It's summer time! That means the weather is hot and so are the fish. Summertime is a great time to catch fish out deep. Fishing out deep provides its own set of unique challenges, especially if you are a bank angler like me. This week out goal is to help you have greater success when catching fish out deep.
How do I catch bass out deep?
Answer: Catching bass deep in the summer can be challenging but rewarding. Here are some tips and techniques to help you successfully catch bass in deeper waters during the hot summer months:
1. Find the Right Location
- Structure and Cover: Look for deep structures such as ledges, drop-offs, humps, and underwater points. Bass often hang around these areas.
- Thermocline: Identify the thermocline, which is the layer of water where the temperature changes rapidly. Bass often stay just above or below this layer for comfort and to find baitfish.
- Deep Vegetation: Search for submerged vegetation like hydrilla and milfoil in deeper waters, as bass use these areas for cover.
2. Use the Right Equipment
- Rod and Reel: Use a medium to heavy action rod with a sensitive tip to detect subtle bites. Pair it with a high-speed reel to quickly retrieve the line.
- Line: Use fluorocarbon line for its low visibility and sensitivity. Braided line with a fluorocarbon leader is also effective for deep-water fishing.
3. Choose the Right Baits and Lures
- Deep Diving Crankbaits: Use crankbaits that can reach depths of 15-25 feet. These lures imitate baitfish and can trigger aggressive strikes.
- Jigs: Football jigs with trailers are excellent for dragging along the bottom and around structures. Choose heavier jigs (¾ to 1 ounce) to reach deeper areas.
- Drop Shot: A drop shot rig with a finesse worm or shad imitation works well for suspended bass. This rig allows you to keep the bait in the strike zone for longer.
- Carolina Rig: This rig is effective for covering large areas and keeping your bait near the bottom. Use a heavy sinker to get the bait down deep.
- Swimbaits and Flutter Spoons: These lures mimic injured baitfish and can attract big bass from a distance. Use them to cover water and locate active fish.
4. Fish at the Right Time
- Early Morning and Late Evening: Bass are more active during cooler parts of the day. Focus on deep waters during midday when the sun is high.
- Overcast Days: Bass might be more active and willing to move shallower on cloudy days, so adjust your depth accordingly.
5. Retrieve Techniques
- Slow and Steady: Deep water fishing often requires a slow and steady retrieve to keep the lure in the strike zone.
- Dragging: Drag jigs and Carolina rigs along the bottom, pausing occasionally to mimic natural movement.
- Vertical Jigging: Use this technique with spoons or drop shots to target suspended bass directly beneath your boat.
6. Electronics and Sonar
- Fish Finder: Use a fish finder to locate structures, baitfish, and bass. Understanding the underwater topography will help you position your boat effectively.
- Waypoints: Mark productive spots with waypoints to revisit them during future trips.
7. Patience and Persistence
- Stay Patient: Deep water bass fishing can be slower than shallow water fishing. Be patient and persistent, and adapt your techniques based on the bass's behavior.
By following these tips and using the right equipment, you'll increase your chances of successfully catching bass in deep waters during the summer. Happy fishing!
Response: Growing up, I never had access to fishing out deep in the middle of the lake. Most of the fishing I did was from the bank or the rare occasions when we would rent a boat with no electronics. It wasn't until the last several years when I bought a kayak that I had more access to deep water. Only then I was able to hone my skills and catch fish out deep.
I'd say most of this Chat GPT post is pretty spot on with his response. Bass will move out deep to escape the warmer water temps of shallow water. Fishing out deep in the summer can increase your chances of catching more and larger size fish. Like most things in fishing, it takes practice.
If there was one thing I would disagree with, most time bass will feed most of the day out in the deep water. The cooler temps will allow them to be more active, and oftentimes they'll be out chancing bait in the cooler water. They will still be active in the morning and evening, especially in the shallower waters, but other parts of the day will also be active.
With the rise of forward facing sonar, electronics are better now than ever. This makes catching fish in deeper water easier than ever. If you can save up for a kayak and some electronics, you will have everything you need to catch fish out deep. There is a learning curve when if comes to electronics, however. Youtube is the answer to all your questions when it comes to forward facing sonar. There are lots f great videos in every single graph and electronic out there. If you can find videos from the Elite Series rookies who grew up with electronics, you will be in good shape. Judging by the success this year on the Bassmaster Elite Series, it's a safe bet that they are pretty dang good with those electronics.
Love the Adventure
- Paul Hoffman