We all love summer, but it can be one of the most frustrating times of year for us bass fishermen, especially in the South.
Bass will often feed at night, and a full bellied bass is far less likely to hit your bait than a hungry one. So what can we do to get these fish to bite?
Here's some tips that work for me quite a bit during the hot times.
First, remember that bass are not going to move far from cover, and in the heat of the day this cover is going to be 10-20 feet, maybe even more.
Have in your head some locations like deep humps, downed trees, or deep, stumpy points.
Then, remember bass have to eat, but they will feed for shorter periods of time in summer, because the high water temps will cause the fish to use energy much faster.
With this in mind, fish, let's say, a deep hump. No bites there, move on to your next spot. Then the next, but, if you still haven't caught a fish, recall what I said about shorter feeding times. Go back to the locations you began, and fish it again. Chances are good the fish were there when you hit them the first time, but now, they have turned on, and you can catch them.
Try brighter colors. I have seen days when I caught several good fish in high summer on Carolina rigged bubblegum trick worms, in fact, three years I got a nine three on a Texas rigged bubblegum Ole Monster worm in the middle of August.
Try grass beds adjacent to deep water with a floating worm or swim jig worked close to the grass line. Often, bass will cruise to the shade the grass offers and ambush prey.
Also, this is going to sound crazy, but it works. Let's say you find some deep fish suspended over cover, but they show no interest in biting.
Position your boat over the fish, then make all the noise you can! Leave for a time (around 30 minutes) then come back and try them again.
Jay Yelas worked this trick to his advantage at High Rock, catching four nice keepers over deep cover in the Abbott's Creek arm of the lake.
Work downed trees in deep water very slow. Beat the bark off of it if possible, and you may be rewarded with a trophy sized fish.
Cranks and Carolina rigs are my favorite baits for beating these areas, just be sure to smack the cover with your baits, the deflection may trigger a bite.
Try these tricks next time summer has the bass bite slow on your lake, you may get rewarded!
Bass will often feed at night, and a full bellied bass is far less likely to hit your bait than a hungry one. So what can we do to get these fish to bite?
Here's some tips that work for me quite a bit during the hot times.
First, remember that bass are not going to move far from cover, and in the heat of the day this cover is going to be 10-20 feet, maybe even more.
Have in your head some locations like deep humps, downed trees, or deep, stumpy points.
Then, remember bass have to eat, but they will feed for shorter periods of time in summer, because the high water temps will cause the fish to use energy much faster.
With this in mind, fish, let's say, a deep hump. No bites there, move on to your next spot. Then the next, but, if you still haven't caught a fish, recall what I said about shorter feeding times. Go back to the locations you began, and fish it again. Chances are good the fish were there when you hit them the first time, but now, they have turned on, and you can catch them.
Try brighter colors. I have seen days when I caught several good fish in high summer on Carolina rigged bubblegum trick worms, in fact, three years I got a nine three on a Texas rigged bubblegum Ole Monster worm in the middle of August.
Try grass beds adjacent to deep water with a floating worm or swim jig worked close to the grass line. Often, bass will cruise to the shade the grass offers and ambush prey.
Also, this is going to sound crazy, but it works. Let's say you find some deep fish suspended over cover, but they show no interest in biting.
Position your boat over the fish, then make all the noise you can! Leave for a time (around 30 minutes) then come back and try them again.
Jay Yelas worked this trick to his advantage at High Rock, catching four nice keepers over deep cover in the Abbott's Creek arm of the lake.
Work downed trees in deep water very slow. Beat the bark off of it if possible, and you may be rewarded with a trophy sized fish.
Cranks and Carolina rigs are my favorite baits for beating these areas, just be sure to smack the cover with your baits, the deflection may trigger a bite.
Try these tricks next time summer has the bass bite slow on your lake, you may get rewarded!