I Don't Know What The Deal Is......

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Here in central NC ambient temps are about 90 and water sitting about 85. Morning time I throw top water frogs early about 7 am. May get a hit every 50 casts. Buzz baits same thing. Then I try swim baits. Nothing. From about 7am to 11am I stay shallow about 1-6 feet of water in the "coves" of the lake. I then get bored and throw rooster tails to at least get dinks and some blue gills. I see other boats about 25-50 feet from the banks all day long. My gut tells me to stay shallow but apparently I'm wrong. My friend went with me last week and said I should be looking at my electronics to find drops during the day from like 6 feet with with steep drop to 25+ feet. Problem is I have no confidence in my worm fishing and don't know when to use Texas or Carolina or weightless. When the heat of the day comes I guess I waste my time for bass in the shallows???

[BassinLou]

If you tried the shallows and you haven't caught anything worth your while, then I think its time to take to the depths and begin learning new techniques that will lead you nicer fish. Nothing ventured nothing gained. For years I avoided jigs as well as pitching and flipping. I was not confident in  throwing these techniques. Didn't know what to feel for, when to throw the baits, etc... One day late last year it was cold, the fish were not hitting any of my normal offerings for the area I was fishing and I said what the hell. I threw a jig and within my first couple of casts caught a 4lb fish. I thought it was dumb luck so, I kept throwing the bait and continued catching fish. Once I figured out what the fish were doing, I continued to catch a 5lb and 5.5lb fish. I have become a believer of the jig ever since. I know I still have a lot  to learn about the this bait, but the results have been awesome so far. The point I am trying to make is, get out of your comfort zone and you might be surprised what happens. Good luck to you. 

[MIbassyaker]

If you tried the shallows and you haven't caught anything worth your while, then I think its time to take to the depths and begin learning new techniques that will lead you nicer fish. Nothing ventured nothing gained. For years I avoided jigs as well as pitching and flipping. I was not confident in  throwing these techniques. Didn't know what to feel for, when to throw the baits, etc... One day late last year it was cold, the fish were not hitting any of my normal offerings for the area I was fishing and I said what the hell. I threw a jig and within my first couple of casts caught a 4lb fish. I thought it was dumb luck so, I kept throwing the bait and continued catching fish. Once I figured out what the fish were doing, I continued to catch a 5lb and 5.5lb fish. I have become a believer of the jig ever since. I know I still have a lot  to learn about the this bait, but the results have been awesome so far. The point I am trying to say is, get out of your comfort zone and you might be surprised what happens. Good luck to you. 

Yup!  The only way to learn how to feel is to spend some time feeling.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

If you tried the shallows and you haven't caught anything worth your while, then I think its time to take to the depths and begin learning new techniques that will lead you nicer fish. Nothing ventured nothing gained. For years I avoided jigs as well as pitching and flipping. I was not confident in throwing these techniques. Didn't know what to feel for, when to throw the baits, etc... One day late last year it was cold, the fish were not hitting any of my normal offerings for the area I was fishing and I said what the hell. I threw a jig and within my first couple of casts caught a 4lb fish. I thought it was dumb luck so, I kept throwing the bait and continued catching fish. Once I figured out what the fish were doing, I continued to catch a 5lb and 5.5lb fish. I have become a believer of the jig ever since. I know I still have a lot to learn about the this bait, but the results have been awesome so far. The point I am trying to say is, get out of your comfort zone and you might be surprised what happens. Good luck to you.

Sounds about right Lou!!! ;-)

[BassinLou]

Sounds about right Lou!!! ;-)

 

Trust me, I have been there. I am in a similar situation now as matter of fact. It's been brutally hot in South FL lately. I am fortunate to have the Everglades 45 min away from where I live. The water temps have been in the low 90's. Basically bath water. Although the temps have lowered as of late due to rain, its still hot. I know the bass are around. So I changed strategies and decided to flip and pitch in areas that I have  passed  for the last 15 yrs. Well... to make a long story short, my strategy paid off and I stuck one heckuva of fish. 2 fish exactly. But..... Sadly, for what ever reason my braid snapped on the first fish, and on the second one I managed to get its large head up and out before the fish threw the hook!! Broke my heart, but the point here is I changed my approach, and went with my gut to find  the fish and I was rewarded with signs of life. The good news is however, I am returning tomorrow for round 2, and I am better equipped this time.... lol!! 

[Senko lover]

If I had a boat and depth finder, I would find someone to teach me or teach myself to fish deep. Something I really can't do in my ponds or from the banks of the lakes in my area. It would be a learning experience and it'd probably take me a long time to get good at it, but I know there's fish out deep, I just have never really fished for them. I'd say: go for it!

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Yep! Got a friend going with me next time. :-)

[TwoCan]

Do you have any deep diving cranks? After the morning bite shuts off I go out deeper and find the thermocline, and if it's possible, throw deep divers that can reach just to about the same depth or a foot or two above the thermocline and have been quite successful. Also, lipless cranks or any other type of reaction bait above or on the edge of weeds in about 10-12 feet of water has worked well. 

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Yes I do. Deep cranks about 10 feet capabilities and plenty of rattle traps. ;-)

[lo n slo]

What lake do you do most of your fishing in?

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Harris

[lo n slo]

Man am I jealous. You guys up that way have a handful of top notch bass lakes to choose from. I'm down here close to Norman. Never been to Harris.

[A-Jay]

Catching bass in the Dog Days of Summer is almost always a challenge - for everyone.  During July & August 2015 the Bassmaster Elite series is only holding 3 evens in NY, Michigan & Maryland. 

