J.T. Kenney of Palm Bay, Fla., finished the day in third place in the Pro Division of the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup after landing a total catch of 14 pounds, 6 ounces. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Jt Kenney.

October 22, 2010 • JT Kenney • Archives

A lot of guys put up their fishing stuff when tournament season winds down and hunting season cranks up. They miss a lot of good fishing though.

To me, fall is sort of a mirror image of spring as far as the bass turning on. In the spring, warm fronts tend to get the bass going, but in the fall it’s cool weather that activates them. A couple of cold fronts go through and cool down the water from summertime highs back into the 70s and the fishing goes up a few notches. The fish are more aggressive, and you can cover a lot of water with fast-moving lures.

I’ll mainly have three types of rigs ready on the casting deck to cover any situation: a walking topwater like a Reaction Innovations Vixen or a Zara Spook; a lipless crankbait like a Excalibur One Knocker or Strike King Red Eye Shad; and a 1/2-ounce Lil’ Hustler – all in shad patterns. You just pick a good-looking stretch of bank, put the trolling motor on high, and start chunking and winding.

— Ranger pro JT Kenney of Palm Bay, Fla.