<p dir="ltr"><em>By: Paul Campbell from <a href="https://www.theo2podcast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">O2 Podcast</a></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">If I was asked to list the top 10 outdoor activities I like to participate in, walleye fishing in the Lake Erie Basin would undoubtedly be amongst the top spots. As a young Ohio born angler, I dreamed for years of fishing Lake Erie. My Dad enjoyed fishing, but he wasn&rsquo;t keen on the three hour drive from our home in Columbus to Ohio&rsquo;s North Coast very often.&nbsp; The beginning of my fishing adventures were spent on the muddy waters of man made reservoirs, ponds, and any small creek I could find that held fish. Georgia may have been on the mind of Ray Charles and Willie Nelson, but I HAD to fish Lake Erie and for years I never stopped pestering my Dad to make the drive. The fishing magazines and Saturday morning fishing TV shows had whipped up my desire to fish for walleye into a frenzy. In the early 90s, I recall meeting the incomparable angling legend, Bill Dance, at an event. He asked me if I had ever fished Lake Erie. I can&rsquo;t exactly remember how I responded, but I can imagine that 12 years of childhood angst blurted out of me in a loud, squeaky voiced yell. Bill, ever graceful, smiled awkwardly, looked at my dad, looked at me and told me to be patient. I&rsquo;m sure there was some other folksy anecdote that went along with those words of wisdom, but I was too mad to listen. Spoiler alert, I didn&rsquo;t get to fish Lake Erie for at least 6 years from that moment! After graduating high school several friends and I packed up for a camping trip in Marble Head, Ohio. With my new found adulthood and independence, my moment was here. Lake Erie, here I come! I would ignore my friends the entire week. I fished nonstop, sunup to sundown. By the third day of the trip, I was sunburned so bad that I was shaking constantly. Undeterred, I pressed on with the singular goal of catching my first Lake Erie walleye. Second spoiler alert of this article, I did not catch a single walleye that trip. I did come to hate the humble rock bass that is in abundant numbers around the shorelines. And the LEWS. The LEWS were everywhere! Lake Erie Water Snake, for the uninitiated, is a completely harmless black snake that swims around the docks and shores of Lake Erie. I had my first chance to fish the Western Basin of Lake Erie, pun intended, I was hooked!&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">It wasn&rsquo;t until my mid-to-late 20s that I discovered the wonders of using a Lake Erie walleye charter. Not everyone has a friend that has a boat and knows every walleye bed in the Lake. And if you are fortunate enough to have &ldquo;that friend,&rdquo; they probably aren&rsquo;t taking you out on their boat and catching walleye as often as you would prefer. When I booked my first Lake Erie walleye charter, I was absolutely amazed at the captain and how he fished. He seemed to have every aspect of fishing down to a science. It seemed like he knew every square foot of water. Every shoal, bank, bar or feature that held walleye, he knew exactly where to go. One of the fascinating aspects of fishing Lake Erie for trophy walleye is the different methods used to catch the species. Downriggers, planer boards, lures, drift socks, the list could go on forever. Every method is effective and has a loyal following of anglers. With every charter I have been on, it&rsquo;s fascinating to watch the captain work their method.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">During one of my walleye trips to the Western Basin, I was ready to catch a true trophy walleye. The Ohio Department of Wildlife awards anglers that catch a qualifying sport fish over a set trophy size with a &ldquo;Fish Ohio&rdquo; pin. If you are fortunate to catch four Fish Ohio species in one year, you are qualified for a &ldquo;Master Angler&rdquo; pin.&nbsp; A Fish Ohio walleye is over 28&rdquo;. The State of Ohio record walleye was caught in 1999, coming in at a staggering 16.19 lbs., and 33&rdquo; long. Twenty-three years in and the record still stands. I wanted a Fish Ohio walleye pin. The 12-year-old version of me was yelling in my mind about getting that pin!</p>
<p dir="ltr">I caught my Trophy Walleye that day! At just over 30&rdquo;, I had made the trophy list. Put the Fish Ohio pin in the mail! I have yet to catch a walleye that big since, but several fish have come close. Sometimes I doubt I&rsquo;ll ever beat that personal record. Over the years, I&rsquo;ve misplaced the pin and the pictures of that day have disappeared. Every charter or fishing trip I take, I always hope for that chance to land a trophy, but I&rsquo;m never disappointed if I don&rsquo;t happen to reel in a trophy walleye. To me the best part of walleye fishing is the people you&rsquo;re with. The sights you see on the Lake are right up there. If you have never experienced a Lake Erie sunrise you are in for a special moment. Port Clinton, Ohio, might be home to the finest sunrises in the country. One aspect of walleye that drives many anglers to make the trip to Lake Erie is the fact that walleye are one of nature's true culinary treats.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Walleye in my humble estimation is the finest freshwater fish a person can eat. The filets are firm, yet delicate and hold up well to a variety of cooking methods. The flavors are often described as sweet, delicate and buttery. Two characteristics that many picky fish eaters will enjoy about the filets is that the taste of walleye isn&rsquo;t overly fishy and there aren&rsquo;t many bones to remove. The popular fishing ports along Lake Erie will have fish cleaning services available at the marina. A small fee and you&rsquo;ve got your day&rsquo;s catch expertly fileted, packaged up and ready for my favorite part. Time to eat!&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">If someone asked me to name my favorite way to prepare walleye, I honestly don&rsquo;t think I could come up with one way that I felt was superior. Battered and fried seems to be the go-to method for many of us. You can&rsquo;t go wrong with that method. A skillet with some melted butter, olive oil and your seasoning of choice, is another can&rsquo;t miss method. The recipe below is one I tried this past summer. I wanted to try something different. I pulled about 4 filets from my catch and prepared them in the below manner. The other filets I battered and fried. One of my favorite appetizers is a good shrimp cocktail along with a delicious cocktail sauce of your choice. This is my Walleye cocktail recipe. It's very easy and delicious. Feel free to make it your own. With the prized fish of Lake Erie, you can&rsquo;t go wrong with any method.&nbsp;</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Walleye Cocktail</h1>
<p>3-5 Medium walleye filets - cleaned</p>
<p>Cut the filets into 1&rdquo; wide by 2-3&rdquo; long strips. The strips should be no more than 1&rdquo; thick.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Steam or boil the strips of fish. In the water for the steamer or pot place a generous amount of Old Bay or Dan O&rsquo;s Original. Be cautious to not over cook the fish. As soon as the fish turns white, I remove from the heat and place in an ice water bath. Allow them to cool completely and remove from the ice bath.&nbsp; Pat the fish dry and then dust with more of your preferred seasoning. Place in the fridge to cool more.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">Once the fish is cooled you can squeeze a little lemon on the fish and then dip the Walleye Cocktail strips into clarified butter or a good cocktail sauce. I prefer to make my own cocktail sauce. This is my recipe. I use the chopped-up horseradish from the seafood section in any grocery store. I don&rsquo;t use horseradish sauce. I promise once you make this you will never go back to store bought shrimp or cocktail sauce!&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">1/2 cup ketchup - any brand will work</li>
<li dir="ltr">1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice</li>
<li dir="ltr">1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce</li>
<li dir="ltr">1-3 tablespoons raw, chopped up horseradish, depending on your love of horseradish you can use as much or a little as you want</li>
<li dir="ltr">1-2 clove garlic minced</li>
<li dir="ltr">3-4 dashes hot sauce optional. Any brand will work. A smoked Chipotle sauce adds a nice unique flavor. I use Frank&rsquo;s Original.</li>
</ul>

If someone asked me to name my favorite way to prepare walleye, I honestly don’t think I could come up with one way that I felt was superior. This is my Walleye cocktail recipe. It's very easy and delicious. Feel free to make it your own. With the prized fish of Lake Erie, you can’t go wrong with any method. 

