Downsizing in the heat

[zaraspook_dylan2]

Hey guys, was wondering if you think it's critical to downsize baits during the dog days? More or less I'm talking about soft plastics and jigs.

[brushhoggin]

i don't think it's critical , but it can help. slowing down in general can be critical.  you can slow down and use a 12" worm and have a better chance at a bigger fish than fishin slow with a 4" worm. you just want it to look like an easy meal 

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I don't really downsize in the summer at all.  Mind you, down here in south Florida it's generally always fairly hot.  Most of the time in summer I'll change my presentation up more than my baits.  I'll fish the same lures year round.  Speed up or slow down your presentation based upon the current weather conditions or the water conditions in the area you're fishing in.

For instance, right now in the lakes I fish, big baits are producing fish in all sizes.  You can downsize to the same lure in a smaller size and catch the exact same fish.  Most of my larger fish have come on the same lures I've always fished, just fished faster or more erratically.

[Raul]

Hey guys, was wondering if you think it's critical to downsize baits during the dog days? More or less I'm talking about soft plastics and jigs.

No.

[bocabasser]

go bigger and fish slower. you won't get as many bites, but the bites you do get should be better fish.

[Nice_Bass]

fronts are about the only time I downsize.  that being said, what kind of fish do you want to catch, quantity or quality?

For confidence, go with a good compact bait that moves water.  May i recommend a Brushhog or a rage craw t-rigged?

[Hook Set]

When it's super hot like this and once the sun pops over the trees, I start looking for docks adjacent to deep water and fish a drop shot on the shady side.

Has worked out pretty good for me this summer.

[Hellbenderman]

I know there are a lot of folks who ascribe to the small and slow in the summer tactic. Slow, absolutely, but...small? I have been using a 12" Culprit and a slug of a seven inch senko for the past month and doing very nicely, thank you. In general, forage is small in the spring and gains size as the summer progresses...logical, perhaps. To be sure there are lot's of small fry all over the place; three inch bass, and tiny little shad, and bluegill fry, all from this year, but why would a large bass expend the same energy, or more, for a snack, when it can expend the same energy and have a meal? Me, neither?! Hahahaha. I'm sure, if Ole Lady Fivepounds is hiding under a log, and a one inch Bluegill fry swam right under her nose, she would open her mouth and suck! The question is, if that little fry is six feet away, how willing would she be to chase it down, versus a 12 inch Culprit six feet away? That said, I have had a lot of fun fishing shad pods and catching one to two pound schoolies on a tiny Killer B-1, but I don't think larger bass are out and about the lake most of the day chasing shad schools around. I think they stay at home on carefully staked out structure that offers security and easy pickings, or not...hahaha. If I seem to contradict myself, it's because I know that if there was ever a living thing that made exceptions to the rule, the rule, it's the bass. As soon as you think you know something...well, you know...hahaha. This is all just a war of wits between you and a fish. I"m pretty sure who is winning...very sad...hahaha. Try big and slow for a day. What have you got to lose you haven't already lost? LOL.

[Catt]

Uhh no!!! 

[farmpond1]

I hear a lot of people who advocate downsizing but if it, indeed, works (which I personally haven't seen), it must be for reasons which elude me.  As the season progresses, the surviving/remaining prey fish will have gotten larger.  So, unless bass prefer runts for food, it seems to make sense to go larger instead of smaller.  The only exception I can think of is young crawdads with softer shells being preferred over larger, mature crawdads.

[fishfordollars]

I don't downsize at all. In fact, i go to larger plastics.

[Catt]

The only exception I can think of is young crawdads with softer shells being preferred over larger, mature crawdads.

All crawfish molt as the grow 

[NateFollmer]

I only downsize in the heat if big and slow isn't working. AND I only downsize my ribbon tail worms. I have never noticed a difference when downsizing swimbaits, jigs, or any of that other stuff (craws seem to work better if they are bigger anyway ).

I guess what I'm saying is what everyone else already said: Use the same lures, only slower... if that doesn't work, try a different size.

[farmpond1]

The only exception I can think of is young crawdads with softer shells being preferred over larger, mature crawdads.

All crawfish molt as the grow

Didn't know that.  Or I'd forgotten.  At any rate, even that argument isn't valid then.

[Triton Jones]

No

[BassThumb]

No.  I often upsize and slow down.

[BASSINATORBIGJOE]

No. I upsize.....MIKE 8-)>

[sbrown]

When fishing the river ledges down here on the tn river lakes, these fish have seen every big worm, jig,and 6xd that can be thrown. I sometimes downsize my worm to finesse just to give a different look offshore.