It doesn’t matter that much if you’re fishing a giant Southern reservoir or a natural Northern lake, it’s hot out there. Even though we’re experiencing a relatively cool summer, it still can be sweltering above and below the waterline. The bright sun and hot water push bass to cooler, shaded areas, current funnels or as deep as they’ll be all year. Here are three spots you can check if you insist on fishing the big lake during late summer.
Shade
A bass’s eyes are sensitive, and super warm water (anything over 80 degrees) makes them uncomfortable, so just like any living thing it finds the coolest, safest, most-comfortable spot and waits out the heat. Bass will eat during the day, but usually stay quite lethargic.
boat dock
Two sometimes-productive shady areas are marina docks and grass mats. Productive docks feature maximum shade and ample depth and cover. Bass will suspend under the docks and conserve energy, but can be caught on a variety of baits skipped up under the platforms and into the corners of boat docks.
Three lures for skipping under the docks or pitching to the corners cover top to bottom: Hollow-body frogs like the BOOYAH Pad Crashers cover the top and skip easily under the floors. For bass that won’t hit the top, a slow-sinking plastic like the YUM Dinger skips well and works the mid-depths for suspending fish. A traditional jig-and-trailer doesn’t skip as well as the two mentioned previously, but are the best you can get for flipping and pitching to corners or other promising-looking spots. They’re great for working bottom cover anglers often use to attract crappie.
By Lawrence Taylor
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