If someone asked me to name my favorite way to prepare walleye, I honestly don’t think I could come up with one way that I felt was superior. This is my Walleye cocktail recipe. It's very easy and delicious. Feel free to make it your own. With the prized fish of Lake Erie, you can’t go wrong with an

Walleye, for Trophies or the Table | Walleye Cocktail Recipe

Turkey

Bass

Hike, Camp, Cook

Whitetail Deer

<p dir="ltr"><em>By: Dylan Hayward</em></p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Why Do Bass Bite Topwater Lures?</h3>
<p dir="ltr">If you have ever experienced a bass explode out of the water to swallow a topwater lure, you know the feeling of the adrenaline rush that all anglers crave. There&rsquo;s something about the nature that they target topwater prey that is pretty remarkable.</p>
<p dir="ltr">From my experience, bass will bite topwater lures when they are lethargic and notice that there is an easy prey floating on top of the water surface. During the warm summer months, it&rsquo;s quite common that bass will become lazy and linger to cooler and deeper waters, making them seemingly uninterested in most lures that you cast out. This can be a great time to tempt them with an easy meal such as a topwater frog or popper.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">When Do Bass Bite Topwater Lures?</h3>
<p dir="ltr">I like to use topwater lures in late summer and early fall, when the water temperature seems to cool off slightly from the dog days of summer, and most importantly, using them in the early morning and late evening, as lowlight conditions can bring bass closer to the water surface.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Another great time to throw out a topwater lure is on an overcast day. Cloudy days can essentially provide excellent bass fishing with topwater lures throughout the entire day, despite the golden rule of fishing mornings and evenings in the summer.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Check your water temperature and avoid days of extreme heat when the bass are unlikely to travel any sort of distance, even for an easy meal.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">3 Best Topwater Lures</h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Popper- </strong><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/perfecthatch-6987687559367-perfect-hatch-perfect-hatch-popper-assortment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Topwater Poppers</a> are consistently the most popular topwater lures and it&rsquo;s easy to see why. They are designed to mimic baitfish such as shad and even small bluegills. The slow retrieving method for poppers allows anglers to get on lethargic summer bass when a challenge meal doesn&rsquo;t seem all that interesting to them.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Buzzbait- </strong><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-320-googan-squad-braydens-dream-buzzbait-bundle-hummer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buzzbaits</a> are an extremely effective topwater lure year round. They typically feature a trailing skirted jig with a blade at the front that creates a &ldquo;buzz&rdquo; and signs of a distressed prey that drive bass wild. There are different varieties that will produce different sounds and visuals, but overall, they are tough to beat when it comes to topwater lures.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Topwater Frog- </strong><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-337-sexy-frog-bundle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Topwater Frogs</a> offer an amazing presentation of a go-to meal for big bass. They are typically weedless making them great for fishing in heavy cover, especially around lily pads where Bass love to ambush prey. If I find a prime area of heavy cover, the topwater frog is generally what I am sticking with.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Best Ways to Present Each Topwater Lure</h3>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Presenting a Popper- </strong>One of the keys to fishing a topwater popper is to pick the right style. Look for poppers that imitate the baitfish in the area that you&rsquo;re fishing. Poppers that resemble shad or small bluegills are great options.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Reel in slow with small jerks. The caved face of the popper will make it pop along the surface which resembles a fish in distress and will entice even the laziest bass. A lot of times bass will toy with these lures first, so don&rsquo;t be too hasty to set the hook. Instead, let the bass fully commit and take the lure underwater before setting the hook.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Presenting a Buzzbait- </strong>With buzzbait, you want to always remember to keep the lure on the top surface, so aiming your rod high at first and slowly lowering it as your retrieve the buzzbait will create the presentation you&rsquo;re looking for.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Again, these lures will sink if you aren&rsquo;t careful and that&rsquo;s not the way you want to present them. So as soon as they hit the water, you should start reeling in a fast but steady pace.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Presenting a Topwater Frog- </strong>The greatest thing about using a topwater frog is, you&rsquo;re pretty much never got to get snagged on something. Use this to your advantage while mimicking a frogs actions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Use some flicks of your rod to skip over downed logs or rocks. Short, sporadic hops over vegetation, specifically lily pads is another great presentation. I love using a frog in thick vegetation, especially this time of the year. The action can be nonstop.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Best Rod &amp; Reel Setup for Each Topwater Lure</h3>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Best Popper Rod &amp; Reel Setup - </strong>For a popper, it&rsquo;s imperative that you have a fast action rod tip to create the action needed for the popper. A medium casting rod will be ideal for using poppers, but there is room for heavier setups.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A standard size casting reel is perfect for almost any type of popper fishing. Some of the more compact reels will give less resistance when casting further out, but any reel in that 45-70 size range is more than plenty.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Best Buzzbait Rod &amp; Reel Setup - </strong>A heavier action baitcasting rod will likely be the best way to go for buzzbaits. A 7&rsquo; rod with 10-15lb mono line, and you&rsquo;re going to want to make sure you have a high speed reel. As we touched on before, a fast and consistent pace is key for using buzzbaits.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Best Topwater Frog Rod &amp; Reel Setup - </strong>When fishing with a topwater frog, more than likely you&rsquo;re going to be casting into heavy cover, so an accurate rod setup is pretty crucial. A fast action baitcasting rod will work the best, as the soft tip will allow you to pop your frog around the debris. A rod somewhere in the range of 7&rsquo;-7&rsquo;6&rdquo; will be ideal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Using a reel with a high retrieve rate is very important when fishing with a topwater frog, as it allows you to quickly get out any line slack, and allow you to set the hook much quicker when a bass does strike. Most professional anglers will suggest a gear ratio of 7.5:1 to 8.0:1.</p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-306f43b9-7fff-d915-a2f5-7e00182eea34"></span></p>

During the warm summer months, it’s quite common that bass will become lazy and linger to cooler and deeper waters, making them seemingly uninterested in most lures that you cast out. This can be a great time to tempt them with an easy meal such as a topwater frog or popper. 

The 3 Hottest Topwater Summer Bass Fishing Lures | Catch Big Summer Bass With Topwater Lures

