Indiana Fishing Forums

Catching Bass in the Summer
 Heat
By Paul Marsh

Catching bass in the hot summer months is not only possible, it may be the best time to catch bass. There are a couple of things the angler should keep in mind. In this article we will try and dispel some myths and hopefully arm the summertime bass angler with the knowledge and confidence to go catch fish.

Bass Fishing Slows Down in the Summer Months
Bass do not stop feeding in the summer. On the contrary, bass feed MORE often and digest food faster in warmer temperatures. In fact, evidence seems to suggest that bass fishing slows down in the summer for two reasons. First, fishermen fish fewer hours in the hot summer sun. Less time with your bait in the water means less fish. Second, and the evidence for this is merely anecdotal, fishermen have heard the myths about bass fishing in heat and have less confidence and this negatively impacts their fishing. I can speak from experience that a bait that I had not previously had success with gets fished less well than one I have had success with. As soon as I have success, doing nothing differently except perhaps working it into those little nooks and crannies where I know bass are holding, all of a sudden that bait becomes a winner. Similarly, if you don't believe you will have success on a cast, I don't believe you try as hard to work it into those prime locations. Believe and you will achieve, to coin a rather corny phrase.

Bass Go Deep in the Heat
Bass do not need the water temperature to be 60 degrees to be active. In most cases here in the Midwest, just a few feet down, water temperatures are ideal. Very often, fish are holding in that 10 foot to 12 foot range and can be targeted there. You do not have to have state of the art electronics to validate that the water temperature is cool a relatively little ways down. Cool off and go for a swim. Very likely the top foot or two will be bathtub temperature and below that, down by your toes, you will feel a water temperature that will give you confidence you do not need to be fishing in 45-50 feet of water.

Bass are Lethargic and Should be Fished Slow
To the contrary, speed up the presentation in summer heat. Go ahead and fish your plastics on a texas rig if you like, but try giving a little zip to their presentation. This may in fact be a time when you want to present that plastic worm without a bullet sinker. Let the worm settle and then give it a snappy retrieve. When you have worked the bait to the upper range of the depths you wish to fish, let it sink and repeat the procedure. Also, try mid-level crank-baits. Choose crank-baits designed for the depths you will be targeting and the prey native to your waters. Finally, buzz-baits and spinner-baits can be deadly at this time of year. If you are fishing the evening hours, try surface plugs and poppers.

Finally, the heat is a concern for anglers. Stay on the water longer by observing these rules. Drink lots and lots and lots of water. Wear loose fitting cotton clothing that covers you up. A loose long sleeve cotton shirt is what I often wear. Finally, a hat, preferably one that covers the back of the neck, is a must.

Get out there and fish and believe in the idea that you will catch fish. You will be successful if you work at it like you do other times of the year. Best of Luck!
Paul Marsh co-authors a website that emphasizes teaching outdoors skills in the areas of hunting, fishing, and camping, all with the highest priority on assisting families and newcomers to these activities. His website Family-Outdoors has information on camping, hunting, and fishing from all perspectives with a handy site index page at Family-Outdoors Index of Information.
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Bass Lures - Effective Summer
 Bass Fishing Lures

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kugler]Trevor Kugler 

In this article I'm going to list some of the most effective summer bass fishing lures. I'm listing these lures in no particular order seeing as how "the best" bass lures are the ones that work best for each individual angler. Everyone has their favorite bass fishing lures; the point is that you might not have some of these effective summer bass fishing lures in your tackle box/bag. If you don't have any of these bass lures available you probably want to add them. 

When water temperatures rise above the mid eighties bass fishing can become much more difficult. Bass (especially largemouth bass) prefer water temperatures from the mid seventies to the mid eighties, and when the temperatures rise above the mid eighties bass fishing can become tough. 

A great way to combat high water temperatures is to fish in the early mornings. This is when the water will be the coolest and cloudy days and rainstorms can help with the water temperatures as well. During the summertime it's also a great idea to go fishing when there is the least amount of activity on the water. Once all the toys come out, bass fishing can become all but impossible on many lakes and reservoirs. 

So what are the effective bass fishing lures that you need to know about and have access to in the summer?


Top Water Baits - These baits can perform best during the mornings and evenings during the hot days of summer. There are many different varieties of top water bass lures that are effective and some of the best are frog imitations and soft stick baits. Frog imitations such as the rebel Teeny Wee Frog can be extremely effective during the summertime.
Shad Imitations - During the summer months many lakes and reservoirs are full of Threadfin Shad. These bait fish are a staple food source for bass all year, but especially in the summertime. When it comes to rel=nofollow [http://www.jrwfishing.com/ktm.html]bass lures one of the most effective is the KickTail Minnow. Of all bass fishing lures available today, this may be one of the most effective. Shad imitations are a must for any tickle box/bag.
Slow Falling Plastics - Plastic worms and grubs are excellent bass lures in the summertime. After your early morning fishing and the day (and water temperatures) start to heat up bass will move to deeper cover. Throwing soft plastics at these bass can be a very effective technique. At this time of the year many times strikes come as the lure is falling, so the less weight you can use the better. Slow falling plastics can be a great option in the summer.


