Summer is upon us, a time of hot weather, warm water, and temperamental bass. Coming off the productive springtime and early summer periods, it can be a frustrating time, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by learning the best bass lures for summer pond fishing.
Last updated on October 10th, 2024 at 06:29 am
SUMMARY: Explore the best bass lures for summer pond fishing and effective strategies, including the significance of timing, lure selection, and the best presentations to catch bass. Review deep and shallow water techniques, the use of topwater lures, and the impact of weather changes like rainstorms.
Truth is, with the kids out of school and families in vacation mode, summer is the most likely season to find yourself near a fishing hole with little to do but soak a line. So go right ahead and make those memories. And catch fish. Because, despite what you think or have been told, there are still bass to be had in the hottest part of the year, if you follow some basic concepts.
Keep in mind that this is not so much about the calendar as it is about water temperatures, as we discuss in our breakdown of the fishing “seasons.” Read it; it’s good information. In a nutshell, you (and the bass) will transition to summer mode when water temperature reaches 75 degrees and up. In general, you’ll want to be out in the early morning or late evening and focusing heavily on shade, cover, and structure in both deep and shallow water. Cloudy days will be more productive, as bass feel free to roam, and a cooling summer rainstorm may be just the thing to get the bite going. Let’s look a little closer.
Pick Your Time Carefully
A large part of bass fishing in the summer is finding a time when the water might be just a few degrees lower than usual.
That could be early morning, which means you may be out fishing 30 minutes or more before the sun rises. Or it could be late evening, which could stretch two hours or more after the sun has set. That would mean fishing in the dark, which is a special skill you’ll need to acquire. (Monsterbass.com talks about this very thing in an article titled, Guide to Night Fishing for Summer Bass.)
Whatever time you’re fishing, you’ll want to focus on parts of the pond or lake that receive the most shade during the day. For example, a lake that stretches north to south likely sees the most shade on the east and west banks. Another key factor could be hills, tree cover, or anything else that serves to block the sun for part of the day.
Change Things Up
The idea here is to try different approaches until you find something that works, which is always a good tactic to have in your back pocket, but especially so in the summer.
When bass are less than motivated to eat, conventional thought says your best chance of getting their attention is a slow approach, having a lure lingering in the general area where bass reside looking like easy prey. Bass don’t want to expel much energy in the heat, especially for prey that’s not a sure bet. A slow-moving lure could be just what he’s looking for.
But know that there are times you may find more luck zipping through a bass’ environment and possibly triggering a reaction bite. So try both fast and slow presentations. And vary the size of the lure, too. If your giant soft-plastic worm is being ignored, downsizing to smaller baits is a good option to try. And whatever you’re doing, be persistent. A dozen or so casts to the same spot might just pester a reluctant bass enough to strike.
Best Bass Lures for Summer Pond Fishing
Go Deep
From the bank, it’s often tough to know what’s going on in the deepest parts of your pond. But rest assured, if there’s cover, fallen trees, boulders, rock piles, brush piles, ledges, or other structures, odds are bass are forming schools around it.
If you’re lucky enough to see a few fallen trees jutting out from the water’s surface, that would be a great place to target. If there are no obvious spots where bass might gather, it’ll take a more systematic plan to find them. Ponds and small lakes are notoriously bowl-shaped, with few if any ledges, underwater creeks, rocky bottoms, or major deep cover.
A fan pattern with a weighted Texas-rigged worm is a good search technique. This is where you systematically cover an area with multiple casts in a clocklike (or fan) pattern. As your weighted worm drags the pond bottom, stay alert to any hangups, bumps, or other indications of underwater obstacles, and note the approximate locations.
Follow up with a weighted drop shot worm or football jig worked slowly near any such cover is a good strategy or structure. Crankbaits also make good search baits in these conditions, running at a depth where they’d be running just above the tops of any cover or near structure.
Also, Go Shallow
While conventional wisdom is to go deep in summer, it’s not your only option, especially early and late in the day.
Summer bass can be found in shallow water, and in most cases, they’re there to eat. A topwater bait or rattling bait like a Rat-L-Trap can catch the attention of bass venturing closer to the shore. And a spinnerbait can be effective when slow-rolled along the bottom near the bank. This is also a solid tactic when used alongside a stand of weeds or grass, as close as you can get. And if you’re looking to get in the weeds, a high percentage bet in many cases, a wacky worm with a hook guard is a great way to explore the openings and shimmy across the top of the growth.
Don’t Forget Topwater Bass Lures for Summer
If you find yourself fishing at midday in the summer, you could do worse than topwater baits, which have been known to bring up deep-water bass from their hiding places. In shallow cover, a hollow-body frog can do the same.
