when all else fails, try shallow water in summer

[paul.]

about a month ago, the fishing really slowed down for me.  all my deep water honey holes just weren't producing like they had been.  it took me longer to realize what was going on than it should have.  but i finally figured out that the grass had died off of in the deep water and the active fish moved shallow due to lack of oxygen in the depths.  we are constantly reading and hearing about how we should fish deep cover and structure when it's hot.  and this is good advice AS LONG AS OXYGEN LEVELS ARE SUFFICIENT.  but if they are not, it might be time to try the shallow stuff.  although the size is just average, i have been catching fish like crazy in shallow water (sometimes only inches deep) in the lakes i fish.  it hasn't seemed to matter much what i've been throwing.  topwater, cranks, spinnerbaits, jigs, plastics, flukes, senkos, and swimbaits have all gotten hammered.  everything has gotten bit as these shallow fish seem to be red hot compared to their deep water counterparts.  also contrary to popular belief, many of these shallow fish have been caught in the heat of the day (because i am too lazy to get up early ;D)

here's one from today.  this is about the smallest one i have caught lately, but i post it to make a point to anyone out there who is intimidated by the size of these baits.  "regular size" fish will hit swimbaits, and hit them well.  this one was only about a pound.  most of what i have been getting lately is in the 1-3 pound range.  hopefully a big one is coming soon.  i need a lunker.  hope y'all are catchin' some too.    

[Randall]

It's true down here too. Most of my better fish in August and September are 10 feet or less. The big ones here often suspend over deep water near big flats about eight feet down over fifteen to twenty feet. They like it over or near deep water but are still pretty shallow and can be tough to catch.    

[LCpointerKILLA]

good info