10 Tips for Catching Late Summer Bass

Late summer can be a tricky time for bass fishing. The water is warm, vegetation is thick, and the bass can be lethargic. With the right approach, however, you can still catch plenty of bass during the doldrums of late summer. 

Here are 10 tips for increase your late summer bass fishing success:

1. Fish Early and Late - During the hottest part of the day, bass seek cooler water and cover. Focus on the mornings and evenings when they are more active.

2. Downsize Your Lures - In warm water, bass are less aggressive. Use smaller, more subtle lures like finesse worms and small crankbaits that mimic this year's forage and often trigger more strikes. 

3. Fish Deeper - Bass often move to deeper, cooler water in the summer. Target drop-offs, creek channels, and structure in 15-20 feet of water.

4. Look for Shady Spots - Shady cover like docks, overhanging trees, and floating vegetation give bass relief from the sun. Key in on these shady ambush spots.

5. Try Topwater Poppers - Despite the heat, early morning and late evenings are prime times for topwater plugs. Keep the fish are looking up!

6. Follow the Baitfish - Find the bait, find the bass. Schools of shad, perch, shiners, herring and bluegill are magnets for hungry largemouth and smallmouth bass.

7. Fish at Night - Some of the best summer action happens after dark. Big bass become more active and often feed under the cover of darkness.

8. Stay on the Move - Keep moving and cover water until you locate where the bass are holding. Bass often shift locations day to day and sometimes over the course of the same day.

9. Watch the Wind and Weather - Bass become more active with changes in barometric pressure and when wind/cloud cover are on the increase.

10. Beat the Heat - Hydrate, use sun protection, and take breaks. Don't overexert yourself fishing in hot summer conditions.

Late summer bass fishing can be fantastic if you adjust your tactics. Following these tips will help you catch more bass during the dog days of summer and with the right approach, you can enjoy some of the best action of the year.

Flipping Soft Plastic Baits for Summer Bass

Flipping soft plastic baits is a great way to catch summer bass in heavy cover. This technique involves quietly pitching or flipping a soft plastic bait into thick vegetation, such as lily pads, bushes, or laydowns. The bait is then worked slowly and methodically, with the angler imparting subtle shakes and twitches to create a lifelike presentation.

Here are some tips on how to flip soft plastic baits for summer bass:

Use a heavy-duty rod and reel combo. You'll need a rod with a lot of backbone to power through the thick cover, and a reel with a large line capacity to handle the weight of the bait and the heavy braided line you'll be using.

Use soft plastic baits designed for flipping. There are many different soft plastic baits that are specifically designed for flipping, such as craws, stick worms, and creature baits. These baits are made from durable materials that can withstand the abuse of being pitched and flipped into heavy cover.

Use the right weight. The weight of your bait will depend on the depth of the water and the thickness of the cover. In general, you'll want to use a heavier weight for deeper water and thicker cover but always use the lightest weight possible.

Make a good presentation. When flipping a soft plastic bait, it's important to make a good presentation. This means pitching or flipping the bait into the cover with enough force to get it through the vegetation, but not so much force that you make a lot of noise and tear it up. You should also impart subtle shakes and twitches to the bait to create a lifelike presentation.

Here are some of the best soft plastic baits for flipping summer bass:

Gary Yamamoto Senko

Zoom Brush Hog

Strike King Rage Craw

Berkley PowerBait General

Berkley Pit Boss

These are just a few of the many great soft plastic baits that can be used for flipping summer bass. Experiment with different baits and find what works best for you. 

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Hunter Shryock relies on flipping and pitching soft plastic baits to generate bites throughout the year. Take a few minutes and watch the following video where Hunter explains his approach to flipping for summer bass…

The Weedless Ned Rig: Finessing Bass in the Thick Stuff

The Ned rig has become a go-to technique for bass anglers in recent years, allowing you to effectively fish in areas other lures can't touch. While the original Ned rig consists of a mushroom-shaped jighead paired with a soft plastic bait, the weedless version takes this finesse presentation to a whole new level. If you're looking to catch bass in and around heavy, matted vegetation, the weedless Ned rig should absolutely be in your arsenal this summer.

The basic components of the weedless Ned rig are straightforward - a light wire weedless jighead and a buoyant soft plastic like a Z-Man TRD or other Ned-style bait. The jighead allows the bait to stand up vertically in the water column, while the weed guard deflects most floating vegetation or wood cover encountered. An exposed hook point either behind a wire weed guard or pinned into the plastic helps ensure solid hook-ups when you get bit. 

In terms of technique, the retrieve is nothing fancy. After making a long cast, simply lift and drop the rod tip occasionally while reeling slowly. This will cause the Ned rig to subtly rise and flutter down, mimicking a wounded baitfish or crawfish. You can also pause the retrieve for several seconds between subtle twitches to really tempt following bass. Focus on fishing just above the top of any weeds and reel quickly over any open pockets.

