With summer approaching I was wondering what everyone's experiences were with bass slowing down and water temps as it heats up. Usually down here the arrival of summer coincides with a reduction in wind so you get a one-two punch of water temps hitting high 80s - low 90s and lack of current in the natural lakes we have.

Coming out of winter you can usually start fishing faster and faster with the rising water temps. However, as with most things, just because a little is good doesn't mean a lot is better and there's a point where you have to change tactics again...especially when the lake surface is like glass and the summer sun is bearing down overhead.

Thoughts?

I fish deep water,and I do very well. This is my strong point, I have mastered deep water in the summer patterns.And when the water heats up there will aways be bass in shallow water, pads, slop,docks.but for a steady bite I like deep water,weedlines,rock humps,ledge's,bottom changes,ect. Bass can adapt to temp.change real well. In deep water you will have schools of bass that can be nice in size and numbers! And one of the biggest things you do to help yourself is start fishing at night! I guide at night up here in Wi. with some very big bass,and I still fish deep water!

After re-reading my post I realized I completely misstated my question/discussion. I was mainly looking for exactly WHEN you notice this change happen. Yes, summertime patterns begin shortly after the spawn is over but bass activity is still pretty high until water temps rise and, at least down here, the wind stops blowing. Once activity levels drop it calls for a change in tactics. Down here we don't usually have the luxury of deep water structure (or even deep water at all) so you have to deal with catching bass out of still, hot water. This can be a side bar to the original discussion...getting them to bite in still, hot conditions without the luxury of deep water structure.

Around here I notice the bite slows down during the day once water temps hit the low 70s and air temps are consistently in the high 80s. You can still catch them, it's just slower and less comfortable, not to mention the bite is much better in the evenings or early in the mornings. The high altitude sun here in Colorado is intense.

Usually it happens after the postspawn period stops and the bass settle into summer patterns. However fishing is still good, just have to time it right.

After re-reading my post I realized I completely misstated my question/discussion. I was mainly looking for exactly WHEN you notice this change happen. Yes, summertime patterns begin shortly after the spawn is over but bass activity is still pretty high until water temps rise and, at least down here, the wind stops blowing. Once activity levels drop it calls for a change in tactics. Down here we don't usually have the luxury of deep water structure (or even deep water at all) so you have to deal with catching bass out of still, hot water. This can be a side bar to the original discussion...getting them to bite in still, hot conditions without the luxury of deep water structure.

Ok, I understand what you are saying! But my answer is fish at night.

In my area of Florida it slowed down about a month ago, in all fairness I fish only from shore for bass don't venture more than a few miles from home. Other than an hour or 2 a few times in my ponds, I haven't bass fish in several weeks, guess you could say I'm done until November.

My favorite time of the year is rapidly approaching, not quite here yet. I've caught no more than 6 or 7 snook, nothing earth shattering maybe 15#, a couple larger cuda and that's been it pretty much. Plenty of bait around, but even the bait soakers are struggling a bit so I know there are not a lot of fish in the area and they are not aggressive..........yet.

Most of my biggest bass have been caught between 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. on the hottest, brightest days

of the summer. The bass are VERY active during this period, but it's tough to be out there in 100+ temperatures.

If you are going to fish during the heat of the day, drink plenty of water!

After re-reading my post I realized I completely misstated my question/discussion. I was mainly looking for exactly WHEN you notice this change happen. Yes, summertime patterns begin shortly after the spawn is over but bass activity is still pretty high until water temps rise and, at least down here, the wind stops blowing. Once activity levels drop it calls for a change in tactics. Down here we don't usually have the luxury of deep water structure (or even deep water at all) so you have to deal with catching bass out of still, hot water. This can be a side bar to the original discussion...getting them to bite in still, hot conditions without the luxury of deep water structure.

We have the luxury of having a nuke plant on my favorite lake, in shallow water areas we can see temps up and over 100 degrees, during the transition from spring to summer the whole lake will warm to 90+, the fish will go deep to find cooler and or more oxygenated water, there are areas that are no more than 15 feet deep and fish will hang in those areas as well, but you have to find places that have the right 02 levels for the fish to be somewhat active, or you have to be really slow in your presentation, just as you would be in the winter.

Structure is key during these hot days and hot water temps, look for pockets of deeper cooler oxygenated water or water that is covered and shady.

Well it just depends,with the crazy weather thus far this year believe it or not some bass are still bedding,most of them are in the post-spawn stage. I always start off shallow early during the post spawn and I like to hit every tree I can and faster. Usually when the water temp reaches high 70's and lower 80's I will fish shallow but more so in the morning before sunrise and right and a little after sunset, looking for the top-water bite. During the day I will fish off of main points and humps with a carolina-rig and a deep diving crankbait...hope this helps.