All About Bass Fishing - Guide To Early Summer

For the bulk of the bass in an impoundment, the spawn is over. The bass relate heavily to shad and other baitfish as the water warms and the bait is comfortable in deeper water. The bait begins daily rituals of cruising the shore in the mornings and then moving to deeper water as the sun rises. The bait seek relief from the bright sun as it gets higher in the sky, and move out and down to a comfortable depth with proper temperature and protection from UV rays. Crawfish, frogs and other food sources are beginning to be much more active as the water warms. The warm water and increased activity causes the bass to feed more aggressively and more frequently than during colder seasons. Bass, as a schooling fish, tend to group by size and follow the food source. Smaller bass tend to run in larger groups.

3 Most Important Factors About Bass Activity in Early Summer

The bass have completed the spawn cycle and begin feeding to regain weight.
Bass are beginning to move out and down as water warms.
Most bass will feed in the shallows and mid-range feeding areas.

3 Most Effective Fishing Methods & Lures

Crankbaits.
Worms.
Spinnerbaits.

A Day On The Lake In Early Summer.

As always, begin by accumulating local knowledge about the body of water you will be fishing. Contact local bait stores, bass boat dealers and bass club members to find out first hand what is happening at the lake. Check fishing reports and fishing blogs which cover the lake where you plan to fish. The local fish and game department often posts fishing reports.

Recommended Gear And Tackle

Rod Choices (in order of importance).

1. 6’ medium-heavy action, bait-casting rod for lures from 3/8 ounce up to 1 ounce. Fill reel with 40# to 50# braid or 14# to 17# monofilament or fluorocarbon. (To be used for jigs, worms and spinnerbaits).

2. 6’ medium-action spinning rod. Fill reel with 30# braid or 8 # to 10# monofilament or fluorocarbon. (To be used for drop-shot worms or shaky worms).

3. 6’ medium-action, bait-casting rod for lures from ¼ ounce up to 3/4 ounce. Fill reel with 40# to 65# braid or 12# to 14# monofilament or fluorocarbon. (To be used for smaller jigs, crankbaits, worms and spinnerbaits).

Lure Choices (in order of importance).

An assortment of top water lures.
An assortment of ¼ ounce to 1/2 ounce spinnerbaits.
An assortment of soft, plastic jerkbaits.
An assortment of shallow, medium-running and lipless crankbaits.
An assortment of 4” to 6” worms for drop shot and Texas-style worm fishing.
An assortment of 6” to 10” worms for Carolina-rig worm fishing.

Locating Bass In Early Summer.

Morning. Armed with the local information proceed to the area of the lake receiving the best reports. Early in the morning until 9:00 or so, fish shallow. Keep moving and cover a lot of water. The shallow bass this time of year are likely to be quite active in the mornings. If the water is dirty make more casts in a given area as the bass will not travel as far to take a lure. In clear water fewer casts to a given area will attract active bass. Start with top water as it is a good way to cover lots of area quickly. If the bass won’t rise to the top, switch to a crankbait or spinnerbait. If the bass are even less active, try a slower presentation with a soft jerkbait, Senko or plastic worms. For shallow worm fishing, Texas-rigged worms are the most effective – especially around heavy brush.

Weather conditions like wind, cloud cover and rapid temperature changes have a more significant impact on shallow bass than on deeper bass. Read our sections covering these conditions for fishing techniques to deal with specific situations.

Mid day. After feeding in the shallows throughout the morning, bass move out and deeper to avoid the UV rays of the sun and warm shallow water. Move out and deeper as the sun rises overhead fishing primarily with plastic worms. Carolina rig, drop shot and Texas style all work well at this time of day. Let the cover determine the technique you select.

Late afternoon and evening. As the sun begins to get lower in the western sky, the bass start a slow migration back into the shallows. Top water, soft jerkbaits, Senkos, jerkbaits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits all work well at this time of day.

Night fishing. In areas where night fishing is popular, use the same techniques mentioned above. When the bass are shallow, they may be extremely shallow, often right at the waters edge. When the bass are deeper, they will be tight to the bottom structure. Fish slower than during the day and use dark colored lures for contrast. Texas-style worm fishing is probably the most often used technique at night.