Here's a short video from the folks at Northland Tackle with more insight into fishing a weedless Ned rig effectively using their Weedless Nedster jig:

When Summer bass are holed up in the nastiest slop, the weedless Ned rig allows you to present a tempting morsel right in their face. While you'll still hang up occasionally, the weed guard vastly improves your odds of success. 

Persistence and patience are key, but more often than not, this subtle finesse technique will help you fool some of the biggest bass in the area. Give the weedless Ned rig a shot this summer and enjoy reeling in bass from the thickest cover you can find!

Fishing a Dragonfly Hatch for Bass

Witnessing a bass feeding frenzy is an angler's dream, and one of the most exhilarating spectacles is when bass aggressively target dragonflies. These agile insects provide an irresistible feast for bass, making it the perfect opportunity to test your skills as a bass angler.

Understanding the Dragonfly Hatch:

Before venturing out, it's essential to grasp the dragonfly hatch and its impact on bass behavior. Dragonflies lay their eggs in water bodies, and once hatched, the nymphs reside underwater, feeding on small aquatic organisms. When the nymphs reach maturity, they crawl out of the water onto nearby vegetation or structures to shed their skin and emerge as adult dragonflies. This emergence process triggers a significant feeding response from bass, as they prey upon these defenseless insects.

Timing and Location:

Timing is crucial when planning to fish a dragonfly hatch. The emergence of dragonflies typically occurs during warmer months, often in late spring or early summer, when water temperatures rise and continue throughout the summer. Locating the areas where bass congregate during this hatch is essential also. Dragonflies tend to hatch in vegetation-rich areas near the water's edge, such as reeds, lily pads, or overhanging branches.

Target Active Feeding Zones:

During a dragonfly hatch, bass will position themselves in active feeding zones, where they can efficiently prey upon these insects. Focus your efforts around areas with thick vegetation or overhanging trees, as they serve as prime dragonfly habitats. Look for signs of bass activity, such as splashing or jumping, and cast your lure near the action. Bass tend to ambush dragonflies near the surface, so accurate and well-placed casts are key.

Equip Yourself Adequately:

To effectively fish a dragonfly hatch, make sure to equip yourself with the right gear. A medium-light to medium spinning rod paired with a matching reel filled with 6 to 10-lb test line you choose will provide the necessary strength and control depending on the cover being fished and baits being presented. Opt for monofilament or fluorocarbon line, which provides adequate sensitivity, castability, and durability when working baits in and around cover. As for lures, choose ones that mimic dragonflies, such as topwater poppers, 3 to 5-in soft stickbaits/jerkbaits, small profile popping or walking baits, or 2.5 to 3.5-in floating minnows. If bass are being finicky, note the color of the dragon flies and select colors that are similar.

Consider Using an Erratic Retrieve:

When it comes to fishing a dragonfly hatch, the "pop and pause" technique is highly effective. Using a topwater lure, such as a popper or minnow, cast it near vegetation or structures and impart a series of quick pops to mimic the struggling movements of a dragonfly. After each pop, allow the lure to pause for a moment, simulating a momentarily stunned or injured insect. This action often triggers aggressive strikes from hungry bass.

Adapt to Changing Conditions:

While planning to fish a dragonfly hatch, keep in mind that conditions can change rapidly. Be prepared to adapt your approach accordingly. If the bass show no interest in your topwater lures, consider switching to a subsurface presentation by using a soft stickbait or a soft jerkbait imitating the movement of a dragonfly nymph in the water column. Remember to match the hatch with the size, color, and movement of the dragonflies in your area to achieve the most convincing presentation.

But do bass really eat dragonflies? 

Absolutely, take a couple minutes to watch the following video and see what I mean!

I really love being on the water as much as possible when dragonfly hatches are underway. Not only are the bass highly active and feeding during the hatch; the bass have a bad habit of showing their locations and usually a lot easier to catch with a good presentation.

Early Summer Bass Tips

Fishing for early summer bass can be both challenging and rewarding. As the bass transition from their spawning beds to their summer patterns, understanding their behavior and adjusting your fishing techniques is key to catching more early summer bass.

Following are several tips that will help you increase your success rate when targeting early summer bass.

Identify the Early Summer Transition Areas:

1. During the early summer period, many bass tend to move from their shallow spawning areas towards deeper water structure. Look for transition areas such as points, drop-offs, ledges, and underwater structures near the spawning grounds. These transition zones often act as staging areas where bass hold and feed before moving to their summer locations.

Use Faster Lure Presentations at the Right Time:

2. After the bass recuperate following their spawn, bass sometimes become more aggressive and willing to chase down prey. Opt for faster lure presentations like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or swimbaits that mimic baitfish. Experiment with different retrieval speeds to find the right tempo that triggers a reaction bite.

Focus on Baitfish Patterns:

3. Bass feed heavily on baitfish during the early summer period. Pay attention to the presence of shad or other forage species in the water. Match your lure selection and color patterns to mimic the local baitfish. This increases your chances of enticing a strike.

Target Shallow Cover during Low-Light Periods:

4. During low-light periods such as early morning or late evening, early summer bass often move back to shallow water to feed. Look for areas with vegetation, docks, laydowns, or other types of cover. Topwater lures like buzzbaits, poppers, or wake baits can be highly effective during these times.

