Best Bass Lures for August and September
Baits that Catch Largemouth Bass in the Warm Waters of Late Summer
Aug 15, 2009
Insects, baitfish, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, birds and even small rodents are liable to form parts of the basic diet of largemouth bass in August and September. Every creature is lively during the warmest months of the year, and largemouth bass certainly capitalize on the seasonal possibilities of late summer. Fish of all sizes may be seen leaping for damselflies, chasing baitfish, cruising the shallows in search of bream, waiting under logs and around structure for frogs, rodents, lizards, and ducklings to come to close, or cruising the bottom looking for crayfish and salamanders. Anglers must realize, however, that not unlike trout, bass can be selective.
Fish Lures that the Fish Want
As basic as this rule sounds, its recognition is entirely necessary for any angler who intends to be highly successful. Use surface lures when fish are feeding on the surface, use light lures and baits that resemble struggling baitfish when fish are cruising the shallows, use rodent or frog imitations around structure, and use jigs or salamander baits (like the Zoom Brush Hog) in deeper water. If possible, cast to where fish are seen (sight fish) and try to use a bait that mimics whatever the bass may be feeding on.
Best Lures to use in the Shallows
Weightless lures should perform well in the shallows. Soft plastic baits, such as Zoom Finesse and Trick Worms, Yamamoto Hula Grubs, and flukes, are great choices, as are floating crankbaits, and poppers. Around logs and under trees, floating frog and mouse imitations may do well. When bass are seen actually breaking the surface, it is a good time to try a floating crankbait (reeled slowly) or a popper. Otherwise, plastic worms and artificial baitfish imitations are great baits.
Lures to Fish in Water between Two and Four Feet in Depth
In slightly deeper water, heavier artificial worms, such as Yamamoto Senkos are excellent baits. Smaller worms, fitted onto weighted hooks, such as Charlie Brewer's Slider hooks, or used on a Carolina rig also work well in water of medium depth. Any soft plastic bait, fished in a manner that gets it down to the fish is worthy of use. It will be necessary to allow some time for lures to sink in this water, and the retrieve should be slower than it is in the shallows.This is also the right water to try out suspending (not deep diving) crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
Lures for Largemouth Bass in Deep Water in Late Summer
In deeper water, jig and pigs and tubes are must-have baits. Jig and pigs should be fished slowly along the bottom. An angler should twitch the rod lightly (once time has been allowed for the lure to reach the bottom) and then reel up the slack, and repeat that technique, which will have a jig resembling a crayfish that is crawling and darting about on the bottom. Tubes may be fished in the same way, but they can be retrieved at a faster pace. Waited salamander baits, such as Zoom Brush Hogs are also some of the best lures for use in deeper waters. Deep diving crankbaits and rattletraps might be lures worth trying out in the deep, warm waters of late summer. These should be reeled steadily to keep them just off of the bottom.
Late summer is the hottest time of the year, and largemouth bass are noticeably most aggressive in August and September. Anglers must learn to capitalize on the foraging techniques of ravenous bass, because doing so, by using lures that resemble what bass are looking for and feeding on, will give the edge to the fishermen.
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