Page 54 - Lady Bass Anglers Digital Magazine July 2023

ATTACKING A LAKE IN THE HEAT OF

SUMMER

We would all probably agree that fishing in the summer can be challenging. If for no other reason than it is really hot!
Fishing in the summer can be just as fun and fulfilling as any other time of year on the water if you plan your attack
understanding the conditions and taking care of yourself.

Your trip out on the water needs to begin with planning to take care of yourself. Apply your sunscreen and start
hydrating the day before. Pack plenty of water and other drinks to replace lost electrolytes. Snacks or food is also a plus if
you are going to be out for a long time. Now that this has been covered, let’s dive into the fishing.

In the heat of summer, the wind can help with keeping you cool but also breaking up and stirring up the water. When
water gets pushed around by the wind, it helps to position the bait and that can help you target and find fish. Understand
that summer fishing can mean throwing the kitchen sink because the conditions can be at their toughest. Be willing to
explore all of the possibilities available on your body of water. Investigate grass, rocks, lay-downs, brush-piles and docks
if they are available. Look for bass shallow, deep and in between.

Depending on your skills, you can throw crank-baits, swim-jigs, chatter-
baits, jigs, Texas rigs, big top-water baits, buzz-baits, frogs, ploppers,
Carolina rigs, skakey head and drop shot can all come into play. Regardless,
an angler needs to be able to fish the various depths at which fish could be
holding throughout the day.

First thing in the morning during those low light conditions, fish your
shallow structure that is visible. and is a high percentage target along with
being much easier to fish than structure and cover that you can’t see. The
biggest key to this is the presence of bait-fish. As long as you have bait-fish
shallow, there is always going to be the opportunity to catch a big one. Big
fish are notorious for wanting big easy meals so consider throwing those big top-water baits and swim-baits to increase
your likelihood of a big one early in the day.

Something to look for when throwing top-waters in
the summertime are pockets with drains that are the
deepest. Even in summer fish use these as highways. As
the sun gets up and it begins to heat up, fish will begin
to transition off of the deep edges. The pockets with the
deepest drains give you the greatest opportunity to find
fish throughout the day..

As the top-water dies
off, begin looking for
other structural features
like rocks, lay-downs and brush-piles. This is when your bottom baits can be the most
effective. Look to your jigs, Texas rigs, drop-shots, shakey heads and Carolina rigs
presentations.

Another consideration if you have a little bit of wind is to throw moving baits across
windblown points and humps. This is especially key if you have a creek-bend or river
channel that comes in close to that point. Once again, having bait-fish in the vicinity is
key along with a great transitional area for bass to move up and down the various depths.
54 Lady Bass Anglers Association Attacking a Lake in Summer Heat