Downsize Your Baits:

5. While early summer bass can be aggressive, there are times when they become wary and selective. Downsizing your baits and slowing retrieval speeds can make a significant difference. Switch to smaller soft plastics, finesse jigs, or drop shots to imitate natural prey and increase your chances of getting bites when the bite gets tough.

Experiment with Different Depths:

6. Early summer bass may hold at different depths depending on water conditions, available cover, and forage. Vary your lure presentations and target different depth zones until you locate the active fish. This could mean using shallow-running crankbaits, deep-diving plugs, Carolina rigs, or slower jigging techniques.

Stay Mobile and Cover Water:

7. Early summer bass are known for being highly mobile. They can move quickly from one location to another in search of food. Cover water by moving from spot to spot and keep an eye out for signs of bass activity like schooling baitfish, surface disturbances, or birds diving into the water.

Slow Down Your Presentations in Cold Front Conditions:

8. Cold fronts can temporarily shut down the feeding activity of early summer bass. During these conditions, slow down your lure presentations and opt for more finesse techniques. Use slower moving baits like soft plastics, jigs, or Carolina rigs to entice bites from inactive fish.

Fishing for early summer bass requires an angler to be strategic and adaptable as conditions and bass movements change. By understanding the bass' potential behavior occurring during this period and employing the right techniques, you can greatly enhance your chances of connecting with some quality bass.

Fishing Big Worms for Summer Bass

Big plastic worms are a great way to catch bass in the summer. They are a versatile bait that can be used in a variety of situations, and they can produce big fish.

Here are some tips on how to fish big plastic worms for bass in the summer:

• Use a heavy rod and reel. Big plastic worms can be bulky, so you need a rod and reel that can drive the hook home. A 7-foot+ medium-heavy rod and a matching high-speed baitcasting reel with 15-pound fluorocarbon line are a good place to start.

• Use a Texas rig. The Texas rig is a great way to fish big plastic worms. It allows you to fish the worm close to the bottom, where bass are most likely to be residing. To rig a Texas worm, simply thread the worm onto a 5/0 or 6/0 hook and then pair it with a worm weight sized to match conditions.

• Fish the worm slowly. Bass are more likely to bite a big plastic worm if it is moving slowly. Fish the worm with a steady retrieve, pausing occasionally to let it sink to the bottom.

• Target bass cover. Bass will often hold in cover during the summer, such as rocks, stumps, laydowns, docks, and vegetation. When fishing a big plastic worm, work the cover thoroughly and vary your casting angles.

• Use the right colors. When fishing big plastic worms, it is important to use the right colors. Dark colors, such as black, brown, and red, are good choices in stained or muddy water. Lighter colors, such as blue, cinnamon, and watermelon, are good choices in clear water.

• Fish in different depths. Bass can be found in a variety of depths during the summer. Try fishing starting around shallow cover then work deep-water structure until you find where the bass are holding.

• Experiment with different retrieves. Bass can be finicky, so it is important to experiment with different retrieves. Try a slow, steady retrieve, a stop-and-go retrieve, or a twitching retrieve.

Strike King pro Mark Menendez spends much of his non-tournament fishing time probing TVA impoundments with big worms for summer bass. Take a few minutes and watch as MM describes his approach when using big worms to entice summer bass into eating…

Fishing the Mayfly Hatch

Fishing a mayfly hatch for bass can be a very productive way to catch fish. Mayflies are a common food source for bass as well as most of their other forage. When mayflies hatch, bass and panfish will often go on a feeding frenzy and prime time to catch them when presenting the right baits.

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success when fishing a mayfly hatch:

1. Find the hatch. The first step is to find the hatch. Look for areas where the water is calm and there is plenty of sunlight. You may also see mayflies flying around or resting on the water's surface.
2. Use the right bait. When fishing a mayfly hatch, you'll want to use a bait that imitates a mayfly. There are a number of different types of mayfly imitations available, including poppers, grubs, soft stickbaits and tubes. Experiment with different baits to see what works best during that particular trip.
3. Fish the right spots. Bass will often congregate in areas where mayflies are hatching. Look for areas with overhanging trees or docks, as these provide shade and cover for the bass. You may also find bass feeding near the shoreline or in the shallows.
4. Fish the right time of day. Mayfly hatches typically occur in the morning, but they can also happen in the evening. The best time to fish a mayfly hatch is usually when the sun is shining and there is a light breeze.

Here's some additional advice from bass guru, Kevin VanDam on how to best take advantage of the mayfly hatch to catch more and sometimes bigger bass...

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

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 😎

Tips On Summertime Topwater Smallmouths

Do you know what you get when you combine, warm summer days, shallow mid-lake rock piles and reefs plus smallmouth bass?

One of the best topwater smallmouth opportunities of the year!

See how it all comes together in this video from the folks at Lindy Fishing Tackle!

Time to break out the poppers and prop baits and hit the water all!

Tight lines and full live-wells

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?