November is an awesome month to catch bass, but depending on where you live, those fish can be doing two very different things. Up north, from Virginia to the Great Lakes, bass are moving out of their fall feeding areas and heading toward deeper winter spots. Down south, from the Carolinas to Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, bass are still in a strong fall feeding pattern. But no matter where you’re fishing, November bass are feeding on baitfish! They’re chasing shad, minnows, herring, and shiners. That’s why my four favorite November baits are all about matching that forage, covering water, and getting reaction bites. Let’s break it down with two baits for northern anglers and two for southern anglers!
Northern Anglers: Virginia and North
1. Fish Head Spin with a Berkley Swimbait or Jerk Shad
One of my absolute favorite November baits is a fish head spin! This lure combines a jig head with a small spinning blade, giving you flash, vibration, and incredible depth control.
In November, northern bass are moving toward deeper winter areas, and I need something that can follow them. Unlike a crankbait with a fixed diving depth, a fish head spin lets me reach fish at almost any level. I simply cast it out, let it sink, and slow roll it back.
My favorite trailers are the Berkley PowerBait Power Swimmer in 3.3 or 3.8 inches and the Berkley PowerBait Jerk Shad.
Here’s how I choose:
- Power Swimmer: Use it during warming trends or cloudy days when bass are more active. The boot tail creates extra movement.
- Power Jerk Shad: Use it during cold fronts when bass are less aggressive. Its subtle action can trigger stubborn fish.
Stick with natural baitfish colors like pearl, white, silver, and smoke. The realistic profiles are deadly!
2. Molix Trago Spin Tail
My second northern November bait is an old-school favorite that doesn’t get enough attention anymore: the tailspinner! I’m talking about the Molix Trago Spin Tail, a compact metal bait with a spinning blade on the back. Guys, this thing is amazing when bass are moving along deep breaklines toward wintering areas. I prefer weights from 1/4 to 1/2 ounce, depending on depth and conditions. If I’m targeting fish in 15 to 20 feet, I can get this bait down quickly and keep it in the strike zone. My favorite retrieve is called yo-yoing. Let the bait hit bottom, lift your rod, and let it fall again. The blade spins as the bait rises and helicopters down as it falls. That flash and vibration imitate a struggling baitfish and trigger reaction strikes. It’s simple, effective, and a fantastic way to cover water during the late fall transition.
Southern Anglers: South of Virginia
1. Berkley Soft Minnow on a Fusion19 Jig Head
For my southern anglers, November is prime feeding time, and nothing matches a feeding bass better than a soft plastic minnow! My favorites are the Berkley PowerBait Drip Minnow in 4 inches and the Berkley Lab Series Minnow in 5.25 inches, rigged on a Berkley Fusion19 Jig Head.
Match the size to the baitfish you’re seeing. And guys, you don’t need forward-facing sonar to catch fish with this technique! Watch for baitfish dimpling the surface, birds feeding, or bass busting on schools of shad. My favorite retrieve is the shake and reel. Slowly reel while gently shaking your rod tip. This creates a natural side-to-side rolling action that drives bass crazy. Here’s another tip: position your jig head slightly toward the top of the minnow’s nose instead of directly through the center. This helps create better action. Keep that bait near the level of the feeding fish, and hang on!
2. Berkley Dime and Frittside Crankbaits
My final November bait is a crankbait, and it’s one of the best tools for covering water and triggering aggressive strikes! Two of my favorites are the Berkley Dime and Berkley Frittside. The Dime has a moderate wobble, while the Frittside offers a tighter action that’s excellent as water temperatures cool. I especially like the deeper Frittside 7 and 9 models and the Dime 10 and 15.
In November, forget those spring crawfish colors. I’m choosing shad patterns, pearl, white, translucent herring, and natural baitfish finishes. Here’s my biggest crankbait tip: make that lure change direction! If you’re fishing near the bottom, choose a crankbait that dives deep enough to deflect off rocks, wood, or other cover. If fish are suspended, pause your retrieve, lift your rod, or sweep it sideways. Those sudden changes can trigger an instant reaction bite.
Remember, November bass are still eating, whether they’re heading toward winter spots up north or feeding hard down south. Match the baitfish, cover water, and keep experimenting. Get out there, have fun, and catch a giant!
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