If any of these bass baits aren't in your fishing repertoire I would add them. These bass lures are all effective when fishing during the dog days of summer and will help you experience more bass fishing success. Just remember there is nothing that will help you bass catching ability like spending time on the water fishing, so for God's sake get out there!

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.


Effective Summer Bass Lures - http://www.jrwfishing.com/fishing_lures.html

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bass-Lures---Effective-Summer-Bass-Fishing-Lures&id=2598297] Bass Lures - Effective Summer Bass Fishing Lures




Night Fishing For Largemouth
 Bass

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adam_Alpers]Adam Alpers 

In the still of the night lurks the hunted, when it is most unexpected and the prey is at their optimum vulnerability. This can be a great advantage for anglers to conquer their most sought after prey, the largemouth bass. Night fishing can be one of the most invigorating experiences in a bass fisherman's career amateur or professional. 

Why is bass fishing at night beneficial?

First of all only 10% of all fish species feed in the daytime, because their feeding preferences are so commonly night- oriented. In the dark, bass have a lesser ability to sense shadows, perceive noises, and see their surroundings. They can't sense the things that deter them from biting that hook. These are some essential reasons that one should be acquaint themselves with the supple rewards of catching quantities of massive- sized largemouth bass. Fishermen can be more efficient, effective, and productive at fishing in the dark, if they choose the prominent feeding times to fish for that extreme largemouth trophy bass.

If you are eager to begin your night fishing ventures, you must be aware of your surroundings as you need to be knowledgeable of different terrains in the water. Preparing your night fishing is begun by checking out the terrain during the day. At night things are very different, even if these are waters that you have been familiar with for years. You must remember to move slowly as things are indistinguishable in the darkness. The first and foremost issue is safety all the time, so keep this in mind as you enter the dark water. It sometimes is a good idea to carry a wading staff, and check the depth of the terrain as you advance in the water.

Night fishing outfitting can vary according to personal preference; however the things that usually come in most handy are commonplace. A standard outfit can make the trip more comfortable based on the weather conditions and the season. Summer is chiefly when night fishing is pursued, so that is what the focus will be on for now. Night fishing garb for summer:

Light khaki shirt and trousers

Hiking boots or tennis shoes

A light vest with many pockets 

A head lamp

Plenty of insect repellent

You can use this outfit for wading or boat fishing. Even though night fishing in the summer is the most common, you will have to decide if you want to use waders or hip boots when you go into the water, or just use more comfortable "wet wear", it's up to you and your personal preference. In some cases it is just easier to go into the water with your tennis shoes and get a little wet, especially in the warm summer water. There seems to be consensus regarding wading into the water at night vs. using a boat. Wading is much quieter and there is a lesser chance of alarming the fish than in a boat, the choice is yours dependent upon your desire to be in the boat or enter the water. 

One of the most successful techniques to catching largemouth bass at night is one of the simplest as well. Use surface plugs that run very shallow when retrieved and move as slowly as you are capable. There is no need to rush this kind of fishing, as a matter of fact, in this case slower is better. Since large- mouth bass eat almost anything, frog imitations are very successful for night fishing. You can try any kind of lure, but make sure it is near the top and during the retrieving, stays near the top and doesn't sink too much.

To fish at night can certainly be an extremely motivating and inspiring experience. Getting out of the heat of the day, breathing in the calm night air, and relaxing in the dark abyss which embraces the best of the fishing life are a refreshing change. Night fishing also enables one to escape the masses during the day when everyone is out, (especially on weekends) and the noise is enough to drive even the deafest fish away.

The best results occur on the calmest and quietest of nights. The less wind the better, as it can present more difficulty in controlling the boat and the line. Once you get experienced at fishing at night, you can almost hear the fish in the quiet of the night. When you become the night-fishing expert you will be capable of practically casting the line and hooking straight into the mouth of that Extreme Largemouth Bass you have been waiting for. 

Adam L. Alpers invites you to learn all about Largemouth Bass Fishing and Enjoy to the extreme this wonderful pastime today. Visit http://www.bassfishingextreme.com and get more out of your fishing experience in every way. 
Copyright - Adam L. Alpers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Night-Fishing-For-Largemouth-Bass&id=3147544] Night Fishing For Largemouth Bass


Largemouth Bass Fishing at
 Night - The Perfect Way to
 Catch Bigger Largemouth
 Bass

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Salamon]John Salamon 


A lot of people feel just a little bit uncomfortable freshwater fishing at night, as one fisherman told me, 'even bass need to get some shut eye!' Though truth be known, night time largemouth bass fishing can be just as fruitful if not more so than during daylight hours.

I think its common knowledge that the best time to fish for almost all freshwater fish is either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Although not that many freshwater anglers are concerned with the 'why'.

Bass are by their very nature are ambush predators, they love to lay in wait ready to ambush their next meal. Therefore to ambush prey they have to find ways to keep themselves concealed and out of plain sight.

So one could say that bright light is a bass's worst enemy, because light obviously makes them highly visible to their prey.

