In this video, Wired2fish joins professional angler Zack Birge as he demonstrates his go-to strategies for catching bass during the fall-to-winter transition using squarebill crankbaits and jerkbaits. The squarebill functions as his four-wheel drive as it combs through a wide variety of cover types while the jerkbait hones in on forage-eating bass in cleaner water. Birge alternates between both hard baits to find and trigger fish with great efficiency.
FEATURED TACKLE
- SQUAREBILL – Yo-Zuri 3DB Squarebill 1.5, colors – Black Back Chartreuse & Green Shad: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- JERKBAIT – Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait SP 110 Deep, color – Ghost Sexy Shad: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- CRANKING ROD – Alpha Angler ChatterBound, 7’2″ Medium-Heavy Cranking Rod: Buy at Alpha Angler
- CRANKING REEL – ARK Fishing Gravity 8 Casting Reel, 8.1:1: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- JERKBAIT ROD – Alpha Angler Slasher 2.0, 6’10” Medium-Fast Jerkbait Rod: Buy at Alpha Angler
- JERKBAIT REEL – ARK Fishing Gravity 7 Casting Reel, 8.1:1: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- CRANKING LINE – Yo-Zuri T-7 Premium Fluorocarbon Line, 14-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- JERKBAIT LINE – Yo-Zuri T-7 Premium Fluorocarbon Line, 10-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
FALL SQUAREBILL EFFECTIVENESS
Birge highlights squarebills as a versatile choice for shallow flats, isolated cover, and riprap banks. The squarebill’s ability to deflect off rocks and maintain bottom contact triggers strikes in Oklahoma’s dirty water. Squarebills are effective crawfish and baitfish imitators, making them an excellent option when trying to establish an initial pattern.
USING JERKBAITS FOR CLEANER WATER
In cleaner water, Birge switches to a deep-dving jerkbait to quickly reach fish and maximize efficiency with forward-facing sonar. Unlike a squarebill, the best jerkbaits more closely mimmic minnows, making them an excellent option around baitfish. He stresses the importance of using a lighter fluorocarbon line to help the bait reach maximum depth faster.
ADAPTING TO CONDITIONS
Birge shares why adaptability is necessary for success. From brush piles to riprap, he demonstrates how to let the fish dictate your approach. One day might call for a squarebill, while the next could demand a jerkbait. It is all dependent on fish behavior in particular environmental conditions.
BOAT SETUP
- BOAT – Bass Cat Eyra: Check out at Bass Cat
- MOTOR – Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury Marine
- GRAPHS – Lowrance HDS PRO 16 Fish Finder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LIVE SONAR – Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- TROLLING MOTOR – Power Pole MOVE ZR Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR: Power Pole 8 ft. Blades: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
