With longer days and shorter nights comes more time to hit the water with rod and reel, and some of the best fishing all year comes during summer. It guarantees warmer water and more sunlight, making it an optimal time to do some angling.
However, extreme heat, like extreme cold, can make the bass sluggish as there is less oxygen dissolved into the water, so mornings or evenings as the water is warming up or cooling off are best.
The fish’s diet also changes with the season, so here are the best bass lures for summer to help you capitalize on summer bass fishing.
1. Plastic Worm
As the summer air reaches sweltering, the water’s temperature also rises. This will cause the bass to seek deeper, cooler water and shy from the shallow, warmer waters near shore to rest.
The Big Bite B2 10 inch worm is the definition of big and slow, perfect for a lethargic Largemouth looking for an easy meal.
This bait works incredibly well on a Texas rig, perfect for slinging out into the middle of any body of water with a slow retrieval. At a whopping 10 inches, this soft plastic worm comes in over a dozen vibrant colors that will be sure to draw the biggest fish around.
Retailing at about $6.50 per pack of 8, this is a cost-efficient lure that proves that size does matter.
2. Crankbait
Sticking with the deep dive into bass preferences during the summer, crankbaits can be incredibly effective in reaching fish that are hunkering at the bottom, waiting for the retreat of the sun to return to the shoreline and hunt.
The Norman NXS crankbait is an aerodynamic midsized lure that can reach the depths in search of Moby Dick with a handful of unique features. Due to its design which places emphasis on buoyancy, it floats backward when given slack, oftentimes un-snagging itself with little effort on the angler’s part.
While the elevated lip allows it to dive down to Davy Jone’s locker, the price floats between five to seven dollars. With a length of 4.3 inches and a total weight of .7 ounces, including its double treble hooks, this well-crafted lure has it all. If you’re looking for a lure that puts its money where its lip is, the Norman NXS is a solid choice.
3. Topwater
Top Water Frogs are incredibly popular amongst professional bass fishermen and for a good reason. One of the best on the market for summertime is the Lunkerhunt Compact Frog.
Just because temperatures are rising doesn’t mean the fish won’t stay near the surface and shore during the cooler parts of the day. This lure makes a splash both metaphorically and physically.
Its 2.25-inch length is dwarfed by the massive lunkers it attracts, while its pre-trimmed skirts shorten the strike zone to the hook placement for the bass.
With short wide gap hooks and high buoyancy, it delivers an out of box performance that is hard to compete with. Pricing in at $8.99, the colors range from Blue Gill to Sunrise, and rest assured, this topwater lure will be the summer hit you’re looking for.
Plus, it’s perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
4. Spinnerbaits
With the increase of sunlight during summertime, lures with spoons are sure to put a glint in the eye of any bass searching for a flashy meal. The Strike King Potbelly 3/8 oz Spinnerbait is a realistically designed 3/8 oz combination of a Colorado and a Willow blade lure that is as sparkly as it is deadly.
Fishable in both shallow and deep water, this multifaceted lure is an all-year-round favorite for bass but will be especially potent in the summer. The lure can be worked both fast and slow in conjunction with varying depths making the Strike King Potbelly downright deadly in the hands of anglers at any experience level.
The multitude of modalities this lure is capable of means you won’t have to untie or rerig as the day progresses and the sun moves, deep or shallow, fast or slow, the Strike King Potbelly will get the job done.
5. Swimbait
Underutilized and appreciated, the swimbait can be a trip saver for summer fishing. Due to its ability to reach greater depths while believably emulating a life-size minnow, the Castaic Baby Jerky J swim is the bait for amateurs and professionals.
The slit belly 3.5” minnow comes in an array of hyperrealistic colors. Its elongated tale, small dorsal fin, and masterful paint job make it passable for most baitfish in any part of the CONUS in a solid pack of seven.
When an angler absolutely reaches rock bottom (metaphorically), this is the bait they use. With the proper jig head and a good bit of line, this lure can summon the kraken from the depths as it hides from the scorching rays of the summer sun.
A slow steady retrieval is best, working its way through open water to draw out lethargic leviathans. However, this lure can also be thrown as a topwater on Lilly pads, drug through, and kept during retrieval close to the surface in an effort to seduce an ambush predator lurking in the shadows.
At $15 per pack, make the investment, scour the bottoms with a Castaic Baby Jerky J Swim and reap the benefits.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that summer is a unique time when it comes to bass fishing. Warmer weather can mean increased activity, but too hot means the lunkers will seek deeper water in search of respite from the sun.
It’s important to take note of what species of bait may be spawning or have spawned recently in order to best decide on a lure that will meet your needs. Dredging the deep with crank and swimbaits can be incredibly successful during hotter parts of the day, while a little topwater action can solicit the bite of the night.
With spinnerbaits and plastics covering the middle ground, an angler would be hard-pressed not to find bass during summer.
Whether a fisherman is looking for some topwater action or sinking into the abyss in search of a monster, cranking a spinnerbait, or slowly retrieving a swimmer, incorporating the lures previously listed will only benefit an angler and his icebox during the hottest time of year.
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