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How to Catch Bass in Summer: Summer Fishing Strategies

Mike Smith
Mike Smith
—
20/06/2024

As the temperature rises and the days grow longer, summer brings about a unique set of challenges and opportunities for bass fishing enthusiasts. Whether you're an experienced angler or just starting out, understanding the nuances of summer bass fishing can make a significant difference in your success on the water. In this article, we'll explore effective strategies and techniques to help you catch bass during the summer months.

Tips for Finding Bass

During the summer, bass are commonly located beneath overhanging cover, near ledges and drop-offs, close to humps and points, in areas with water currents, and in proximity to dense floating vegetation.

Overhanging Cover

Largemouth bass seek shelter under overhanging cover to escape the summer heat. Look for shaded areas near docks, boathouses, trees, or any structure that provides a cool refuge for the bass.

Shaded water can be up to 10 degrees cooler than sunlit water, offering more oxygen, which is favored by both bass and their prey. These areas also attract small baitfish seeking refuge from avian predators, making them prime locations for bass to hunt.

Ledges and Drop Offs

Search for areas where shallow water abruptly transitions into deeper pools, commonly found in reservoirs. During low light, start fishing from the shallower side, casting into the deeper water and retrieving along the ledge. In bright sunlight, position yourself over the ledge and cast parallel to it, retrieving straight up. Alternatively, fish from deeper water into the shallower area, retrieving down the ledge. Typically, larger bass tend to stay close to the ledge, whether above or below it.

Water Current

Bass strategically position themselves to take advantage of water currents, which bring them food and oxygen without requiring much movement. Some of the largest bass can be found near moving water, particularly in the summer. Even a minor current that can move food makes for an excellent fishing spot.

Dense and Floating Vegetation

Seek out bass beneath living, floating vegetation, especially in natural lakes. Look for hydrilla, lily pads, and hyacinth, which are favored by largemouth bass. Bass seek shelter under these areas for shade and to ambush prey. Similar to overhanging cover, bass prefer floating vegetation as it extends into the water, providing additional shelter for hunting.

Discovering a location where a raft of hyacinth has drifted into a bed of lily pads or hydrilla can indicate a prime fishing spot, likely to harbor big bass. To catch large bass under floating vegetation, use weedless muck baits such as rats or frogs, and drag them over the top, anticipating an aggressive strike.

When fishing below the surface under vegetation, small craws are generally the best bait, as they match the smaller prey living near matted vegetation, such as crawfish or sunfish. Using smaller bait is the ideal way to match the hatch in this scenario when targeting bass during the summer.

Best Times for Fishing

While bass can be caught throughout the day using various techniques, it's advisable to avoid the hottest part of the day when targeting overheated largemouth bass during the summer. Late evening and early morning typically offer the best opportunities for landing big bass in the summer.

Night fishing is also a great option during the summer. As the sun sets or after it has set, bass that have cooled down are more motivated to seek their next meal. Using topwater lures is an excellent choice for night fishing near humps, points, and shallow water close to ledges.

Depth Considerations

In the summer, bass are often thought to be in deeper water to cool off, which is generally true. However, it's beneficial to look for water features and structures rather than focusing solely on depth. For instance, striped bass are often found in shady areas even in shallow water just a couple of feet deep.

Additionally, daily conditions play a role. For example, on overcast days, fish may remain active for longer periods, moving from deep holes if they were in one.

Cloudy and overcast days are particularly favorable during the summer. Fishing tends to be more productive on these days as fish are more likely to be in ambush mode and actively seeking prey rather than remaining stationary under heavy cover or in deeper water.

Choosing Lure Size

The general rule of thumb for lure selection is to "match the hatch" or use a bait that local bass would naturally consume.

Regarding size, many anglers believe that big baits attract big bass, especially in mid to late summer when bream, shad, and other baitfish are typically larger. However, reaching for a giant swimbait, jig, or spoon may result in fewer bites. Therefore, considering smaller baits is worthwhile, particularly because the hot summer sun often leads to decreased overall bites on many days.

Moreover, some of the largest recorded bass have been caught on small baits under two inches.

It's crucial to remember that bass behavior is unpredictable. Their preferences may change daily, so if one approach isn't working, it's worth trying a smaller or larger bait.

Use of Live Bait

Live bait generally elicits more strikes from lethargic summer fish. Wild or domestic shiners and shad are typically the best baits for consistent catches. Additionally, live bait often attracts larger bass that may not have been enticed by artificial lures. Other popular forms of live bait include crawfish and worms, both of which are effective even in hot weather.

Size of Summer Bass

While summer-caught bass may seem smaller, it doesn't mean big bass aren't present. Smaller bass are more abundant during the summer because they can tolerate the heat better than larger fish, as their bodies require less oxygen to function.

Since smaller bass have a higher tolerance for warmer waters, they usually inhabit higher water columns than larger bass. In areas lacking vegetation or sufficient shade, larger bass are likely to be in deeper water. Fishing a drop-off or other deep areas provides the best chance of landing a big bass during the summer.

Stay Longer and Peacefully on Lake with Your Trolling Motor

Trolling motors provide precise control and maneuverability, allowing anglers to navigate their boats quietly and effectively in various water conditions, such as shallow waters, around obstacles, and in tight spaces. This is especially useful for fishing, as it enables anglers to position their boats exactly where they want without disturbing the fish.

With reliable trolling motor batteries, anglers can enjoy extended hours on the water without worrying about their trolling motor's power source. These batteries are designed to provide consistent and long-lasting energy, ensuring that anglers can focus on their fishing without the hassle of frequent recharging or sudden power loss.

Modern trolling motor batteries come in different types, including lead-acid, lithium-ion, and AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries, each with its own set of advantages and considerations. Lead-acid batteries are known for their affordability and reliability, making them a popular choice among anglers. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries offer higher energy density, longer lifespan, and lighter weight, making them ideal for anglers looking for a high-performance power source.

Lithium trolling motor batteries are renowned for their exceptional power and remarkably lightweight design. One of their primary advantages lies in their flat power discharge curve, ensuring maximum power output until the battery is fully depleted. For instance, while a traditional 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery can weigh between 60-70lbs, the LiTime 12V 100Ah TM LiFePO4 lithium battery weighs in at a mere 22 lbs. Furthermore, it comes with built-in low-temperature protection.


In comparison to conventional batteries, which are typically heavier and bulkier, lithium batteries are compact and easily fit into small compartments. They are available in a range of sizes and amp hour ratings, offering boat owners the flexibility to select the most suitable battery for their vessel.

For kayak fishing, the use of a lithium battery is highly recommended. Their small size and light weight have minimal impact on the kayak's performance. Despite being relatively more expensive, they are considered the optimal choice for most kayak setups. In fact, many top trolling motors designed for kayaks are now equipped with lithium batteries.

LiTime is committed to extensive research across various applications, with a particular emphasis on the trolling motor industry. In addition to marine applications, LiTime is directing its attention towards RVs, golf carts, cold weather environments, and other use cases, with the goal of delivering cutting-edge, cost-effective lithium batteries to cater to diverse customer needs.

Conclusion

Summer bass fishing presents its own set of challenges, but with the right strategies and techniques, it can be a rewarding and exciting experience. By understanding the behavior of bass during the summer months and employing the appropriate fishing strategies, you can increase your chances of landing that prized catch. Remember to stay adaptable and patient, and most importantly, enjoy your time on the water as you pursue the elusive bass during the summer season.

Mike Smith
Mike Smith
Mike Smith is a marine energy expert with 15+ years of experience and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from Stanford. Passionate about lithium battery integration, he also enjoys sailing and exploring coastal waters in his free time.

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