From: Capt. Jim Hammond
Date: August 28, 2002
Time: 10:55:26
Largemouth bass fishing in the heat of the summer can be slow and frustrating. Here are a few tips on how to make for a more successful trip while bass fishing in late summer.
Number one, start out way before sun up. I like to get started at least an hour before the posted sun rise. As you all know, the posted sunrise is only about 30 to 45 minutes later than when it gets light enough to fish. By the time you get in the water and to your first spot, you will be able to fish, no problem. By getting started that early, you are taking advantage of two things.
ONE.
The water temperature is the coolest that it is going to be for that day and in the late summer, cooler water usually means, fish more likely to feed and the water has more oxygen in it, thus more active fish.
TWO.
You will be taking advantage of about one hour of low light conditions. Bass like most other fish, feel more comfortable lurking in the shadows or low light. Thus the fish are more cooperative towards eating your lures.
Fishing these conditions, I like to start with a spinner bait, in line spinner bait or a buzz bait. All of these baits put off major sound vibrations, allowing the fish to hone in on the sound. My all time favorite would have to be a spinner bait with a chartreuse and white skirt, and one small round blade at the top and a willow at the bottom. For the Mepps in line spinner, I like a 1/4 ounce with a sliver and chartreuse blade with a white or chartreuse trailer soft plastic. Both of these lures send out big vibrations and have enough flash, even in low light conditions to attract fish.
Spinner Bait Mepps In Line Buss Bait Mepps Buzz Bait Exude 2" curly tail in white and chartreuse
Working the spinner baits will vary from day to day but you can almost guarantee if you toss it on the edge and slowly retrieve it back to the boat, it wont be long before Mr. Largemouth is pulling on the other end. Last week I had six bass on spinner baits and everyone seemed like they just came up behind the lure and were on the hook. No big strike or explosion, they were just there. Work the spinner baits along grass line, channel drop offs and from the shoreline back to the boat.
A way to add extra bulk and flash and SCENT to the spinner bait is to add an exude 2" curly tail to the hook, just as you would if you were trolling for trout. This grub tail will sometimes make the difference in catching them or not catching them.
The buzz bait is a bait that I like to work slow enough to keep it just on the surface making a bloop, bloop, bloop sound, as the blade spins, slapping the water. With this bait, you had better be holding on to your rod and reel when the fish strikes because the strike is usually like a ton of bricks. Don't be afraid to work both of these baits all the way back to the boat, as you might encounter a strike of two near the boat.
Once the sun gets up a notch or two, the surface or near surface action usually stops. Once this has happened, I will resort to two other types of baits.
One of the most productive types of baits will be a deep diving crank bait, like a MirrOlure. All of the baits will allow you to work them deep with a slow or an erratic movement.
Jointed Crank bait MirrOlure 52 M MirrOlure 32 M MirrOlure L52MR MirrOlure Shad Rattler
I like to use my Lowrance X-15 to find deep drops, like channels that have vegetation along the sides of the drop offs. I then position the boat, so I can cast along the edge, letting the bait sink to about 8 feet and then I start working it back with a wounded minnow motion and every now and then ripping it through the grass. This ripping motion can be achieved by taking up all of the slack, pointing the rod tip toward the bait and bringing the tip of the rod away from the bait as fast as you can. Last week, I had several fish strike my MirrOlure when I did this. It is almost like it is going to get away from them and then they decide they had better get it quick.
Check out the my fishing show in two weeks and see some pretty good action using the MirrOlure L52MR in Chartreuse and Silver.
Another way to fish for largemouth after the sun has risen is with a jig. These work well in deep water, where the fish generally move to on hot summer days. Of course the larger the bait profile the larger the fish, generally. So I like to stick with a bait that has the largest profile or mass that I can find. Another trick is to have a bait like the Exude that put off a scent that seems to stimulate the fish into feeding. Several of these are shown below and you can check out the entire line of Exude baits that put off a scent by going to www.mepps.com.
I like to work these baits as slow as possible and if I am in a brush pile or submerged tree, I like to jerk it every few seconds to get the fishes attention. A bait with a rattle does not hurt.
Exude Jig with feeding attractant Mepps Split tail Weedless Jig Weedless Jig Exude Split Double Tail and BA Hawg
All of these baits work and all work well to generate strikes from Mr. Bucket Mouth. Get out there and find some of these bass and I assure you, you will have a good time.
Tip of the week:
It is getting close to hunting season and one way to get tuned up is to purchase a new Bennelli shotgun from Jimmy's Jewelry & Pawn III located at 1233 Lane Ave S # 27 Jacksonville, FL 32205-6254 (904) 693-0777. He is the largest dealer of new Bennelli shotguns in Jacksonville and If you say Capt. Jim sent you, you will receive $100.00 off of the already low prices on the purchase a new Bennelli shotgun.
I have secured a deal with Duval Ford Commercial and Fleet sales for all persons that call them and say that they watch my show or read my articles to get an unbelievable deal on any new Ford car or truck, when purchased from them. You will need to call 381-6558 and ask for Mike Tudor or go to www.duvalford.com. I just purchased a new truck and they saved me almost $8000.00 dollars.
Charter Information: Capt. Jim Hammond is an inshore saltwater charter guide in Jacksonville, Florida and can be reached to book a trip by calling 904 757 7550. Moms and Dads: Remember mom and dad, spend some time with your sons and daughters taking them fishing and you will not be looking for them come Friday and Saturday nights, as they will be home in bed waiting to go the next day. (I am not just saying this because it sounds good. I MEAN IT, YOU WON'T BE LOOKING FOR THEM.)
Television Fishing Show:
Catch some local fishing action Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm and Sundays at 8:30 am on cable channel 7 WTWN in Jacksonville, the Beaches and Clay County and Thursday nights at 7:00 pm, Saturdays at 12:30 pm and Sundays at 11:30 am and 12:00 pm on channel 22 WQXT and Time Warner channel 2 in St. Augustine and St. Johns County.
Good Fishing
Capt. Jim Hammond
jim@hammondfishing.com
http://www.hammondfishing.com
(904) 757-7550