Fishing a Jig Worm for Summer Bass

The jig worm is a versatile bait that can be used to catch bass in a variety of situations, but it is especially effective during the summer months. This is because bass tend to be more lethargic in the hot weather and they are more likely to strike slower moving bait.

To rig a jig worm, you will need an open-hook jig head and a soft plastic worm. The size of the jig head will depend on the depth of water you are fishing and the size of the bass you are targeting. For shallow water, you can use a 1/16-ounce to 1/4-ounce jig head. For deeper water, you may need to use a heavier jig head especially when the wind is blowing.

The type of soft plastic worm you use is also important. In the summer, I like to use a worm with either a curly or ribbon tail; natural colors like green pumpkin and watermelon for clear water and dark or bright colors for stained water. These tail-types give the worm more action during the retrieve helping attract the attention of finicky summer bass.

A spinning rod is ideal for fishing a jig worm because it allows you to make long casts and retrieve the bait slowly. Select a 6.5' to 7.25' medium-light or medium power, fast action spinning rod with matching reel and 6 to 10-lb test fluorocarbon line for best results.

When rigging the jig worm, simply thread the worm onto the jig head. Make sure that the worm is threaded on straight and tight to keep the rig from spinning during the retrieve resulting in line twist.

Once the jig worm is rigged, you are ready to start fishing. I like to fish the jig worm in areas with cover, such as weeds, rocks, and docks. Bass are more likely to be active in the shade during the hot summer months therefore start working the shady-side of cover being fished. 

Begin the retrieve by casting the jig worm out and let it sink to the bottom. Next, slowly work the jig worm back in, making sure to twitch the rod tip occasionally to give the worm a bottom-hugging, swimming action summer bass seems to prefer.

Take a few moments and watch the following video from the folks at W2F providing on the water insight and tips on fishing the jig worm along grass lines for summer bass:

The jig worm is a great bait for catching summer bass. It is a simple bait to use, and it is effective in a variety of situations. If you are looking for a bait to help you catch more bass this summer, the jig worm is a great option.

Bass Fishing During Summer Heat Waves

As the scorching summer heat blankets the landscape, many anglers find themselves facing a unique set of challenges when it comes to bass fishing. The rising temperatures can cause fish to become more lethargic and seek shelter in deeper, cooler waters.

However, with the right strategies and a few adjustments, you can still enjoy a successful bass fishing expedition even during the hottest heat waves. Here are several tried-and-tested techniques that will help you reel in those elusive bass during the summer heat.

Seek Out Cooler Water Pockets: During heat waves, shallow bass tend to retreat to cooler, protected areas of the water to beat the summer heat. Look for shady spots, such as docks, overhanging trees, bridges, or vegetation-rich areas that provide cover and respite from the summertime sun. These spots act as natural sanctuaries where bass can find relief from the oppressive heat. Additionally, consider fishing early in the morning or late in the evening when air and water temperatures are relatively cooler.

Fish Deep: As the sun beats down, many bass are more likely to be found in deeper water where the temperature remains cooler. Adjust your fishing technique accordingly by targeting drop-offs, ledges, submerged structures, or deeper channels. Use your sonar to locate these deep water cover and structure. Use bottom-oriented presentations such as deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigs, or jigs that can effectively reach the desired depths and entice bass to strike.

Slow Down Your Presentation: In hot weather, bass can be lethargic and more reluctant to chase fast-moving baits. Opt for a slower presentation to tempt sluggish bass. Techniques like Texas rigs, wacky rigs, football/structure jigs, Carolina rigs, or slow-rolling spinnerbaits can be effective. Experiment with different retrieves and bait sizes to find what works best on a given day. Patience is key, as bass may take their time before striking during these conditions.

Target Shaded Areas: Bass seek shade to escape the direct sunlight, so it's crucial to focus on shaded areas for a higher chance of success. Overhanging trees, docks, weed beds, or any structure that provides shade can be productive. Pitch your bait into these areas and allow it to fall naturally, imitating prey seeking shelter. Keep in mind that bass are often lurking in the shadows, waiting for an easy meal to pass by.

