I've spent the first 2 parts trying to explain biologically why fishing shallow during the heat of summer is often the better move on many of our waters. In this last part, let's go into some detail as to just where we mean when we say shallow.
There are 2 key areas that stand out as being better odds for catching bass when fishing shallow during the summer. The first is main lake areas exposed to all the wind and the boat traffic. While it can be a huge headache to try and fight at times, these areas are getting the most "mechanical aeration" if you will from surface disturbances. They also benefit most directly from any water pulling that might be going on at the dam. Any form of shallow cover can and will hold bass. You really just need to move through a process of elimination figuring out the best areas that the bass are utilizing. Could be shade cover provided by docks, current being created by wash along rock banks, or submerged vegetation. This last one is actually a key area to check first as the vegetation itself will put out additional oxygen in addition to all the previously discussed possibilities.
A lot of guys like to go back into the coves to avoid the heavy traffic and winds, but the coves can often seem stagnated by a lack of surface disturbance, so they don't benefit quite as much as the main lake areas. Morning oxygen will often dip lower in these areas compared to the main lake, making bass lethargic. Additionally, they'll tend to run a bit hotter. While bass don't mind hot water, at a certain threshold their metabolism actually kicks into a "conservation" mode, kind of a way to protect them from overheating by a metabolic system run amok. If you do end up fishing in the coves, try and key on submerged vegetation if you can find it, especially later in the day after the sun has been up and the plants and algae have had time to add extra oxygen into the water.
The other key area is way up the tributary or main creek arms. Tributary arms tend to have the highest nutrient loads, so they frequently benefit the most from algal production of oxygen. Additionally, if you move far enough up in these arms you'll frequently find current from the incoming creeks. Moving water tends to be both cooler as well as more oxygenated. There is usually an abundance of submerged cover that has been washed in for bass to hold around, and frequently they'll be more shaded areas from overhanging trees along the river bank.
Here's a couple e-mails I've received to help make the point:
"Was just reading your post on water temps and finding bass in the shallow areas. I was at the lake for a few days (7/16-7/20) when air temps were 95-99 and the surface temps were well into the 90's. While many continued to fish the ledges, I found nothing in over 8-10 ft. I spent some time in the evening hours throwing frogs into 2-3 ft. of water and while I did not catch huge numbers, the fish I caught were all large...Just to show you that current conventional logic does not aways prevail."
And another:
"We didn't make it to XXXXX but did go to XXXX-XXX and went way up river as you suggested. We had a blast throwing squarebill cranks around laydowns. You know you're on them when they knock slack in the line!! We ended the day with 16 bass (17" biggest). It was so nice for a change of pace to get back on a river with trees overhead and having shade most of the day.
Thanks again for your suggestions. I applied it to my local water and it worked great, plus I saved money on gas."
As for my own story, I fished locally a couple hours late in the day each evening, when oxygen in the water would be nearly maxxed out, and managed a total of nearly 60 bass to the boat. Bites were aggressive, and the two best fish ran a bit over 19" each. I had to put up with the late day heat, as well as all the Yahoo's running over and around me, but I also only came across one other person willing to put up with the traffic to try and catch fish.
So certainly don't rule out a deep or open water bite this time of the year, but also don't make the mistake of assuming that the fish aren't active and abundant in the 5' and less range no matter how hot the day, or how much traffic is on the lake. It might really end up surprising you.
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