How is it August already? July was a whirlwind of activity for me with some awesome fishing involved as well. ICAST was a blast! And I made it home with a bum knee that is finally starting to feel better. But lets talk about August fishing!
It has been a good month so far with some nice bass caught. I had to get back into the swing, but setting the hook gets everything right again. And so far, that feels so good. It is still hot and you need to plan for it. Safety first always!
August is frog month! Honestly, if they will bite topwater I’m throwing my frog. But with the hot days, bass love to find cover or go deep. I’m looking for those cover seeking big bass with my frog. Lily pads and laydowns are those areas bass love to seek cover. I use a SPRO Bronzeye 65 as my go to bait. And I like to use 65 pound Seaguar Smackdown braid so I can haul them out of anything.
Working over the laydowns can bring out some big girls. And start with the outside edges of the lily pads for those patrolling them for easy prey. Then work into the pads themselves, paying attention to the pads around your frog as it works through them. Look for that bass moving the pads to crash your frog! I also like to work the edges of the grass mats before working into them. Bass love the cooler water and protection they provide.
And flipping is one of those things that go right with those cover seeking bass. For this I use two different types of baits. I like a Missile Baits Mini Flip Jig or a Texas rigged worm or creature bait. Each has it’s unique purpose, but can be interchanged a lot of times. Or even worked together as a 1-2 presentation.
For me, a Missile Baits D Bomb is my go to creature bait. Depending on where I am flipping it as to the line I am using. For the most part, I use Seaguar AbrazX fluorocarbon in either 17 or 20 pound test. It gives me the sensitivity to feel those little taps and the strength to get them out. If I am going into some really nasty laydowns or thick grass mats, I prefer Seaguar Smackdown braid. And for this I prefer 65 pound braid so I can really hoss on them.
As to weights, I prefer my WOO Tungsten flipping weights. Depending on the bass, I will drop down to 1/8 ounce to slow the fall of my bait or 3/8 to speed it up, but in general, a 3/16 is my general go to size. But don’t be afraid to go up to a 1/2 ounce to get that bait down fast for a reaction strike. And for grass mats, you need to have enough weight to punch through the mat, depending on the thickness. I always peg my weight and use a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG worm hook.
I like using a jig at times, working around the laydown and edge of the lily pads. I will rig a D Bomb on as a trailer or a Chunky D if I want more action. While I prefer a 3/8 ounce jig, I will go 1/4 at times to slow the fall or a 1/2 ounce to speed it up. Your trailer will also have an effect on the fall rate. A D Bomb adds bulk but while the claws will move as it falls, it won’t slow down your bait much. While a Chunky D with it’s claws action will slow the fall down some. Let the bass tell you what they want.
August is hot and so is the water. Most people believe that bass always go deep, but they really go to where the best oxygen levels will be. The thermocline is the dividing line between oxygen rich water and the dead zone per say. But sometimes the best oxygen can be found along the shores in the shallow water. That is why we seek out the shade, just like the bass are doing. Now go keep cool and land some hawgs!