Fall Bass Fishing in Illinois | Fat Largemouth in a Jon Boat

Fall Bass Fishing in Illinois can be off the charts fun. Fat largemouth bass are cruising, and even though they might be a bit lethargic... they know that it's time to feed heavily to prepare for the cold, cold Midwest winter.

This is my least favorite time of the year... but leading UP to this time... it can be lights out.

On this morning I took the jon boat out to a lake not far from my house and worked the shoreline for about 3 hours total. It was close to November but still October, I think. While I did catch 4 or 5 largemouth bass total... it was a slow morning. Crankbaits that had worked previously came up short. Topwater was not happening. Even larger worms rigged wacky were not getting the attention they usually did... but then I downsized and started working a simple 5" jigworm tied straight to my mainline.

This bruiser made the morning, and after a quick net + photo, she was released back to the depths to fight another day.

It's freezing as I write this, and I can't wait for the snow and ice that covers the lakes to thaw so we can get back to work...

This too shall pass. | https://TheMinimalistFisherman.com