Fish at Night: One of the most effective ways to beat the heat and catch bass during summer heat waves is to fish during the cooler/quieter hours of the night. Bass tend to become more active in low-light conditions and are more likely to roam shallower waters in search of food. Utilize topwater lures, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, or soft plastics to entice strikes. Ensure you have proper lighting and take necessary safety precautions when fishing in the dark.

Stay Hydrated and Protect Yourself: Fishing during a summer heat wave can take a toll on your body. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and taking breaks in the shade. Wear appropriate sun protection, including a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Consider lightweight and breathable clothing that provides adequate coverage while keeping you cool.

Catching bass during summer heat waves requires adaptability and a strategic approach. By targeting cooler waters, fishing deeper, employing slower presentations, targeting shaded areas, and fishing at night, you increase your chances of success. Remember to prioritize your safety and well-being by staying hydrated and protecting yourself from the sun's harmful rays.

Tips for Targeting Summer Bass in Small Ponds

Bass fishing in small ponds during the summer presents an exciting challenge for anglers of all skill levels. The bass in small ponds are often more aggressive than bass in larger bodies of water and can be caught using a variety of baits and techniques; an important consideration depending on the types of cover present.

Small ponds can be summer bass havens, providing great opportunities to hone your skills and catch some impressive bass i the process. However, summer bass in small ponds can be finicky at time, so it's important to understand their behavior and how to target them effectively.

Study the Pond's Structure and Cover: The first step in targeting bass effectively is to understand the pond's structure as well as the types of cover present. Look for areas with submerged vegetation, fallen trees, rocky outcrops, docks, subtle points, ditches and shallow flats. These are potential hotspots where bass are likely to hide and ambush their prey. Take some time to explore the pond's topography, especially in relation to cover and mark key spots on a map or in your mind for future reference.

Plan Your Fishing Times: During the summer, bass in small ponds tend to be most active during low light conditions during the early morning, late evening or cloudy days when the water temperature tends to be cooler. Plan your fishing trips accordingly, arriving at the pond well before sunrise, a few hours before sunset or when it very cloudy. Fishing during these times will increase your chances of encountering feeding summer bass and maximize your overall catch rate.

Adapt Your Bait Selection to Conditions: In small ponds, summer bass are often accustomed to feeding on natural forage, including small fish, insects like dragonflies, frogs, and crustaceans. Choose lures and baits that mimic their natural forage to increase your chances of catching more and bigger bass. Topwater lures, such as buzzbaits, frogs or poppers, can be effective during the early morning, on cloudy days, and late evening when bass are focused on active forage near the surface. When fishing during sunny days, change your bait selection to shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, soft plastic baits, or jigs to fish the mid part of the water column and bottom structure/cover where bass seek shelter under those conditions.

Watch the Weather: Keep an eye on weather patterns as they greatly influence bass activity. Summer storms, for instance, can create feeding opportunities for bass. Rainfall often washes terrestrial insects into the water, triggering a feeding frenzy. Similarly, a slight drop in barometric pressure before a storm can make summer bass more active and willing to strike a variety of artificial baits.

Utilize Stealth When Bank Fishing: In small ponds bass are sensitive to disturbances and can be easily spooked. Approach the water with caution and be as stealthy as possible to minimize noise and casting unnatural shadows. To avoid making unnecessary noise, keep your movements slow and deliberate. Try using long casts to cover a larger area without getting too close to the bass holding in the shallows. Patience is key in these situations, so take your time and thoroughly but quietly work each potential hiding spot before moving on.

Target High-Percentage Areas: Focus on areas with structure and cover, such as points, ditches, lily pads, weed beds, fallen trees, and docks. Be sure and work your lure effectively around these features to provoke strikes from lurking bass.

