As summer winds down and fall begins to rear its head, anglers begin to see bass transition from lethargic to active. It is this time when you could tangle with some of the largest bass of the year, and these bass are on the prowl. In the early fall, with water temperatures dropping, but not too cold to slow the fish down, finesse fishing can be a fun way to target the big ones. KastKing has multiple great reels, including baitcasters and spinning models, along with several rod options that will surely increase your odds while bass fishing on finesse gear this fall. Let's get started with a few bass fishing tips that will aid in your success this fall.

Fall Finesse Bass Fishing Tips

The first item in hand is going to be what I should throw when fall bass fishing on the finesse side of things. For one, understand that finesse is just that – smaller and lighter lures, but that doesn't always mean smaller and lighter fish. I have personally had bass over 5 pounds using 6-pound test mono and a 1/16 ounce hair jig. Below is a quick pick guide to what will score bass in the fall while finesse fishing. You will want to keep your lures under 1/4 ounce for the most part.Smaller lures and the combo of either the SFS or BFS Kestrel reels will make your fall bass fishing complete.

Recommended Lures

• 1/32 to 1/8 ounce hair jigs

• Small 1/4 ounce jigs with small trailer

• Rapala Ultra-Light Shad – 1/8 ounce

• Hula Popper – 3/16 ounce

• Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Work and 1/8 ounce tungsten weight

• 1/8 to 1/4 ounce Spoons or Kastmaster style tins

Where to Start?

As fall approaches bass will be feeding on just about anything, but will be looking for a "good" meal. What I have found while finesse fishing the fall is to target areas with smaller baits where there are larger baitfish. For example, fish areas where bluegill or shad appear. In doing this, even though you are fishing smaller baits, bass will still attack your offering as it will be slower and appear as an easy target.

Productive Fall Bass Fishing Locations

• Shallow banks close to drop-offs

• Edges of lily pads

• Weed lines

• Submerged timber

In all the areas you work, make sure you either have the ability to keep the fish out of the "junk" or the ability to move closer via boat, waders etc. to land the fish. One of the keys I have found when finesse bass fishing is to use a slightly heavier leader, and make sure that as I get close the line connection between my 6-pound braid to 10-pound leader makes it onto the spool. For this I will use a leader of at least 10-15 feet.

KastKing Kestrel BFS Combo

BFS (Bait Finesse System) reels are typically on the higher end of the price spectrum, especially among JDM brands. This can discourage anglers who are curious about finesse fishing but are hesitant to make a big investment. The Kestrel BFS Combo was created to solve this problem, offering true bait finesse performance at a much more accessible price point.

For anglers looking to explore BFS fishing, the KastKing Kestrel BFS Combo is a great choice. The combo pairs a rod and reel that are perfectly matched and balanced, providing a smooth, precise casting experience while remaining approachable for those new to the style.The Kestrel BFS Reel included in this combo is incredibly lightweight at just 4.5 oz. It is specifically designed for casting light lures with precision and control. The shallow feather spool (5.6 g) and FAF magnetic braking system help dramatically reduce backlash, which is particularly useful for anglers refining their finesse casting skills.

With this setup, anglers can enjoy the precision, smoothness, and excitement of finesse baitcasting without spending a fortune. For those seeking a high-performance BFS experience that is accessible and easy to handle, the Kestrel BFS Combo delivers exceptional value and performance right out of the box.

Kestrel Elite Magnesium Frame BFS Finesse Baitcasting Reel

In speaking with anglers that use the KastKing Kestrel Elite BFS, it is no surprise they feel this is a high end, quality BFS reel. This reel is built like a tank, weighs next to nothing and will easily put a hurting on any big fall bass you may encounter. I use this reel to throw 1/16 ounce pegged worms in the early fall while finesse fishing. The reel is super light, strong as an ox, and casts well. Check out the specifications and you will see what makes this finesse fishing bass reel so great.

Key Features

• Lightest on the market – 4.4 ounces

• Compact size

• FAF (Flyout Arc Finesse) Braking system was designed specifically for finesse fishing – reduces backlash issues

• Shallow feather spool weighs only 5.6 grams

• LFTV (Low Friction Tapered Vortex) Line Guide

• Less than 5 ounces!

• Hard anodized aluminum and linked to a 100 percent brass pinion gear

• External fingertip brake adjustment dial for fine tuning spool speeds for smaller baits

KastKing Kestrel 1000 SFS Carbon Body Spinning Reel

Moving to the spinning side of things the Kestrel 1000 SFS is just as light and strong as any around and a perfect bait finesse reel. At only 4.6 ounces and made from a full carbon fiber frame along with maximum use of 7075 and 6061 aluminum components are what keeps the weight down. Pair this reel with a Speed Demon Tube rod and you have a great fishing combo

Specifications

• 6.2:1 Gear ratio

• 10-pounds of available drag

• The patented spool makes for less friction due to its dual lip design

• Powerfully built

• Carbon fiber drag washers

• 7075 aluminum main shaft and 2014 aluminum drive gear

• Solid brass pinion gear, and a shallow cut CNC 6061 aluminum braid-ready spool

• Double sliding stabilizer rods (D.S.S.R.), an aluminum main gear and brass pinion gear as well as a direct drive aluminum handle

Kestrel Finesse Fishing Rods

For finesse fishing, KastKing has got you covered with the ultra-lightweight Kestrel Finesse series of fishing rods. With models for BFS and SFS, you can easily find one that fits your style. These are top notch rods made with style and performance in mind. Hi end components and build make them a great finesse bass fishing rod, which will match up to the Kestrel BFS and 1000 SFS reels.

Features

• IM8 ultra-high modulus graphite blanks rolled under extreme pressure with Nano resins

• American Tackle Ti forged guides with aluminum oxide Duralight rings

• American Tackle VIBE2 Reel seats

• Designed for easy casting of ultra-light baits in tight spaces

• Carbon Fiber fighting butt and fore grip, along with the custom EVA handles, and thin blanks provide a rod that is unbelievably light in hand, perfect for true BFS and SFS techniques.

Final Thoughts

Fall finesse bass fishing is a ton of fun. Anglers can target some really big bass, or just have a blast trying to land mid-size fish on light line, small lures and with "finesse". I urge any bass fan out there to give finesse fishing a shot, and KastKing's Kestrel series of rods and reels is surely going to make it easy.