As summer wanes and water temperatures begin to drop, baitfish start to migrate, and bass shift feeding patterns. This transition period is prime time for soft plastic jerkbaits, especially those that look and move like the real thing.

1. Rigging Options for Maximum Effectiveness

A. Weightless Texas Rig

• Best For: Shallow grass, open water

• Setup: 3/0 or 4/0 EWG hook, 10–15 lb fluorocarbon or braid-to-fluoro leader

• How to Fish: Twitch-twitch-pause retrieve near bait schools or cover. Let the bait glide and fall slowly to mimic a dying baitfish.

B. Belly-Weighted Swimbait Hook

• Best For: Submerged grass lines, points, and brush

• Setup: 3/0–5/0 hook with 1/16–1/8 oz weight

• How to Fish: Cast and let it sink, then slow-roll it with occasional pops to trigger strikes from trailing bass.

C. Scrounger or Underspin Head

• Best For: Open water and suspended bass

• Setup: 1/8 to 3/8 oz scrounger or underspin head

• How to Fish: Steady retrieve with occasional twitches. This works especially well when bass are schooling on herring or shad just below the surface as happens in late summer and fall.

D. Carolina Rig (for deeper edges)

• Best For: Ditches, creek channels, offshore humps

• Setup: ½ oz to ¾ oz weight, 24-36” leader, offset worm hook

• How to Fish: Drag or twitch the along bottom to mimic an injured baitfish trailing the school.

2. Key Locations to Target

• Grass Edges and Pockets: Look for dying grass where bait congregates.

• Main Lake Points: Bass position here as they ambush passing schools.

• Creek Mouths and Drains: Especially productive during fall baitfish migrations.

• Suspended Fish Around Bait Balls: Use forward-facing sonar or visually locate bait flickering on the surface.

3. Presentation Tips

• Twitch Cadence Matters: The traditional “twitch-twitch-pause” is a staple, but vary cadence. Sometimes a “jerk-jerk-jerk-pause” will trigger following fish.

• Use Forward-Facing Sonar: The LIVE Super Stud shines when you can see fish and target them precisely—swim it just above or past them to provoke a reaction.

• Color Choice by Water Clarity:

  • Clear Water: Herring, Shad, and Silver Minnow patterns

  • Stained Water: Gold Shiner, Tennessee Shad, or Pearl

Ready to Go LIVE?

Whether you’re hunting shallow grass bass or chasing open-water schoolers, the new LIVE Super Stud gives you the lifelike detail you need to fool pressured fish in late summer and fall. Combining Gambler’s proven Super Stud action with the realism of the LIVE series makes this bait a must-have in your fall tackle box.

? Shop the LIVE Super Stud now at Gambler-Lures.com and match the hatch like never before.