NEXT LEVEL BASSING: Tactics for Late Summer Bass

WORDS & IMAGES: Malcolm Palmer As the days shorten towards the end of summer and into the beginning of autumn some of the best bass fishing of the year can be enjoyed when the fish start feeding up to last them through the cold winters. However, don’t be fooled - at this time of year there can also be some really tough days of fishing, particularly when the water levels are still dropping to their winter levels, the first of the cold fronts move over and the overnight temperatures drop to single figures or even to below zero. But, just because the nights are cooler doesn’t mean the midday heat is gone – be prepared for some late summer scorchers making their appearance on occasion. The shallows such as the back of Coletta Cove at Clanwilliam is a prime lowlight spot to probe the shallows with topwaters. MORNING In the morning bass can be targeted in the shallows using topwater baits. It does however take a little patience. Cast the bait out and leave it completely still until all the rings on the surface have gone and then pop it and leave it and repeat the process. This technique more often than not drives a bass crazy and accounts for many fish. If the topwater bite isn’t on or they are not committing to the lure, then switch to a weightless plastic like a Junior Fluke or a 3-inch Senko. Presenting a bait that is just sub-surface in the shallows should help with a better hook-up ratio. DAYTIME As the sun rises and the temperature begins to climb and the bite slows down, the fish usually move to deeper, cooler water. This period of the day can be a slow grind and some would say quite boring by fishing deep and slow with a Carolina or a Mojo rig. This is the time to pick up a spinning setup with light line and to fish a shaky head. Preferred baits include a small grub or Junior Fluke on a 2/0 hook. During this time of day keep an eye on the fishfinder, and when a fish is marked use a dropshot rod rigged with a BBB Jerk Minnow on light line; open the bail to let the bait drop straight down. Zoom the sonar on the bottom and set the sensitivity up to see the marks better, especially in deeper water, and use it to determine the depth of the thermocline, and fish any structure that meets with it. For example, if the thermocline is sitting at 18ft then keep the bait fishing on structure as close as possible to where the two meet. This technique also works very well in the middle of summer. Malcolm Shirley proving even Breede River Smallmouth can't resist his strategies. Making long casts with lighter lines is key to targeting Smallmouth offshore in clear water venues. LATER IN THE DAY As the day wears on into the late afternoon and evening the temperature drops a little and the bass start to move back to the shallows, just as in the morning revert to weightless plastics and hard jerkbaits and use an erratic and static retrieve. When the light starts to fade it will again be time to try for a topwater bite.

NEXT LEVEL BASSING: Tactics for Late Summer Bass

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