Re: large mouth bass fishing
Wow tough one. There are so many variables. If the lake is heavily pressured it can make it even tougher. In the dead of summer I find most of my bigger bass fairly deep, when I say deep I am talking ten to twenty five feet or so. It would be good to know what kind of lures you have been using. Also would be good to know the main forage base of the lake.
Early morning you can get bit in the shallows on a top water bait like a buzz bait or a spook type lure. Poppers work here too. Once the sun comes up forget top water for the most part. Work any weeds or pads you see. Outside weed edges are killer for LM bass. Drop a senko or a jig in there, or run a spinner bait along the weed edge. Look for weeds that form a point fish right over that. Thick pads can also produce. Again drop a bait like a T rig senko or a jig in the holes in the pads. Make sure your gear is up to it 15 pound test braid at the least. Emergent weeds that are just below the surface are great. I like to run a jointed rappalla over top of them. Boat docks are good spots in the heat also, skip your bait up underneath and work it back out. Over hanging branches are also good to fish the method. If you can find a rock ledge that drops off into deeper water you can kill em with tubes there. I like to rig em with a 1/4 ounce jig head hook exposed and let them drop down the ledge. Bumping and dragging there way down. I catch some nice fish that way. Also cranbaits like a bomber run along the ledge can produce some strikes, as well as suspending jerkbaits. On heavily pressured fish I'll fish off shore humps and bumps in the lake with a drop shot or a shaky head worm. I love main lake points that have a steep grade down to the bottom. I start with jigs on these spots. Keep trying some different approaches with areas and baits till you find what the fish want (a pattern) then stick with it. Certainly not all the answers here and even the best angler gets the skunk now and again.
For simplicity I would get some water mellon senkos for the shallows and weeds. and get some tubes for the deeper fish. Start there and be patient. Often when a bass takes a soft bait you wont hardly feel it, but you will see your line swimming away. SET THE HOOK. For plastics I use a medium heavy fast action rod 6' or 6' 6" lined with power pro braid with a fluro leader. The leader is a must , for the fish cant see it.
Hope this helps. Many good fisherman here that will no doubt add some good stuff for you to ponder.
Tightlines Bill
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