Summertime Blues

[Koz]

From what I've read here on BR there are some northerners a bit jealous of those of us that live and fish in the south. But let me tell you, about this time of year it's us guys in the south that are jealous of you! For going on 6 weeks now it's been ridiculously hot and HUMID with the heat index around 105 every day. And that means the bass fishing here is just awful.

 

Whether you fish slow, fish fast, fish the top, middle, or bottom columns the bite is few and far between. Meanwhile, I visit BR and see photos of all of the lunkers that you northerners are catching ?

 

We did have one week where we had a ton of rain and it did cool off for a while. That was the one good week of fishing this summer and my son and I landed a handful of 5 pounders.

 

Bank fishing at night is a "no go" where I live. We bank fish hundreds of small and medium sized lagoons and there are a ton of alligators in our area. DNR doesn't remove them unless they get really, really aggressive (apparently getting chased by one is not enough!). Kayaks, canoes, and boats are not allowed where we fish either.

 

So for me, all of this constant heat and humidity is giving me the summertime blues. I still head out there and fish a few times a week, but the trips are short, hot, and sweaty. Most of the other anglers that fish where we fish have packed it in for the summer season. But this evening it will be partly cloudy and "only" 95 out - so maybe I'll give it another go.

 

I, for one, can't wait until October rolls around and things finally start to cool off and the bass are more active again.

 

Stay chilly, my friends...

 

 

 

 

[TnRiver46]

I think I commented on another thread somewhere that if it wasn’t so cold I would move north. I can fish in 25 degree air but that below zero business ain’t for me. My favorite thing about all the northern photos on this site: wide open water and no boats in sight. The bass in my waters have seen more lures than Johnny Morris himself 

[Bluebasser86]

We get the best of both worlds, temps below zero in the winter and above 100 in the summer with sauna like humidity. You have to adjust, the fish still have to eat. It was blistering hot with the humidity putting the heat index well over 100 and almost no wind last Friday but I still put 43 in the boat in just over 4 hours, water temp in the mid 80's and very clear, but the fish were mostly less than 5' deep. 

 

Actual Temp

94° /69

[NHBull]

Yup......150 days till hard water here

60 days till they start drawing down the water

Columbus Day many ramps are to low

Makes us appreciate soft water more and jealous of our southern friends 

[TnRiver46]

The Who claimed “there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues”

[Koz]

23 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

The Who claimed “there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues”

 

Actually, The Who did it as a cover song. Eddie Cochrane performed it forst. But I prefer The Who version.

[TnRiver46]

9 hours ago, Koz said:

 

Actually, The Who did it as a cover song. Eddie Cochrane performed it forst. But I prefer The Who version.

Cool! Thanks for the info, I love learning who originally recorded songs. A few of my favorite songs by various artist have been traced back to “the boss.” One in particular was “Atlantic City” by the band

[Koz]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Cool! Thanks for the info, I love learning who originally recorded songs. A few of my favorite songs by various artist have been traced back to “the boss.” One in particular was “Atlantic City” by the band

 

I was a big fan of The Who back in the day and loved the version of Summertime Blues on the Live at Leeds album. I haven't listened to The Who in years after the Pete the Pedo stuff came out.

[Brew City Bass]

It ain't all fun and games up here right now either. 

Water is low 80's and we've been upper 80's air temp, sometimes 90's. It's been rough by Wisconsin standards. 

I've been fishing at night a lot more lately and it's been paying off. I don't think our bass really like it when the water gets above 75*. Water has been pretty stained in quite a few lakes near me as well which throws me off my game. If fall wasn't right around the corner I'd probably get drunk and just cry instead of braving the possible skunk. But I know we only have a few more weeks of good weather and I'll kick myself in the rear if I don't at least get out for a few hours when I can during the day. 

Today was a rough one for me in particular. Went out from 8am - 1pm and only had 3 smaller bass to show for it. One came off a black spinnerbait, one on a whopper plopper, and one on a frog. I couldn't find a pattern and just started junk fishing. Going through spring and summer transition I thought I finally had things figured out. Then it got ungodly hot and humid and the water temps got scalding and I just lost all confidence I had. I've been contemplating hiring a guide and just picking his brain about fishing in these conditions and hopefully he is more than willing to show me how to find em in this weather. But that'd be an expensive lesson.