Experiment with Retrieves: Vary your retrieves to find the right one and trigger a bass's predatory instinct. Work through a mix of slow, steady retrieves and quicker retrieves with more erratic movements to simulate struggling of fleeing prey. Bass are known to strike when they perceive an easy opportunity, so play around with different speeds, pauses, and jerks to entice them into biting.

Master the Art of Skipping: Skipping lures under overhanging trees or docks is a skill worth developing, especially when fishing small pond. This technique can be highly effective for reaching areas where summer bass hide and ambush their prey. Practice your skipping technique to deliver lures accurately and quietly into tight spaces, increasing your chances of triggering a strike from normally hard to reach bass.

Remember that small ponds can present unique challenges due to limited water depths, limited cover and potential increased fishing pressure. Be adaptable in your approach, try different techniques, and be patient. If a particular spot or lure isn't producing, don't be afraid to move around and experiment until you find what works.

Fishing Shallow Grass Beds from the Shore

Summer is a great time to fish for bass in shallow grass beds. The fish are shallow and active, not to mention that there are a variety of baits and techniques that you can use to catch them even when fishing from the bank.

Here are several tips on how to fish shallow grass beds for summer bass from the shore:

• Look for beds that are at least a couple of feet deep and have additional cover, such as stumps, logs, or docks in or around the grass.
• Bass will often be found on the edges of grass beds where they can ambush prey that is moving in and out of the cover as well as retreat into the beds for shade.
• Wear polarized sunglasses since they often help you see the fish in and around the grass beds.
• Fish early in the morning, late in the evening or other low light conditions since this is when the bass are usually most active.

There are a variety of baits that you can use to fish shallow grass beds for summer bass. Some popular bait choices include:

• Hollow-body frogs
• Spinnerbaits
• Buzzbaits
• Soft plastic worms/stick baits

Take a couple of minutes and watch as the folks from Lurenet provide a little more insight into why bank anglers should target grass beds for summer bass…

Buzzbait Tips to Catch More Summertime Bass

As summer rolls along and water temperatures rise, most bass anglers hit the water in search of always-thrilling topwater strikes. One great topwater bait used to target aggressive summer bass is the buzzbait. 

Buzzbaits are topwater lures that create a buzzing sound and surface disturbance, mimicking a distressed prey as they are retrieved around shallow cover and along breaklines. 

To help optimize your time on the water, we've compiled several tips that will increase your success throwing buzzbaits for hungry summertime bass.

Choose the Right Buzzbait:

Selecting the appropriate buzzbait for the water body you'll be fishing is key. Opt for buzzbaits with larger blades and heavier bodies when fishing windy or choppy water to enhance their visibility and create more noise. In calmer conditions, opt for smaller blades and lighter baits creating a more subtle presentation and draw out finicky bass.

Time it Right:

Timing is everything when it comes to fishing, especially with buzzbaits. During early mornings, late evenings, nights and overcast days, the water is often cooler, thereby triggering prime feeding times for bass. Bass tend to be more active near the surface during low light periods, making the buzzbait an ideal lure to grab their attention and trigger aggressive strikes.

Focus on Vegetation and Other Shallow Cover:

Bass often seek refuge in dense vegetation, docks, and laydowns during the hot summer months. Target areas with lily pads, submerged grass, wood, and other forms of shallow cover that provide shade and ambush points for bass to hide. Cast your buzzbait along the edges of cover or retrieve it over the top to entice explosive strikes.

Vary Your Retrieve Speed & Action:

Experimenting with the retrieve speed is essential to trigger bass into striking. Start with a slow, steady retrieve, allowing the buzzbait to create a consistent buzzing sound. If that doesn't yield results, try speeding up your retrieve to create more commotion on the surface. Sometimes, pausing the retrieve momentarily or imparting a twitch can simulate wounded prey, enticing nearby bass to strike.

Customize Your Buzzbait:

To increase your chances of enticing bass strikes, consider modifying your buzzbait. One popular customization is replacing the standard skirt with a soft plastic trailer, such as a paddle tail swimbait, curly tail grub or toad-style frog. This alteration adds extra action and increases the bait's profile, often making it a more enticing target for bass.

