By Jerry Neeley
Its getting hot! Summer is upon us and the boaters are out in full force. I still want to fish but where do I start?
There is always a shallow bass bite in the summer, if you know where to look. The bass are schooling, so try to find a place where you see bass schooling. In the very back of some creeks such as Crowders Creek is a place where this event happens from time to time. Topwater baits are a must. I like a chugger or a ploper early and late in the day. This will get you a few bites. Deep humps in main lake will also hold bass. A c-rig or a deep diving crankbait works well. Sometimes fishing deep docks on main lake will catch you a few fish. Another way to catch bass is to fish at night. Docks with a light will hold bass so to beat all the heat, give it a try. You might like it.
Crappie fishing is very good during hot months. I start early and shoot docks with brush around them. It very productive. Bridges hold crappie too! I like to use four pound test line on a spincast reel to shoot docks. I make my own jigs but any jig will work. I use my side image to locate the fish. Actually it’s very easy to do this. You might have to ride close to docks and shoot you side image under the dock, but hey, it works quite well. At the end of the day you will have a mess of specks to take home.
Catfishing is at its peak, They have finished spawning and are roaming. They are hungry. Lake flats and creeks are a prime place to fish for cats during this time. If you can find some white perch near the mouth of creeks or near flats, that is a bonus. Catfish will be near by feeding. I troll at .5-.6 MPH most of the time using cutbaits.
Wear your life jackets! There are lots of boaters on the water. Be safe! Take a kid fishing and you will be glad you did someday.
Jerry Neeley www.carolinasfishing.com 704-678-1043