Make the fall adjustment for heavy-jigging success

Are you one of the members of the warm-waters fraternity?

If so, you may be the kind of person who depends upon the so-called instructional manuals - how-to, and where-to - when it comes to using specific lure to catch fish.

And when October rolls around, you and countless others may refuse to abide by the conventional wisdom that the lakes have turned over and fishing, as we know it today, has "gone to sleep."

Because I've learned from the best, all I can tell you right now is a tactic others have been willing to share with me that results in catching lots of largemouth and smallmouth bass.

In a recent column I briefly explained a heavy-cover technique using 1-ounce jigs to bust through heavy matted, tightly weaved cover that at first glance appears to be choking off sunlight from reaching deeper water.

The heavy jig tactic came from two separate bass anglers on Lake Fork, Texas.

Now, I'm looking forward to October, the time when lots of locals read magazines extolling the virtues of using this or that line and "special-for-2016" rods with built-in chlotronic, bi-polorolid tungsten fibers baked, shredded, and laminated into the blank for extra sensitivity.

The various glossy mags will tell you what state has the feistiest striped bass while another publication will try and offer unbiased reviews on lures for next year that may bring you success and happiness, and perhaps some fresh lotus blossoms.

Of course, some of you with lots of discretionary income will purchase almost anything that glitters and comes packaged with a chartreuse body and a hook large enough to help recover your boat when you try to get it back on the trailer.

Anyway, the late-season tactic, the one passed along to me by many gurus, is about location and presentation. Its lack of glamor should not deter you.

For example, Bangs Lake in Wauconda. Good chance you will probably not experience the jet-ski syndrome now, with the crazy and often reckless operators if you're on that body of water. The same could be said of Lake Catherine on the Fox Chain.

You will want to look for weed edges, and the outside edge in particular.

Remember that heavy jig I recently explained? Well now I'm suggesting downsizing your jig to maybe ⅜-ounce and tip it with a 2- or 3-inch plastic worm or some other small lifelike critter.

At 8-pound or 10-pound test line, you should be all fine. Drop the rig down the outside "wall" of weeds and allow it sink to the bottom.

Work this outside edge as far as it goes, maintaining the same depth reading. I've been taught that "helicoptering" the jig up and down alongside the weed wall is a triggering aspect that often draws bass out from the inside cover and over to your jig.

The other possibility in the lure department is a ⅜-ounce spinnerbait. Try different colors until you hit pay dirt.

This time out I'll stay away from live bait, simply to eliminate bluegill bites.

And I could also have a rod rigged with a Little Action Mac worm as well. Here's a lure favorite that corkscrews through the water, either in a horizontal as well as an up and down vertical presentation.

Granted, aggressive bites may not come in waves like in the warmer days. But they can and will happen.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.