Late summer with Brandon Palaniuk
Aug 23rd, 2016 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Aug 23rd, 2016 at 12:00 AM
So many anglers start to give up a little bit as the summer starts winding down. Bass fishing can get a little tougher for many. Lots of hot water. Fish are a little less cooperative. Anglers scramble to come up with options for catching a few.
Fortunately, Berkley pro Brandon Palaniuk is willing to share his knowledge and shine the light on what to look for to find late-summer bass.
Water temperatures are important.
“Look for cooler water,” said Palaniuk. “Of course, that varies depending on where you are fishing, but water temperatures this time of the year are very important.
“These cooler temperatures are often different depending on the fishery. In Florida, for example the cooler locations will often be under heavy vegetation. In other fisheries, the cooler spots may be in deeper water or up a river.”
Think thorough for late summer.
“I feel a finesse approach tends to come into play during this time,” said Palaniuk. “Depends on what type of cover you’re fishing, but things like a drop-shot rig and smaller bait or a downsized flipping bait. Also, make sure you are more thorough fishing this time of the year. Fish are in the cooler spots and are less likely to roam to strike a lure. Keep your offerings in the strike zone longer.”
Storm fronts and low light get the bass moving.
“A couple of things will allow you to use faster moving baits,” said Palaniuk. “Storm fronts or other low-light conditions.
“Low light such as morning or evening will often allow you to use search baits like a topwater, various reaction baits or a chatterbait. I’ll often fish an area fast with those baits early and then come back later to use the thorough finesse approach.
“When a storm front is moving in, the lower pressure tends to loosen the straight jacket on the bass allowing them to roam around. Use the faster moving search baits to catch them.”