smaller lures aren’t producing, upsizing can give you another way to get noticed.

Keep your retrieve simple, rig for the depth, and let the conditions guide your choice.

And if the smaller lure is still catching fish?

Keep throwing it!

Do you switch to bigger lures in the fall, or stick with the same size all year? Let me know in the comments!

Ready to go BIGGER this fall? Grab the Fall Bundle, featuring the 5-inch Mulligan Bomber used in this video, plus more proven lures for your next trip.

Click Here To Get Your Fall Bundle

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I consider throwing bigger lures this fall?

Larger baitfish can become more abundant during late summer and fall. Upsizing can help you match that forage and make your lure stand out among the bait.

When should I keep using smaller lures?

Keep using smaller lures when they’re consistently catching fish, when the available bait is tiny, or when very clear water calls for a less imposing presentation.

What retrieve do you use with a bigger paddletail?

I usually use a straight, steady retrieve. A smooth rod sweep followed by reeling up the slack is another option. Avoid constantly twitching and popping the lure.

What lure are you using in the video?

I’m fishing the 5-inch Mulligan Bomber in Slam Shady, rigged weedless.

Should I use a jighead or a weedless hook?

I use a weedless hook for the shallow water I’m fishing in this video. A jighead or heavier weighted hook can help when you need to fish deeper.