Fishing In The Heat

[jaysen]

I also dislike fishing at night due to all the bugs, especially when my head lamp is on. I find that bass don't mind warm water and catch my lunkers shallow on the hot days (though they are more active in the evening). I love topwater and  frogs so I stick to lilies whenever I fish. steep drop offs are also a good area. if they are biting, they rarely turn down a senko, and that is how I locate them before switching it up.

[Neil McCauley]

I guess my question is now that summer is in full swing in Arkansas and the water has warmed way up what approach should I take to catch fish?

Deeper.

 

I know deeper water is cooler water but what baits do I use?

Deep diving crankbaits trolled, 1 oz jigs, drop shot rigs, wind drifted worms on split shot or texas rigs.

 

And do I look for underwater structure?

Yep.

Re: summer time nightfishing...it can be slow going. IME you will catch a ton of great fish between 8pm-10pm then maybe just one monster from then until sunrise, at which point it picks back up. Those hours 10p-5a can be pretty boring.

[Canyon explorer]

How I fish the dog days of summer would differ depending on the type of lake and cover/structure the lake has. In the larger highland reservoirs I fish hardwood brush piles 12-18' deep in secondary creek arms that are holding shad. I use t-rigged 10" black or plum power worms and  black/blue1/2 oz. jigs with #11 pork frog  or Zoom Super Hog trailer. On occasion at dusk I will go on up the creek until I find lily pads/grass where I use 60 lb. braid on the top.

If the really good fish have lockjaw then I go to the main lake and fish the corners of commercial condo docks with jerk baits. The kentuckies are always there so I don't go home grumpy.:-)

[scaleface]

The only reason I dont fish in the heat of the summer is because I physically cant take it. I use to do it all the time and caught bunches of bass . Deep water is a good place to start , Windy banks can be spectacular . Steep banks almost  always hold some fish . 

[einscodek]

My goto in the heat is sun down

Yes agreed also its lots more comfortable but if ya need to tackle the heat.. ya need to go finesse.

[papajoe222]

You don't need to go deep to find cooler water, or the bass. Thick weeds are like a forest providing shade and cooler water for bass. Canopy types of weeds are the best as they provide plenty of shade and are easier for the fish to not only move around, but to see your offering. Docks that are low to the water don't allow as much sunlight under them

Rocks, rip-rap and wood will retain heat well into the night, but don't abandon them just because of the warmer water. The moss that grows on them attracts baitfish and in doing so attracts bass.

So if you're not confident with targeting deep fish, stick with the cooler shallower water,but change your target cover and you can continue to catch 'em.

[Basseditor]

First things first. Hydrate like crazy and cover up head to toe. On to fishing. Look for cover. With the current temps and heat fish are either going to go deep to find cooler water and/or stay shallow under green vegetation. Take a stealthy and patient approach and dissect the cover. Fish during the cooler parts of the day and keep consistent. You will find fish. As far as baits or techniques. I jig, flip, punch, and frog during these situations. Top to bottom approach until I figure out what the fish are doing.

I agree mostly. But for me, the hotter the better from noon to dark. And calm too. I throw frogs all day in thickest cover I can get to. I might get only 5 fish, but I'll have 20+ lbs.

And don't forget to cover up. Sun hats (hoods), arm sleeves, gloves. Thin pants, no exposed skin any where. It's amazing how much better you feel when you get off the water.

[Catt]

Re: summer time nightfishing...it can be slow going. IME you will catch a ton of great fish between 8pm-10pm then maybe just one monster from then until sunrise, at which point it picks back up. Those hours 10p-5a can be pretty boring.

Absolutly fasle!

I have 45+ years fishing night & fishing is good all night long more often than it is good all day

[K_Mac]

I don't have quite as many years night fishing as Catt, but I do have many. Night fishing can be great all night or have cycles just like any other time during the day. I have caught many bass during those "boring" hours mentioned above. Those include my three biggest bass. If you are bored you are not paying attention IMO. Being on the water at night is enjoyable even if the fish aren't biting!

[Jaw1]

I'm from arkansas also and the temps hit 100 for a few days the lake water temps are in the 90s and the fishing is slow. The river has been better but with all the high water flow we have had its made fishing the obvious places harder. If you are fishing the river and can hold a boat in the current off the the rock jettys pitch a heavy jig as close to the undercut where the water pours over. They are there ite just getting a bait down to them that's the problem. I've also had luck extremely shallow wherever there is the slightest shade throw a shallow crankbait. The river is starting to calm down and the temp is getting better but there for a few weeks it was brutal pretty much did me in after three weeks of daylight to dark fishing days. We have quit lake fishing until the temps come down the ones we fish have been dead but falls coming.