Pay Attention to Color:

The color of your buzzbait can make a difference in attracting bass. Opt for natural colors such as black, white, green pumpkin, or a combination of these, as they imitate common prey species like shad or bluegill in clear water. If the water is stained, consider using brighter colors like chartreuse or Texas red to improve visibility.

The folks from Sportsman's Oufitters created a great video describing several more tips to enhance your buzzbait fishing game. Take a few minutes to watch and hear what the say...

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.

Do Jerkbaits Catch Bass in the Summer?

Interesting question but jerkbaits can be a great way to catch bass in the summer, especially when fish are often spread out chasing forage  and hard to target.

Here are a few tips on how to fish jerkbaits for bass in the summer:

• Choose the right jerkbait. There are many different jerkbaits on the market, so it's important to choose one that is the right size and color for the conditions. In general, a 4-6 inch jerkbait with an appropriate diving lip is a good choice for summer fishing. As for color, you can't go wrong with a natural baitfish color, such as a shad, perch or shiner.

• Fish in the right spots. Jerkbaits are most effective in areas where bass are likely to be feeding, such as around points, drop-offs, as well as shallow cover. In the summer, bass will often be found in shallow and deep water, so you may need to fish your jerkbaits over 3 to 15+ feet of water.

• Use the right retrieve. The key to fishing jerkbaits is to use a series of jerks and pauses. This will cause the bait to swim erratically, which will mimic the movements of a wounded baitfish. Start by making a long cast and working the bait to the desired depth. Then, jerk the rod tip up and down, pausing for a second or two between each jerk. The speed of your retrieve will depend on the water temperature and the mood of the fish. In general, fish jerkbaits faster in warmer water and slower in cooler water.

• Be prepared to make multiple casts to the same spot. Bass often won't hit a jerkbait on the first cast. Be patient and keep casting, and you'll eventually get a bite.

The bass fishing G.O.A.T, Kevin VanDam is no stranger to fishing jerkbaits successfully throughout all four seasons. Take a few minutes and watch as KVD explains his approach to fishing jerkbaits when chasing summertime bass…

Best Bass Lures for Fishing Offshore Ledges

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:

1. 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. 

2. 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.

3. 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.

Fishing Shade

Bass are ambush predators, and they love to hide in shade. This is especially true during the hot summer months, when the water temperature can get too warm for them to be comfortable in open water. 

When you're fishing for bass, it's important to look for areas of shade, such as:

• Overhanging trees, laydowns and stumps
• Docks and boat houses
• Seawalls and rip-rap structures
• Weed lines
• Grass beds

Once you've found some areas of shade, you need to decide what type of bait to use. There are a number of different baits that can be effective for fishing shade, but some of the most popular include:

• Crankbaits
• Spinnerbaits
• Chatterbaits
• Jigs
• Frogs
• Texas rigs

The type of bait you choose will depend on the specific conditions, but it's important to use something that will create a lot of commotion in the water or matches the forage hanging around the shaded cover you're fishing.

Though many anglers target shady banks, bass pro Matt Stefan shares a different approach in this video detailing his approach to fishing shade and shade lined banks...

Cranking the Shallows for Early Summer Bass

As the water warms up in the post spawn/early summer, bass start to move back to the edges of shallow flats in search of food.

This is a great time to target them with shallow running crankbaits. Crankbaits are a versatile bait that can be used to cover a lot of water and catch bass in a variety of situations.

Here are a few tips for cranking the shallows for early summer bass:

• Choose the right crankbait. There are many different types of crankbaits available, so it's important to choose one that is the right size and weight for the water you're fishing. For example, since you're fishing in shallow water, you'll want to use a smaller crankbait that runs from 3 to 7-feet that won't get hung up on the bottom.
• Vary your retrieve speed. Bass can be finicky eaters, so it's important to vary your retrieve speed to see what they're biting on. Try fishing the crankbait at a variety of speeds, from slow to fast, to see what produces the most bites.
• Focus on key areas. Bass are often found in specific areas in the shallows, such as points, drop-offs on the outer edges of flats, submerged grass beds and weedlines. Pay attention to these areas when you're fishing and make sure to fish them thoroughly.

