| During the hot summer months, many anglers instinctively head to deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures and bass seeking refuge. An effective yet often overlooked strategy is to focus on shallow waters, particularly in creeks and coves. When water currents in the main lake slow down, bass and baitfish tend to scatter, making them harder to catch. Shallow areas in these conditions can become prime feeding grounds for bass, offering anglers a unique chance to target fish that other anglers might miss. By understanding when and why bass move to shallow waters, you can enhance your chances of success during the summer heat. Shallow water bass are often overlooked because of the assumption that they prefer deeper, cooler waters, but many bass remain in the shallows, taking advantage of abundant baitfish and cover. These areas, particularly those with plenty of shade and structure, can hold surprisingly large and active fish. Anglers who adapt to these conditions and learn to master the shallow water strategy can often find less competition from other fishermen on the water, giving them access to fish that are far less pressured and more likely to take a bite. The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fact, we just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost and 10w30 Syntheic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater. |
| Despite water temperatures soaring into the upper 80s, bass can still be found in shallow waters if the right conditions are present. Two critical factors that keep bass in the shallows are an abundance of shad or other baitfish and sufficient shade. The presence of baitfish provides a reliable food source, while shade offers cooler, more comfortable conditions for bass. These factors create an environment where bass can thrive even in shallow waters, negating the need for them to move to deeper areas. Recognizing and targeting these conditions can lead to consistent catches, even when the shallows seem inhospitable. Shallow waters with some level of water movement, such as a gentle breeze, can help oxygenate the water, making it even more appealing to bass. Areas with aquatic vegetation can also play a vital role by providing both cover and an additional food source, further enticing bass to stay shallow. Understanding these environmental cues allows anglers to identify high-potential fishing spots that others might overlook. By anglers focusing on these ideal conditions, anglers can optimize their efforts and increase their overall chances of landing quality bass.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action-triggering strikes! |
| Bass in shallow water during the summer often seek out specific types of cover for both protection and ambush opportunities. Boat docks and wood structures are particularly attractive to these fish, as they provide ample shade and concealment. When targeting bass in coves and creeks, it’s essential to focus on cover that is less than 10 feet deep. The most productive spots are often the last pieces of cover before the water becomes too shallow, as bass in these areas are typically there to feed. By concentrating your efforts on these high-percentage spots, you can significantly increase your chances of hooking into quality fish. In addition to docks and wood, look for submerged vegetation or isolated stumps, which can also serve as effective ambush points. Bass often position themselves on the shady side of cover, so make sure to approach these areas with stealth to avoid spooking them. Casting accurately and keeping your lure close to the cover will maximize your chances of enticing a strike. It’s also important to revisit these spots throughout the day, as bass may move in and out of cover. By utilizing the bass’s preference, you can effectively target them.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. Grab our newest Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. Act quickly, these new colors won’t stay in stock for long. We also recently restocked our Ghost, Red Bug, Purple Rain, Brown Bug, Electric Chicken, and Goby Wan colors. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Additionally, its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to the HellaMite’s superior performance and versatility |
| Water clarity plays a crucial role in determining the success of shallow water bass fishing. In stained or murky water, bass are more likely to remain near the edges of cover, making them easier to target. In contrast, clear water can cause bass to burrow deeper into cover, making them more challenging to reach with your lures. Therefore, when fishing shallow waters, it’s often more productive to focus on areas with off-colored water, particularly in the upper tributary arms of a lake. However, if clear water is present, the key is to identify coves or creeks with a plentiful supply of baitfish, as this can still draw bass to the shallows. In clear water, it may also be necessary to use lighter, more natural-colored lures and make longer casts to avoid spooking the fish. Fishing during low-light conditions, such as early morning or late evening, can help you capitalize on the increased bass activity in clear water. Understanding how water clarity affects bass behavior allows you to adjust your approach and improve your chances of success. By choosing the right areas and tactics based on water clarity, anglers can effectively target bass in a variety of shallow water conditions for a successful day of fishing.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round! |
| Selecting the right lure and mastering the appropriate technique are vital when targeting shallow bass in the summer. A versatile approach involves using a combination of jigs and soft plastics, which can be pitched into shallow cover such as docks or wood structures. After the lure hits the bottom, it’s essential to pay attention to the feel of the line, as bass often strike as the lure descends. If the fish are less aggressive, adjusting your presentation by making the lure jump off the bottom or dragging it through cover can trigger a reaction strike. Understanding these subtle techniques and being adaptable in your approach can make all the difference in catching finicky summer bass. Varying your retrieve speed and experimenting with different lure sizes and colors can help you dial in on what the bass are responding to on any given day. It’s also important to be patient, as fishing shallow cover requires precision and careful observation of how the bass are reacting. Pay close attention to the water conditions, whether it’s switching to a different lure type or altering your casting angles. By anglers fine-tuning their lure selection and techniques, they can significantly increase their success.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added new MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electic Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR are all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater. |
| Weather conditions greatly influence bass behavior, especially in shallow waters. Bright sunshine and a gentle breeze can create ideal fishing conditions by pushing bass into shaded cover while simultaneously moving plankton and baitfish closer to their ambush points. The sunshine encourages bass to seek refuge in shade, making it easier to predict where they’ll be hiding. Meanwhile, the wind can help congregate baitfish around these areas, making them prime targets for bass. By understanding how weather affects the movement of both bass and their prey, you can better position yourself for successful shallow water fishing. On overcast days, bass may spread out and become more active throughout the shallows, requiring a different approach with more widespread casting. Sudden weather changes, such as the onset of a storm, can trigger a feeding frenzy, offering a brief window of heightened bass activity. Monitoring weather patterns and adjusting your tactics accordingly can greatly enhance your ability to locate and catch bass. Being attuned to these environmental factors allows you to make strategic decisions, such as choosing the best times and locations to fish, improving your catch rate.Our newest FreshBaitz Mandingo Trick Worm is the ultimate game-changer for anglers with a passion! Engineered for the angler who knows SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a penchant for the larger bait. The Mandingo Trick Worm boasts a solid 7-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. Officially available in a vibrant array of 8 colors. Each worm is made from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for total and maximum attraction, the Mandingo Trick Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing the big ones. Proudly made in the USA by real anglers to help elevate your fishing experience and catch more bass year-round! |
| Targeting shallow water bass during the summer can yield impressive results, with catches ranging from smaller, more abundant fish to larger, trophy-sized bass. By focusing on the right conditions and areas, anglers can consistently find and catch bass that others might overlook. The key to success lies in understanding the behavior of bass during the summer and how they interact with their environment. This approach not only increases your catch rate but also opens up new opportunities for finding quality fish, even when other anglers are struggling. With the right strategy, shallow water fishing can become one of the most productive techniques in your summer bass fishing arsenal. Regularly adjusting your tactics based on factors like weather, water clarity, and the presence of baitfish will further enhance your chances of success. Embracing this method allows you to stay ahead of the competition and make the most of the summer fishing season. Gaining experience and refining your skills in shallow water fishing can lead to more consistent results and a deeper understanding of bass behavior. This approach can turn challenging conditions into rewarding opportunities.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose. For creature baits, we love to use the Stand-Up Jig because it sits your bait up-right in a defensive stance! Mosquito Hooks work for drop-shotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you pressure time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action. |