Planning Your Fall Builds

Fall can be a wonderful time on the water. Cooler temperatures, fish feeding as they prepare for winter and most often you are the only one on the water. From exciting schooling fish to beautiful scenery, these are this rod builds you need!

Don’t worry, the wonderful fall fishing isn’t limited to bass and freshwater, the coastal areas where the endless maze of creeks wind through spartina grass really turns on as well. I certainly appreciate a break from the heat, and I am a sucker for topwater fishing which can be really good as the temperatures cool off.

Let’s walk you through three of our favorite builds that will help you make the most of your time on the water this fall.

Best Topwater Rod Build – MB863XF

Since I'm excited about the topwater bite I figured we would start there. This MB863XF is a little bit of a sleeper and does not get the praise it deserves!

Specifications: 7'2" | 10-17 lb. | 3/16 - 11/16 oz. | Extra-Fast Action | Medium Heavy Power

We sometimes hear about topwater rods not being as long as other technique builds to keep your rod tip out of the water...etc. This is one instance where having the 7'2" length is helpful. Fall fishing can be making long casts to schooling bass, covering water quickly or in saltwater reaching out to a laid up fish in the clearer water. In addition, bass boats have a higher bow as do some flats boats with casting platforms, so the extra length will not be a hinderance.

I have heard people say they do not like extra-fast actions or they do not want to break it. Well, do not worry. The tapers in the Mag XF lineup of the MHX rod blanks are specifically designed to allow you to work smarter, not harder and the Ultra Resin system resists breakages even in extra-fast rod blanks. Granted, these are not indestructible but do not be afraid of the action.

I do like an extra-fast rod blank when fishing jerk baits, walking topwaters or when sharp, deliberate actions are needed with a popper. When the rod blank is faster, you have to move the blank less to achieve the desired motion on your lure. So, smaller movements will create a perfect walking action and less body movements translates into less fatigue. Since we all want to be at out best all day on the water, pick up that extra-fast and get to walkin'.

For your components, I believe the topwater rods needs to be comfortable. You handle it for long periods of time and actively working the rod considerably moore than other techniques. This is much more of an active way to fish rather than just chucking and winding a crankbait. The reason I say this is, I would not try and experiment on a handle configuration or reel seat you have never fished. Your hands could become tired or even work a blister in short order with a seat you are not used to. Keep in mind and I have said this for jerkbait rods, you might be throwing this rods when wearing jackets or a sweatshirt so consider shortening your handle.

In regards to guides, you need to be sure how you are going to rig your topwater rod. So, lets use this to segue into how rigging will related to your guide choice.

Topwater Knots

In saltwater inshore most anglers are throwing braid to leaders. Whether it is a fluorocarbon leader or a monofilaments leader, as a whole the inshore anglers are tying leaders more than the bass anglers. There are instances where I fish straight monofilament but those are very minimal. All of my topwater is done with braid to a monofilament leader. Why mono? It floats, just line the braid. Plus, the braid helps me maximize my distance when casting so there is very little if any downside.

When building a rod, it helps to know if you will be throwing a leader as you might want to consider your connection knot and if your guides have enough clearance. Often, I am building my casting rods with size 5 runners and size 5 tip top but I am tying a very streamline knot. I tie the Alberto. It is a great braid to leader knot, very strong and flies through guides very easily.

Here is the Alberto.

The camo cord is your leader and the red cord is your braid. Create a loop in your leader about 6" long. Pass the braid into the loop paying attention to which side your braid enters the loop.

Wrap the braid around both legs of the loop 5-7 times.

Next wrap the braid 5-7 times back towards the end of the loop crossing over your initial wraps. Once you have completed your wraps, exit the loop on the same side as you entered. How ever many times I wrap down, I wrap the same amount back. For spinning rods with 10lb braid to 10lb fluorocarbon I wrap 7 down and 7 back. For casting rods with 40lb braid to 20lb monofilament I wrap 5 down and 5 back.

Now, as with all knots, moisten first before pulling tight. I pulled on both tags ends for both line a little at first and then as the knot begins to find its way, I maintain my grip on both tags of the leader while only pulling on the standing line of the braid. It will twist slightly as it pulls together and seats.

Here is the completed knot with the cord and what it looks like with 40lb braid to 20lb monofilament. You can trim your tag ends very close as it will aid in smooth travels through your guide system.

These next two rod will depend slightly on where you live as to which to build first.

Best Alabama Rig Rod Build – SWB956

If you haven't thrown an Alabama Rig or A-Rig for short, there is a reason they banned it in the Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster Opens. It flat out catches them! This SWB956 pretty much hides in plain sight, often overlooked for large swimbaits, Alabama rigs and even doubles as a flippin' rod.

