Al Lindner and bait designer Mark Fisher use the best search bait bass lure to go on the prowl for post-turnover bass.
The Fall Turnover: Challenge or Opportunity?
Every autumn, cooling nights flip lakes on their heads—literally. The surface water sinks, oxygen rushes through the entire column, and for a brief window fish seem to scatter. Many anglers dread this “turnover,” but it only lasts a few days. Once the mix is complete and temperatures settle in the upper-50 °F range, bass and walleyes strap on the feedbag. The key is mobility: today’s hotspot can be empty tomorrow, so success hinges on covering water quickly and efficiently.
Why Fish Become Nomadic Post-Turnover
With oxygen uniform from surface to bottom, largemouth, smallmouth, and walleyes can roam anywhere they choose—deep, shallow, or suspended in between. Successful anglers keep moving, cycling through spots and elevations until they intersect active fish. Electronics shorten the search, but lure choice still decides who gets bit first. That’s where “search baits” come in.
Search Baits: The Ultimate Fall Scouting Tools
Lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swim v, and soft-plastic boot-tail swimbaits all let you cast-and-crank, rinse-and-repeat across huge flats or rocky breaks. For sheer versatility, a boottail swimbait tops the list. Its thumping tail speaks to a predator’s lateral line in stained water, while its sleek, natural profile fools sight-feeders in crystal-clear conditions.
Introducing the Storm 360 GT Searchbait
Rapala lure designer Mark Fisher joined legendary angler Al Lindner to showcase a new generation of boot-tails: the Storm 360 GT. Its engineering goes far beyond a molded body:
- Weighted, lifelike head – not traditional lead, but plastic-encapsulated weight with a built-in rattle for acoustic attraction.
- 60-degree extended line-tie – helps the bait track true on fast retrieves or slow rolls.
- 3-D holographic eyes and high-definition paint – match-the-hatch realism for clear water.
- Hand-in-glove collar – locks the body to the head so it never slips on savage hits.
Fish it “right out of the package,” or tinker to taste—either way, you’ll cover water faster and hook more bass.
Water Clarity Dictates Color and Size
Lindner and Fisher moved from a stained-water largemouth lake to a clear-water smallmouth system specifically to illustrate this point. In clearer water they downsized and smoothed out patterns to mirror resident baitfish. In tannic or murky lakes, brighter hues and exaggerated contrast help fish zero in on the thumping tail.
Rigging Options for Any Depth or Cover
| Situation | Preferred Hardware | Swimbait Size | Rod & Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finesse / open water | VMC Half-Moon jig (¹⁄₁₆–¼ oz) | 3.5–4″ Big Bite Swimming Jerk Minnow or Cane Thumper | ML–M spinning, 10 lb braid + 10 lb fluorocarbon leader |
| Mid-depth roaming fish | VMC Boxer, Flat Shad, or Swimbait jig (⅛–1 oz) | 5–7″ Suicide Shad or 5″ Cane Thumper | MH baitcaster, 17–20 lb fluoro |
| Heavy weeds / wood | VMC weighted swimbait hook (unpegged or keel-weighted) | 4–6″ boot-tail | H baitcaster, 50 lb braid |
Soft plastics with an ultra-thin tail hinge and a tail that rides higher than the body line generate vibration even at a crawl—crucial when chasing neutral, post-turnover fish.
Electronics: Pattern Faster, Fish Longer
Before wetting a line, Lindner inserts a HUMMINBIRD SmartStrike™ card into his HELIX unit, selects the target lake, then filters by:
- Species (smallmouth, walleye)
- Season (late-fall)
- Structure (points, breaks, rock)
SmartStrike highlights every spot matching those parameters—an instant milk-run. Once a fish bites, he refines the search and the map updates in real time, revealing similar haunts across the lake. With i-Pilot Spot-Lock, the boat stays pinned while both anglers fan-cast the sweet-spot from every angle.
