Bass Report 7/25/2022

As the summer chugs along the Bass have fallen into their summertime routines. The bigger fish are chewing early and late in the day. I have been getting stealthy with an 11’ 1x to 2x leader for my topwater flies. Our biggest largemouth hook-ups have been happening from medium distance casts. It is a delicate balance of long-enough away from the boat to not spook the fish but close enough to set the hook. Take your time and pick apart the water. Our best smallies have been on ultra long casts ahead of the boat.

Largemouth:

This is the bass to target right now. There have been some big mammas coming to the net early and late in the day. If you go early chase the shade line with medium sized flies. Once the sun is on the water change over to a size 6 dragon fly or other smaller surface flies. Focus these presentations on weed beds and the BIG eats in and around structure.

The evening is the time to be on the water. Look for structure and shade lines early on, and re-direct your energy to good transition spots that link deep water to weedbeds. The eats of the bigger fish have been super subtle, so set on everything. Darker color combos at this time of day have been working best for me. However, use what works for your body of water.

Smallmouth:

The smallies in my area are in full-on low-water mode. This means fish are tight to structure and/or in deeper holes. The best time of day is still early and late. With smaller fish being caught during the day. Occasionally, we are picking up decent sized fish on Mr. Wigglies in the riffles. Fish these on long leaders and try to get your presentation ahead of the boat, or long drifts from a wading position. We are finding that the bigger fish have been developing lock jaw once they have been spotted.

as the daylight wanes, get back on those shade lines and any structure that may be in the shade. Small divers and poppers have been getting it done later in the day. The big fish have been eating super subtle, so bring your A-game.

Hmm…long leaders, drifts ahead of the boat, and subtle eats. Sounds a lot like trout fishing.

tight lines and stay bassy

#splatpopgulp

Cheers. Jay