Specifications: 7'11" | 12-25 lb. | 1 - 4 oz. | Mod-Fast Action | Heavy Power

One of the most exciting ways to catch bass is with an "A Rig." If you're as big a fan as I am, you know exactly why it's so effective. I often say it has a mesmerizing effect on the fish, and it truly does. While it may look bulky and complex out of the water, it springs to life once submerged. It's one of the most effective lures ever created for imitating a school of baitfish. You just need the right rod to throw it!

The main drawback of the traditional Alabama Rig is its limited range of use. With multiple exposed hooks, it's fantastic in open water or around sparse cover, but struggles in areas with weeds, timber, brush, or docks. This is why I mentioned above about where and the timing to fish this. In the more northern states the grass begins to thin out much quicker or some lakes do not even have open water grass like we have here in the south. Rocky points, bluff walls or fishing around schools of offshore bait is really where this A-Rig shines. For components I am choosing a longer handle section, a standard casting seat and small running guides. Remember, you are going to be throwing a lure that looks like a chandelier so having a longer handle and adding a weighted butt will help you fish it all day.

I feel the reel seat is a person preference in this situation as when I mentioned the topwater rod you want to be comfortable. Same here but do consider some anglers fish a larger reel like a 150 or 200 size. You might want to go to a size 17 seat in your favorite American Tackle, CRB or Fuji seat.

When it comes to the handle, it is hard to beat the American Tackle G2 Handle System above. The 12" Shaped G2 Handle paired with the matching G2 Butt Cap and do not forget the G2 Trim Ring that helps mate your preferred reel seat to this carbon handle. With the grips internal arbors and the trim ring and butt cap fitting perfectly, it cuts down on added weight and time building. Plus, that butt cap has a little bit of weight, around 1oz, so it helps when building rods like this one.

Finally your guides can be small. Be sure if you are using a larger reel to run a proper transition but your running guides and tip top can be small. The last thing anyone needs is something else for all those hooks, blades and wire arms to get tangled on. You are most likely want to run size 5 running guides. There are no leaders, so not knots and you will want the American Tackle Medium Duty Tip Top as this rod blank has a size 7 tip. As I have mentioned in previous blogs American Tackle is the only tip top manufacture to have a size 5 ring with a size 7 tube.

Best Jig Rod Build – NEPS90HF

One of the best ways to catch a bass is with a jig. Whether you cast it, flip it or drag it, a jig will get bit. This NEPS90HF takes the guess work out of jig fishing. it is so popular even our Mud Hole Live Co-Host, Hunter McKamey, made it one of his Signature Rod Kits.

Specifications: 7'6" | 10-20 lb. | 1/2 - 1 oz. | Fast Action | Heavy Power

What makes this blank so special is that it comes from Elite Pro Series where lighter weight and more sensitivity without sacrificing durability puts more fish in the boat. MHX is able to keep diameters down while making rod blanks stronger using a Nano Resin system. So, both tournament anglers and weekend warriors can benefit from a higher strain of graphite without having to worry about babying you gear.

With the extra length this rod helps you cover extra ground when patrolling cover on lakes like Seminole and Okeechobee, both known for their swimjig fishery during the fall. We still have endless miles of grass and the baitfish like shad and bluegill are still popular bass forage. Most of the time we are picking up the NEPS90HF with 50lb straight braid and either a swimtail trailer or a split tail that offers kicking action.

As with Hunter's Signature Kit, the build Taylor fished and caught his PB with, has Winn Grips. No matter the weather or conditions the Winn polymer stays tacky and grippier than any other material on the market. For the reel seat, the Fuji ACSM is always a top pick even though I prefer the Fuji ECSM. It is all about hand placement and how you palm the reel. They are both worth a try. One thing is for sure, Hunter and I agree on the guides for this build. The CRB LZR guide set. With a double footer stripper and single foot runners, they are ultra-thin, super light zirconium insert provides a high-density, polished ring that is then pressed into the stainless steel frames. Not to mention they look as good as they fish.

Why is This a Great Jig Rod.

So, although we tend to fish a different style jig here in the Southeast during the fall, it still is most anglers "bread and butter" in other areas of the county. You can run all over any lake and catch a fish somewhere on a jig.

Remember fall can be transition so, rocky banks and laydowns along main channels are prime spots for catching fish. The mouths of creeks, and cover are also key areas to focus on when targeting these types of structure. If you come across these features in those locations, it’s worth stopping to fish, as there’s a high chance fish will be there. These are natural transition points that fish often pass by and pause at during their movement.

The good news, whether you are going to swim a white jig to mimic fleeing baitfish or drag a football head jig on a deep tapering point, this NEPS90HF gets it done every time. Where as we are throwing straight heavy braid in Florida you will be throwing fluorocarbon in deeper water the farther north you go. So, the extra length aids in setting the hook from a distance and deeper water without the extra rod length feeling heavy or clubby.

So, there it is, hope you have a great fall on the water. Get out, explore new water and carry these three builds to help you catch more fish!