07-27-2019, 06:19 PM
There are so many possible variables to your experiences that it's impossible to begin to assess the reason for your trouble. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are completely different animals. There are often several different reasons for their different behaviors in different water bodies. Habitat availability, forage options, water temperature, oxygen, pH, water clarity, competition with other species, boat traffic, fishing pressure, etc, etc, etc. I've been bass fishing in Utah for over 35 years and I've run into many new challenges this year that I've never faced before in northern Utah and I'm still trying to sort them out for my next trip.
Generally largemouth like shallower weedy areas less than 15', if it is available and smallmouth prefer rock and wood 5' to 20' deep.
in each body of water location is everything. You can't catch fish where they aren't. Once you find the fish, you have to figure out what is drawing them there. Are they neutral to negative and just holding in a comfortable spot and occasionally feeding or are they actively hunting a concentration of prey. Most of the time summer bass are just hanging out, but they will strike with the right presentation of lures placed in their strike zone. Morning and evening are the more likely active feeding times during hot summer days when water temps are near 80+. Water between 70 and 80 I think bass can be shallow or deep based on their desires.
As a general rule use fast moving lures and topwater lures in the morning and evening and slow down and go deeper as the sun climbs. Also watch for shade lines from overhead vegetation, docks, submerged weedlines etc. A good 10 to 15 mph wind can be prime time!
Also deeper is relative. One lake I fish is only 15' deep and that's where I find summertime bass, but in Hyrum, DC or other deeper waters they may be 20 or 30' down at mid day. however, I can guarantee you there are LM bass in less than 5' of water all summer, all day long. SM bass are almost always deeper than LM bass. Just have to find where their needs are met.
I could go on and on, but I won't because I need more specifics to be more accurate in my advice. Good lick and keep learning each day on the water. And keep asking questions.
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Generally largemouth like shallower weedy areas less than 15', if it is available and smallmouth prefer rock and wood 5' to 20' deep.
in each body of water location is everything. You can't catch fish where they aren't. Once you find the fish, you have to figure out what is drawing them there. Are they neutral to negative and just holding in a comfortable spot and occasionally feeding or are they actively hunting a concentration of prey. Most of the time summer bass are just hanging out, but they will strike with the right presentation of lures placed in their strike zone. Morning and evening are the more likely active feeding times during hot summer days when water temps are near 80+. Water between 70 and 80 I think bass can be shallow or deep based on their desires.
As a general rule use fast moving lures and topwater lures in the morning and evening and slow down and go deeper as the sun climbs. Also watch for shade lines from overhead vegetation, docks, submerged weedlines etc. A good 10 to 15 mph wind can be prime time!
Also deeper is relative. One lake I fish is only 15' deep and that's where I find summertime bass, but in Hyrum, DC or other deeper waters they may be 20 or 30' down at mid day. however, I can guarantee you there are LM bass in less than 5' of water all summer, all day long. SM bass are almost always deeper than LM bass. Just have to find where their needs are met.
I could go on and on, but I won't because I need more specifics to be more accurate in my advice. Good lick and keep learning each day on the water. And keep asking questions.
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