Is it ever really too hot to fish? Some say yes, but I say cover up and go! Using lightweight clothing, a hat and sunblock, you’ll be fine. Be sure to hydrate! You’re going to sweat no matter what you do outside, so you might as well be doing something you enjoy.
Bass’s metabolisms are revved up and running at their peak which means they lose weight very fast, which means they have to eat more often. Work this notion to your advantage and present them with the things they have the hardest time resisting: shad and bug imitating lures.
During early morning and late afternoon hours, a shad imitating bait, like the Bagley Bang-O-Lure, twitched slowly on the surface close to edges of grass and wood will get results. This bait has a subtle presentation that convinces fish that their looking at a dying shad. The strike is usually very subtle so keep your eye on it. I use short medium-action rods spooled with 12- to 15-lb mono. Accurate casting is important in this game of inches. This time of year, bass can be stubborn and have a small strike zone. You’ll want to cast this bait as close as you possibly can to your targets, let it settle, twitch, pause and retrieve. Repeat. The balsa wood construction of this bait makes it extremely buoyant, but may give some a challenge to cast accurately with a baitcasting reel. Try spinning tackle if this is the case.
Once the sun gets up a bit more, bass will be found inside the grass and lily pads instead of near the edges. Here you’ll want to slow drag a weightless Gambler Sweebo Worm in Junebug color. If you notice dragon flies around you skimming along the water’s surface, you can bet this is a good approach. Bass love snapping at these bugs and I’m convinced they think that’s what this worm is. Rig with a 3/0 to 5/0 EWG hook on braid or fluorocarbon and don’t be afraid to cast it into places you think are too shallow to hold bass…trust me, they’re in there.
Good fishing and God bless.
CAPT. RANDY “C-NOTE” CNOTA
C-note Charters
Panama City, FL
cnotecharters.com
(229) 834-7880