Tips and TechniquesWith the radiating sun beating down, late summer bass fishing can be sluggish, discouraging, and difficult. Many bass tend to slow down and move into cooler, deeper water, under cover, or near structure. Others may suspend mid-water or continue foraging along shallow lines. Confusing right? We know! Deciding what lure to tie on next when the fish aren’t biting can leave anglers scratching their heads wondering what they are doing wrong. While summer seems like a tough time to fish, with a little bit of work, it can also be the most rewarding.
Here’s a couple tips to help YOU catch more bass in late summer:
1) When the surface water is heating up, key in on fishing under cover – like docks, fallen trees, vegetation and more. Docks and submerged trees make for an excellent bass utopia. Vegetation like Hydrilla and Lily Pads are home to baitfish, higher oxygen levels, and mostly importantly, SHADE! Targeting bass in these areas can produce a satisfying summer catch.
2) Take advantage of feeding times! Get on the lake before the summer heat begins or as the evening sun begins to set. Low light and low heat are the perfect conditions for hungry bass. Tie on your favorite topwater, buzz-baits, or trick worms. This small window provides a prime-time experience and increases your chances of nailing your next personal best.
3) When bigger baits, frogs, and crank-baits stop working, go finesse! Use a drop-shot rig. Keep in mind – while we all want to feel the every twitch at the bottom by using heavier weight, lighter weight helps your worm maintain a natural 
presentation. Slow your crank speed down and stay confident in your technique!
5) Find the current! Whether it be from the wind, water density, or a nearby dam. Finding the current means finding oxygen, higher levels of oxygen means finding forage, finding forage means you find hungry predatory bass! BOOM…
6) Remember, not all bass are deep during the summer months, because this species of game-fish have a higher tolerance for heat, some remain shallow foraging on craws, bugs, frogs, some remain near points in search of ambush prey, and others will migrate to cooler deeper water. Don’t focus your energy in one place, the water is your wonderland!
7) When the hot gets hotter, match the hatch and throw a deep-diving crankbait. Use it as a search bait to cover a big area of deep water. Varying your speeds and technique can entice even the most lethargic fish to bite!
Bass can be finicky in the summer months, but with a little bit of time, effort, and technique you can quickly improve your catch ratio and thus, improve your summer-time fishing experience!
