Quick Tips for Summer Bass Fishing

Summer offers exciting opportunities for bass fishing, with the promise of trophy catches and thrilling moments while on the water.

Following are several quick tips that will help you increase your chances of success during the summer period:

• Fish shallow water. Bass will often move shallow in early summer to feed on shad and other baitfish. Look for areas with cover, such as rocks, docks, and vegetation, where the fish can ambush their prey.
• Use topwater baits. Topwater baits are a great way to trigger strikes in early summer. Fish them slowly and erratically to imitate a wounded baitfish.
• Work the edges of vegetation. With the arrival of summer, aquatic vegetation flourishes in lakes and ponds, offering ideal cover and abundant food sources for bass. Focus your efforts on fishing around submerged vegetation such as lily pads, hydrilla, or milfoil. Use weedless lures like Texas-rigged soft plastics, swim jigs, or chatterbaits to navigate through the vegetation without getting snagged.
• Work the shallow to deep transitions. The edges of shallow to deep water are a great place to find bass in early summer. Look for points, drop-offs, and other areas where shallow water meets deeper water. Bass will often be found cruising along these edges, looking for food as they prepare to migrate to their deep water haunts.
• Pitch and flip baits. Pitching and flipping baits, such as jigs and Texas rigs, is a great way to target bass that are holding in shallow cover. Present your baits around rocks, docks, and vegetation to find bass that are hiding and waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey.
• Use crankbaits. Crankbaits are another great option for early summer bass fishing. Vary retrieve speed and action, and change baits to cover different depths and structure.
• Use a variety of baits. In early summer, bass can be aggressive or passive so it often takes cycling through a variety of baits to trigger strikes. Try alternating between topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, swimbaits, and jigs to determine what baits work best during your day on the water.
• Use a variety of colors. Bass can be finicky eaters in early summer, so it's important to use a variety of colors. Try using natural colors, such as shad and crawfish in clear water; bright colors, such as chartreuse, red and orange when chasing summer smallmouths; or fishing stained water or dark colors when fishing in low light conditions.
• Consider using live bait. Live bait is always a good option for catching bass. Use small minnows, worms, or crawfish depending on the prevalent forage in your local waters.
• Be patient. Early summer bass can be finicky at times, so be patient and persistent. Keep working your baits around different types of cover and structure until you find cooperative fish.
• Fish early in the morning and late in the evening. Though they can be caught any time of day, bass are most active during these times of day, especially in summer. Big rewards often wait for anglers who are willing to lose a little sleep and fish during optimal low light hours.
• Try night fishing: As summer progresses, the nights become warmer, making it an excellent time to try night fishing for bass. Use lures such as topwaters, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits and jigs in dark color patterns especially to attract bass in low-light conditions. Slowly work your lures around shallow cover and structures, listening for any signs of fish activity as you fish. Be sure to bring along a reliable headlamp for visibility and safety.
• Be prepared to change your tactics. Bass can be unpredictable, so be prepared to change your baits, retrieves, and locations if you're not getting bites.
• Adapt to changing weather patterns: Early summer often brings unpredictable weather patterns, including passing storms or sudden temperature fluctuations. These changes can significantly impact bass behavior. Stay adaptable and adjust your fishing techniques accordingly. For instance, during overcast or windy conditions, bass may become more active, making reaction baits like spinnerbaits, chatterbaits or jerkbaits more effective.
• Stay hydrated and protect yourself: Last but not least, prioritize your well-being during your fishing excursions. Early summer can bring scorching temperatures, so stay hydrated by carrying an ample supply of water. Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, and a hat to shield yourself from harmful UV rays. Taking care of yourself ensures that you can fully enjoy your bass fishing adventures.