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Livesay’s top 10 fall lures

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We sat down with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Lee Livesay, and he took us through his top 10 fall lures for Lake Fork and Sam Rayburn. Livesay guides on Lake Fork when he is not touring the country competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
We sat down with Bassmaster Elite Series pro Lee Livesay, and he took us through his top 10 fall lures for Lake Fork and Sam Rayburn. Livesay guides on Lake Fork when he is not touring the country competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
When the fall months roll around in the South, Livesay loves to head out on Lake Fork or Sam Rayburn whether he is guiding or just fun fishing. He took a minute to pull some boxes out of his truck and Ballistic boat to dig out his top 10 Fall Baits.
When the fall months roll around in the South, Livesay loves to head out on Lake Fork or Sam Rayburn whether he is guiding or just fun fishing. He took a minute to pull some boxes out of his truck and Ballistic boat to dig out his top 10 Fall Baits.
To start off his top 10, Livesay opts for a shallow water bait – a topwater frog.
To start off his top 10, Livesay opts for a shallow water bait – a topwater frog.
“Anytime I'm around shallow, thick vegetation in the fall, I'm picking it up.”
“Anytime I’m around shallow, thick vegetation in the fall, I’m picking it up.”
That bait of choice, a Scum Frog Launch Frog. Livesay will throw a Launch Frog in mostly white or black and isn’t afraid to fish it in as low as 50-degree water temperatures.
That bait of choice, a Scum Frog Launch Frog. Livesay will throw a Launch Frog in mostly white or black and isn’t afraid to fish it in as low as 50-degree water temperatures.
“I prefer a 7-foot, 6-inch Halo TI casting rod with a high-speed Bruin Outdoors reel spooled with 65-pound Hi-Seas Braid.”
“I prefer a 7-foot, 6-inch Halo TI casting rod with a high-speed Bruin Outdoors reel spooled with 65-pound Hi-Seas Braid.”
The Scum Frog Launch Frog was the main bait that accounted for a number of fish this season on Chickamauga. Livesay alternated between black, yellow and white frogs, and he added small tungsten beads to provide more noise to his bait.
The Scum Frog Launch Frog was the main bait that accounted for a number of fish this season on Chickamauga. Livesay alternated between black, yellow and white frogs, and he added small tungsten beads to provide more noise to his bait.
The next bait Livesay pulls out is a bladed jig. “This is an all-around, must-have bait this time of year. It is extremely versatile and effective in many situations that you will face in the fall. I like to keep colors simple – black, purple, brown or white. It is not really water temperature sensitive, just tie it on and throw it in any situation. It works for me around rock, wood, grass — it doesn't matter.”
The next bait Livesay pulls out is a bladed jig. “This is an all-around, must-have bait this time of year. It is extremely versatile and effective in many situations that you will face in the fall. I like to keep colors simple – black, purple, brown or white. It is not really water temperature sensitive, just tie it on and throw it in any situation. It works for me around rock, wood, grass — it doesn’t matter.”
As for the trailer, Livesay looks for a swimbait with tantalizing action. “I like to tip it with a Netbait Little Spanky, and my rod of choice is the Halo KSII Elite 7-foot, 2-inch medium-heavy action rod. I pair it with 15- or 20-pound Hi-Seas fluorocarbon. I alter the size of line depending on the type of cover I am around and how big the fish are.”
As for the trailer, Livesay looks for a swimbait with tantalizing action. “I like to tip it with a Netbait Little Spanky, and my rod of choice is the Halo KSII Elite 7-foot, 2-inch medium-heavy action rod. I pair it with 15- or 20-pound Hi-Seas fluorocarbon. I alter the size of line depending on the type of cover I am around and how big the fish are.”
Next up is another versatile bait for Livesay’s fall programs. An underspin is a great way to add some flair to a normal swimbait presentation. The swimbait he prefers is the Net Bait Big Spanky. “This combo — War Pig/Big Spanky — is probably the one bait that catches the most fish for me in the fall, both deep and shallow. Again, I keep the colors simple in the fall and opt for anything shad color. My go-to rod is the Halo KSII Elite 7-foot, 2-inch action with Hi-Seas 15-pound fluorocarbon.”
