Catching Largemouth Bass Feeding On Suspended Bluegills
When bluegills suspend near the surface to feed on insects or fry, largemouth bass often lurk directly beneath them.
Use swim jigs or other high-riding lures to target the depth level of active bass.
Targeting Bass in Small Lakes
When fishing in small lakes, it is important to understand how bass relate to the available forage. In this case, the primary forage for bass are bluegill and crawfish. During the summer, when the water temperatures reach the high 70s, bass become particularly focused on feeding on bluegills. To maximize your chances of success, it is essential to locate areas where bluegills are abundant.
Fishing Techniques
Isolated Weed Patches and Underwater Points
One effective strategy for targeting bass feeding on bluegills is to fish around isolated weed patches on underwater points. These weed patches provide cover for the bluegills and attract bass looking for an easy meal. By casting your bait near these weed patches, you increase your chances of enticing a bass to strike.
Sunken Islands and Rock Piles
Another productive area to target bass during the summer bite is sunken islands and rock piles. These structures provide a perfect ambush point for bass as they wait for bluegills to swim by. By casting your bait near these structures, you can trigger a reaction strike from a hungry bass.
Suspended Bass
During the summer, bluegills feed on microscopic organisms that are suspended high in the water column. Bass, being opportunistic predators, follow the movements of the bluegills and feed on the same organisms. To catch these suspended bass, it is important to use techniques that allow your bait to mimic the movement of the bluegills.
Swim Jig
One effective bait for targeting suspended bass is a swim jig. This bait can be retrieved slowly, imitating the movement of a bluegill. The key is to make a directional change in the retrieve, causing the bait to come up towards the surface. This change in direction often triggers a reaction strike from a bass that has been following the bait.
Clacking Crankbait
Another effective bait to use when targeting suspended bass is a clacking crankbait. This bait is more active and creates noise and vibration in the water, attracting the attention of nearby bass. By using a clacking crankbait in conjunction with a swim jig, you can cover a lot of water and increase your chances of catching multiple fish.
Subtle Bed Bait
In addition to the more aggressive baits, it is also important to have a subtle bed bait in your arsenal. This bait, such as a Texas rig worm or a shaky worm, can be used to target bass that may be less active or more finicky. By presenting a more subtle bed bait, you can entice these bass to strike when they may not be as responsive to the more aggressive baits.
Power Fishing
When targeting bass during the summer bite, power fishing techniques can be highly effective. Power fishing involves covering a lot of water in a short amount of time, allowing you to locate active fish more quickly. By swimming a jig or using a crankbait, you can cover a large area and increase your chances of finding feeding bass.
Understanding Fish Location
One common mistake anglers make when targeting bass is fishing too close to the bottom. In the summer, bass often suspend higher in the water column, following the movement of the bluegills. It is important to adjust your fishing depth accordingly and present your bait at the right level to entice a strike.
Conclusion
When targeting largemouth bass during the peak of the summer bite, understanding their feeding habits and relationship with the forage is crucial. By targeting areas where bluegills are abundant and using techniques that mimic their movement, you can increase your chances of catching more bass. Remember to experiment with different baits and presentations to find what works best in your fishing location. So get out there, try these strategies, and enjoy a successful day on the water