This is why you can expect better results fishing for largemouth bass early in the morning when its still relatively dark and late in afternoon or early evening when the sun doesn't penetrate the water so much. Largemouth Bass use the lack of light to help remain concealed, not only to help them to ambush prey but also to help them from becoming prey themselves from larger predators.

Thats why if your out largemouth bass fishing at the brightest part of the day, its always best to fish on and around the fringes of thick well shaded cover or use a deep diving crankbait and fish in deep water where the water is darker.

Better still you can fish at night!

Largemouth Bass Fishing at night can be surprisingly fruitful especially when you understand how the water environment differs at night and how largemouth behave differently after the sun goes down.

Obviously at night there is very little light, even on a clear nights full moon there is very little light in the water column even in shallow water. As a result largemouth bass feel a lot more confident and secure about venturing further to find a meal or even just to explore.

During the cloak of darkness largemouth will also respond better to sound, whether that be the rattle of your lure or the sound of your lure landing on the waters surface from a cast. Because a bass won't be able to rely so much on its visual acuity it will simply switch to its senses it can use in near darkness which of course is sound and the detection of vibration.

Also when a largemouth bass encounters what it thinks just might be prey, it will be much more ready to strike without visually re-affirming that the object its actually an acceptable food source.

All this is great news for those adventerous enough to try rel=nofollow [http://freshwaterlures.blogspot.com/2009/10/largemouth-bass-fishing-identifying.html]largemouth bass fishing at night, as even the oldest, wisest and of course largest largemouth bass will be much more ready to lower its guard and take a swipe at anything it thinks might make a tasty treat.

Some tips for Largemouth Bass Fishing at Night

Use a dark lure - Black freshwater lures are best at night, you want a lure that is going to make the strongest silhouette in low light.

Use a lure with a loud rattle - because the fish can't rely on their visual acuity you have to offer something else to entice them out.

Fish near or around light sources - fishing around a dimly lit pier provides just enough light in the water for predatory fish to see that something is there.

Fish around known cover - if you have fished the area before and are familiar with the cover, chances are fishing the same cover at night could provide you with larger fish.

John Salamon has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to freshwater fishing and freshwater lures. For more informative articles on the latest freshwater lures available and some great freshwater fishing techniques visit the [http://freshwaterlures.blogspot.com/]Freshwater Lures website.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Largemouth-Bass-Fishing-at-Night---The-Perfect-Way-to-Catch-Bigger-Largemouth-Bass&id=3027203] Largemouth Bass Fishing at Night - The Perfect Way to Catch Bigger Largemouth Bass

Night Fishing in the Dog Days
 of Summer

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Barry_Brasher]Barry Brasher 


The dog days of summer are really tough for any fisherman, but there is a very good alternative to fishing in the scorching heat. Most people would prefer not to, but night fishing is a wonderful way to beat the heat. My personal favorite is bass fishing at night with a spinnerbait. Me and my brother-in-law, Ed Majors, have been fishing tournaments at night for a few years now and I have turned him into a bass fishing machine. We have fished together many years but we decided to get serious, so off we went. 

I taught him everything I knew, which wasn't much, but now he is showing me how to be more versatile with my selection of baits and tactics. What I mean by this is my basic colors for a spinnerbait is blue and chartreuse and black and red. But Ed will throw anything in the box. A lot of the time my choice works well for me, but most of time I am asking him what he is throwing. 

Now having said all that, night fishing is a trial and error thing. It seems to me that every night is different. If you have a full moon you need lighter colored baits. Dark nights you need dark colored baits. Even daytime conditions will change the whole structure of nighttime fishing. If it's been cloudy and rainy all day, fish have a tendency to pull into shallower water and under piers. But if it's been a bright sunny day they have a tendency to pile up on humps and roadbeds. It is really hard to break the traditional fishing habits so it's nice to have a versatile partner.

Everything that you've learned in past years can turn to crap in one night. That's when you have to go different techniques and colors. Before Ed and I started fishing together he was a pier and bank fisherman and I was a hump and structure fisherman. You combine the two and have a winning team. Sometimes it takes an act of congress to get either to change their tactics but most of the time it turns out to be a winning combination. It all depends on how pig-headed the other one is. 

Anyway, what I am trying to say is find the right partner and night fishing will be one of the best experiences of your life. Even though neither one of you have any experience fishing at night, two minds are better than one. It's also more fun to have a friend or family member in the boat with you at night. There's nothing like the peacefulness and quiet of nighttime fishing. Your concentration is heightened and the experience is nothing like you've ever known. You don't have to put up with all the skiers, seadoos, and a lot of fisherman because they are asleep. I don't think Ed will ever be the same after fishing at night because the fish get bigger and tougher at night. Maybe one day we might go back to daytime fishing but right now this is the way to go. Give it a try - you'll be hooked for life!

Barry Brasher is an avid fisherman on Logan Martin and other Alabama lakes. He is also co-owner of BamaBassFishing.com [http://www.bamabassfishing.com/], a popular website devoted to bass fishing in Alabama.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Night-Fishing-in-the-Dog-Days-of-Summer&id=731770] Night Fishing in the Dog Days of Summer