It's hot out there, but July can still be a great time to get out and catch some bass. It's summertime, and the hot temperatures are here, but that also means that bass can be a little extra hungry because their metabolism is higher. If you plan to get out and go fishing this month, here are a few things to keep in mind to up your odds of catching bass.
Go Early and Stay Late
You can catch bass even during the midday sun in July, but often, your best windows will be as soon as it gets light and then again right before it gets dark. These lowlight hours can be special for baits like topwaters during the summer, and the action can be fast and furious.
It pays to get up a little earlier to launch in the dark during the summer months. If you can't make that work, take advantage of the longer daylight hours and stay as late as you can into the evening. The lack of sleep will be worth it to cash in on the action.
Another fun way to fish during summer is to fish after it gets dark. While it's a little harder to function and make perfect casts in the pitch-black night, the fishing can be incredible. There are often periods during the night when the peak feeding occurs, and you can have some fun night fishing with baits that put off a lot of vibration, like Colorado blade spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits, and big and loud topwater lures. Take extra caution when fishing at night, and always have plenty of bright lights and headlamps to make things easier on yourself.
Find the Shade
This one's obvious, but one of the best ways to find bass in the summer months is to find shade that protects them and keeps them cooler. Several different factors can cause shade, and depending on the lake, it could be overhanging trees or docks, or on rocky lakes, steep canyons, bluff walls, and big boulders also provide enough shade to give the bass somewhere to hide.
Shade can also be created from lily pads or thick vegetation species such as hydrilla, coontail, and milfoil. No matter what kind of grass you find, the bass will be around it this time of year. You can easily fish above the vegetation with weedless frogs or punch right through it with a big tungsten weight and creature bait and catch a bunch of summer bass.
Stay Comfortable
Just as staying comfortable is vital for fishing in the middle of winter, it is equally essential for fishing in the summer heat. That means being more prepared with the proper clothing and staying hydrated, which will keep you on the water longer and allow you to fish with better focus.
One great piece of clothing to wear in the summer is a long-sleeved hooded sunshirt. They help protect your skin from sunburn, and you will feel refreshed after a long day in the sun. Add a neck gaiter, sun gloves, and a pair of lightweight fishing pants to protect just about every inch of skin exposed to the sun. Also, don't forget your sunscreen if any skin is exposed.
Staying hydrated is another key to maintaining your focus in the blazing sun, so drink more water than you usually would and avoid caffeine and alcohol to help you stay focused longer. You'll feel much better once you're done fishing, and those things will await you.
Top Lures to Bring in July
One of the best things about the summer is that you can catch bass with many different lures. There are countless ways to catch fish, some of which will depend on the type of water you are fishing in, but these lure categories will work everywhere: topwaters, finesse rigs, jigs, and frogs.
Topwaters come in many shapes and sizes and are all great this month. A standard walking topwater is hard to beat and will work great for you this month. Some of the best ones are the Lucky Craft Sammy, Strike King Sexy Dawg, and Heddon Super Spook. Grab any of these in a white, bone, or shad color, and you'll have a great chance of catching some July bass.
Finesse rigs include popular soft plastic rigs, such as the drop-shot, Ned Rig, and Neko Rig. All of these rigs will work any month of the year, but they are particularly great for July, when finesse fishing tends to shine during months with warm water temperatures.
Frogs are another great lure choice, and while they are still topwater lures, the ability to fish them around thick cover and matted vegetation makes them especially effective during the summer when grass growth is peaking. You can also have great luck with frogs by fishing them around wood, laydowns, and even open water. The great walking or popping action gets the attention of the bass.
If you want to fish along the bottom, it's hard to beat a football head jig, whether a skirted version or soft plastic on a football head. They work well for plying the depths and imitate a crawfish scurrying along the bottom. Similarly, a Carolina Rig or soft plastic crawfish imitator on a swing head can also produce in these situations.
Fishing for bass in July can be great if you are prepared, dress accordingly, and pack the right lures for the month. It can be some of the best fishing of the year, especially early and late in the day when the bass go into overdrive to feed to keep up with their appetite and high metabolism. If you are willing to withstand a little sunshine, get out there and make this July one to remember.
