Varner Big Summer Bass

[Randall]

We are seeing our first real heat wave of the Summer here In GA. Water temps at lake Varner are hot and just under ninty degrees in the afternoon. Most people give up on catching big bass in the heat of summer or just fish in the early morning, at night or late afternoon. The last few days we have been catching a bunch of smaller fish four pounds or less in the am. Its been the best bite for numbers this year so far since the fish are bunched up and where you get one there are usually more. Then the bite slows down and most people leave the lake when it starts to gets hot. It was 98 degrees yesterday with afternoon water temps over 89 degrees.  Then the big ones start to bite. You may not get many bites but for the biggest bass in the lake the hottest part of the day has been hottest part of the day. ;D  Yesterday we had around fifteen bites early from 7am til 10am. Then we had zero bites for two hours. From noon til 4pm we had four bites. Every fish in the afternoon was four pounds or better. This has been the norm for over a week now.  Best bait in the am has been plastics and the best bait in the afternoon has been a wake type swimbait and a splitshot rig trickworm. Here is a photo of the biggest fish from last week caught at 2pm in 98 degree heat in two to four feet of water.  :oDidn't weigh the fish but I believe it to be a fish that I last caught in November that weighed twelve pounds when it was much fatter since it came from the same exact spot as the one last year. It was much lighter this time but still around ten. Wanted to get it back quick after a photo since it was hot and I didn't have a scale ready.  

[Guest avid]

Man, that's what I call dedication.

98  degrees and still fishin hard.

I guess that's what separates the rock stars from the groupiesl

way to go dude.

[Bassn Blvd]

Four hours of fishing with only four bites in the middle of the day with 98 degree heat.  Okay, be honest.... your trying to lose weight or you got kicked outta the house and have nothing to do.  Man your hardcore......Nice fish though considering all the sweat that went into it........

[WhiteMike1018]

just goes to show you what can be done while the other anglers are at the bar sipping lemonade.

-wm

[T-rig]

It all pays off! Great fish!

[Lightninrod]

I caught my PB,  a 9 lber, in the middle of an August, 100 degree day back in 2005.  She bit a Matt's Baby Bass in the middle of 10' of water.

Yesterday, I was back at that same public lake and the water temp was at 92 degrees F with air temp at a bout 100 degrees.  Sorry to say; no bites, no Bass as I left there after about 3 hours.

Very FINE BASS Randall!!!  I've got to get together with you soon 8-).

Dan

[roadwarrior]

Great story, great fish, great pic!

I have caught most of my biggest largemouth bass in the middle of the hottest, bluebird days of summer.

[JayW]

Nice Bass! I too have caught some really nice Bass on hot summer days.

[bighed]

Nice fish, good observation about the heat of the day bite as well.  I've got to drag my boat over there to GA one of these days.  Ya'll got some nice fish over there!  big

[demonjd22]

just goes to show you what can be done while the other anglers are at the bar sipping lemonade.

-wm

Lol we might be at the bar, but i somehow doubt we'd be sipping lemonade

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

Beautiful Fish Man you are a machine with the big bass Randall.

[SCarter]

Good fish Randall. And you are not kidding about this heatwave. Got a friend of mine hooked on Varner. I recommended you to put him on a lunker and I think he is going to call you about a trip. His name is Greg and loves to fish. Keep your open times on the Varner post off fishatl's site. I need a trip soon.