Story by Hunter Baughman | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
Are you tired of the heat? I am! Let’s talk about some fishing strategies to “beat the heat”.
The number one way to beat the heat is not fish in it. Fish at night instead. Although it’s still warm at night, it’s nothing like the heat of the day. The fish tend to feed a little better, too. Usually, I like targeting brush piles with a big worm or big spinnerbait. Brush piles on humps and points close to drops tend to be better. If you happen to fish during a full moon, throwing that big spinnerbait down the bank is hard to beat. And it’s one of the most aggressive bites you will ever encounter.
If you’re looking to change it up, throw a loud buzzbait down the bank instead. One of the most memorable trips I’ve ever had was a full moon night throwing a buzzbait. We caught dozens of fish. Big ones, too!
If you are fishing during the day, there are a few different ways to approach it. First, would be deep cover. Wood seems to be the best option here. Again, points and humps close to drops are the best places to look. But during the day you may need to change bait choices. Instead of big baits, try finesse type presentations. Shakey heads, drop shots and more compact jigs will usually generate more bites.
Another option is to do just the opposite. Fish as shallow as possible. When the water reaches a certain temperature, the oxygen in the water decreases in deeper waters, leading some fish to move up extremely shallow to find more oxygenated water. These fish won’t be everywhere. The bites may be few and far between but the quality is usually above average. Look for these fish to be around shoreline grass, laydowns and docks. Shade plays a huge roll. Fish as many shaded areas as possible. In fact, I think the best time of day to throw a topwater in the summer is midday in the shade.
Lastly, a way to beat the heat is fishing current. Current is usually cooler and better oxygenated than stagnant water. Sometimes you can get in streams and rivers that are substantially cooler. In these cases, it makes the hot days a little more pleasant. For techniques to catch current related fish, please check out last week’s column.
Use these tips next time you’re trying to beat the heat and see if it works out. And remember to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!
Hunter Baughman – Angler Profile
