It was a hot day in early August, the temperature climbing into the upper seventies although it was only 6:30 A.M. I was fishing for largemouth bass on a lake in northeastern Ohio with a friend; and as the sun started to surmount the tree line, the temperature began to rise at a swift rate. This did not cause me to panic though, for I had fished my share of eighty-degree days and knew what to do at this particular place. However, as the old “go-to” lures failed me cast after cast, I knew the time had come to try another tactic.
I was aware that areas with shade would be the ideal places to fish, but the spot in which we were fishing had no shade around the shore. The only shade near us was in a creek that ran into the lake. Earlier in the year the water level had been higher, and the creek had flowed faster; but at this point in the year where the heat and lack of rain had ruined those elements, the creek seemed nothing more to me than a drainage ditch with carp and creek chub.
Because of this, I was surprised when my fishing partner announced that he was going to try the shade in the creek.
“Really?” I asked.
He shrugged and replied, “Worth a try.”
Casting my lure back into the water, I began to reflect on the possibilities of that creek. True enough, there was shade from the trees towering above the creek. Yet it seemed highly unlikely that any bass over a pound would be in a creek with an average depth of two feet or less.
I was interrupted, however, with a shout from my fishing partner. Turning around quickly, I saw him reeling in a nice bass out of the green brush pile into which he had thrown his soft-plastic worm. Astounded, I reeled in my lure as fast as I could, and ran over to where he was removing the hook from the bass’s mouth.
“You got one!” I ecstatically shouted.
“Yep,” he said. “First cast. Right beside that brush pile.” He pointed at a green shrub growing in a deep spot of the creek. “Those leaves give the bass enough shade.” As my partner released the bass back into the water, I watched as it swam under the same brush pile.
That was all I could take. Returning to the creek after changing my lure, I flipped my own soft-plastic worm into another brush pile. Minutes later, I was removing the hook from a bass’s mouth.
Summer-time brings heat and exposure to the sun, driving the bass into deeper water or shady areas where less sunlight and cooler waters create a more comfortable place for them to reside until the conditions change. Fortunately for bass fisherman, these times dictate where a bass will spend its time. On the flip side, these periods usually produce a span of time where a bass’s appetite is greatly reduced. Knowing where to look will considerably increase one’s odds of catching bass, and a shady creek running into a lake is just the place to look.
To begin, one must first select the proper gear for creek fishing (this article will address soft-plastic worm fishing). Spinning reels, used more commonly in situations with soft-plastic worms and slow-moving creature baits, are geared to be used more manually when casting.
Selecting a rod heavily depends upon what type of creek you are fishing and what lure is being utilized, but normally the choice would be a medium rod, tough enough to endure the thrashing of a bass when it is brought through thick cover. A short rod is definitely ideal in creeks where the space to cast is small; but, when possible, select a longer rod. Most likely, the choice would be a rod 6’ 3” or 6’ 6” that is easy to cast accurately and precisely.
After choosing a rod, you must select the type of line you will use. Braided line would undoubtedly be the best choice in murky creek water. The test of the line should vary according to the amount, size, and thickness of the brush, but a safe weight would be 50 pound test.
Lastly, “flippin’ ” hooks are the type to use because of the lasting, durable design. The size of the hook should vary directly according to the size of the lure.
Once you choose your gear and you head to the creek, look for pockets of brush that either provide shade or are in sections of shade. These places can range from large bushes to a small branch hanging in the water. Don’t be afraid to try a section that looks too small to hold bass. I can remember one occasion that I was working my way down the creek, trying brush piles and bushes, and nothing seemed to work. As I walked further down, my eye caught a small branch with its end submerged in the water. The water itself was not very deep, but I decided to try it anyway. I was rewarded with a bass. This taught me to not be too choosy over what I decided to fish. You’d be surprised, as I was.
Look also for bends in the creek where overhanging brush is growing over the water. With the combination of drooping foliage and inside bends of a creek, bass can hide in the shade and under the brush.
Areas in the water containing sunken trees or other structures are also very good places to look for bass. Look for log jams in the creek, particularly on the “upstream” side of the jam in which a deeper hole has been created. Places such as these are perfect ambush points where a bass can hide and wait for food to swim by. In an area such as the one just mentioned, I remember dropping my soft-plastic worm right by the log closest to me. Slowly I began to pull it back, but as I felt slight tension, I reeled in all the slack and set the hook on a nice-sized bass that had been waiting under the brush for a meal.
Similar to bass habitat mentioned in the last paragraph, hollow stumps hold bass, and are relatively easy to fish. Drop the worm beside the stump, allow it to sink and then slowly bring it back. If a bass bites, he usually bites when the worm is falling or just after you begin to pull it away.
When fishing the soft-plastic worm, Texas-rigs are a terrific choice. Go light on the weight (cone sinkers), if you decide to use any weight at all. A good way to tell if you have too much weight on the rig is if it makes a “plunk” sounding noise when you toss it into the water. You want to create as little disturbance possible as well as letting the rig sink slowly. This gives the bass plenty of time to grab the lure. When you use these rigs, allow it drop right into the middle or just off to the side of where you expect the bass to be. If there is no reaction for a second or two, slowly move it away from the area.
Many people overlook one of the most important parts of the approach, and that is the cast. This may seem like a waste of time, but, to be honest, it is the make-or-break part of the deal. Stealth is the key when casting. Different people prefer different ways to cast, but here are two ways that work. My personal favorite is to create enough line for the lure to touch the reel when the rod is held vertically, and, taking your left hand, grab the lure and hold it. Move the rod tip to the side until it points directly to the left (for a right-handed person). Once this is complete, swiftly but smoothly bring the rod back into the position of pointing down at the strike zone. At the very moment the line becomes taut, release the lure, and it will smoothly swing into the strike zone. Of course this takes time to master, but with practice, you will find yourself well capable of dropping the lure into the strike zone.
The other way to cast is to grab the line between the reel and the first eye, again with your left hand, and pull three-feet worth of line out. At this point, move the rod tip up and down, gradually swinging the lure higher and higher. It will swing like a pendulum, and at its height closest to you, let the rod swing back down and release the line you are holding with your left hand. And again, with practice, you will be able to place it in the strike zone.
Hopefully with these tips, you will be able to land those summer bass hiding deep in the shade of the creek.