Visit American SiteThe specific pattern of fishing offshore structure during the summer months is important to figure out, because in many lakes, bass will head to these locations to search out the cooler water that is needed during the months when the water up shallow gets too warm for them to live in.
Some lakes such as up here in the Midwest are loaded with vegetation and these weedlines extend out from shore into deeper water, offer plentiful habitat, food and cooler water during the summer months for bass to live in.
I’ll rely heavily on the side and down imaging that my Humminbird SOLIX units provide me with, to locate these intricacies hiding away from the bank. With its MEGA Imaging and CHIRP Digital Sonar, the detail that I’m able to see on my screen is incredible and allows me to fine tune my presentation based on the structure I’m seeing below.
To get an idea of where to look I’ll run a LakeMaster mapping chip in my SOLIX units and utilize the depth shading feature to aid in keeping my boat in the correct depth. When I’m fishing offshore I always throw a marker buoy near the spot I’m fishing so I have a visual on where to make my cast.
A point on a lake is like a rest station along an interstate. Bass are able to move up from deep water that is much cooler in the summer and pull up on these points to feed. Some points are very distinct and evident, while others are much more subtle and require some searching out.
Depending on the lake, the deep water on the end of the points will range and how much the point rises up and slopes away into that deeper water will dictate shallow the water is atop that point. Locating as many of these points as possible is crucial because the depths of water on these points could dictate when the bass feed on that given point.
The associated cover that is on that point will also play a role in when and how those bass get positioned on that point. Some points are just a weedline that extends out from the previous weedline. On these types of points it is important to locate any subtle differences that will make a school of bass group up very tight. This could be one boulder mixed in with the vegetation or the bottom make up is different. Whatever it may be, differences on a point will make it easy to target a school of bass.
Pitch the Edge, Flip the Mats, one of my favorite ways to fish these deep weeds or open pockets is to flip a ½ or ¾ oz All-Terrain Tackle AT Jig or Texas-rigged creature bait rigged on a 4/0 Eagle Claw Lazer TroKar TK 133 Pro V Bend Flippin hook. Using a tungsten weight for your Texas-rig is important because I can use a bigger weight, but yet keep a small profile so it doesn’t get hung up in the weeds.
Tip - With either of these baits I’ll flip it to the weed edge or in the open water pocket and let it fall to the bottom. As it is sinking, be sure to watch your line for any ticks or jumps in the line, as sometimes the bass will hit it on the fall. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll jig the bait a few times and then reel it up and repeat the process.
Cover water quickly, but yet effectively with a crankbait! The depth of water you are fishing will dictate which crankbait and how deep it dives you will need to use. In many instances, I like to use the Rapala DT series of crankbaits in the DT-10, DT-14 and DT-16 lineup. When it comes to colors, I’ll either use Parrot, Bluegill or a Craw color.
Tip – adjust the lb test line you use, as you can increase your baits diving depth by using a smaller lb test (has a smaller diameter) line, so I’ll use 12 lb Seaguar Inviz X Fluorocarbon.
Drag the bottom as the rocks on the bottom accumulate algae, thus attract small aquatic insects and vegetation will be growing on these rocks and in turn bring in the baitfish and panfish. So when bass camp out on these rock piles they are putting themselves in a prime spot to feed up on an easy meal.
Tip – I’ll vary the size of my All-Terrain Tackle Football jig as to keep it from getting in between the crevices of the rocks. I like to keep a selection of jigs ranging from 3/8 oz all the way up to 1 oz. I like to keep things simple for my trailer and use a compact double tail trailer, as it has some bulk to increase my jigs profile in the water.
With plenty of summer ahead of us, bass will be hanging out in their cooler summer haunts offshore, So grab your favorite heavy jig or deep crankbait and hold on, because you are about to tangle with some monster bass.
To follow Glenn throughout the season or for more helpful information check out glennwalkerfishing.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/glennwalkerfishing.