Here are a few additional tips for fishing crankbaits in the shallows for early summer bass:

• Use a medium to medium-heavy action rod and a 10 to 12-pound test line. This will give you the power you need to set the hook on bass and pull them out away from cover.
• Use a good quality crankbait that is made of durable material. This will help you avoid losing your baits in the rocks and weeds.
• Be prepared to fish in different weather conditions. Bass can be caught in a variety of weather conditions, so it's important to be prepared to fish in the rain, sun, and wind.

Take a few moments and watch the following video from the folks at Lurenet with their tips on cranking the shallows for early summer bass:

Although the folks from Lurenet discuss fishing the Norman Speed N in this video, any similar style shallow or squarebill crankbait should work as well!

Summertime Spinnerbait Fishing

Is the spinnerbait a lure that is "outa sight, outa mind" for bass anglers during the summer months?

For some bass anglers perhaps but not 2022 Classic champ Jason Christie! 

Take a moment and hear what JC has to say about the conditions and specific style of spinnerbait he fishes during the summertime...

Pretty interesting thoughts though in off colored water during the summer I tend to lean more Indiana  opposed to willow leaf blades.

Two other times I lean heavily on summertime spinnerbait fishing:

1. When night fishing for bass a dark colored spinnerbait with single Colorado blades (black, gold or copper) play a major role;
2. Bright colored (primarily chartreuse) double willow leaf bladed spinnerbaits burned over shallow flats for summer smallmouths.

Spinnerbaits are a great tool for many bass fishing situations even during the summer.

Looking to build up your spinnerbait arsenal? 

Click the link below and see the spinnerbait selection available from the folks at Omnia Fishing!

Omnia Spinnerbait Selection

Summertime Bass Fishing on Your Favorite Lake

 Though some bass always remain close to shore, many bass have start to drift off to deeper creek edges, points and holes once the spawn passes.

One thing to always remember, however, deeper fish will move shallower during the evening, night and early morning periods before drifting back in deeper water during the heat of the day …

A few tips to to help enhance bass fishing success during the summer:

• While the water temps are still in the upper 70s to low 80s, some of the more productive cover is standing timber, weed-beds, rock piles and other cover situated in 8 to 14 feet of water;
• Fishing along weeds and timber adjacent to the any creek channels or deeper holes can be very productive;
• Various topwater lures, especially frog imitations fished in and around shallower cover during early morning or late evening hours can produce excellent quality fish;
• Always keep a “follow-up” bait handy to quickly throw at when shallow fish miss your topwater offering; &
• Key on large profile plastic baits (like 10″ worms), jig and pig, Carolina rigs, deep-running crankbaits as well as Texas-rigged creature baits when fishing deeper structure and cover during the mid-day period …

Finding and Catching Offshore Bass

 In many of our deeper water lakes and reservoirs, a significant number of post spawn bass will move out from shallow cover to deeper structure/cover during the early summer months.

Since a variety of spots can hold bait and bass during this time of year, knowing how to search for and catch offshore bass is key to many successful days on the water. Take a moment and watch the following video as bass pro Jason Christie explains his approach when targeting offshore bass in the summer:

So the main points from his offshore bass catching system:

1. Use mapping tech to locate potential offshore holding areas then sonar equipment to ID presence of bass using these areas;
2. First probe bass holding spots with a reaction bait like a crankbait designed to work at the target depth;
3. When bite slows offer a more subtle reaction bait (like a paddletail swimbait) to trigger more bites;
4. Lastly use clean-up baits like big worms and/or drop shot rigs to catch last few cooperative bass in that area;
5. Start the search over again and locate next offshore school to fish and again cycle through baits as described in steps 2-4.

Looking to add to your offshore tackle arsenal? 