Shade Equals Bass
Bass avoiding the direct sun may set up below bridges, docks, or overhanging trees and bushes. In addition to the shade they provide, bushes and trees are home to bugs, lizards’ and other creatures that can end up in the water for an easy meal.
Something weedless (Texas-rigged lizard?) will make your life easier as you attempt precision casts under the overhanging growth. (Pro tip: If you have the option, a shorter rod ― 6 feet or less ― can make it easier to maneuver in tight quarters.) Docks are great for the same reasons, as are lilly pads, where a frog or toad is always a good choice, or something heavy that you can use to punch through the growth.
In all cases, work the outer edges before making more ambitious casts into the cover, lest you disturb the water and spook the bass prematurely. Jerkbaits often come up in these scenarios, but mostly for clear water. If that sounds like your pond, give it a go.
Watch for Rain Storms or Other Weather/Water Changes
A summer rainstorm could greatly improve fishing conditions, before, during, and after the storm.
Cloud cover will begin to cool things off and offer shade that might prompt the bass to roam away from their haunts. Rain will cool the water. And especially heavy rain can lead to moving water likely to attract fish seeking an oxygen-rich environment and an easy meal. Currents improve oxygen content in the water and deliver bugs and baitfish to waiting bass.
Float a soft plastic or jig for a slower presentation, or try crankbaits and spinner baits in the bass prefer something fast-moving. Slow presentations like wacky worms or a weightless Senko are good choices, too.
Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Bass Fishing
Is bass fishing good in the summer?
Absolutely! Summer bass fishing can be incredibly rewarding. However, it does come with its own unique challenges. As the temperatures rise, bass behavior changes, making it crucial to adapt your strategy. But with the right knowledge and techniques, you can have a fantastic summer bass fishing experience.
What do largemouth bass do in the summer?
In the summer, largemouth bass tend to seek cooler and more shaded areas. They often move to deeper waters during the hottest parts of the day and come closer to the shallows during low-light periods, such as early morning and late evening. Understanding their behavior is key to successful summer bass fishing.
How do you catch bass in a pond in summer?
Catching bass in a pond during summer requires a strategic approach. Start by focusing on shady spots, underwater structures, and areas with potential cover like fallen trees or rock piles. Techniques like fan casting and varying your lure presentation speed can increase your chances of landing a catch.
What is the best bait for pond bass in the summer?
The best bait for pond bass in the summer can vary, but soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures are effective choices. Experiment with different lures and presentations to see what the bass in your local pond prefer.
What is the best color bait for bass in the summer?
Bass fishing experts recommend using natural and shad-mimicking colors for your baits during the summer. Shades like green, brown, and chartreuse often work well. However, it’s essential to adjust your color of bass lures for summer based on water clarity and the conditions of your specific fishing spot.
Do bass hit topwater in summer?
Bass can be enticed to strike topwater lures during the summer, especially in the early morning and late evening when they are more active near the surface. Topwater bass lures for summer like frogs or rattling baits can be effective choices to elicit exciting topwater strikes.
Are bass shallow or deep in summer?
During the summer, bass can be found both in shallow and deep waters. They often move between these depths throughout the day. Targeting both shallow and deep areas, depending on the time and conditions, can increase your chances of success.
Will bass bite when it’s hot?
Yes, bass will bite even in hot weather. While they may be less active during the peak heat of the day, you can still entice them with the right lures and techniques. Early morning, late evening, and overcast days can be particularly productive times to fish for bass in the summer.
Sources:
- 11 Helpful Tips for Summer Bass Fishing Success
- Where Do Bass Go When It’s Hot? 12 Places to Find ‘Em
- Hot Tips: Late Summer Largemouth Fishing
More Resources:
- Important Lessons in Summer Bass Biology
- 6 Must-Have Summer Pond Fishing Baits (Worms x 3, Jig, Frog, Wakebait)
Tactical Bassin’s videos are loaded with great advice, but it takes some commitment to go through some of the longer videos. Here’s one that’s less than 13 minutes where Tim Little goes through his Top 5 Baits for Summer Bass Fishing from the Bank (frog, buzzbait, Texas-rigged worm, Texas-rigged Senko, Pitchin’ Jig) with some real-time small-water strategy advice. That’s right on the mark for what we’re trying to accomplish here, so I highly recommend it. Here are some other Summer fishing videos from Tactical Bassin that you might also enjoy:
- Top 4 Baits for Summer Pond Fishing + Bank Fishing Tricks (Frog, Swim Jig, Creature Bait, Plastic Worm)
- Top 3 Baits for Summer Bank Fishing (Whopper Plopper, Super Fluke, Creature Bait)
- 5 Easiest Baits for Summer Shore Fishing; Beginner to Advanced Tricks (Super Fluke, Stickbait, Creature Bait, Toad, Popper)
