topwater, deep cranking and other hot weather bass fishing techniques

bass fishing in the summer lures for the weather

Prese ® nted by Fisherman’s Warehouse

Summer 2023

SB m UA us MI t- T ha M v S e ER

page 40

S

ummertime can be some of the best and most memorable

fishing of the year, especially with the excitement of blow-ups on

topwater and frogs. At the same time, it can also be a challenge, as the daytime heat can send bass to the depths for most of the day and

anglers may find the need to bust out the finesse gear or crank the abyss to

get a bite at times.

To be ready for everything, bass anglers must have a wide range of baits

that hit all of the depths to succeed in the hottest weather of the year.

Here’s a quick rundown of some must-have summer fishing lures. They

include some old favorites and new items that bass in your local waters may not

have seen yet.

TOPWATER

One of the best bites of the summer is on the surface and there are a bunch of different topwater baits that will entice a bass to hit on top. You can do it in several ways, whether with a walking bait, a plopping bait, or a frog.

Here is one from each group that will give you plenty of options for your topwater fishing this summer.

WALKING BAITS: These are very popular because they have such good action on the surface. There are many different kinds, including those that walk, splash, and pop. These pencil poppers, like the ima Little Stik 135, have a great commotion on the surface and help draw fish from long distances. Since it’s a heavy bait (one ounce), you can cast it a mile to reach those fish breaking on the surface out of reach of casts with standard topwater lures.