Summertime And The Fishin’ Is Easy

Ahhh, summertime is here, bringing with it high heat and humidity – you know, the “dog days!” But what do you do when the fishing water is more like bath water?

This is when I put away the horizontal baits (spinnerbaits, crankbaits, etc.) and go for vertical baits (tubes, grubs, worms, etc.). While you might still find some active fish with the horizontal baits, typically, bass become lethargic when water temps head into the 80-degree plus zone, especially without current to help oxygenate the water. That’s when low and s-l-o-w presentation techniques work best.

Tube baits are great for slow summertime fishing, since you need very little weight to make them spiral like a wounded baitfish. One of my favorites is a 4” tube in either Green-Pumpkin or Smoked Pepper. Using my CastAway LS66 6’6” light power spinning rod coupled with a Quantum Energy spinning reel and 8 pound Trilene XT low vis green, I rig my tube with up to a ¼ ounce Sure Set tube hook and begin looking for riprap banks and laydown trees. Just toss or skip the tube along the rocks or between the limbs, jigging occasionally – and hang on!

I also like to throw “critter baits” (a.k.a. skirted grubs), since their undulating skirts and twin tails make an enticing meal for Mr. (and Mrs.) bass. My favorites are either Black Blue or Green-Pumpkin. With my CastAway LS58 5’8”light power spinning rod with a Quantum Energy spinning reel, I can skip these baits under docks and around trees and rocks all day long.

But give me some slop to “Rat” around in, and I’m a happy guy! Armed with my CastAway 7M HG40 7’0” medium heavy power casting rod, coupled with a Quantum Energy E600PT spooled with 40 pound Power Pro and a slop bait, I am ready for some explosive action among the pads and duck weed! These forms of cover are great summer hiding places for bass waiting patiently for their next meal to swim by.

So when the weather’s really warm, get out on the water and catch some bass with these hot summertime techniques!

-Jeff Morton

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