Catching Bass in Deep Water

The summer heat changes where the bass locate and catching them in their deep summer locations can be tough. If your into summer time fishing you know that when the heat sets in the bass move to the deep water and getting down there and presenting a bait can be tough fishing especially for the novice fisherman. I try to have about 4 options of baits available and try to use them in different deep situations.


My first deep presentation and the bait I love to fish the most is a deep crank bait, SPRO Little John; if I feel I can get it down to the depths it appears the bass are sitting at, it is my first choice. The reason being is that deep crank bait can stir competition between the bass creating an opportunity to catch a bunch of big fish quickly.


My next choice is a Tight-Line football jig; there is probably no bait that catches more big fish in deep water than a football jig. The bait is so life like and imitates a crawfish better than any bait I fish. I go to a ?oz when I want to get to the bottom quickly but if it appears the bass might be suspending some I stick to a ?oz.


In the last few years Punisher has come out with a product called a Hail Mary; it is the new version of what we referred to years ago as a dragon ball. You can attach your own hook so I use a 5.0 size Gamakatsu hook and rig a 10 inch worm on it and drag it on the bottom. If you choose a floating worm the bait raises itself off the bottom and is a great presentation for bottom huggers.


Lastly I like a Punisher Shakey Head, their shakey head has a big hook and allows you to muscle a 5 to 6 inch worm along the bottom and catch good size fish. The advantage of a shakey head is its enticing drop through suspending fish; it wiggles and projects itself downward with enticing movement. Fishing deep summer patterns can produce big fish and lots of them you just have to have the correct presentation.