Summer Midday Fishing

[BigOleBob]

Just a quick question as I am leaving for the cabin in the next couple of days. I dont get to go fishing alot, so when I do, I like to stay out there from the morning untill night time.

During the afternoon, when the summer heat is there and the sun is blazing, I usually dont catch many fish as I like to keep it shallow because I dont know of much deep structure on this lake.

My question would be, where should I be looking to fish, and with what on these hot summer afternoons? Any help appreciated, Thanks!

[bigtimfish]

Honestly you need to be deeper. I rarely find a fish in water that is shallow with a 90 deg water temp. I don't know the water temps where you fish, but last sunday all of the coves and shallows I was in the water temps were from 88 to 90 degs. When I got out deeper I found 82 degs. And then I found fish. I am usually off the water at 1:00 pm though.

[BigOleBob]

I do know of a sunken island in the middle of the lake that my dad and I used to Walleye fish at night. Would that be worth a try on a hot summer afternoon?

[powerman970]

I have found fish shallow even in the middle of a hot summer and been able to catch them by fishing pockets on the shady side of the main river.  I concentrate on boat houses, piers, and any other structure that I can find that might offer a little shade and use a very slow presentation.  A lot of times, I will pitch a T-rigged finesse worm right up against structure and just deadstick it.  If no takers, twitch it a little and work it as slow as humanly possible.  That being said, you probably need to be deeper if you want to catch quality fish.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I do know of a sunken island in the middle of the lake that my dad and I used to Walleye fish at night. Would that be worth a try on a hot summer afternoon?

Absolutely.  Bigger fish are going to move deeper.  Caught me a pig yesterday, 93 degrees, bluebird, 14 fow

[Crestliner2008]

If you do not want to spend time learning how a fishfinder can dramatically increase your catch ratio, then I'd suggest trying to find shallow overhead cover and/or underground springs.

Either of these will produce for you, but you'll be getting smaller fish and only one or two at a spot. It's tough staying shallow this time of the year.

My ultimate suggestion? Learn to use a sonar and catch fish everyday.

[Clark Stewart]

I generally only fish the shallow end of a pond in my area as that's the only place where the cover is. That being said if you have any grass around there WILL BE BASS THERE. Perfect example: I got crushed fishing a white buzzbait at Guntersville last Saturday in 92 degree weather in 2 feet of water with hydrilla right under the surface. The bass was just lying in the weeds where the sun couldn't reach him waiting for something to happen by. He literally had the whole buzzbait in his mouth!

[bmadd]

If you want to stay shallow, look for grass, docks, or any other cover that will offer shade to the bass.

[DINK WHISPERER]

I found that the shallows hold only wandering dinks! One every hour if i am lucky!

[Paul Roberts]

Every water's different. And regions are different. Minnesota is not likely to have water temps too high for bass. You may well have both shallow and deeper fish.

The idea is to hone down the real estate:

My guess is you likely have a thermocline so most of your fishing will be less than 20 feet, probably less than 15.

If it's a natural lake (again my guess for MN) I'd look for two options:

-Away-from-shore structure (long points, sunken humps).

-Shallow slop bays, with lots of vegetation.

With such options, I'd say fish your strengths.