How To Catch Bass Right Now, Even Though Its HOT!

Sports

Introduction

Hey folks, Matt Allen here! Welcome back to Tactical Bassin. Today we’re diving into one of the most challenging, yet rewarding topics: how to catch bass when it’s blazing hot outside. Whether you're dealing with dry heat in the West or sopping wet heat in the South, summer fishing can be brutal. However, these conditions can also offer some of the best bites of the year if you know what to do.

Understanding the Heat

Summer heat makes everything revolve around shade. Whether bass are in shallow or deep waters, they seek out the darkest, coolest places they can find. This creates predictable patterns that savvy anglers can exploit.

Shallow Water Fishing: Double Shade

If you're fishing in shallow waters, look for "double shade" - areas where two sources of shade overlap. For instance, a cheese mat on top of water lilies creates a double shade that big bass love. Here's how to exploit it:

Key Baits for Shallow Water

  1. Frog Baits: Use frogs that are extremely weedless. The Savage Gear DC Walker Frog is the most weedless option, while the Spro Bronzeye 65 is a good versatile choice.
  2. Punching Baits: For bass burrowed in thick cover, use punching techniques. The 4-inch Pacac Slim or the Jackal Archelon are excellent choices. Pair them with a stout, wide-gap hook like the Owner Jungle Wide Gap.
  3. Jigs: When the cover isn’t too thick, a jig like the Dirty Jigs No-Jack paired with a packa slim trailer can be very effective.

Fishing Out Deeper: Color Line and Grass Edges

Bass that don’t stay shallow during high heat will move to where light penetration stops. This could be a deep color line or the outside edges of grass lines.

Key Baits for Deeper Water

  1. Jigs: A half-ounce pitching jig in 'Go To' color paired with a packa slim trailer.
  2. Wobble Heads: This setup excels in covering lots of water and catching big bass.
  3. Crankbaits: Use deep-diving crankbaits in bold colors like solid white or chartreuse to attract bass from deeper waters.

Fishing Dock Shade

Don’t overlook docks! The darkest, deepest part of the shade under docks can hide giants. Here's how to get them:

Key Baits for Dock Fishing

  1. Wake Baits: Use wake baits like the Tactical Wake along the outer edges of docks.
  2. Paddle Tail Swimbaits: Skip swimbaits like the 6-inch or 8-inch Magdraft under docks to draw out big bass.

Conclusion

Summer fishing might be uncomfortable, but with these techniques, you can catch some of the biggest bass of the year. Focus on the specific areas and baits mentioned, keep hydrated, and embrace the heat. Happy fishing!

Keywords

  • Bass Fishing
  • Summer Heat
  • Double Shade
  • Shallow Cover
  • Deep Water
  • Wobble Head
  • Crankbaits
  • Dock Fishing
  • Wake Baits
  • Paddle Tail Swimbaits

FAQ

  1. Q: What is "double shade"? A: Double shade refers to areas where two sources of shade overlap, creating a cooler and darker spot which big bass love.

  2. Q: Which frog bait is the most weedless? A: The Savage Gear DC Walker Frog is considered the most weedless frog bait.

  3. Q: What are the best baits for dock fishing? A: Wake baits like the Tactical Wake and paddle tail swimbaits like the 6-inch or 8-inch Magdraft.

  4. Q: How do you find deeper water bass during the summer? A: Look for areas where light penetration stops, known as the color line, or the outer edges of grass lines.

  5. Q: What's the benefit of using a wide-gap hook for punching? A: A wide-gap hook, particularly the Owner Jungle Wide Gap, offers a better hook-to-land ratio, increasing the chances of landing big bass.