<p><em>By: Dylan Hayward</em></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">It&rsquo;s fair to assume that during the summer months when the water temperatures are rising dramatically, that bass are spending most of their time in the deep waters. While there is definitely truth to this, don&rsquo;t overlook the shallow waters, as this is still a great place to target monster largemouth.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">Why Are Bass In Shallow Water During The Summer?</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">You might think that nothing will move bass from their deeper beds into shallow water, but there are a few factors at play that could potentially move them closer to the surface. <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Understanding-Water-Columns-Fishing-Depths-Summer-Bass-Fishing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Understanding water columns is a great way to find Summer bass</a>.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca"><strong>Oxygen Levels-</strong> During the summer, oxygen levels aren&rsquo;t very high, and bass recognize this. One major thing that helps provide more oxygen is heavy vegetation. If you can find a shallow pocket with thick grass and lilypads, it&rsquo;s likely that you&rsquo;ll find bass lurking around.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca"><strong>Water Clarity- </strong>One of the reasons that bass love to hang out in deep waters during the summer is to stay hidden. Whether that be hiding from predators or hiding in order to ambush their prey, they prefer darker environments. Thus, if the water is murky, there&rsquo;s a good chance bass will move up closer to the surface to feed, and this is when you can take advantage.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca"><strong>Late Shad Spawn- </strong>A late spawn for shad in the early summer months can send largemouth on a feeding frenzy in the shallow waters looking for this favorite meal. Groups of shad are pretty easy to spot, and casting a nice soft jerkbait in these areas will more than likely give you some success.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca"><strong>Rain-</strong> I have always found that after a heavy rain, the bass tend to slowly move up to the shallower pockets of water. Research shows that this is because bass move with rising water levels. Monitor your weather and make sure that you are out on the water following a heavy shower.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">Best Lures to Use in Shallow Waters to Catch Summer Bass</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca"><strong>Soft Jerkbait- </strong>As I mentioned above, a big reason that bass will move into the shallow waters is to feed on shad. A shad style soft <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-324-googan-squad-jerk-jerk-pause-jerbait-bundle-scout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jerkbait</a> makes a great presentation. They make an erratic tail motion that will get the attention of every bass and they&rsquo;re essentially snagless when rigged right, making it a great lure for moderate cover.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca"><strong>Buzzbait-</strong> There aren&rsquo;t many lures out there that will gain the attention of every bass like the <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-320-googan-squad-braydens-dream-buzzbait-bundle-hummer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buzzbait</a>. They create a large amount of irresistible noise and retrieve relatively slowly allowing for lethargic bass to have time to strike. This is another lure that can be pulled over cover very easily without causing a snag, and it&rsquo;s one of my go-to&rsquo;s for summer bass in shallow waters.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca"><strong>Texas-Rigged Worm-</strong> The <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-296-texas-rig-bundle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">soft plastic worm with a texas rig</a> is one of the most popular set ups for bass anglers, as it allows a lot of versatility and has proven success. The weight on the end will help get the worm to the bottom pretty quickly and with the texas rig it can be skipped along the bottom with ease and is great for attracting massive largemouth.</span></p>
<p>For a look at some general Summer bass lure options be sure to read the article: "<a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWilds-Bass-Fishing-Lures-Guide-Lures-Rigging-Types-Retrieving" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoWild's Bass Fishing Lures Guide | Lures, Rigging Types &amp; Retrieving</a>"</p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">Why Shallow Water Can Be Better Than Deep Water At Times</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">Shallow water <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWilds-Summer-Bass-Fishing-Guide-Lures-Tips-and-Strategies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bass fishing during the Summer</a> is often overlooked when it comes to bass fishing, but it shouldn&rsquo;t be. A lot of times this is still a great spot to land monster largemouth, and should fit into your summer strategy. Here are a few reasons why fishing in the shallows can be even more productive than fishing deep.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">As I stated above, a late shad spawn can make the shallow waters produce nonstop action. Bass can&rsquo;t get enough of these things and will be more than willing to creep up near the top water column to feast. If you can locate a big group of shad, the bass will be there. Pick your lures accordingly.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">When the water is murky, or after a heavy rain shower, more than likely the bass are going to swim up to shallow waters and target areas with vegetation that provide more oxygen. In my opinion, this can produce more activity than in the deep waters in the middle of July. Base your strategy off what the conditions are, and you&rsquo;ll find that shallow waters can produce some amazing summer fishing.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">When Should You Fish Shallow Waters For Bass</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">One of my favorite times to target shallow waters for bass is early in the morning just as the sun is starting to rise. The cooler temps entices the bass to move out of their deep spots and pursue the top water column.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">This is also the time that the bass start feeding heavily and will be targeting bait fish that congregate in the shallow pockets. This is the perfect opportunity to cast out a shad style crank bait and retrieve slower as you approach the bank.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">How To Find Bass in Shallow Water</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">The absolute best way to locate bass in shallow water is to find heavy vegetation and thick cover. This could look like thick grass and lilypads, or a fallen tree or debris. These are going to be areas where the bass feel safe from predators and where they know they can ambush prey, such as frogs, shad or other bait fish.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">Some anglers seem to have a hard time fishing heavily covered areas, whether it be because they don&rsquo;t know the right lures to use, or they are concentrated on the covered area as a whole rather than targeting specific spots that look best for bass.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">Not all areas are created equal. I prefer to search for abnormalities within the covered areas, such as where two pieces of cover and vegetation meet, or maybe a fallen tree extends out 10ft off the water. I'm putting my focus on those places.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5321c081-7fff-e612-02ff-b2d36c60b8ca">Weedless lures are my preferred method for fishing areas with heavy cover. This allows me to spend less time worrying about my hook getting snagged, and depending on what type of lure I am using, I can generally bounce them off the debris, which will create movement and noise that will only further entice a lunker. Topwater frogs, soft plastics with a texas-rig and lipless crankbaits are all ideal choices. If you find a heavily covered area and are using the right lure, this can be some of the most productive fishing of the year. </span></p>

It’s fair to assume that during the summer months when the water temperatures are rising dramatically, that bass are spending most of their time in the deep waters. While there is definitely truth to this, don’t overlook the shallow waters, as this is still a great place to target monster largemouth.

It’s fair to assume that during the summer months when the water temperatures are rising dramatically, that bass are spending most of their time in the deep waters. While there is definitely truth to this, don’t overlook the shallow waters, as this is still a great place to target monster largemouth

