By Bob Jensen
Largemouth bass can be found in a variety of locations within a body of water in the summer. They can be found in shallow, lily-pad covered shoreline areas, under docks, and in and around deeper weedbeds. Just as largemouth can be found in a variety of areas, they can be caught using a variety of techniques and lures. Some avid bass chasers say that their favorite way to catch bass is in shallow water that has an abundance of vegetation. When Mr. Bass is in shallow, weed-filled areas, the strikes can be explosive, visual, and very, very exciting. Here’s how you can get in on the action for the next couple of months.
Depending on where you’re fishing, bass have probably already set up residence in these shallow areas. If not, they’ll be there soon. They’ll usually migrate to these locations when the spawn has been completed. In many areas, they’ll stay here until the water gets colder and Mother Nature tells them that it’s time to move to deeper water where they’ll spend the cold weather months.
When the bass are shallow, we’ve got to be quiet. If we reveal our presence by making too much noise, the fish will leave the area or become skittish. It doesn’t take much to make them lure shy when they’re shallow. Shut the outboard off before you enter the shallows and move quietly to your fishing position. Avoid giving the electric motor sudden bursts of high power. That can also spook the bass.
Make long casts. Long casts will help prevent the bass from knowing you’re in the area. When making long casts though, you need to use line that will enable you to get the fish headed your way as soon as it strikes. Most anglers like a braid in the fifty to sixty five pound test range to pull fish out of this cover.
Several lure types will get shallow water bass to eat. Lure choice often is determined by how heavy the cover is and if the fish are active or a little reluctant to bite. They’ll usually be more active and cruising when the sun is low or on cloudy days. They’ll hold tighter to cover at mid-day or when the sun is more overhead.
During lowlight and in more open areas, try a spinnerbait or buzzbait. Move fast and cover water. As light increases, slow down and work your bait in and around the heavier patches of cover. Throw a Wacky Rigged Shim-E-Stick around the heavier cover and throw a Tour Grade Swim Jig tipped with plastic into the thick stuff.
As the sun gets brighter, the best spots will often be the areas where the vegetation is heaviest: Really heavy! You need a bait that is weedless: Really weedless! A KVD Popping Perch or Sexy Frog is what many anglers will be using in this heavy cover. These baits float and provide visual, exciting fishing. You’ll sometimes see the water boil as a bass approaches the bait, other times the fish will unexpectedly explode on it. It’s hard not to do, but don’t set the hook when you see the strike. Drop your rod tip to the fish and wait a second or two before setting the hook.
This shallow water bass bite is happening right now on a body of water near you. Get in on the action.
