As the summer heat sets in, bass will often move out to deeper water to find cooler temperatures and more abundant food sources.
One of the best ways to target these fish is to fish offshore ledges. Ledges are areas where the bottom of a lake or reservoir drops off sharply; they can be great places to find bass during the summer.
There are a number of great lure options to entice and trigger offshore bass living along ledges during the summer including:
Deep Diving Crankbaits: Deep diving crankbaits are ideal for fishing offshore ledges, as they can reach depths of up to 25 feet. They are perfect for targeting bass that are holding in deep water and can be fished effectively on the breaklines atop steep drop-offs. Popular deep diving crankbaits for bass fishing include the Strike King 10XD, Berkley Dredger 20.5, and Rapala DT-20. Click on the following link for more examples of deep diving crankbaits <link.
Football Jigs: Football jigs are another great option for fishing offshore ledges, as they can imitate crawfish and other bottom-dwelling prey. They are best used on rocky or gravelly bottoms and can be fished slowly along the bottom to entice a bite. Some popular football jigs for bass fishing include the Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig and the Keitech Model II Tungsten Football Jig. Click on the following link for more examples of football jigs <link.
Carolina Rigs: Carolina rigs are a classic offshore ledge fishing rig that consist of a weight, a swivel, a leader, and a soft plastic bait. They are incredibly versatile and can be fished at different depths depending on the conditions. Carolina rigs are best used on sandy or muddy bottoms and can be fished slowly along the bottom to imitate a feeding baitfish. Popular soft plastic baits for Carolina rigs (<link to C-rig gear) include the Zoom Brush Hog & Lizard plus the Berkley Powerbait Power Worm.