[Catt]

I think the differences are where each member is located!

Dog days of summer here have had temperatures of 100/103° with heat indexes of 115/118° with little to no wind and near blue bird skies. We have had heat indexes of 90° @ 4:30 in the morning.

[No Thanks I'll Bass]

I'm from arkansas also and the temps hit 100 for a few days the lake water temps are in the 90s and the fishing is slow. The river has been better but with all the high water flow we have had its made fishing the obvious places harder. If you are fishing the river and can hold a boat in the current off the the rock jettys pitch a heavy jig as close to the undercut where the water pours over. They are there ite just getting a bait down to them that's the problem. I've also had luck extremely shallow wherever there is the slightest shade throw a shallow crankbait. The river is starting to calm down and the temp is getting better but there for a few weeks it was brutal pretty much did me in after three weeks of daylight to dark fishing days. We have quit lake fishing until the temps come down the ones we fish have been dead but falls coming.

You fish the Arkansas River a lot? I'm in Arkansas as well. Just went to Lake Atkins Monday and caught a nice one. It has been hit or miss lately though. HOT. But hopefully we will see a drop in temp soon. If you haven't fished Lake Atkins I hear nothing but good things and big fish!

[Jaw1]

I fish the river some. I am not a river specialist be any means but I like to go with my friends that know it better than me. The last three outings have been to tarcamp and rising star and had decent days. I've said a few times in the past two years that l was going to fish Atkins but still haven't made it but I will sooner or later. The heat has made my lake fishing miserable but I don't enjoy night fishing so I'll just grin and bear it I guess.

[No Thanks I'll Bass]

I fish the river some. I am not a river specialist be any means but I like to go with my friends that know it better than me. The last three outings have been to tarcamp and rising star and had decent days. I've said a few times in the past two years that l was going to fish Atkins but still haven't made it but I will sooner or later. The heat has made my lake fishing miserable but I don't enjoy night fishing so I'll just grin and bear it I guess.

Yea man I went to Atkins for the first time Monday and pulled that 5 pounder with a jig. There has got to be some monsters out there. I just got out there around 6 and fished till about 10 and it wasn't bad. The West end of the lake has lots of cypress and brush but it very shallow. That's where I caught that one but it was in the slot. Haven't tried the east end of the lake. Definitely check it out. Could also get out there really early and run trotlines off those trees and then fish and pick up lines when finished. Big cats out there as well. Good luck to you though. Forrest Wood Cup going to be tough on them guys this weekend at Ouachita with the weather change. Ought to be a battle down there.

[RUSS9999]

Here in north Mo. it been so bad at day light I am asking why am I going? By 9am its all I can do to stay on the lake. But the bite has been good and really good from 10 to noon on shady windy banks in 1' of water.

[scaleface]

Here in north Mo. it been so bad at day light I am asking why am I going? By 9am its all I can do to stay on the lake. But the bite has been good and really good from 10 to noon on shady windy banks in 1' of water.

Which lakes you been fishing ? I've been having some good days at and nights at Hunnewell .

[Jaw1]

Yeh I'm thinking about going to the Forrest woods cup but probably only one day. The last time it was there they had a ton of stuff going on

[No Thanks I'll Bass]

Yeh I'm thinking about going to the Forrest woods cup but probably only one day. The last time it was there they had a ton of stuff going on

Yea I am wanting to go Sunday but I am On Call this weekend so I would have to talk someone into taking my call at work. Who you wanting to win it? I hope Stetson Blaylock wins. He is from the same town I am from. Hope he gets it done.

[RUSS9999]

Which lakes you been fishing ? I've been having some good days at and nights at Hunnewell .

Forest lake, Thousand Hills Sate Park. It's been crank bait's for me 8' deep 20' off the bank in the morning and 1' deep in the middle of the day against the bank. The bigger bass in the middle of the day.

[scaleface]

Forest lake, Thousand Hills Sate Park. It's been crank bait's for me 8' deep 20' off the bank in the morning and 1' deep in the middle of the day against the bank. The bigger bass in the middle of the day.

Ive been there a few times . Its been about ten years since my last visit and I was crappie fishing then .