When the air and water temperatures of summer reach bath water temperatures, most anglers decide to stay away from the heavy boat traffic and hot, churning waters. They simply leave large impoundments to the multitudes of summer fun seekers. The bass, however, have become accustomed to the commotion and the warmer water, and they actually employ these phenomenons of summer to their advantage.
“Fish react positively to things that occur in their environment,” said bass researcher Doug Hannon. “It’s the only productive way for them, especially if it’s a non-threatening thing like boat traffic or warmer water. The first exposure to something different might spook the fish, but after they become acclimated to it and find that it’s not a threat, they try to use the change favorably by making the best of bad thing. The whole flux of natural activity is always generated to the positive. Unlike the way people think, fish are basically optimistic. Fishermen may let boat traffic or hot water intimidates them, but you can bet the bass will make something good out of it.”
The first key to productive summer bass fishing is to concentrate one’s efforts in the best areas and use the proper equipment. Except for bass that live in the shoals of the upper rivers, as a general rule, the bass in the lake are much more predictable and seem to have heartier appetites during the much warmer summer months.
The intricate underwater structures still makes a Texas rigged worm a prime lure for deep summer bass. To be successful, however, one must change to lighter line and smaller worms. Anything in the 6 to 10 pound test range is fine, but light to medium spinning tackle with 8 pound test line is the ideal combination. Match that with a six-foot medium-action graphite spinning rod and a light or ultra-light open-faced spinning reel like Doug Hannon’s smaller Wave Spin, and you’re in business. The longer lighter rod allows a better feel, has more leverage, and enough give on a big fish so that it won’t break the line when setting the hook or fighting a fish close to the boat.
Unlike worms used earlier in the year, which might appear to be snakes or eels, a summer worm should appear to a bass as a sick or wounded shad. To accomplish this, utilize smaller shad-like and shad colored worms.
The actual rig consists of a 3/16th ounce sliding sinker, followed by a #8 green, chartreuse or pearl colored plastic bead, with a #1 or #1/0, 95JL Eagle Claw worm hook tied to the end of the line with a palomar knot. This knot leaves a doubled line across the rubbing surface of the hook-eye for more strength. The worm is then threaded on the hook in the normal “Texas” weedless style. In lieu of this rig, try a standard drop-shot method. To be effective, the structure must be marked properly with a buoy marker.
The type of structures that produce the best bass fishing during the hot summer months are points or underwater ridges near the main river or creek channels. It’s necessary that these points have something on them that breaks up the normal slope. The difference could be natural trees or brush, man-made brush piles, rock formations, a stump field, or a combination of these things. The “magic depth” is usually somewhere between 15 and 25 feet. Many anglers try to fish much deeper, but it should be noted that black bass rarely venture below the thermocline, which is usually around 35 to 40 feet at most lakes during summer.
When a point or ridge is located in the proper depth containing a structure that breaks up the natural slope, drop a buoy marker near the middle of the thickest part. Instead of backing away to cast towards the marker, hold the boat with the trolling motor over the top of the underwater object. Drop the worm vertically into the structure until it reaches the bottom. Sometimes a strike will come as soon as the worm settles. If not, raise it up enough to clear the obstruction and move it over a foot or two, keeping the line tight at all times. Most strikes come after the worm has been moved and has settled back to the bottom, but not always, so be alert!
Find a dozen or so spots like the ones referred to above, and spend 10 to 15 minutes on each one, then hit them again later. Even the ones that produce fish will play out after about 15 minutes.
Naturally circumstances change, and though the approach and lures are quite different, knowledgeable anglers always find ways to catch bass under any conditions. To become a complete bass fisherman, one must overcome the sense that occurrences uncomfortable or unnatural to the angler are also detrimental to bass. Therefore, high water temperatures, direct sunlight and record-setting boat traffic are no reason to quit fishing during the hot days of summer. If the bass are there, a method can be devised to catch them!
Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-289-1543, at JFish51@aol.com, or at his web site: www.fishinglanier.com