WHAT THE HECK DO BASS DO IN AUGUST?!?!

Snookmeister

Whats up guys. So I have been inshore salt fishing my whole short life (23 years) and i just got into bass fishing heavily last fall. I had a killer spring and early summer, got about 20 fish over 6 lbs and one 11lber. I discovered live shiner fishing and was able to find a couple of ponds where I was easily able to get some. I haven't been doing much bassin since May and I did really well that month. Lately I started getting back on it and I have been doing awful.

I know that early and late are the best times now. Most of the places I fish are small ponds and lakes. I have tried sunrise, sunset, night time, and afternoons in all my good lakes and ponds. I ahve caught about 6 small bass all month. I have tried frogs in heavy cover, crank baits, the regular worm gig (whacky, texas, and carolina style). In the past week I have even tossed perky shiners and nothing but a couple of babies.

So my question is what do the bass do in late summer? I hear some people say fish deep, some people say just fish early, and some say fish slow some fast. AGGHHHH!! Nothing seems to be working. Do bass tend to be suspended in the water column this time of year? I know in the fall they school heavily but that hasnt seemed to have happened yet. I am attempting all the techniques I know and coming up with nill. I guess I am looking for some advice more on bass behavior this time of year than specific techniques really, but by all means let me know.

BTW if anyone lives in the Clearwater/Dunedin area and is looking for shiners I got a dynamite spot where I can get them like clock work. Send me a PM and I will let you in if you let me in on a little specific spot lol. :red

johnD

flip heavy cover...flip heavy cover..bass love to lay in a shady spot where they can ambush bait..you can find good bass out in the middle on shell bars , sand bars , sink holes, ledges and what not..Just depends on the lake/pit your fishing..get good with soft plastics , jig with trailers , frogs and rattle traps.I consider shiner fishing a drag, and would much rather fish artificials.

Snookmeister

Thanks for the info, I have some things to learn. I don't have a good set up for flipping heavy cover. All of my rigs are a little light or a little heavy.Do you mean you find shiner fishing a drag in general, or just this time of year. I love shiner fishing but it is not something to do when fish finding. However in my experience if you are on the fish or can see them there is nothing better, not even a close second. I have found fish schooled mid day in the fall and pre/during/post spawn that would just absolutly pounce immediatley when any lure just would not even get a reaction.I have got all my biggest fish this way. Lol maybe it's just my snook fishing genes kicking in. But like I said this is in the fall/spring/early summer when you can sight fish. I will try to get my heavier set up and flip heavier jigs into the thick lillypads. I think one of those okechobee rigs would be good. Thanks for the info John!

johnD

Just personal preference, I just don't like to fish with live bait, not even for snook.

Snookmeister

Ohhh true. I feel you on that. Sometimes I just enjoy the act of fishing. I enjoy casting and retrieving. There is nothing more boring than fishing with live bait when the fish are not biting. Also there are times when a lure is just better. You can cover more water and sometimes make a better presentation.