Heat of Summer Fishing?

[helms83]

I went fishing the other day for the first time in the heat of summer. The water temp was 83 degrees, air temp was about the same. I noticed something throughout the day; alot of bass were coming to the surface. It seemed like every where I looked, there was a bass in the vacinity on the surface. My buddy who I was fishing with told me to keep fishing deep (carolina rig and deep diving crankbaits). But I was very tempted to throw some topwater lures to see if I could get a bite (I was getting nothing all day). Is this a dumb idea or am I missing something?

[roadwarrior]

Maybe not topwater, but I had some good luck with Mattlures Baby Bass under those EXACT circumstances two weekends ago. The bass were busting schooling shad in deep water. I cast into the school of baitfish and slow rolled the lure through them. I think any minnow bait would work, but you need something that you can cast a long ways to get to the baitfish. I'm pretty sure a Rat-L-Trap type lure would have worked, too.

[T-rig]

Like roadwarrior mentioned a lipless crank would probably work. But I would definately try a LC Sammy or something similar!

Your friend didn't want you catch any fish it seems!  ;D Bass on top fish on top!

[Cajun1977]

wish 83 degrees was the heat of summer here

[helms83]

so if the bass are on top, go ahead and try (which makes sense to me) by using a lipless crankbait or rat-l-trap? It wasn't like they were feeding (I don't think). Some were slow rollers, like getting air or something.

Cajun - 83 degrees was on a foggy/cloudy morning. Past 2 weeks it's mostly been 90's and sunny here in tuckessee.

[surfer]

I am with RW and T-rig.  It sounds like schools of bait fish being balled up and then hit.  I have thrown rapala minnows, shad raps, spoons, and flukes in to the spot and had hookups.  If I can cast right on top of the action then allot of times I get bit immediately when the lure hits the water.

I have heard in this situation that the bigger bass can be caught deeper in the school.  I do not have personal experience with that yet, but will be trying to cast beyond and swim a bait under the action in the near future.

[Catt]

Schooling bass is an excellent time to throw clear colored top water baits like a Tiny Torpedo, Spook Jr, and Pop-R. The clear color will produce reaction strikes better than colored baits under schooling conditions. The problem with schooling bass is you can spend hours chasing and catching only small bass but sometimes it will be bigger bass schooling. Another trick is to throw baits like a Little George letting it flutter down below the smaller schooling bass.

[surfer]

It wasn't like they were feeding (I don't think). Some were slow rollers, like getting air or something.

uhmm... maybe they weren't bass feeding then.  What I am talking about looks much more exciting with some bass jumping clear out of the water.  Sometimes it can be indicated by birds diving into the water at one spot, or waves of minnows jumping trying to escape, or bass coming clear out of the water.  But the random slow roller by himself doesn't sound right.  I have seen a gar/ pickerel (I can't tell them apart) do that.  But I can't say one way or the other what you saw.

[Gorgebassman]

I have been fishing under those conditions here in southern Missouri myself and saw the same thing the other day. I rigged a weightless fluke and worked it just under the surface and got hammered all day. I think like RW said as well a lipless crank or even a suspending jerk bait would work well.

[RoLo]

Ignore that old wives tale about the dog-days of summer. Largemouth bass are deepest in 'winter'.

In central Florida, mid-summer can be great for throwing topwater lures in shallow water.

Roger

[helms83]

It wasn't like they were feeding (I don't think). Some were slow rollers, like getting air or something.

uhmm... maybe they weren't bass feeding then. What I am talking about looks much more exciting with some bass jumping clear out of the water. Sometimes it can be indicated by birds diving into the water at one spot, or waves of minnows jumping trying to escape, or bass coming clear out of the water. But the random slow roller by himself doesn't sound right. I have seen a gar/ pickerel (I can't tell them apart) do that. But I can't say one way or the other what you saw.

I was fortunate to see all of what you described the other day. I saw gar coming up, slow to and under the surface. But i'm sure what i was witnessing were bass coming to the surface. Not in a feeding frezy though. It was like one would come up, get what it wanted (whether found or air), then go back under. but it was all over the lake.

Next time if the same thing happens, i'm going to try some sort of topwater lure.

[RoLo]

I saw gar coming up, slow to and under the surface. But i'm sure what i was witnessing were bass coming to the surface. Not in a feeding frezy though.

The sound of feeding bass is pretty unique and pretty unforgettable.

When bass are actively feeding on top, about once every minute or less you'll hear that unmistakable "Blash",

like a flat rock hitting the water. Here in the canebrakes of Florida, it's either a bass or an alligator,

but usually a bass. Just place your next cast beyond the splash and the bass will usually respond

to whatever you might have tied to the end, like it was exactly what he was looking for ;D

Roger

[Guest avid]

When I see the bait skittering and frothing up the surface I throw whatever I have on at the moment.  Because I always have at least 4 rods, I do have some choice.  Any splashy top water will be my first choice, a ratltrap, or spinnerbait comes next, but I will throw a jig, frog, t-rigged plastic worm etc. during these times.

I operate under the theory that the bass are in a feeding frenzy.  They will hit anything that moves.

I also find that these moments can be brief, I never take the time to tie on something different unless everything I have tossed hasn't worked.  this rarely happens.

[dodgeguy]

i've seen bass hit topwater with water in the 90 degree range.yes,a lot of times they go deeper but not always.lipless cranks or zara spooks can produce some big bass in the summer.

[helms83]

Thanks for all the great tips! Another question...

What are good techniques/lures for deep water fishing?

We were using carolina rigs with different soft baits, jigs, and deep diving crankbaits (although I had none at the time but I do now!). I had no luck, although my buddy caught 6 keepers with 2 dinks and I caught a sunburn (although in the outings forum I tell about the one that got away). I'm just looking for more advice (I have read the seasonal articles).