Fish Deep During Summer Heat

For many folks across the country, this summer is starting out just like the winter did… Warmer than normal!

Here in the Midwest, we’re looking a one of our first strings of 90+ temps and it’s only mid-June (I wonder what August will be like!)…

As the air and water temps continue to rise, many bass move offshore to humps, bars and ledges.

Learning how to successfully fish these offshore structures will often mean between a day where you’re catching bass or only a sunburn…

In this next video, Bass Pro Scott Martin shows what it takes to pattern then catch bass on one of these structures… ledges…

So what’s the final take-away…

1) Use your depth finder to locate structures holding bass then mark the area…

2) Start out with a search bait such as a deep diving crankbaits (large spinnerbaits or lipless cranks would work too) to locate the area of active fish…

3) Switch to a larger, slower moving lure (large jig or Texas-rigged worm) and slowly probe the area to upgrade your catch!

Different Topwater Method for Smallmouths

I love catching smallmouths! 

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never reject a chance at catching any bass but to me there’s nothing like hooking into a smallmouth…

One of my favorite ways to catch smallies... any topwater bait!

Most of the time, I rely on floating minnow baits, prop lures, poppers and even small to medium buzzbaits but… 

I recently came across a video demonstrating another topwater method I really hadn’t considered for any bass… 

Fishing unweighted lizards rigged Texas-style and using a slow retrieve to keep the bait right under the surface… 

Give a look-see yourself…

One thing during the video got me thinking… 

Given the number of short strikes, I wonder what would happen if they stopped the bait when the fish was following… hmmmm 

Gonna have to check this method out the next time the conditions are right!