Check out all the great bass catching equipment Omnia Fishing offers for the offshore techniques mentioned above by clicking on the following links:

Medium Diving Crankbait Gear

Deep Diving Crankbait Gear

Paddletail Swimbait Gear

Drop Shot Gear

Sonar/DI/SI Fishfinders

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!

Selecting Ledge Fishing Baits

In part two of the video series on summertime ledge fishing, Strike King Pro Mark Rose describes his thought process when selecting baits for fishing ledges…

Though Rose discusses some of the more common ledge baits, keep other options like big spoons, 10″ T-rigged worms, Carolina rigs and hair jigs in mind as well!

Summertime is ledge fishing time in many parts of the country...

What about yours?

Notes for Summertime Bass Fishing

We’ve all heard the phrase “dog days of summer” and many bass anglers are quick to use it when struggling to catch bass during summer’s heat…

Remembering few basic principles and concepts can help overcome fishing doldrums during the summer as outlined in the following graphic from the folks at Fix.com…

Source: Summertime Bassin'

Early to bed, early to rise can often work wonders during the summer heat for sure 😎

Effective Summer Bass Fishing Lures

Bass Lures – Effective Summer Bass Fishing Lures

By Trevor Kugler

In this article, I’m going to list some of the most effective summer bass fishing lures. I’m listing these lures in no particular order seeing as how “the best” bass lures are the ones that work best for each individual angler. Everyone has their favorite bass fishing lures; the point is that you might not have some of these effective summer bass fishing lures in your tackle box/bag. If you don’t have any of these bass lures available you probably want to add them.

When water temperatures rise above the mid eighties bass fishing can become much more difficult. Bass (especially largemouth bass) prefer water temperatures from the mid seventies to the mid eighties, and when the temperatures rise above the mid eighties bass fishing can become tough.

A great way to combat high water temperatures is to fish in the early mornings. This is when the water will be the coolest and cloudy days and rainstorms can help with the water temperatures as well. During the summertime it’s also a great idea to go fishing when there is the least amount of activity on the water. Once all the toys come out, bass fishing can become all but impossible on many lakes and reservoirs.

So what are the effective bass fishing lures that you need to know about and have access to in the summer?

Top Water Baits – These baits can perform best during the mornings and evenings during the hot days of summer. There are many different varieties of top water bass lures that are effective and some of the best are frog imitations and soft stick baits. Frog imitations such as the rebel Teeny Wee Frog can be extremely effective during the summertime.

Shad Imitations – During the summer months many lakes and reservoirs are full of Threadfin Shad. These bait fish are a staple food source for bass all year, but especially in the summertime. When it comes to bass lures one of the most effective is the KickTail Minnow. Of all bass fishing lures available today, this may be one of the most effective. Shad imitations are a must for any tickle box/bag.

Slow Falling Plastics – Plastic worms and grubs are excellent bass lures in the summertime. After your early morning fishing and the day (and water temperatures) start to heat up bass will move to deeper cover. Throwing soft plastics at these bass can be a very effective technique. At this time of the year many times strikes come as the lure is falling, so the less weight you can use the better. Slow falling plastics can be a great option in the summer.

If any of these bass baits aren’t in your fishing repertoire I would add them. These bass lures are all effective when fishing during the dog days of summer and will help you experience more bass fishing success. Just remember there is nothing that will help you bass catching ability like spending time on the water fishing, so for God’s sake get out there!

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.

Effective Summer Bass Lures

Article Source: Bass Lures – Effective Summer Bass Fishing Lures

Fish Docks for Shallow Summertime Bass

The Sun is high…

Air temp is well into the 80s or 90s…

Time to fire up the depth finder then search out deepwater structure and cover, right?

Nope, not in my kayak 🙂

It’s time to head to the bank and slowly, diligently work one of the best shade creators on the lake… docks!

And here’s a video featuring FLW Pro Terry Bolton showing what I mean 🙂

Enjoy!

Shade is always welcome to most anglers during the summer and you can bet bass feel the same way don't you think?