[bagofdonuts]

I've done both and I'll stay down here. 

Anyone who watched any of the forest wood cup can tell how tough the summer fishing can get.

But i can fish all winter long. In fact my favorite times to fish are when everyone else is hunting.

In the summer i fish rivers almost exclusively. Find some current and you'll find feeding bass. 

Don't know if that'll work up north, but you might give it a try.

[N Florida Mike]

On 8/14/2018 at 8:21 AM, Koz said:

 

Actually, The Who did it as a cover song. Eddie Cochrane performed it forst. But I prefer The Who version.

I like Alan Jacksons version. Just heard it last week.

[N Florida Mike]

As I stated on a recent post, it has been a cooler summer than normal here in N. Florida. I think the avg. temp last year in july was 96. We had 5 straight days with temps over 100. The fishing was poor. I did get a 7 pounder on a frog.

This year, they have bit well all summer. Temps have generally been high 80s and low 90s. There has been a LOT of rain and cloud cover. They have been all over the flukes ( early summer ) and senkos ( later summer )

We'll see what september does. Traditionally, it isnt one of my better months. October-dec. is usually on fire here, esp with small, ribbon tailed worms.

[Wurming67]

I live in South Florida been here 45 years and work outside so it doesn't bother me when I'm fishing, if you aren't use to it I could see how it could effect someone.

[sfpalatka]

On ‎8‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 6:52 AM, N Florida Mike said:

 

This year, they have bit well all summer. Temps have generally been high 80s and low 90s. There has been a LOT of rain and cloud cover.

 

I have to agree. I fished Lake George on Sunday morning and I believed my Garmin read 83 degree water temp. My daughter and I did really well with the bass. She caught one at least 5lbs on a spinnerbait. What is strange is how it can be the same conditions and water depth, but move a few hundred feet and the water temp is higher. Maybe that is the nature of fishing tidal water. 

[Deleted account]

On 8/14/2018 at 8:21 AM, Koz said:

 

Actually, The Who did it as a cover song. Eddie Cochrane performed it forst. But I prefer The Who version.

Oh good, you might know, What does "I felt a little like a dying clown with a streak of rin tin tin" mean?

 

[A-Jay]

The pay-off for the long, hard & cold winters can be pretty good if one is willing to endure it.

A-Jay

[haggard]

11 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

The pay-off for the long, hard & cold winters can be pretty good if one is willing to endure it.

So much for the summertime blues!

 

[fishwizzard]

I have had a lot of good days this summer, but the bad ones have been miserable.  Six hours without a bite, so soaked with sweat I look like I fell in, legs covered in cuts and ticks, just awful.  It was so hot and humid the other day the sweat dripping off my elbow got the top of my shoe wet enough for me to notice it and look down.  

 

It's still better than the winter is though.  

[Koz]

2 hours ago, reason said:

Oh good, you might know, What does "I felt a little like a dying clown with a streak of rin tin tin" mean?

 

 

Dying hound, not clown. Rin Tin Tin as in the German Shepherd dog in silent movies days and later in 1950's TV.

[Hillbilly Bennett]

It’s definitely no picknick here in Eastern, KY. Where I live our lakes just don’t have quality fish. This time of year 1-2 keepers and 3 1/2 To 4 pounds usually wins the 20-30 boat Thursday and Friday night derbies. We have plenty of rats and knotheads to catch but during this time of year even they can get spotty. Spring and fall fishing is ok, but it’s nothing like what our neighbors in central KY, western KY and eastern TN have. I love to travel and go fish their lakes but it breaks my heart to have to bcome back home and fish the dink-fest that is Eastern KY. I’ve been trying to talk my wife in to moving so we can actually go out and catch a keeper bass or two but she doesn’t share the same views as me on moving just to get near better fishing. The rivers and streams around here are the best relief from the hot and barren waters in the local lakes. There are some decent smallmouth and spotted bass to be had in them.