Hot summer days and hotter bass
Victor Leake

Choosing the right lures for hot weather fishing need not be difficult; following are a few lures and types of baits that may help find those bass that are hiding from you.

Jig & Pig combo; when it is too hot to breathe, and nothing is moving, then it is time to flip or pitch a jig. Place the jig with pork or plastic trailer into thick cover, logjams, and shallow bushes. Use heavy line and a stiff rod to get the bass back out of the cover. For colors, try black or Blk/blue; you can't go wrong with these.

Plastic worms: Great for working shallow brush piles or weeds. The thicker the cover the better this baits works. Rigged Texas style (with hook buried in the worm) it is snag free. Use the smallest, lightest sinker you can; 1/8 ounce weight is all you need with spinning tackle.

Frog or Rat: these soft plastic baits can be thrown anywhere; I like to use them under over hanging tree limbs. By adding rattles inside you can make the lure more appealing to the bass. The bait can be used with heavy tackle or light. Known for fishing in weeds, it works along the shoreline in open water just fine.

Top water popper: Work it fast for active bass or slow it down to catch that lunker hiding just beneath the surface.

Floating Jerk bait: Rip it down and hang on as it floats back to the surface; works best in clear water. Use shiny colors when sun is high and natural colors during over cast skies.

Spinner baits: In muddy or stained water it is hard to beat. Bump a stump and watch out! Light colors when bass are feeding on bait fish. Use darker colors for when bass are feeding on sunfish or at night. Try colored blades in stained water.

Buzz baits: One of the best big bass baits around! Can bring on jarring strikes day or night, not just at day break. Keep another rod rigged with a soft plastic bait for when the fish misses the hook, cast right back into the boil as quick as possible. This will often allow you to catch the fish that just missed the lure.

Crank baits: Dig the bottom in shallow water and across flats. Deep divers even in shallow water, or work a square billed bait through thick bushes.

Lipless Crank baits: Burn these through schooling bass or work one over a drop off and allow it to free fall. Try allowing it to float to the bottom then jerk it up off the floor before allowing it to sink back down.

Shallow water bass are very spooky, so move slowly and make as little sound as possible. Take care of both yourself and your catch. Keep ice to cool the water in the live well and keep plenty for yourself. Drank water even if you don't feel that thirsty, by the time you feel the need for water it is often too late. Water can help keep your energy level up during a long hot day of fishing.

Large Mouth Bass and Sand bass will often school during the heat of mid day, be ready for the fast action by having a top water lure tied on. If you have trouble catching the surface feeding fish try using a clear top water bait. Often the fish will react to the sound and action rather than in seeing the lure.

Look for schooling fish on the flats in the backs of coves. You can still catch these active fish on the surface, even after they have gone back down and you don't see the action any more.

Remember; Catch all you want; Keep just what you need and release the rest for the future.