Simplicity, Durability, and the Joy of Fall Fishing
As Al Lindner and Mark Fisher continued their autumn angling adventure, one theme became crystal clear: simplicity is often the key to success. Across multiple lakes and varying conditions, one bait proved effective over and over—the Storm 360 GT Searchbait. The duo experimented with different sizes, alternating between 3½ and 4½-inch models, and consistently found success.
But what truly stood out was the durability of this soft plastic boot-tail swimbait. In contrast to typical soft plastics that tear after just a fish or two, the 360 GT maintained its action and structural integrity through multiple hookups—especially impressive given its thin, high-vibration tail section. It’s rare to find a swimbait that combines this level of action with ruggedness.
Targeting Fall Hot Spots: High Spots and Troughs
The lake structure they fished featured shallow flats dotted with high spots—ridges and humps averaging 5 feet deep, surrounded by troughs dropping to 8–10 feet. These transition zones held fish in both locations: aggressive ones perched on top, with the occasional trophy lurking in the deeper bowls between.
Using GPS, they efficiently hopscotched from high spot to high spot, dialing in on the productive zones. And with spot-lock technology, they could make pinpoint casts without losing boat position—even in 40 mph gusts.
Balanced Gear for the Job
Fishing a simple swimbait may sound easy, but optimal performance requires balanced gear. Here’s the loadout Al and Mark recommend:
For 3½-inch GT Searchbait:
- Rod: St. Croix Bass X 6’8” Medium Power, Extra Fast Action (spinning)
- Reel: Daiwa Revros 2500
- Line: 10 lb Sufix 832 braid with a 10 lb fluorocarbon leader
For 4½ to 5½-inch Searchbaits:
- Rod: St. Croix Bass X 7’1” Medium Heavy Power, Fast Action (baitcasting)
- Reel: Daiwa Cthulhu 8.1
- Line: 14 lb Sufix fluorocarbon
These setups are purpose-built but affordable, making high-performance accessible to weekend warriors and seasoned anglers alike. St. Croix’s mission—to deliver premium quality at a consumer-friendly price—is evident in every cast.
Midwestern Resilience and the Joy of Simplicity
Even in brutal wind, they fished on. That’s the Midwest mindset: when fall rolls in and weather turns sour, the dedicated go out anyway. Wrapped in windproof gear and backed by finely tuned equipment, Al and Mark embraced the cold and wind for what it was—an invitation to enjoy God’s creation and the beauty of fall bass fishing.
Their approach was refreshingly straightforward:
- Keep your tackle minimal.
- Use a high-quality search bait.
- Move frequently.
- Cast, wind, and enjoy.
The reward? Big smallmouth, chunky largemouth, and a few bonus walleyes. Plus, countless laughs, lunches in the boat, and quality time spent exploring lakes that glow with the colors of autumn.
Faith, Friendship, and the Bigger Picture
As the trip wound down, Al shared a touching reflection from a Bassmaster article titled “Figures of Faith”—a reminder that fishing, like life, often hinges on belief. Whether it’s faith in your gear, your knowledge, or a higher power, trusting the process matters.
Coach Bobby Knight, though not overtly spiritual, once said athletes should celebrate the gifts they’ve been given and the work they’ve put in. Al echoed that sentiment: do your best, pray, and leave the rest to God. Sometimes success means a limit of bass; sometimes, it means accepting that there’s another plan in motion—one better than we imagined.
“Do your best, pray, and leave the rest to God. That first part—do your best—is an important part.” —Al Lindner
Final Thoughts: A Trip to Remember
For Al and Mark, fall is more than a season—it’s a ritual. Every year, they reconnect, test new baits, share insights from across the fishing world, and refine ideas they later pass on to us. The Storm 360 GT Searchbait is one such result, a culmination of innovation, collaboration, and countless casts.
“Fishing is more than catching fish. It’s time spent enjoying good company and God’s great outdoors. But if you can do all three, it’s a win-win-win.”
Until Next Time…
Thanks for joining us on this journey. Remember to keep it simple, stay curious, and never stop exploring new waters. Whether you’re chasing bass, swapping stories, or just soaking in the crisp fall air, enjoy every moment.
