Page 14 - Lady Bass Anglers Digital Magazine July 2023
P. 14
Summer Bass Fishing
Before we get into some fishing options, let’s look at
Fishing in the summer months has it’s own unique
challenges. Anglers are facing more boat and ways an angler can take care of their fish they catch
watercraft activity on the water as well as increasing during those hot summer months and offer up some
temperatures. While these are not necessarily bad tips. First, all live wells have overflow tubes. Take a
things, they are things to contend with. Tournament pool noodle and cut it so that you can plug those
anglers now have to really pay close attention to fish overflows. Next first thing in the morning, drop
care, staying hydrated, staying cool and protecting
their skin from the harsh rays of the sun. One
question I am asked frequently relates to where bass
move to during the summer months. It is a great
question but not one that has a straightforward
absolute answer. So, I equate bass to people. Some
people live in the city, some in the suburbs and some
in rural areas. More people are active outside during
the cooler times of the day and when the sun is not so a bag of ice the live-well and then fill it. You don’t
bright and burning down on you. Fish are much like want to freeze the fish, but you do want them to
this. You will find some fish in shallow waters, some in be comfortable. Remember, the water temps in the
deep water in pockets and creeks while, some move morning are a cool as they will be all day. Another
out to the main lake. Regardless, they need oxygen thing is to freeze some bottles of
and a food supply. Deep is a relative term. Once the water and place them in a cooler.
thermocline sets up on impoundments, fish will not Remember to remove the labels.
go below the thermocline. Thermoclines typically Later in the day, you can drop
do not exist on river systems because of the regular one or two of these in th e live-
movement of water through the system. All that well to help with keeping the
being said, you can find fish as pretty much any depth water cooler throughout the day.
As you catch and put fish in the
live-well, remember to put your
preferred fish care additive in the
water. These additives help calm
the fish and keep the natural body slip in place. It is
medicated! Next, run the aerator on manual vs timed.
This means it will be pumping air into the system
constantly throughout the day.
It can be very taxing on your
battery so make sure you are
fully charged. Also consider
during the summer. Yes, they do tend to be deeper as
that water tends to be cooler and hold more oxygen. NOT placing culling clips on
If your lake has grasses such as hydrilla and milfoil your fish, except for maybe
or other vegetation such as Lilly pads, you will tend your smallest fish. I know this
to find fish around those shallower pieces of cover. may be controversial, but it
Remember, if the lake is clear, grasses such as hydrilla may help reduce the stress
and milfoil can grow in deeper water. In any case, on the fish. Check your fish
there has to be a consistent food supply to hold fish. frequently so that if you have a
Find the food, and find the fish They will either be fish that is struggling you can
there or very near by. deal with it. Now, that may
14 Lady Bass Anglers Association Summer Bass Fishing