Next up is another versatile bait for Livesay’s fall programs. An underspin is a great way to add some flair to a normal swimbait presentation. The swimbait he prefers is the Net Bait Big Spanky. “This combo — War Pig/Big Spanky — is probably the one bait that catches the most fish for me in the fall, both deep and shallow. Again, I keep the colors simple in the fall and opt for anything shad color. My go-to rod is the Halo KSII Elite 7-foot, 2-inch action with Hi-Seas 15-pound fluorocarbon.”
When Livesay pairs the Big Spanky with a Hog Farmer War Pig underspin, he is not afraid to cover any depth he sees necessary.
When Livesay pairs the Big Spanky with a Hog Farmer War Pig underspin, he is not afraid to cover any depth he sees necessary.
“You can throw it over shallow grass, through suspended fish, and on the bottom all the way out in deep to the schools.”
“You can throw it over shallow grass, through suspended fish, and on the bottom all the way out in deep to the schools.”
A crankbait is Livesay’s next top bait, and a square bill seems to be the most productive. “This is another staple in the fall for me as I can tie it on and throw it at anything in front of me anytime. As I am moving along a bank, I can target anything in front of me, wood, rock or grass — it doesn't matter.”
A crankbait is Livesay’s next top bait, and a square bill seems to be the most productive. “This is another staple in the fall for me as I can tie it on and throw it at anything in front of me anytime. As I am moving along a bank, I can target anything in front of me, wood, rock or grass — it doesn’t matter.”
“I prefer shad colors in the fall. The Bruin Outdoors hi-speed reel paired with a Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod and again, Hi-Seas 15-pound fluorocarbon.”
“I prefer shad colors in the fall. The Bruin Outdoors hi-speed reel paired with a Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod and again, Hi-Seas 15-pound fluorocarbon.”
As falls move along and the temperatures begin to fall a bit, Livesay grabs for an erratic baitfish imitator. “When the water temps start getting down in the low 50s, this little bait can get you a ton of bites when others won't. I am fishing any of my blade style baits, like the Damiki Vault, out deeper on points, humps, roadbeds, etc.”
As falls move along and the temperatures begin to fall a bit, Livesay grabs for an erratic baitfish imitator. “When the water temps start getting down in the low 50s, this little bait can get you a ton of bites when others won’t. I am fishing any of my blade style baits, like the Damiki Vault, out deeper on points, humps, roadbeds, etc.”
Livesay rigs up a Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod with 10- to 12-pound fluorocarbon line to make his blade bait set up. “I find big schools of shad and bass on any offshore structure with my Humminbird Units, positioning the boat back up and making as long a cast as possible to them.
Livesay rigs up a Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod with 10- to 12-pound fluorocarbon line to make his blade bait set up. “I find big schools of shad and bass on any offshore structure with my Humminbird Units, positioning the boat back up and making as long a cast as possible to them.” The erratic action will trigger big bites even when the water gets cold in the winter months.
Another bait in his fall arsenal is the old school Tail Spinner. “When the water temp gets close to 50 degrees, pull this thing out and hang on!” Using the same setup as the blade bait - Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod with 10-12-pound fluorocarbon – Livesay will work both the tail spinner and the blade bait the same and then alternate baits while working a school of fish.
Another bait in his fall arsenal is the old school Tail Spinner. “When the water temp gets close to 50 degrees, pull this thing out and hang on!” Using the same setup as the blade bait – Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod with 10-12-pound fluorocarbon – Livesay will work both the tail spinner and the blade bait the same and then alternate baits while working a school of fish.
“I make a long cast past the school of fish, let the bait hit the bottom and slow roll it through the fish while making small rod pumps.
“I make a long cast past the school of fish, let the bait hit the bottom and slow roll it through the fish while making small rod pumps.” He reels it back to the boat on a semi-slack line. “Most of your strikes will happen as the bait falls back to the bottom.”
For big fish tactics, it only makes sense to use a big bait. Livesay isn’t afraid to toss around a big piece of metal when the temperatures begin to drop. “One of my favorite big fish fall baits is the flutter spoon.” Big baits call for big gear. “The Halo TT 7-foot, 6-inch medium heavy action rod, Bruin Outdoors high-speed reel and 17-pound fluorocarbon does the trick.”
