Summer Bass Lakes vs. Reservoirs by Dan Rice

Summer Bass Lakes vs. Reservoirs
by Dan Rice

®

BASS SUL M A MK EE RS

Story & Photos

BY DAN RICE

vs

S

ummer offers a challenging, yet exciting time

for anglers, regardless of location. Low light

conditions bring explosive topwater hits,

while fishing underneath the blazing sun can cater to those who prefer flipping, pitching and throw-

ing swimbaits along docks.

One of the biggest keys to finding quality fish in

summer is knowing what the fish are keying on when

it comes to food and habitat.

On reservoirs, current may draw fish tighter

to ambush points. Off-shore boulders may be

used as “rest stops” for summer

patterns and a weedline in deep,

cool water might be the perfect

home for those fish seeking

calmer environments.

NATURAL LAKES

Natural lakes tend to warm up quickly and can often offer

SK Ocho

the earliest topwater action.

Largemouth bass will quickly awake

and be drawn to the sounds of walk-

the-dog lures or poppers.

When it comes to locating fish quickly, starting

shallow will allow you to eliminate areas of the lake

without having to use electronics to search for fish in

deeper water.

Rocky shorelines are often littered with crayfish

claws, so jigs, crankbaits and topwater lures are all

excellent choices. Transitioning from shallow water in

the morning to depths of 6- to 10-feet by midday will help target fish that are varying in their movements.

Remember to target the shade lines. Shade tends to be a priority for larger fish, but docks and manmade cover aren’t the only shady areas to locate.

Vegetation provides its own shade and seeking out the edges of weedlines can host numerous big fish. As water quality deteriorates, these locations become a safe haven for smaller fish such as bluegill

and perch. Add in

crayfish and you can

quickly identify high

target areas that

are likely to reward

you for your

efforts.

Some type

of dragging

technique is a

must-have.

Whether it is

a Carolina-rig

or a pegged

½-oz tungsten

weight and 6-inch Ocho combination, big fish often fall for slow-moving soft plastics. Slowly pulling this weedless setup through vegetation or over rocks and timber gives any fish a good look at your bait.

My largest catches have come from areas around 12- to 15-feet with a combination of rock and weeds. They often swallow the Ocho whole, nearly ripping the rod right from my hands.

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