Catch Big Summer Bass In Shallow Water | Summer Bass Fishing Tips & Luresnt

<p dir="ltr"><em>By: Dylan Hayward<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oz4Qe3KIATA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">Understanding how water columns work is key to being successful when your trying to <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/10-Ways-to-Catch-Bass-in-the-Heat-of-Summer-When-Others-Cant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">catch bass in the Summer</a>. Without this knowledge, you&rsquo;re essentially casting blindly, unknowing of where the bass are located.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Water Columns Overview</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Throughout the year, bass will move in and out of different depths. This can be based on a variety of factors such as oxygen, water clarity, temperature and more. As anglers, it&rsquo;s important to take this into account, as there is a strong correlation between water depth and the feeding activity of bass.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This becomes more in depth as a thermocline layer forms due to the stratification of water. Depending on the time of the year it is, bass may only feed above or below the thermocline, and this can be tricky to navigate around.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This can also help you determine <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWilds-Bass-Fishing-Lures-Guide-Lures-Rigging-Types-Retrieving" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which type of lure to use</a>, as some lures react differently and are intended for specific water columns. For example, a crankbait will float to the top upon casting, and it dives deep into the water as you retrieve. Whereas a soft plastic may sink as it lands on the water, but creeps towards the top when you retrieve.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Understanding Water Columns in the Summer</h3>
<p dir="ltr">During the early days of summer, when water temperatures tend to hover in the high 70s and lower 80s, most of the bass will linger around mid-depth, and go up to shallow waters to feed. Now that the <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Pre-Spawn-and-Spawn-Bass-Fishing-Strategies-and-Best-Lures-To-Use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spawn</a> is officially over, a bass&rsquo; metabolism will be at an all time high and this is a great opportunity to land a giant bass in shallow depths near cover.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As we move into mid-summer, the larger bass will spend much more time mid-depth and become slightly more lethargic and picky about what they eat. Depending on the depth of the lake, the bass will do most of their feeding between 15-20 feet deep. This is a great time to break out a Texas rig and drag a soft plastic along a ledge.</p>
<p dir="ltr">When the dog days approach and the scorching sun brings water temperatures close to 90 degrees, bass&rsquo; metabolism will drop dramatically and their feeding will become sporadic and short-lived. But if you can time it right, the fishing can be incredible.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Shallow Water Summer Bass Fishing Tips &amp; Lures</h3>
<p dir="ltr">When fishing for bass in shallow water, especially during the summer, the golden rule is to look for cover. One of the best forms of cover is vegetation, as this creates added oxygen that will naturally attract the bass. I typically start by searching for lily pads, cattails, hydrilla, etc. These are perfect spots to cast out a topwater lure such as a Hula Popper or a frog. They great thing about those lures is that they are essentially snag proof and they drive bass wild. There are few greater moments than watching a largemouth leap out of the water and swallow your popper whole!</p>
<p dir="ltr">Another popular approach to shallow water fishing in the summer is to skip a weightless wacky rig around the cover. This is a super simple method that any angler can master, and it has an impressive way of getting all of the bass&rsquo;s attention.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One of my favorite methods for fishing in shallow water is to use a <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-296-texas-rig-bundle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Texas Rig</a>. They&rsquo;re extremely easy to set up and make casting into heavy debris and vegetation fairly seamless. You can always add a sinker to this setup, although I would avoid that if fishing in heavy vegetation.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Medium Depth Summer Bass Fishing Tips &amp; Lures</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The majority of a bass&rsquo;s life will be spent in the middle water columns. This depth acts as sort of a transition area between feeding and resting, and can be a great place to target bass during the late summer. They will spend most of the day in this part of the water chasing after baitfish.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For this reason, I really like to use lipless crankbaits. They&rsquo;re a fairly easy lure to use, and drive bass wild when used correctly and with the right color combinations. They key with lipless crankbaits is to cast beyond where you think the fish are, let the lure sink to the desired depth that you&rsquo;re targeting, and then start retrieving. Since these have no lip, they won&rsquo;t have the diving action that a traditional crankbait has, so allowing it to sink to the desired depth is crucial.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Another great lure for the middle water column are spinnerbaits. The blades on spinners do an amazing job at preventing snags, so you are able to freely cast near heavy cover without any worry of hooking a rock or a stick. Spinnerbaits also create a lot of noise and water disruption, which to a bass can signal a fish in distress, and entice them to strike!</p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">Deep Water Summer Bass Fishing Tips &amp; Lures</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">Fishing in deep water can be tricky during the summer, as most bass are spending time in the middle depth or coming to the shallows to feed. However, this doesn&rsquo;t mean they aren&rsquo;t down there. If you can find a heavy brush pile or a stump down below, you can bet there are bass hanging down there for protection, as well as an ambush point to attack their prey. The problem is, it&rsquo;s hard to present a lure through all of the other noise.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">This is where soft plastics really come in handy, especially when used with a Texas rig. Use a soft worm or creature bait, or whatever is active in your area, with a Texas rig style and drag along the bottom. This Texas rig will allow you to bounce on and off debris and cover without getting snagged, and bass love to pounce on them.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">Which Columns Should You Fish During Which Times of the Day</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">Morning- Summer bass fishing in the morning is one of the greatest times all year to fish. Just before sunrise until about an hour or so after, bass are at one of their peak feeding times and the creeping sunlight can bring bass right to the shallows.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">I like to start off my mornings fishing in the shallow pockets of water, targeting fallen over trees, or narrow canals coming out of lakes. I then start to work my way towards the middle water column as the mercury starts to rise in the mid-morning.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">Afternoon- Midday can prove tough for bass fishing, as the bright sun allows them to see better, thus being slightly more picky with their bait. In this case, I like to use realistic bait that I can work slowly in front of the bass near debris and along the bottom of the water.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">Using soft plastics or jigs, and slowly working them along the bottom as well as around drop offs and ledges can be really effective for afternoon bass fishing.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">Evening- Once the evening rolls around and the sun starts to set, a switch seems to turn on and the bass are back to their heavy feeding, which is great news for any angler. During this time, bass tend to move back to shallow pockets and begin striking on any opportunity for food.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ff5aa70-7fff-f189-d64f-32bae27903f5">I like to use baitfish lures such as crankbaits and jerkbaits and put a heavy emphasis on the top water column. Cast your lure out, and vary your retrieval from fast to slow as you get closer to the bank. As soon as the sunsets, the feeding seems to die down greatly so take advantage of that golden last hour of sunlight and you&rsquo;ll be amazed by how good the action is. </span></p>
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Understanding how water columns work is key to being successful in the summer when you’re targeting bass. Without this knowledge, you’re essentially casting blindly, unknowing of where the bass are located. 

Understanding Water Columns & Fishing Depths | Summer Bass Fishing

<p><em>by: Dylan Hayward</em></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P78tFL4pXE8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWilds-Summer-Bass-Fishing-Guide-Lures-Tips-and-Strategies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Summer bass fishing</a> comes with its challenges. The blistering sun drives bass deep into the water, and the unpredictability of clear weather can make timing a good day on the water, a bit of a chore. But don&rsquo;t be discouraged. When fished right, this can be one of the greatest times of the year to hook a monster largemouth.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Here are a few of my tips and strategies to make the most of the summer time weather, and boost your success of landing that lunker bass.<br />If you're looking for a more comprehensive overview of bass fishing gear and strategies be sure to check the article titled "</span><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWilds-Bass-Fishing-Lures-Guide-Lures-Rigging-Types-Retrieving" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoWild's Bass Fishing Lures Guide | Lures, Rigging Types &amp; Retrieving</a>".</p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">1. Fish the Cover</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Just like humans, during the grueling summer heat, bass are going to look for shade. Water temperatures can be well over 10 degrees cooler under fallen trees, docks, etc. Not only do the bass like to be in cover, but so do baitfish, making this a perfect spot for bass to camp out in and wait to feast.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Make note of these areas and cast out a jerkbait, reeling in just under the water service with pauses every few seconds. When the weather is hot, bass are typically lazy and you&rsquo;ll need to pull that lure right into the strike zone in order for the bass to bite.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">2. Find the Ledges and Dropoffs</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">If you can spot areas where shallow water quickly drops into deep water, this is a great place to try. A lot of times, especially during the summer, bass will idle right at the bottom of that ledge. If you can set up in the shallow parts, using a football rig, and work slowly up that dropoff, odds are you will get a bite.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">3. Fish Heavy Vegetation</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Finding a spot of heavy vegetation can be a gold mine. Bass love to hang out in these areas of dense cover as they wait for craws, frogs and other prey. Spots with a cover of lily pads are a an anglers dream and the perfect opportunity to cast out a topwater frog. This could easily be one of the best fishing experiences you&rsquo;ll ever be apart of.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">4. Go Where the Bites Are<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oz4Qe3KIATA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">A lot of times we can have false hope about a spot that might look perfect on paper, but just isn&rsquo;t providing the action you&rsquo;re looking for. In pretty much every aspect of life, the philosophy &ldquo;patience is key&rdquo; is very accurate and should be taken as wisdom. But not in this situation. If you&rsquo;ve casted out multiple times and there has been little to no interest, write that spot off and head to another one.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">When the bass aren&rsquo;t biting, casting for another hour isn&rsquo;t going to make a difference, in fact, it will likely have the opposite effect and make them even more paranoid and shut them down. In order to catch bass, you'll need to <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Finding-a-Bass-Fishing-Spot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">find a spot where the bass are biting</a>.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">5. Follow the Oxygen</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Bass can e more high-maintenanced than some people realize. They generally prefer areas of the water where the pH levels are perfect, and oxygen levels are high. However, there is usually a compromise to finding that sweet spot that bass have to accept, and you can take advantage of that by finding what those levels currently are.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Bass prefer areas of high oxygen, such as the warm shallow areas the water. However, those same areas generally have a much more acidic pH level, resulting in bass using excess energy to regulate the pH, making the added oxygen essentially useless. Because of this, they typically like to find an area of the water with the perfect mix of oxygen and pH levels. This is called the themocline and and the depth of this layer can vary throughout the year, although it&rsquo;s usually in the area where water is between 65-75 degrees. Find this spot, and you&rsquo;re in for some incredible fishing.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">6. Follow the Shad</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Towards the tail end of summer, you&rsquo;ll start to see shad school up together, and as we transition from August to September, these schools tend to congregate in more shallow pockets of water, where it can be a feeding frenzy for largemouth bass, and one that you should capitalize on.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Use a lure that immitates a shad, and try to make it match the size of the shad you are currently seeing, as this will seem more natural to the bass. Reel in at different speeds and different depths until you notice action, and take not of that sweet spot.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">7. Fish the Right Depths at the Right Time</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">I touched briefly about the importance of finding the right depths when targeting bass, but it truly can&rsquo;t be overstated. During specific times of the year, bass will congregate to different depths of the water, and in order to land that giant bass you&rsquo;re after, you need to know which depths to cast in.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">8. Throw Summer Lures<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0hPhjrKY67k" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Using the right lures is critical to summer bass success. Focus on using lures that imitate what bass are feeding on at the current times. A few lures I like to use are:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-319-biospawn-biggin-swimbait-bundle-4-75-inch-ExoSwim" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Shad Style Swimbaits</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-334-gowild-crankin-classics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Rapala Demon Crankbait</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-294-ned-craw-bundle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Ned Jig Head with 3in Ned Craw</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">9. Pay Attention to Water Temperature</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">Monitoring water temperature can help make the most out of your summer fishing. Bass will still bite your lures even in the brutal summer temps when water temperature can get up to the mid 80s. However, studies have shown that bass are most actively feeding when water temperatures hover around 70-75 degrees.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">It&rsquo;s always a good idea to take note of the water temperature and adjust your strategy accordingly. On those hot days when the sun is beating down, bass are going to dive down deeper into the cooler water, and will be much lazier when going after a lure.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">10. Get Your Casting &amp; Retrieving Right</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-adff98df-7fff-ef23-faca-e7d78999eb25">One of my favorite strategies for summer bass fishing is to find a ledge or a steep drop off, set up on the shallow side and cast a few feet past, while doing a steady retrieve upwards along the ledge. Bass can be extremely lethargic during the warm summer months, so a steady retrieval that is smooth enough to catch a bass&rsquo;s attention is very important.</span></p>
<p>Following these Summer bass fishing tips should put you in a good position to land some big bass while your friends stand by and scratch their heads as to why you're catching them and they aren't!</p>

