With the days getting shorter and the nights cooler, water temperatures are beginning to drop. The bass respond by moving to shallow weeds and feeding. A variety of artificial baits will work, including topwaters, crankbaits and worms.

The bait I often use this time of year is a spinnerbait. A spinnerbait is versatile: You can fish it in 12 inches of water or in 10 feet. A spinnerbait is weedless and can be dragged through grass or other cover, and it can imitate shad and shiners, natural forage of bass. Bass do not move shallow all at the same time, so you want a bait that can be fished at different depths. Since bass prefer to wait in cover and ambush prey, a weedless bait is essential. A spinnerbait fits the bill.

- Lenny Crispino guides on Lake Tarpon. Call (727) 938-2379.

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