Late Summer Bass Fishing
The dogdays of summer are here, and with the higher water temperatures largemouth and smallmouth bass will are feeding, in some situations it may be a fast bite, other times it may take some finesse fishing tactics to get them to bite, but regardless they are eating.
Dane Vocelka, owner of Vocelka Fishing Customs, and Champions Tour Pro has had an impressive season. Has put some time in on the water with this year’s released Elite Series Pro Sunny B Deep crankbait and has used this bait to help him locate schools of bass that he was able to exploit further during Champions Tour events.
“I search for the stair stepping weeds that top out in deeper water,” said Dane. “I look for weeds that have six or seven feet of water above them, and then I will cast the Pro Sunny B Deep parallel to the break, make my retrieve, and the main thing is that I make sure that the crankbait is ticking the weeds.”
Dane has two favorite crankbait rods, one is 7‘4“and the other is 7‘6“. Both are lighter action rods, so if you hit the coontail and pull the crankbait out, you won’t bury it deeper in the vegetation. “The big thing with the Pro Sunny B Deep crankbait is to just rip it through the tops of the cabbage or coontail, and then be ready for the bass to bite!”
Champions Tour Pro, and host of the podcast, Teal’s Bass Galaxy, Aaron Teal has a full head of hair, and with this he can channel his inner Minnesota Mullet technique.
Teal will fish his Minnesota Mullet on a Vocelka Fishing Chicken rod, and fish it on 18 lb fluorocarbon. Depending on the depth of water he is fishing, the type of structure, and water clarity he is fishing, he’ll rotate through the 1/2, 5/8, or 3/4 ounce Minnesota Mullet.
“If it’s clean bottom I let the Mullet sink, whereas if I’m fishing grass, I will engage the reel right away,” explained Teal. “I try to fish the Minnesota Mullet much like the Marabou Jig, as I will do quarter to half turns of the reel followed by some pauses.”
Much like the size of the Minnesota Mullet Teal selects, he’ll pick either a white, perch, or green pumpkin mullet based on the water clarity, and more importantly what forage the bass are feeding on.
“Once I get a strike, I will try to repeat that cadence,” said Aaron. “The big key for me is pointing the rod at the lure, which allows for a strong, long sweeping hook set.
Lake Mille Lacs guide and Champions Tour Pro, Joel Willert is all too familiar with fishing for smallmouth during the dog days of summer. “Targeting deep water smallmouth in the mid-summer months can often times be very challenging,” said Joel.
He will use more finesse tactics to catch this bass, which will likely include a drop shot, the Elite Series Nedster, and Finesse Football Jig, along with a tube, and Smeltinator Jig with a minnow style bait. “I always start out with a heavier jig, usually in the ¼ to 3/8-ounce size. If I notice the fish on my MEGA Live not showing interest, or showing interest and not committing, that is when I’ll downsize to change rate of fall of the bait.”
When fishing any of these finesse style applications Joel will use a G Loomis NRX+ 872S & Shimano Expride 7’2” Med/Light rod, with either a Shimano Sustain 3000 or Shimano Exsence 4000 reel, and spool them up with 10 lb Power Pro braid to an 8 or 10 lb test Shimano Mastiff FC Fluorocarbon leader.
Now if the smallmouth are feeding, or if the weather conditions allow for it…AKA there is some wind, then Joel likes to throw reaction style baits like the Elite Series Pro Sunny B Deep crankbait, or a heavy bladed jig (3/4 or 1 oz).
“I like to target isolated boulders as well as rock to sand transitions on the points of flats or sharp breaks. Staying mobile is key. The fish often will let you know quickly if they are in a feeding mood or not.”
For these reaction style baits, Joel will use either a Shimano Expride 7’7” H or Shimano Expride 7’2” MH Glass rod, and Shimano Curado 200 M 6.2:1 (bladed jig) or Shimano Curado 150 MGL 7.4:1 (crankbait) reel, spooled up 12 to 16 lb Shimano Mastiff Fluorocarbon
Michigan, Northland Tackle Pro, Chase Serafin, who is coming off a top-twenty-five finish in the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event on Lake St. Clair likes to rely on the Smeltinator Underspin Jig as he fishes during the month of August.
“Getting into the August dog days of summer we will see many fish suspended out deep off the bank roaming around in “the abyss” chasing bait,” explained Chase. “This can make for an awesome time to be throwing both the Smeltinator and the Smeltinator Underspin.”
Coming in a variety of head sizes, with different hook sizes, and a plethora of colors, it is easy to perfectly match the size and color of whatever bait the fish in your area are keyed in on, giving you a better chance to get those finicky summer fish to bite.
“I really like to throw that Underspin early in the morning, or when I have some wind and/or clouds present. Using forward facing sonar to land my bait right on their head and slowly reeling it right over top of them.”
For his Smeltinator Underspin, Chase likes to I throw the 3/8-ounce jig with a #2 hook, and a 3-inch Spark Shad for his trailer. Whereas for the Smeltinator Jig, he’ll use the 1/4 oz jig, with a #2 hook when he wants to use 4” Sakamata Shad or the #3 hook with a 5” Sakamata shad.
With two good months of summertime bass fishing left, don’t miss out on the hot bite going on, get out there and put some bass in the boat!
Find more articles like "Late Summer Bass Fishing" here for more fishing tips!