The blistering sun drives bass deep into the water, and the unpredictability of clear weather can make timing a good day on the water, a bit of a chore. But don’t be discouraged. When fished right, this can be one of the greatest times of the year to hook a monster largemouth.

10 Ways to Catch Bass in the Heat of Summer When Others Can't

<p dir="ltr"><em>By: Dylan Hayward</em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P78tFL4pXE8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br />The dog days of summer are approaching quickly, and with the mercury climbing to its annual highest point, you might think that bass fishing is in a lull, right in between the best times of the year to fish. While I will admit that the cooler months provide much more action on the water, the summer months can still be very active if fished the right way.</p>
<h1 dir="ltr">Catching Bass in the Summer Heat</h1>
<h2 dir="ltr">General Tips</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Just like humans, bass can get exhausted from the heat that the summer months bring. This doesn&rsquo;t mean that they won&rsquo;t go out of their way to grab a quick bite, however, you might have to work a little harder for it. The key is to find hot spots in the deeper waters where you can entice the bass with a close range lure. Quality over quantity is the name of the game during this time. Focus in on drop offs and brush piles with a bait that drives them crazy, and you&rsquo;ll begin to think that it&rsquo;s spring with how many bites you&rsquo;re getting. If you're new to bass fishing and you'd like some high level information about bass fishing try reading the article "<a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/The-Bass-Fishing-Guide-For-Beginners-Lures-Strategy-and-Tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Bass Fishing Guide For Beginners | Lures, Strategy &amp; Tips</a>".</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Lure Selection</h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">The cooler months such as April and September offer a little more grace when it comes to lure selection. The laziness of summer bass activity requires a bit more selectiveness for your bait. I have found that most of my summer success has come from using live baits such as minnows or tadpoles. However, if you are limited to artificial lures, soft plastics, crankbaits and topwater poppers can be really effective. For a deep-dive on different bass lure options be sure to checkout "</span><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWilds-Bass-Fishing-Lures-Guide-Lures-Rigging-Types-Retrieving" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoWild's Bass Fishing Lures Guide | Lures, Rigging Types &amp; Retrieving</a>".</p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Catching Bass in Different Water Columns</span></h2>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Shallow Water</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">One of the best times of the year to catch largemouth is on an overcast day during the summer. The bass are going to head to shallower waters and aggressively search for food. This is a great opportunity to tie on a skirted jig and work it along a drop off near heavy vegetation.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Middle Depth</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Bass can be found at a few feet deep in shady areas essentially throughout the entire summer. Locating a steep drop off and casting on it with a crankbait or jerkbait, where you can adjust the depth of the lure by the type of retrieval, can produce amazing results this time of the year.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Deep Water</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">It&rsquo;s widely accepted that during the hot summer months, bass spend most of their time in the cooler water temperatures of the deep columns. While this isn&rsquo;t always the case, it&rsquo;s definitely beneficial to seek out deeper waters during the summer, and lure a bass in with a slower lure. I like to use a soft plastic with a texas rig and do a &ldquo;lift-and-drop&rdquo; presentation.</span></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">The Hottest Bass Fishing Lures to Use in Summer</span></h2>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0hPhjrKY67k" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br />Best Topwaters</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Every avid angler knows that one of the best lures is a topwater frog. They are virtually snag-proof and can be used year round to attract monster bass. They work best in heavy cover and bodies of water with lily pads, however they are still effective in open water as well.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Buzzbait is another very popular topwater lure that has won countless bass tournaments all around the country. The blade on these lures creates a buzzing vibration throughout the water that bass just can&rsquo;t resist. Combined with a skirted plastic trailed through heavy cover, and it&rsquo;s easy to see why these are favored by many anglers.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Best Soft Plastics</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">A 3 &frac14; inch swimbait is hard to beat when discussing summer soft plastics. The design of this lure gives it an attractive tail paddle motion as well as a body roll that is very enticing to heavy largemouth.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">The versatility of a craw makes it an extremely desirable soft plastic for summer bass. It can be used as a jig trailer or with a texas rig to create a very lifelike motion that will fool any bass. It can also be extremely effective as a topwater lure as well.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Best Crankbaits</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">The Googan Squad Banger is one of my favorite crankbaits to use during the summer. It features a square bill which allows for it to deflect off of heavy cover without getting snagged. This can replace a jig set up, as it maneuvers between rocks and limbs, really catching the attention of any bass in the area.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Rapala Jointed 2&rdquo; Shallow Shad offers a shallow diving lip for those smaller depths where you can spot a group of bass. The jointed feature creates a rattling sound to attract nearby fish while also having a suspended action to it. This is a classic lure that works very well in the summer.</span></p>
<h2 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Best Rod &amp; Reel Combos for Summer Bass</span></h2>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606"><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oz4Qe3KIATA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br />Baitcasting</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Sick Stick makes a <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-304-favorite-sick-stick-casting-combo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">great baitcasting rod and reel setup</a> that is relatively inexpensive and performs very well on most of my bass outings. One of the reasons I like this option is because I find it best to use a rod and reel that were designed to be used together. Not that there's anything wrong with mixing and matching rod and reels, but there seems to be less congruence there. It&rsquo;s a fast action rod, 7&rsquo;2&rdquo; length that provides superior accuracy and casting distance than anything else on the market in this price range.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">Spincasting</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">When you think about the best spincasting rod and reels, it&rsquo;s essentially impossible for Zebco not to be the first brand that pops into your head. They were the pioneers of spincasters and have been making quality models for the better part of a century. The Zebco Omega Pro combo is the gold standard for spincasters. It&rsquo;s offered in multiple sizes but I prefer the 6&rsquo;6&rdquo; model that is constructed with IM7 graphite. The reel is made out of highly durable metal with Zebco&rsquo;s famous anti-reverse clutch.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9032e94e-7fff-6497-a700-81c80113e606">The Ugly Stik GX2 is another phenomenal spincast rod and reel combo. I use this in a 6&rsquo; length to get in tighter areas where having a more compact rod is crucial. This rod is constructed out of graphite and fiberglass making it extremely light but also very durable. Plus, it&rsquo;s hard to beat Ugly Stik&rsquo;s 7 year warranty. </span></p>

Just like humans, bass can get exhausted from the heat that the summer months bring. This doesn’t mean that they won’t go out of their way to grab a quick bite, however, you might have to work a little harder for it.

