Autumn fishing techniques for Australian Bass are pretty much the same as those techniques used in the summer months. In fact, Australian Bass can be found in the same summer hide-outs during the autumn months, prior to migrating downstream to spawn in the estuaries along the south-east coast of Australia.

 

They’ll be found in the rivers, creeks and streams that stretch up from the estuaries along the coast of Victoria and New South Wales. As many rivers are dammed, migration does not always happen in all rivers.

 

The main difference between the Spring, Summer and Autumn months are the depths at which the bass can be found.

 

As the water temperature heats up, Australian bass move into deeper water. As the temperature moves into the high 70°F’s, they move deeper and have a preference for water in the low 70°F’s to upper 60°F’s (approximately around 18°C to 21°C).

 

They can still be found hiding under overhanging brush, in and around sunken trees, around underwater obstacles and always in the shade during the day. It’s in the shade that the Australian Bass wait to ambush their prey.

High Sun

In fact the higher and brighter the sun is, the more bass will retreat deeper. They’ll chased after bait fish at these lower depths, or wait out the sun and actively feed at night if there are no prey fish at depth. Some novice anglers take this information to mean that fishing in newly shaded areas are great places to catch bass or areas that are generally on the edge of shade and light.

 

However nothing could be further from the truth.

 

Australian Bass do not like well lit areas. In summer months these border areas between shade and sunlight are often warm and void of any Australian Bass.

Best Times for Fishing

As much as the summer and fall months heat up and become very warm, the nights and twilight hours are still dark and offer great fishing. This is when Australian Bass come alive and move out of hiding. They will often explore the habitat and go on binge eating excursions.

 

The primary bass fishing baits and bass lures that work the best in the summer and autumn months are bait fish as Australian Bass spend a lot of time in the cooler deep waters.

 

Insects also work well too as they are a popular food at night.

 

It’s hard to find a bait, lure or tackle that will not cause an Australian Bass to strike whatever you present to the bass. The main reason for seeking out the preferred tackle is to get that upper hand and get as many elements working in your favor.

 

If the bass don’t seem to be striking at your lure, then appeal to their sense of territory. Casting into their territory, a mere few feet from where they are can coax them to strike out of defense. This is much easier to do during daylight hours as they are limited to their traditional hiding spots like sunken trees, along river banks and other sunken debris.

Night Fishing

  • Best Lures

At night they tend to move around where it can be difficult to locate them without a fish finder. Crankbaits tend to more effective than regular lures at night.

 

Other important factors that influence the feeding habits of Australian Bass are the feeding and movements of the bait fish and other prey. Most bait fish avoid much activity until late in the afternoon and evening as the sun begins to set offering them more protection.

 

Most insect activity occurs at night and the late evening. Australian Bass don’t waste a lot of energy during the day when most of their prey is unavailable. Keep this in mind and combine the techniques here with Night Techniques to land that lunker bass.

 

The Australian Bass also strike at crayfish, small frogs and worms. In low light conditions, use spinners, spoons and crankbaits.