Summer pattern holding strong with early shallow bite before they slide deeper

Water's in that comfortable summer range where bass are active but heat-conscious. Normal stain and level means fish can use their typical summer haunts. With the pressure rising after some weather, they might be a touch finicky but still catchable. Early reports show fish shallow on grass and timber early, then pulling to deeper structure as the sun climbs. If clouds roll in and there's a breeze, the shallow bite can stretch later. Under bright bluebird sun they'll pull deeper to the channel edges and timber lines where it stays cooler and more oxygen.

The day's game plan

Where to fish

• Secondary Points with Timber — 4-12 feet · Sloping points with standing timber and brush
  Classic summer staging area where fish move up and down with light and temperature
• Creek Channel Swings — 8-18 feet · Channel bends with big wood on the edges
  Deep water access keeps fish comfortable, current breaks hold baitfish
• Shallow Grass Flats — 2-6 feet · Scattered grass beds near deeper water
  Early and late feeding areas, need deep water nearby for fish to feel secure
• Main Lake Docks — 3-15 feet · Docks with brush and deeper water access
  Provide shade and structure, fish use them as summer sanctuaries

What to throw

• V&M Chop Stick — 5 in · Watermelon red · Weightless (Morning transition and shallow cover)
  Texas rigged, slow fall around timber and grass
• Viper XP Jig — n/a · Green pumpkin · 3/8 oz (Midday when fish are deep)
  Drag on bottom through timber and channel edges
• Red Eye Shad — n/a · Chrome · 1/2 oz (Early morning over active fish)
  Burn across shallow flats and grass beds
• Berkley Choppo — 120 · White · n/a (Dawn and dusk in shallow water)
  Walk the dog over grass and points
• DD22 Crankbait — n/a · Shad pattern · n/a (Midday heat over deep structure)
  Steady retrieve over deep points and roadbeds

How to work it

• Texas Rig Weightless — Morning and evening when fish are in cover · Around timber and grass in 2-8 feet
  Let it fall slow on slack line, twitch it softly
• Burning Lipless Cranks — Early morning over active fish · Shallow flats and grass beds
  Fast steady retrieve just over the grass tops
• Bottom Dragging Jigs — Midday when fish are deep and sluggish · Channel edges and deep timber 8-15 feet
  Slow drag with occasional hops, feel for timber
• Walking Topwaters — Dawn and dusk in calm conditions · Over shallow points and grass edges
  Rhythmic rod tip twitches to make it walk side to side

Pro tips

• When working timber with jigs, let it fall on a tight line so you feel every limb and can detect subtle bites
• Match your retrieve speed to water temperature, in summer heat they want it moving but not crazy fast until early morning

If conditions change

If a front moves in with wind and clouds, stay shallow longer with chatterbaits and squarebills. If water clears up more, downsize everything and use more natural colors. If it gets muddy from rain, upsize to 3/4 oz jigs and bright chartreuse colors.