Summer Bass Fishing Guide | Lures, Tips and Strategies

GoWild's Summer Bass Fishing Guide | Lures, Tips and Strategies

<p><em>By: Dylan Hayward</em></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Bass fishing is one of my favorite activities to do. There&rsquo;s nothing like being out on the water, the sun shining, and seeing a monster largemouth strike your lure. Then the long battle begins as you fight to bring him in. But it&rsquo;s not as easy as just casting a line out and praying you land one. Bass aren&rsquo;t dumb, and they wont bite at just anything. Lure selection, line set-up, types of rigs you&rsquo;re using, all play a crucial role in your success to catch that next hog.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">I have several friends that just pick random lures and cast them out hoping for the best, without being familiar with what the lures are. They should be used efficiently, not randomly. If you can learn how specific lures should be retrieved, what situations to use them in and what time of year they work best, you&rsquo;ll be able to increase your odds of catching big bass dramatically. If you're just getting started into bass fishing, another great article to checkout would be <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/The-Bass-Fishing-Guide-For-Beginners-Lures-Strategy-and-Tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this guide to bass fishing for beginners</a> piece.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Types of Largemouth Bass Lures</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">It&rsquo;s best to keep a good variety of lures in your tackle box when you&rsquo;re on the water. There are a few types of lures that I have had great success with when bass fishing.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Jerkbait</span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Crankbait</span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Jigs</span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Soft Plastics</span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Spinners</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">All of these lures can be used effectively depending on a few factors, such as where you are fishing, what time of the year it is, the water temperature, etc. Knowing when and how to use them is crucial. For tips focused on bass fishing in ponds be sure to checkout this article titled "</span><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Pond-Fishing-Hacks-Find-a-Fishing-Pond-Near-You-Catch-Big-Bass" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pond Fishing Hacks | Find a Fishing Pond Near You &amp; Catch Big Bass</a>".</p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Jerkbait</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b"><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-324-googan-squad-jerk-jerk-pause-jerbait-bundle-scout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jerkbait</a> is one of my favorite lures to use <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Pre-Spawn-and-Spawn-Bass-Fishing-Strategies-and-Best-Lures-To-Use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">during the pre-spawn phase</a> as the bass are migrating towards the shallow parts of the water to prepare to lay their eggs. These lures sit near the top of the water, and get their name from how you &ldquo;jerk&rdquo; them to give them a lifelike motion.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">I have found the most success when using jerkbait in colder temperatures, when the water is in the high 40s to low 50s. These lures also work best when the water is relatively clear. That&rsquo;s not to say you can&rsquo;t have success in warmer months with more murky water, however, there are better lures to use in those situations.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Crankbait</span></h3>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGStSl6tM-8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b"><a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-334-gowild-crankin-classics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crankbaits</a> could be considered a year round bait, as they can catch the attention of bass at any time. But like jerkbaits, I have found that crankbaits are most effective in the cooler seasons such as early spring and late fall.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Crankbaits typically look like small bait fish that have a lip on the front that makes them dive deep as you retrieve them. Because of their design, I like to use them in deep water, although they work well in shallow pockets as well. One reason that I love using crankbaits is because they can withstand getting banged up on rocks and logs, as well as dragging along thick cover without getting snagged. For more information about the best crankbaits to use in the Spring be sure to check out the article titled "</span><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Top-5-Spring-Crankbait-Bass-Fishing-Favorites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top 5 Spring Crankbait Bass Fishing Favorites</a>".</p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Jigs</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Using a jig is the most common way to fish for bass, and the reasons are evident. Jigs are extremely versatile and can be very effective in nearly all bodies of water. A jig is a weighted lure that consists of a skirt and generally has a worm or craw trailer that is most effective when dragged along the bottom. Jigs are great to use with a baitcaster when fishing in heavy cover. You can pick up <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-293-spinner-football-jig-bundle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this spinnerbait and jig bundle</a> from GoWild to try out a jig.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Soft Plastics<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IUFV8jFpTzo" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Soft plastics are great baits that are often underappreciated. They can present themselves as <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-317-biospawn-big-worms-big-bites-bundle-10-inch-ExoRibbon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">worms</a>, grub tails, <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-321-biospawn-call-me-crawdaddy-bundle-4-inch-VileCraw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crawfish</a>, etc. These plastics come in a variety of different colors and can be rigged in several different ways to make them more enticing to bass. For more information about rigging and retrieving softplastics like Senkos checkout the article titled "</span><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Bass-Fishing-with-Senkos:-Tips-for-Rigging-and-Retrieval" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bass Fishing with Senkos: Tips for Rigging &amp; Retrieval</a>".</p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Spinnerbaits<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WGVmaNTFSx4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Spinnerbaits have a metal blade attached overhead that reflects light to attract bass from great distances. Most spinners feature a rubber skirt, although sometimes just a minnow style soft plastic. For an in-depth look at how spinnerbaits should be used and retrieved checkout the article titled "</span><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Bass-Fishing-with-Spinnerbait-Presentation-and-Retrieval-Tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bass Fishing with Spinnerbait: Presentation &amp; Retrieval Tips</a>".</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="page-content-carousel-container" class="gowild-mobile-hidden">
<h2 class="page-content-carousel-title">Shop Top Bass Fishing Lures</h2>
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<div id="page-content-carousel" class="page-content-carousel"></div>
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<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Bass Fishing Lure Rigging Styles</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Knowing how and when to use specific rig styles can take your bass fishing success to a whole different level. There are a few tried and true rig styles that I have had tremendous success with and take little skill to master.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Texas Rig<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DLlp7yLYwio" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">The Texas Rig is quite possibly the most popular rig to use on bass year round, and its consistency to catch monster bass make its popularity evident. This is an extremely easy rig style to learn and can be very effective when casting into heavy cover.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">You&rsquo;ll want to insert the hook into the top of the worm, pushing in about a quarter inch. As the hook pops it, you&rsquo;ll want to make sure it&rsquo;s angled at 90 degrees. Keep pushing until the eyelet is exposed. One of the greatest features of this rig is that it allows you to fish heavy cover without being snagged, so ensuring the hook is pushed back into the side of the worm is crucial.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Ned Rig</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">The Ned Rig is by far the easiest bass fishing rigs to set up. This rig works amazing during the cold months such as in late fall and early winter, when the bass aren&rsquo;t moving quite as much.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">To set up, insert a mushroom jig head into the top of any plastic worm, ideally no longer than 4 inches. Rotate the hook out the side of the warm with the mushroom head laying flush with the top of the worm. Attach a 6 foot fluorocarbon leader with any common bass knot, however, a Uni-to-Uni knot works best.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Drop Shot Rig</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">The Drop Shot Rig is used by almost every professional bass angler, and for good reason. This is a great rig to use when you want to present a worm suspended just above the bottom.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">To set up this reg, you&rsquo;ll want to pass double line through the eye of the hook, leaving about 2 to 4 feet of excess line, depending on how shallow the water is that you&rsquo;re fishing. Tie a Palomar knot to your hook, then take your tag line and pass it through the eye of the hook again, ensuring that your hook is now sticking out at 90 degrees. Tie your weight to the end of the tag line, and attach a soft plastic to your hook.</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Retrieving Bass Lures<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZhmUUEfwu_A" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Each bass fishing lure has an intended method of retrieving, and without knowing how to do this, you run the risk of making an unnatural presentation, which might scare off the bass. Not only can you manipulate the movement of your lure to look more natural, but the erratic stops, jerks, drags, etc. can anger a bass to the point of attack, all resulting in what we&rsquo;re going for, hooking a hog!</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Classic Reel</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">This is an obvious type of retrieval. You create a consistent speed as you reel in, and the lure does the rest. For lures such as crankbait, this is the ideal retrieval. As you reel, the crankbaits lip will create natural wiggling, which will entice a bass to strike.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Fast Retrieving</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">It might seem counterintuitive to try to reel in your lure as fast as possible, but there are some lures where this is absolutely necessary. For example, a buzzbait needs to be reeled in relatively fast to keep the lure on top of the water as it creates a buzz on the surface and splashes water that really drives a bass crazy. The faster you reel, the different tones the lure will make.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Jerk, Jerk, Pause</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">This is a phrase you&rsquo;ve probably heard before. With lures like jerkbait and poppers, cadence can be pretty important, as it creates attractive movement and gives the bass time to strike during the pauses. You can use your rod to create these motions as you reel in. A simple 3 jerk rod action with a three second pause in between can be very effective for <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWild-Spring-Bass-Fishing-Guide-Lures-Strategy-and-Tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spring bass fishing</a>.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">Pop and Drop</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">With baits like soft plastics, they have a tendency to want to sink to the bottom. With the Pop and Drop retrieval method, you can create a motion that will get the attention of a largemouth and keep in the strike zone that you&rsquo;re aiming for. This can either be done by a quick reel and pause as the lure falls, or even a simple pop of your rod to raise your plastic. This seems like too simple of a method, but as you figure out the cadence, it can be extremely effective.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-80386bda-7fff-a9ab-014b-67e06eeeb70b">When working on retrieval methods, it&rsquo;s important that you take note of the gear ratio on your reel, as this plays a big part in the retrieval process. Gear ratios on your reel will essentially determine how much line you take in for each turn. Adjust these based on what lures you&rsquo;re using and the movement that you&rsquo;re trying to present. </span></p>

