Heat wave bass fishing?

[nutwagonfromhell]

I`m tryin to learn how to catch more effectivly in various situations. What are some good strategies for fishing while air temps are past 100 degrees?
I assume mid depth jigging would work along with plastic worms.
How are the pros pulling out bass all day long with brutal heat is what i have always wondered. I have caught some 4 to 5 lbs bass in mid july but in the midwest, august sux donkey lug nuts.

[BigBassin144]

I'm not an expert, but try fishing under slop or in submerged weeds where bass hide to get some shade.

[nutwagonfromhell]

Thanks for that advice.
One thing I forgot to mention my lake doesnt have submerged weeds or slop bays. It was partially drained years ago for cleaning up and filling in a small cove. It`s stained water lightly black and sometimes lightly green in fall. theres weeds around the rocky banks that are pretty thick. thats about the only cover there is. One side is shaded by trees which I know they must be there in the day, and on that side of the lake a huge hail storm years ago knocked like 3 or 4 big trees in the water. This is a shallow lake, the deep part is dead center of the lake.
The west end is 3-5 foot deep with a point extending half way across the cove. The east end is shaded and filling in with decaying leaves and at time stinks like a fart or sulfur, I been told to stay away from it cause it lowers oxygen at this time. like 100 feet from the stinky part is a spawning ground, a big shallow point that extends all the way across. The weeded areas is near the steepest drop off which is kind of gradual.

[hackattack]

shade and deeper water...you got a boat?

[nutwagonfromhell]

No boat yet. Looking for a cheap duck boat.

[bassfisher02]

Well with no boat, heres what I would do. Fish whatever you can early morning [before sunrise] this because the bass will be shallower and you have the best chance of a catch. When the sun comes up and starts beatin' down go home. Come back when the sun is just about to go down and fish on into the night. No sense in puttin yourself out in 100+ degree temps since you cant access good spots of deep water. Even with a boat many will agree by noon its time to head in, the sun can really mess your body up.

[nutwagonfromhell]

Originally Posted by bassfisher02

Well with no boat, heres what I would do. Fish whatever you can early morning [before sunrise] this because the bass will be shallower and you have the best chance of a catch. When the sun comes up and starts beatin' down go home. Come back when the sun is just about to go down and fish on into the night. No sense in puttin yourself out in 100+ degree temps since you cant access good spots of deep water. Even with a boat many will agree by noon its time to head in, the sun can really mess your body up.

I do that but I cant stay away from the lake all day lol.
Last evening the lake was dead as could be which was unusual at this lake, but early morning I figure the lakes have cooled over night.

[BigBassin144]

Water REally won't cool that much just over night, But I would try fishing those weeds you were talking about. also try to reach some deep water the best you can. my suggestion. a 8'6" - 10'6" Steelhead/Salmon word with a big Spinning reel. the long rod will help you get distance, and nothing outcasts a spining reel. Also don't try to cast a spinnerbait out there, Not very aerodynamic at all.

[bassfisher02]

How much do you expect a lake to cool off in general BigBassin??? A degree difference is enough to improve fishing, so fishing early morning is deffinitely a great idea, that water will be cooler.

[hackattack]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Water REally won't cool that much just over night, But I would try fishing those weeds you were talking about. also try to reach some deep water the best you can. my suggestion. a 8'6" - 10'6" Steelhead/Salmon word with a big Spinning reel. the long rod will help you get distance, and nothing outcasts a spining reel. Also don't try to cast a spinnerbait out there, Not very aerodynamic at all.

I have to call you out there...randomly casting to deeper water is a waste of time...there is usually something near shore you can pick apart and find a fish or two.

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I'm not an expert, but try fishing under slop or in submerged weeds where bass hide to get some shade.

I know that you can find fish in shallow water, that's waht I said in my first post. I was just telling him how to get to deeper water from shore.

[Twinlaker]

You will find shade early and late. I caught my biggest bass to date last Wednesday evening in the shade with a snagproof frog on powerpro line fishing scum that protudes from the bank about four feet. The bass was 8-9 pounds.

[lunker-lander]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I'm not an expert, but try fishing under slop or in submerged weeds where bass hide to get some shade.

Good point here BB144, but bass truly do not go under slop for shade. If bass get too hot, they will go down to deep water, slop and shade act as camoflauge for a bass to hide in and ambush prey. Under slop and down deep are still good options to catch bass mid-summer though.

[BigBassin144]

I fish a very shallow reservior and slop and submerged weeds are the onyl shade the bass got, the deepest water is about 5-6 ft.

[skeeter944]

Go weightless! Try Super Flukes and trick worms in colors that match the predominate forage in the resiviour. Also try RatLTraps and spinnerbaits ticking the tops of the grass. Try the outside weedline, its normally has less slop. Try frogs and rats over the mat, or you could punch through with a 1 ounce jig or craw-worm.

[keithdog]

If I were you, I would try downsizing my approach and fish slow. Maybe try a stick bait or small plastic worm or creature bait rigged T style with either a small bullet weight of around 1/8 oz. or weightless. Cast it out near some weed cover and work it back very slowly. In very warm water, bass often become lethargic and won't chase after a lure the way they will when the water cools down. And try working the shaded sides of the weedbeds first. As Lunker Lander said, the bass in the shade are there to hide in and ambush pray passing nearby. Work those areas first. And keep your presentation slow.