 

 Review how many Big Bass photos we see here in the summer as compared to spring & fall when the bass are shallow.  Doesn't mean you can't catch them, just shows it's a little harder, so don't get bummed out.

 

 However, It sounds like you're fishing the same way you did BEFORE you bought that Boat.

 

Stop beating the bank.   Most of that bite has been over for a while.

 

Leave the Frogs, Buzzbaits & Roostertails At Home ~ 

 

 In order to increase your bass angling repertoire, you're eventually going to need to learn to use & have confidence in an entire stock of skill & techniques as well as be able to effectively use your equipment; electronics included. 

 

You can catch "Nothing" using anything and fishing anywhere, so trying One or Two New techniques each season is a great way to go.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[lo n slo]

Ok, I just checked out a u tube of this guy catching some good summer time fish on Harris. His best pattern was fan casting grass flats in 8-12' and stroking a big worm thru that stuff. Sounds like alotta fun to me.

From everything I've read, Harris is a fertile lake with plenty of fatties.

[Bankbeater]

Unless that shallow water has a lot of vegetation in it, I would head to deeper water with some kind of structure on the bottom.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Catching bass in the Dog Days of Summer is almost always a challenge - for everyone. During July & August 2015 the Bassmaster Elite series is only holding 3 evens in NY, Michigan & Maryland.

Review how many Big Bass photos we see here in the summer as compared to spring & fall when the bass are shallow. Doesn't mean you can't catch them, just shows it's a little harder, so don't get bummed out.

However, It sounds like you're fishing the same way you did BEFORE you bought that Boat.

Stop beating the bank. Most of that bite has been over for a while.

Leave the Frogs, Buzzbaits & Roostertails At Home ~

In order to increase your bass angling repertoire, you're eventually going to need to learn to use & have confidence in an entire stock of skill & techniques as well as be able to effectively use your equipment; electronics included.

You can catch "Nothing" using anything and fishing anywhere, so trying One or Two New techniques each season is a great way to go.

Good Luck

A-Jay

Makes sense. Will take the advice. :-)

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Catching bass in the Dog Days of Summer is almost always a challenge - for everyone. During July & August 2015 the Bassmaster Elite series is only holding 3 evens in NY, Michigan & Maryland.

Review how many Big Bass photos we see here in the summer as compared to spring & fall when the bass are shallow. Doesn't mean you can't catch them, just shows it's a little harder, so don't get bummed out.

However, It sounds like you're fishing the same way you did BEFORE you bought that Boat.

Stop beating the bank. Most of that bite has been over for a while.

Leave the Frogs, Buzzbaits & Roostertails At Home ~

In order to increase your bass angling repertoire, you're eventually going to need to learn to use & have confidence in an entire stock of skill & techniques as well as be able to effectively use your equipment; electronics included.

You can catch "Nothing" using anything and fishing anywhere, so trying One or Two New techniques each season is a great way to go.

Good Luck

A-Jay

Took your advice. Glad I did!! It was hard to see those coves in the distance as I sat on top of 30 feet of water. But I looked at the electronics and found some humps and drop offs on the bottom. Saw a few arches on the screen and thought "no way!" Well, "way" it was!!! Rattle traps on the bottom and 3 fish in 10 minutes!! 3lbs. 2lbs. and 2.5lbs. Can't wait to use some lizards tomorrow T Rigged as my next lesson. :-)

Thanks!

Joe

[A-Jay]

Took your advice. Glad I did!! It was hard to see those coves in the distance as I sat on top of 30 feet of water. But I looked at the electronics and found some humps and drop offs on the bottom. Saw a few arches on the screen and thought "no way!" Well, "way" it was!!! Rattle traps on the bottom and 3 fish in 10 minutes!! 3lbs. 2lbs. and 2.5lbs. Can't wait to use some lizards tomorrow T Rigged as my next lesson. :-)

Thanks!

Joe

 

And there ya go ~

 

You need one of those buttons in your boat 

 

"That Was Easy ! "

 

Congrats

 

A-Jay

[scaleface]

If your not catching fish you might as well not be catching big , deep ones . Look for some points and go for it.  Spend a lot of time looking at your depth finder . Invest in some marker buoys . The fish are out there.  Dont place limits on yourself , you already know that is not productive . If you dont know how to fish a Texas rig "well " then learn it or you will always be handicapping yourself . 

 

I fished with a lot of guys who all they did was bank fish with spinnerbaits and crankbaits  . I learned zero from them. I didnt start catching lots of bass until I had my own boat and learned to texas rig out on the points and deep flats. I picked it up quickly. The very first day I was putting   fish in the boat . 

[sd15gibbs]

Deep diving crank baits, and a drop shot are great summer techniques

[NCBassAssassin]

I've been doing well fishing thermoclines in deeper water, using deep diving cranks.  Fishing over brushpiles with spinnerbaits has produced for me as well. Hope this helps.

[Catch and Grease]

Its been tough as nails here, yesterday morning I fished 3 hours before getting the only fish of the day on a 10" inch ribbon tail and the lakes around here don't have deep water to run to when the summer comes, to make it all worse I broke my flipping stick and that has been what I have been catching all my good fish on in the heat so I guess I gotta find a new go to technique until I can replace that rod.

I might try flipping a 3/4 ounce weight into slightly less thick stuff with a MH but it probably won't turn out well, might be my only chance to land some decent fish here though...

[lo n slo]

What's your typical thermocline range? If you dont mind me asking.