But it’s not as easy as just casting a line out and praying you land one. Bass aren’t dumb, and they wont bite at just anything. Lure selection, line set-up, types of rigs you’re using, all play a crucial role in your success to catch that next hog

GoWild's Bass Fishing Lures Guide | Lures, Rigging Types & Retrieving

<p><em>By: Dylan Hayward</em></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Before I get into strategies on how to fish the Pre Spawn and Spawn, I feel the need to explain what these terms represent, because most of the people have no idea what they mean, or how to take advantage of them.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Pre Spawn is essentially the time of the year before the bass move up into their beds and Spawn. Well that&rsquo;s all well and good but what does &ldquo;Spawn&rdquo; mean? Spawn is just a term for when fish (specifically bass in this case) deposit their eggs. For a more high level view of Spring bass fishing be sure to read the article "<a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWild-Spring-Bass-Fishing-Guide-Lures-Strategy-and-Tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoWild&rsquo;s Spring Bass Fishing Guide | Lures, Strategy &amp; Tips</a>".&nbsp;</span></p>
<h2><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Pre Spawn Bass Fishing</span></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Pre Spawn can be one of the best times of the year to catch some monster bass. The time of the year can vary greatly depending on where you are located. But generally, Pre Spawn occurs in late winter/early spring, around the month of March, here in the midwest.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">This can vary greatly based on the water temperature. Bass typically will start spawning in the Spring when the water temperature reaches 50-60 degrees. However, this can fluctuate as the bass try to avoid drastic temperature changes such as a big cold front coming through, or a period of drought, so monitoring your weather patterns can be crucial.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Locating Pre Spawn bass can be easy if you know where to look. Finding shallow pockets, ledges, brush piles, or even docks is a great place to start. A lot of anglers call these &ldquo;staging areas&rdquo; where bass will hold up, waiting for the perfect time to start spawning. The depth of where they hold up can vary depending on the water you&rsquo;re on. On clearer water, the bass will feel more comfortable deeper, between 15 and 30 feet. If the water is murky, you can expect this to be much more shallow, around 5-10 feet.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Bass Lures to Use for Pre Spawn</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">There are a variety of lures that I will use during the Pre Spawn phase, depending on what the temperature and conditions are. For example, what I use in the morning could be entirely different from what I use later in the day as the water temperature heats up, and maybe the action has died down slightly. For a comprehensive overview of different bass lures to try check out the article titled, "</span><a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/GoWilds-Bass-Fishing-Lures-Guide-Lures-Rigging-Types-Retrieving" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoWild's Bass Fishing Lures Guide | Lures, Rigging Types &amp; Retrieving</a>".</p>
<p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Soft Plastic</span></strong></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">One of my favorite lures to use during Pre Spawn when the bass just don&rsquo;t seem to be cooperating is some form of soft plastic. This could either be a 3.5 inch craw or a 4 inch senko with a <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-296-texas-rig-bundle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Texas rig</a>.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IUFV8jFpTzo" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Jerkbait</span></strong></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Jerkbait seems to be one of the more superior lures to use during Pre Spawn, especially if you&rsquo;re fishing clear water where the bass aren&rsquo;t too deep. <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-324-googan-squad-jerk-jerk-pause-jerbait-bundle-scout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Googan Squad Scout</a> is typically my go to. This is a great lure to use when that strike zone is just a little tougher to define.</span></p>
<p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Crankbait</span></strong></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Crankbait is another great lure to use during Pre Spawn, you can vary your lip selections based on how deep you want to go. <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-329-googan-squad-steady-crankin-crankbait-bundle-Recon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Googan Squad Steady Crankin&rsquo;</a> is one I use a lot. It&rsquo;s a round billed crank which is perfect for that 8-12 foot depth sweet spot.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dGStSl6tM-8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></p>
<h2><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Spawn Bass Fishing</span></strong></h2>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Bass fishing during the Spawn can be killer when using the right methods. Bass like to start making their beds and laying eggs when the water temperature is around 60 degrees. There is a decent window for when this occurs through the US, as here in the midwest this could occur in late April/early May, whereas in the south, this might occur in early March.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">When looking for spawning bass, I tend to focus on the back of creeks, stumps, brush, or really anywhere there is shallow water with hard bottoms, as that is generally where bass prefer to make their beds. It&rsquo;s also important to note that these shallow pockets have warmer water temperature, so a specific body of water could have multiple spawning phases.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Bass want to protect their eggs, so finding a spot that is tucked away from wind, and hidden from predators is what you want to focus on. This is especially true during the early stages of the Spawn.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Lures to Use for Spawn</span></h3>
<p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Swimbait</span></strong></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Using a <a href="https://timetogowild.com/products/gowild-319-biospawn-biggin-swimbait-bundle-4-75-inch-ExoSwim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">swimbait</a> trailer with a bladed jig can be a great choice for targeting bedded bass in shallow water. A 5 inch bluegill swimbait is an ideal choice for when I am trying to catch spawning bass.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kFG4o0erZdw" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></span></p>
<p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Carolina Rigged Craw</span></strong></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">A Green Pumpkin Speed Craw with a Carolina rig and a lighter weight such as a &frac14; oz can be great to use for those shallow areas with lots of cover. Dragging it over stumps and grass can really get those bedded bass fired up.</span></p>
<p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Squarebill Crankbaits</span></strong></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Using a squarebill crankbait can be really effective in shallow waters where there is lots of cover. Using the square bill will allow it to get beat up and run through branches without getting hung up.</span></p>
<p><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Jerkbait</span></strong></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Try using a shad-style suspending jerkbait when the bass seem to have disappeared and aren&rsquo;t responding as well. Patience is key, especially in periods of bad weather when the fish are harder to spot.</span></p>
<h3><strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">Stay in the Game</span></strong></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c00d9f92-7fff-08b1-2299-044bc8f31f24">This is the time of the year when bass fishing is incredible. Lousy weather and poor activity can make you feel that you&rsquo;re doing something wrong, or cause you to abandon strategy. This is especially true during cloudy days when the hope of spotting fish goes out the window. Have patience, and fish slow. Bass can be extra paranoid this time of the year, so having a plan going in and being strategic with every move can make all the difference. Stick it out and you&rsquo;ll be amazed by the kind of fishing the season brings. </span></p>

Pre Spawn is essentially the time of the year before the bass move up into their beds and Spawn. Well that’s all well and good but what does “Spawn” mean? Spawn is just a term for when fish (specifically bass in this case) deposit their eggs.