For big fish tactics, it only makes sense to use a big bait. Livesay isn’t afraid to toss around a big piece of metal when the temperatures begin to drop. “One of my favorite big fish fall baits is the flutter spoon.” Big baits call for big gear. “The Halo TT 7-foot, 6-inch medium heavy action rod, Bruin Outdoors high-speed reel and 17-pound fluorocarbon does the trick.”
“Find schools on offshore structure with your Humminbird electronics and throw the spoon right into the schools. Once it hits the bottom, if nothing ate it on the fall, rip the spoon up off the bottom with your rod all the way to the 12 o'clock position, then let the bait fall on a semi slack line back to the bottom. Your bites will come on the fall every time.”
“Find schools on offshore structure with your Humminbird electronics and throw the spoon right into the schools. Once it hits the bottom, if nothing ate it on the fall, rip the spoon up off the bottom with your rod all the way to the 12 o’clock position, then let the bait fall on a semi slack line back to the bottom. Your bites will come on the fall every time.”
Similar to the underspin setup earlier in his top 10, Livesay also likes to throw a smaller swimbait and jig head without the extra flash. “The Netbait Little Spanky on a plain head is a smaller profile bait than the underspin set up but is still a fish-catching machine during the fall months. I keep it simple with colors and reach for colors with shad hues.”
Similar to the underspin setup earlier in his top 10, Livesay also likes to throw a smaller swimbait and jig head without the extra flash. “The Netbait Little Spanky on a plain head is a smaller profile bait than the underspin set up but is still a fish-catching machine during the fall months. I keep it simple with colors and reach for colors with shad hues.”
Like the others, Livesay will mix the smaller Netbait in his arsenal during the fall and even into the winter. “Throw this little guy anywhere you want to — deep, shallow, grass and rock, it doesn't really matter. I pair this with a Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod and High-Seas 12-pound line.
Like the others, Livesay will mix the smaller Netbait in his arsenal during the fall and even into the winter. “Throw this little guy anywhere you want to — deep, shallow, grass and rock, it doesn’t really matter. I pair this with a Halo TI 7-foot medium action rod and High-Seas 12-pound line.
“Everyone loves a good topwater bite, and the fall is prime time for topwater fishing and schooling activity.” Even when he isn’t tossing the topwater all day long, it is nice and handy when the opportunity calls. “Keep your eyes open for visual activity whether it's bait or bass busting bait this time of year. Regardless of what bait I am throwing, I always have a topwater handy if something starts busting.”
“Everyone loves a good topwater bite, and the fall is prime time for topwater fishing and schooling activity.” Even when he isn’t tossing the topwater all day long, it is nice and handy when the opportunity calls. “Keep your eyes open for visual activity whether it’s bait or bass busting bait this time of year. Regardless of what bait I am throwing, I always have a topwater handy if something starts busting.”
The topwater setup is a Halo TI 7-foot medium heavy rod, a Bruin Outdoors casting reel and 50-pound braided line.
The topwater setup is a Halo TI 7-foot medium heavy rod, a Bruin Outdoors casting reel and 50-pound braided line.
Last but not least is another big bait for big fall bass. “When you are looking for one giant bite, pull the big swimbait out. Livesay reaches for a 316 Bait Company Rising Sun swimbait.
Last but not least is another big bait for big fall bass. “When you are looking for one giant bite, pull the big swimbait out. Livesay reaches for a 316 Bait Company Rising Sun swimbait.
“I am going to be throwing this bait over shallow points, across shell beds and along grass lines. I need a big rod and prefer the Halo TI 7-foot, 11-inch heavy action rod and and 20-pound line.
“I am going to be throwing this bait over shallow points, across shell beds and along grass lines. I need a big rod and prefer the Halo TI 7-foot, 11-inch heavy action rod and and 20-pound line.
A big part of Livesay’s game is utilizing his Humminbird units. Whether he is shallow or deep, he always has his eyes on his screens. <p> Thanks again, Lee, for showing us your top 10 fall baits.
A big part of Livesay’s game is utilizing his Humminbird units. Whether he is shallow or deep, he always has his eyes on his screens.

Thanks again, Lee, for showing us your top 10 fall baits.

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