Summer Bass Fishing
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 3:29 pm
Well, I think the old thread, "Slow Start Bassin'", no longer applies because the fishing is finally getting fast, two months into my open-water season. Hit the Outer Bay early on Saturday morning with water at 68° or even warmer in some spots. Started fishing at about 6:30 and my buddy had a smallmouth in the boat before the clock hit 7. A few minutes later, a big pike hits the big crankbait about 2 feet away from the boat. Had him on for just a hot second but he shook loose while we were going for the net.
In the next spot I caught a little smallmouth, followed by my first largemouth of the season. Not a big one but we'll take it. Here we saw emerging vegetation up against a section of rocky bottom: perfect! I also hooked another BBP (Big Brave Perch™) on the crankbait. Sadly, at around 9AM the wind started to pick up and we were off the water for a late breakfast by 10. However, this little period really made me feel optimistic, because this was a new spot that we pretty much just drifted into at random, and still we caught fish quickly. I hope it's more than luck-- I hope it means the bite is on!
After a few weeks off the crankbait game is back on, with all our fish coming on the hard minnows. We are now throwing the crankbaits with the smaller lips for a little shallower dive and working them right up against the shore. Don't be afraid of flashy bright blues, reds, and purples for your crankbaits because that's been what's worked.
Plenty of perch, rock bass, dink smallmouth, and the occasional pike also have been caught shore fishing at home. Enjoy the bite while it lasts because the heat is here! We have been catching most fish from 4:30-7AM and especially 8:30-10PM these past weeks. The water is looking very lively with lots of minnows and green weeds. If you live near the water, look for a school of jumping minnows around 9PM and toss a crankbait or spoon into the mix. You won't be dissapointed!
So, we found the bass. Now if someone would just tell me where the big ones are...
In the next spot I caught a little smallmouth, followed by my first largemouth of the season. Not a big one but we'll take it. Here we saw emerging vegetation up against a section of rocky bottom: perfect! I also hooked another BBP (Big Brave Perch™) on the crankbait. Sadly, at around 9AM the wind started to pick up and we were off the water for a late breakfast by 10. However, this little period really made me feel optimistic, because this was a new spot that we pretty much just drifted into at random, and still we caught fish quickly. I hope it's more than luck-- I hope it means the bite is on!
After a few weeks off the crankbait game is back on, with all our fish coming on the hard minnows. We are now throwing the crankbaits with the smaller lips for a little shallower dive and working them right up against the shore. Don't be afraid of flashy bright blues, reds, and purples for your crankbaits because that's been what's worked.
Plenty of perch, rock bass, dink smallmouth, and the occasional pike also have been caught shore fishing at home. Enjoy the bite while it lasts because the heat is here! We have been catching most fish from 4:30-7AM and especially 8:30-10PM these past weeks. The water is looking very lively with lots of minnows and green weeds. If you live near the water, look for a school of jumping minnows around 9PM and toss a crankbait or spoon into the mix. You won't be dissapointed!
So, we found the bass. Now if someone would just tell me where the big ones are...