Few things compare to summertime fishing. Beautiful summer weather can make for a safe and relaxing adventure on the water. "Do fish bite when it's hot?" is a more common question than you may think! However, summertime fishing can be really tough! Summer fish can be driven deep and scattered from hot temperatures, and activity in fish can be quite low. Fishing patterns can also change drastically throughout the summer; fishing in June is not the same as fishing in August! When fishing in the summer, it's important to know when fish are most active so that you can capitalize on those windows and make the most of your outing.
Morning: The Golden Hour for Summer Fishing
Whether you're fishing for bass, walleye, musky, or any other species, morning isn't really a bad time to fish at any point in the year; but it can be especially crucial when fishing in the heat of the summer. Low light conditions make it a lot easier for fish to ambush prey so they're likely to be actively feeding before the sun gets high and makes them more easily visible to baitfish or other predators. This is when you need to fish fast, cover water, and put your bait in front of as many active fish as possible.
Top Techniques for Morning Fishing:
Topwater Lures: Fish are often looking up at this point in the day, so topwaters like the KANAMA Luminous Live Shrimp Hooks can be very effective and make for a super fun bite.
Quick Coverage: Move quickly to cover more water and increase your chances of encountering actively feeding fish.
I've had plenty of hot summer fishing days where almost all my bites come in the first hour of the morning, which definitely makes getting out of bed before the sun comes up worth it!
Midday: A Challenging but Rewarding Time
Midday may not be one of the best times to fish in summer. The sun is high and hot, boat traffic on the weekends can be brutal, and warm water or a lack of wind or current can have fish lethargic and inactive. There are certainly still ways to catch 'em though, even if it is sometimes a grind. Many species will push to the deeper parts of the lake in search of cool water or lower light.
Top Techniques for Midday Fishing:
Deep Weed Edges: These areas are excellent places to look for predators, especially in July and August. They offer protection and food while acting as a contour line for fish movement.
Effective Lures: KANAMA's Smart Bait Mini is a great choice for tempting bass and other predators that have moved deep to escape the midday heat.
You may have to go long periods of time without a bite, but when you do get one, it's likely to be the quality you're looking for!
Evening: Another Prime Time for Action
The evening can also be an excellent time to fish in the summer for the same reasons as the morning. As the sun goes down and light gets low, fish will begin to get active and hunt again. Sometimes they will even slide up shallower on top of the weed bed, rockpile, or highspot they were around. This allows a fish to see what's around it 360 degrees, which makes it a lot easier to find prey.
Top Techniques for Evening Fishing:
Fast Coverage: Similar to the morning, fishing fast and covering water can pay off big time during this window.
KANAMA Smart Baits: Whether rigging live bait or working artificial lures, KANAMA's premium-quality baits can make all the difference in hooking and landing more fish during the productive evening bite.
Final Thoughts
If summertime fishing is being tough on you, it could just be your timing! There's never a bad time to go fishing, but knowing when fish are most active can make a significant difference in your success rate. Follow the tips in this article, and incorporate the right gear like KANAMA's Smart Bait, Live Shrimp Hooks, and you may be a little happier with your results on the water this summer.
The key is to adapt your techniques and lure selection to the changing conditions throughout the day. By focusing on prime feeding windows like the morning and evening, and utilizing specialized products from brands like KANAMA, you'll be able to consistently locate and catch more fish, even during the challenging midday hours. So get out there, put these summer fishing strategies to the test, and enjoy the thrill of battling hard-fighting gamefish all season long!
