Heat Wave And Slow Fishing - Tips and Tricks?

[piranha]

We are experiencing a heat wave here the last few weeks...was about 80, jumped to 90 - 95 and has remained...with high humidity. The lakes are all shallow here, most are less than 6 feet with a few going to 10 or so in the channel so the fish get hit hard. The fishing is way off for everyone I have talked to on all the lakes.

What changes should we make in situations like this?

I was thinking that because the fish are feeling stressed, that going smaller and slower in lure presentation might do the trick.  

Are the fish simply not eating as much or have they gone into areas where we can't find them?

I am guessing that they will be finding deeper, cooler water and hiding up under docks and shady areas but have not found a bite there.

Any suggestions?

Thanks to all.

Rick

[George Welcome]

One of the good things to know would be where you are fishing. However, the more than likely is the deeper and the shaded.

Down sizing could make the difference, but I would think slower would be the more correct solution. Also, search that deeper water for some form of cover and fish the opposite side of the sun. I am assuming that you are fishing from a boat. Dock pilings make perfect areas of shelter from the sun, so when you are targeting those docks get in tight to the pilings.

[kicken_bass]

When you think your going slow go even slower. trick worms have been doing it for me. i cast them out let them get to the bottom then ever so slowly i get them back  10 minutes per cast sometimes. if you target weedy areas or wood then your hits will come on the fall but still fish these areas with percision. change and change often. if you can put a particular soft plastic that fish have never seen before out there you can catch those stubborn fish

[Will]

Look for the green healthy weeds which will tell you that there is a good supply of oxygen which will lead to bass.

[Hula_King]

Well, here in my neck of the woods, it has been in the 100's until the last few days.  I've had luck with a white spinnerbait with a small Colorado blade in front and a large willow blade in the back.  I've tried them with and without trailers and have not noticed a diiference.  I've also enjoyed fishing the same white spinnerbait with two large willow blades with the front one reversed.  I retrieve it very slowly and pause every once and awhile.

Hey, this is also my first post.  I've been lurking the last few weeks, and I thought it was about time in threw in my .02.  Hi, all!

[Nick_Barr]

Try deadsticking a jig or senko for 15 seconds or more in the thickest deepest cover and shade there is, also as will said, Green healthy weeds are sign of good oxygen content.

[skymiles94]

I agree with everything said above....BUT

I was casting yesterday afternoon into my brothers lake, which is a small 13 acre body of water.  I was really just practicing while I was taking care of his dogs over lunch, and had no intention of catching anything.  I'm in Georgia, the temp was 94 and the humidity was about the same.

I was playing with a Rap DT4 and would cast and play with the retrieve, just to learn more about how the lure acted.  I realized that I had to get back to work, made one last cast, and burned the lure in, literally, as fast as I could crank the curado.

Caught a nice Largemouth, about 16 inches or so and pretty fat.

I guess it just goes to show you, Bass have a mind of their own!

BTW, getting much better with the Curado on my 7' St. Croix.....Practice makes, well, at least better

[Curado]

I would try some jigs and finesse worms slow; if a deep diving crankbait didn't work.

[Chris]

This time of the year I target shade or shady side of objects, laydowns, the ends of laydowns, under docks, thick cover, wind blown areas or points, deeper banks, old creek channels, pad fields(inside and outside edge), floating moss, bridges, outside edge of flats, outside edge of wood lines, deep standing timber, and channel bends.

[roadwarrior]

I recommend soft plastics on and around deep structure, fished slowly. I caught a couple of big largemouth (and accidently catfish) deadsticking a tube. Tubes are #1 for me right now, Kut-Tail a close second. I'm fishing both T-rigged, unpegged.

[bassackwards]

RW, when ur fishing deep.  are u using a depthfinder to locate fish?  or just the bottom?

also, I am about to see about any articles on approaching deep water...  but anything about that I'd appreciate.

[fireandice]

Welcome Hula_King... glad you decided to join us.  This is looking like a good thread.  Too bad I've been busy, it's been raining, and I'm hacked off because I was looking at boats for about a week, then finally realized that I cannot afford anything even close to what I'd like.  Guess it's time to hit the banks again and keep dreaming for a while anyway.