If you are a largemouth bass fishing enthusiast like me you are always looking for ways to keep these warm summer conditions from taking away from your time on your favorite bass lake. It’s that time of year; lake water temperatures are on the high side forcing bass to go deeper or to seek some comfort in the weedy parts of the lake. Finding weeds this time of year is certainly no problem for the bass or the bass fishermen since by now weeds of some type have taken over good portions of many of our local lakes and ponds. This change in lake conditions however does not mean that you have to give up bass fishing but you will likely have to change your approach from spring and early summer fishing.

Bass are a lot like humans when it comes to soaring temperatures; they become a bit more listless and feed less and for shorter periods although that “feeding less” thing may not necessarily apply to humans. Bass will move to weeds to find more comfortable temperatures and they can also find a food source amongst the weeds. In addition to seeking out bass in or near some type of weed structure it might also be a good idea to fish early or late in the day before temperatures get uncomfortably high.

Another approach you may want to consider is to forgo daytime fishing altogether and go after the sun sets. Fishing at night during the warm summer period is both more comfortable for the fisherman and for the feeding bass. Trust me, slowly working a black Jitterbug across the calm surface of a lake in the dead quiet of the night can be very exciting to say the least. Chances are you may not see it happen but when the steady gurgle of the Jitterbug turns to a loud splash and the rod suddenly bends you’ll be glad you stayed late.

Even though I have found that fishing at night can be very rewarding I’m still not about to give up my daytime forays for bass. As I mentioned earlier, I try to fish mornings or late afternoon and evening but I also try to concentrate my efforts on deep submerged weed edges. A willow-leaf spinnerbait can be a reasonable choice since they are relatively weedless and the vibrating blade may attract more action. Another good choice is a weedless lead-head jig with some type of plastic worm or creature bait attached. I like to pitch this lure into openings or along weed edges and let it hit the bottom; I keep a tight line and work the lure back with stop and go short hops.

Other good choices in the weeds are a weedless rigged wacky worm or a Texas rigged lizard, worm or creature bait. Keep a tight line even on the drop to feel any strikes. You can increase your odds by watching the line as well; sometimes a little slack will occur on the drop and that can be the result of a bass taking the lure and running towards you creating slack-be ready to strike. When fishing these rigs I always try to make myself give a little more hesitation before I set the hook. The Carolina rigged worm, lizard or creature bait also fits right in with the lures and techniques just mentioned. The added bonus to the Carolina rig is the cone sinker which may be a foot or two ahead of the lure hits bottom while the lure stays higher and more visible on the retrieve.

Finally don’t neglect the soft weedless frog bait right over the tops of the weeds. This lure can be very productive when worked right through lily pads, even over top of them and allowed to settle into openings; a little wiggle can produce a splashing strike.

Don’t let the weeds keep you off your favorite lake or pond even during these warm summer days. As soon as I get done pulling some weeds in my driveway I may take my own advice and hit some weeds in a nearby lake.