Summer Bass Fishing: Tips and Tricks for Success
The summer is quickly approaching, which means it's time to dust off the boat and get ready for some great bass fishing. The warmer weather means more fish will be biting, so now is a perfect time to learn about what makes them bite better in the summer months.
It is important to fish at dawn and dusk and to choose the correct depth and lure color in the summer months. These are the times of day when the sun is not so hot and bass begin to feed.
As summer approaches, bass tend to move into shallower waters. They will congregate around structures such as docks, rocks, and weeds to stay cool undercover and chase their prey.
Fishing in summer can be enjoyable. The goal is to catch as many fish as possible, like always.
This blog post will help with that and share some great summer bass fishing tips for catching those big ones during the summer months.
Bass are very predictable on hot days
On hot days, bass head right for the shade. You can have a huge lake that suddenly only has a few viable fishing locations with enough shade.
If you find a good shade, you find many big bass holding in the key locations.
Bass search cover after the spawning season, which was in the spring. They are hunting the little prey in the shallow cover.
Summer Bass Fishing Tips
As the water temperature starts to rise in the summer, bass begin to look for cover. It is very common for them to move into shoreline structures such as reeds, docks, and rocky banks at this time of year.
Bass are hungry, but they need to conserve energy during the hot summer months. Typically their metabolism slows down when temperatures rise above 85 degrees F.
Below are my tips for summer bass fishing.
Find cover
Once you have found those potential places to cast, pay attention to the time of day. Bass will head for cover as soon as it begins to get too hot.
The hotter the day, the more likely you are to find bass in shade and cover.
Know the Best Times of the Day
Bass will bite during the middle of the day, but you need to fish very tight to shade or try to fish deeper to get them to bite.
Bass bite from dawn until 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset until dusk.
They will begin to feed aggressively when the sun goes down.
When fishing shallow, look for a structure that offers shade, like under a dock.
Night fishing is also a great option in the summer, it's cool for the bass, and their appetite increases.
If you're interested in catching bass at specific times of the day, make sure to read this article about the best time for bass fishing in each season.
Your best bet for shallow water action is to fish the hours just before sunrise and after sunset. This is because Smallmouth tend to be extra aggressive in the evenings.
Hungry bass avoiding the shallow water heat will charge in when water temps get in the mid-70s. However, if you are fishing early, the water temperatures have dropped overnight, and bass will be lingering near the edges of shallows to get some warmth.
Choose the Best Depth to Fish in the Summer
Knowing where bass are at certain times of day will help you catch more of them.
Bass move around a lot during summer, so it is important to keep an eye on your thermometer and know where they are likely to be at certain times of the day.
Bass tend to hang out in shallower water at a cooler time of the day. Therefore, dawn and dusk is the perfect time to target bass in the shallow waters.
Trying to catch summer bass during the hottest part of the day can be a challenge.
Bass go deeper during the hottest times of the day to stay cooler. So target them deeper or in very shaded areas during the summer midday heat.
Fish Thoroughly
Bass can be finicky in the summer months due to high and sudden temperature changes. So don't be afraid to switch it up.
It's always smart to fish multiple areas and thoroughly cover the area before moving on.
Sometimes feeding activity from one fish can fire up a school of fish, and it convinces the other fish to feed.
Have patience and be persistent. Eventually, you will land that big bass you have been waiting for.
Bass Don't Eat Much in Hotter Weather
As the temperatures rise, bass do not eat as much. This is because oxygen levels are lower in hotter water. As a result, their metabolism slows down, which means they can't feed as much or hunt with the same intensity.
If you want to catch them when they are feeding more aggressively, try fishing at colder times of the day or night.
Most bass fishing experts agree that big fish bite better during the coldest hours of the day in the summer months.
It's still possible to have a successful days fishing when it's the hottest time of the day, but you have to be more direct and have a good game plan.
Best Summer Bass Lures & Bait
Choosing the correct summer bass fishing lures can be tricky. There are a lot of factors involved in summer fishing. When bass are finicky, picking out the correct bait could be the difference between success or not.
You can try some plastics, preferring brighter colors or whites like a shad, try and wait for the water to start to cool.
Post spawn in the summer months, bass feed on small fish like sunfish and bluegills. So try and match your lure to similar shapes, sizes, and colors of the bass's prey.
I find topwater baits are very good at the cooler parts of the day, but some of the other lures that do well for me in summer mornings and evenings are spinnerbaits, jerk baits, and buzzy topwater lures.
Best Summer Lure for Fishing Deep
I use a deep-diving crankbait in the hottest time of the day.
It allows me to get deep in the water where the bass will be hiding out to stay cool from the midday sun.
They tend to go deeper and stay there until the sun goes down, so you'll need a lure that can reach these areas.
Using split shot weights is also a great way for you to weigh your bait down to the deeper, cooler waters in the summer.
I like to use a split shot weight about 2 feet above my bait.
Best Bass Rigs for Summer Fishing
Fishing rigs are a great way to catch more fish in the summer. It gives you better control and makes your fishing presentation more efficient.
You really can't go wrong with rigging with worms, senkos, or monster baits in the summer.
Test out various rigs to explore your options and try to find one that works best for you.
I have had great success with Carolina-rigged worms in the summer. It's a brilliant all round rig that works great under many circumstances.
You can learn all about my favorite types of rigs and how to set them up in this article: The 6 Best Bass Fishing Rigs
Try Live Bait in the Summer
Live bait is a great way to keep your bait away from the sun.
Minnows and shiners are great bait for the summer bass but don't use too much weight and let your bait swim.
Live bait will be good for dusk and dawn when the weather is cooler, but you can switch to artificial.
Live bait is fantastic for targeting big bass and will help you catch bigger fish during the summer months. Just make sure that your live bait bucket stays cool and shaded.
Also, check on the rules and regulations for your area on the use of live bait. Ensuring that it's legal to use live bait will protect you from fines if you are found using them when you shouldn't be.
Summer Bass Fishing At Night
Most bass anglers ignore the fact that bass fishing at night in the summer months can be really successful and fun.
The weather is cooler at night, and the bass become more active when the hot daytime temperature drops in the summer.
The nighttime comes with its own challenges, but it can be a worthwhile time if the water is warm in the summer.
Summer night fishing a totally different experience from day fishing. But, every fisher should definitely try it once.
All that boat traffic you face during the daytime won't be there after dark. So it can be very peaceful.
I believe it's one of the most relaxing bass fishing things you can do during the warmer months.
Final Thoughts
Summer bass fishing can be tricky, but it can become much more enjoyable once you learn a few tricks.
The heat of the day can make fishing a real struggle for bass anglers, but it doesn't have to be that way.
When it's scorching, try to fish the shallows in the morning and evening. Bass will feed more at the colder times of the day.
Fish deeper in the water when the sun is at its highest and the weather is hottest.
Just take the time to learn some new tips and tricks to adapt your fishing style, and you will catch more fish in the summer months.
I hope my summer bass fishing tips will help you catch more big bass in the warmer months.
Good luck with your summertime bass fishing endeavors.
Peter