Pre Spawn and Spawn Bass Fishing Strategies

Pre Spawn and Spawn Bass Fishing Strategies & Best Lures To Use

<p dir="ltr"><em>By: Dylan Hayward<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SuCZUokxxRc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><br /></em></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Spring bass fishing comes with its challenges, but when it is fished correctly, it can be one of the greatest times of the year to be on the water. This is the time of the year when bass move from deep water, into more shallow and sunny pockets.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">This is also the time of the year that <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Pre-Spawn-and-Spawn-Bass-Fishing-Strategies-and-Best-Lures-To-Use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bass transition into pre-spawn and spawn stages</a>. During these moments, bass can be extremely susceptible to anglers throwing the right lures out. This provides its own difficulty as the bass in shallow waters tend to be much more paranoid, but with the right strategy, you could land your biggest bass ever.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Spring Weather</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">A lot of bass activity can be predicted based on the weather conditions. Like most animals, bass are creatures of habit and rarely stray from their normal routines. As the water temperature heats up, bass move into their pre-spawn phase where they feed heavily. This phase can transition into spawn with just a few upticks on the thermometer, so timing can be crucial.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Where I live in the midwest, spring weather seems to have some sort of identity crisis. One day it&rsquo;s sunny and 75, the next day a massive cold front comes in and the temperature drops below 40 degrees. With these dramatic temperature changes, you may find that bass activity is hit or miss, but sticking it out and adjusting your strategy based on the conditions is key. With the colder temps, you may want to try a weighted lure that will get you into deeper water.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">I&rsquo;ve heard countless stories about how moon phases drastically impact bass activity. From my personal experience, it doesn&rsquo;t seem to have a major impact. However, some anglers live by this rule and say that the new moon and full moon are some of the best times to fish for bass.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Locating Spring Bass</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">A wise angler once gave me advice on bass fishing, he said &ldquo;Go where the fish are&rdquo;. This is a bit cliche, but it&rsquo;s true, especially for spring bass. In late winter, bass are typically in deep water, but as the mercury rises, and pre-spawn begins to happen, bass migrate to shallower flats in preparation to lay their eggs.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">If you can find these migratory routes, this will make your fishing a whole lot more successful. These generally look like steep drop offs, canals and ridges. Finding these spots is key during early spring, as bass like to hang out here before they start spawning.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Pay attention to the water clarity during this time. Bass can be extremely paranoid, if the water is crystal clear, they will naturally seek deeper areas for better protection. When the water is murky, they will likely edge towards shallower banks. Be careful as you approach the bank, as they can get startled easily by movement and seek deeper pockets.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Finding stumps, branches, tall grass, rocks, or any type of thick cover can be a bass honey hole this time of the year. This holds true for pre-spawn and spawn as bass are looking for thick cover to stay hidden. Back portions of creeks, an old log, or even a dock can make excellent fishing spots during cloudy spring days.&nbsp;<br /><br />It can also help to use different <a href="https://timetogowild.com/stories/Top-5-Bass-Fishing-Apps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bass fishing apps</a> to find the bass and figure out what to throw to them.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Spring Lures</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">I always like to take note of my surroundings when selecting my bait. Bass aren&rsquo;t particularly picky eaters, but during this time of the year, they have a lot to choose from in regards to food, so I prefer to pick something I know they will like. In spring, I like to use a lure with heavy movement that can linger in the strike zone for a good amount of time to really entice the bass.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Soft plastics can be really effective this time of the year. In my opinion, there aren&rsquo;t many lures that beat a 3 inch craw with a texas rig using a ⅜ oz bullet weight. The appendages on these craws make a good amount of movement that can drive a bass crazy. Pick a color that will attract the fish but that also matches your environment.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Jerkbaits can be extremely deadly in the pre-spawn phase. A 3 &frac12; inch suspending shad style jerkbait is a great lure to use in those spring staging areas such as drop offs or ridges. Longer pauses in the beginning work fantastic for those early spring months.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Using a lipless crankbait works really well for the more shallow waters when the bass are starting to lay their eggs. Finding a spot with a lot of vegetation is the perfect scenario to cast this bait out, reeling in consistently, allowing the lure to bounce off and drag against any vegetation or debris, which will trigger an immediate strike response from a spawning bass. Using a bait like this that covers a lot of water, can be very effective.</span></p>
<h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Spring Time Overview</span></h3>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">Spend some time figuring out where the bass are located and what they&rsquo;re feeding on, and make sure to monitor the water temperature. This can be one of the best times of the year to catch magazine quality bass if you go in with the right strategy, and the right gear to implement it.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c3439d9c-7fff-0479-5fcc-5675b0365f34">You can&rsquo;t predict the weather, no matter where you live. Check the forecast days before you&rsquo;re going out and prepare accordingly. Even if the weather doesn&rsquo;t cooperate, you can always adapt with a new strategy and catch some lunkers! </span></p>

Spring bass fishing comes with its challenges, but when it is fished correctly, it can be one of the greatest times of the year to be on the water. This is the time of the year when bass move from deep water, into more shallow and sunny pockets.

GoWild’s Spring Bass Fishing Guide | Lures, Strategy & Tips

<p><em>By: Dylan Hayward</em></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The ability to tie a strong and reliable fishing knot is something that is all too often forgotten. Tying knots used to be something that every kid was interested in learning. In fact, it was one of the most common lessons taught in boy scouts.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">Nowadays, people just want to tie some basic over-under knot and start casting. The craziest part is, hardcore anglers will spend hundreds of dollars on top of the line rods and reels, but then overlook ensuring they have a good knot tied.</span></p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">All knots are not created equal. There are certain knots that will perform better depending on what lures you&rsquo;re using, which species of fish you&rsquo;re going after, and the area that you&rsquo;re fishing in. There are four basic knots that I love to use that can be interchanged no matter where you are fishing and what you are fishing for.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The Clinch Knot</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The Clinch Knot is probably the most universal knot out there. This was actually the first knot that my father taught me how to tie and I have used it for largemouth, tarpon and even trout. It&rsquo;s extremely easy to tie, just five or six twists and back through the eye and clinched down. I call it Ol&rsquo; Faithful for a reason.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The Palomar Knot</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">This is another knot that is commonly used for bass anglers. It&rsquo;s a quick and strong knot that I have used in freshwater and saltwater. You can essentially use this knot for any line and be guaranteed no slip. Although if I am using anything above 15lb line, I&rsquo;ll generally opt for a different knot.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The Snell Knot</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The Snell Knot is a great knot to use, especially when used on a Texas-Rig lure. I prefer to use braided lines with my snell knots, this isn&rsquo;t essential, it just ensures a stronger hold in my opinion. One of the great things about this knot is that when used on a Texas-Rig, is that there won&rsquo;t be any unnecessary aggressive contact with the slip sinker, which will allow for longer usage. This knot also creates a hook angle that increases my catch success, especially when the bass aren&rsquo;t as aggressive as I would like.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The Uni Knot</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">The Uni Knot is another reliable knot that can be used universally for most of your fishing outings. This knot is very similar to the Clinch Knot although I have found that it&rsquo;s best to use braided lines for the Uni Knot. Whenever I am using JerkBait, I prefer to use a Uni Knot as it&rsquo;s not as tight around the eye, allowing for a more lifelike movement of the lure. The Clinch Knot seems to create a somewhat stronger hold than the Uni Knot, but both are great.</span></p>
<h3><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">Conclusion</span></h3>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115e2755-7fff-803d-4f05-510d20b8d43b">There are several knots that are great to utilize depending on the situation you are fishing in. However, with these four basic knots, you should be able to apply them interchangeably for all of your fishing outings. Take some time to practice each knot before you go out. Before you know it, you&rsquo;ll be able to quickly and effectively tie each knot whenever you need to.</span></p>

All knots are not created equal. There are certain knots that will perform better depending on what lures you’re using, which species of fish you’re going after, and the area that you’re fishing in.

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