As we move from the end of the spring fishing there is definitely a major change in the fishing pattern. The shift is definitely one of the most dramatic changes in patterns over the 12 month period that we as anglers experience. The key to me is becoming aware of why the pattern changes and where the bass move too.

The first thing is to understand what is happening to the bass and how they are reacting. As the hot weather moves in, the first thing you see is the water temperature reaching the 80’s? In realizing this is just surface temperature the bass are feeling the water warm and hence the oxygen level starting to reduce as the water temperature goes up. They are also finished spawning and are no longer protecting the nest. Their bodies are recovering and as they gain strength the bass start to migrate to the mouths of the creeks and start feeding to strengthen up.

The change to summer creates the movement and the first place they stop are the humps and cover off the shore and out toward the river channel. As they heal they briefly become active, but the first sign of high temperatures and strong sunny days with very little rain they start to suspend and move up toward the humps in the low light part of the day both early and late.

As an angler you must adjust from the shallow shore line fishing to finding the deeper depth changes as they migrate to the summer time ledges. Remember that the bass don’t all move at once but it will seem like it as you will over night find your shallow patterns are gone. One key to finding the bass is to find the off shores cover, this can be grass or stumps or just changes in depth around original creeks.

Lastly not all off shore cover is created equal, so use your Structure Scan and look for cover that will hold bass like groups of stumps, or wood next to an old creek bed, or a combination of grass, wood and maybe shell beds. Off shore structure is the key to this pattern change from spring to summer!

Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service

www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com 
Email: bassguide@comcast.net 
Call: 256 759 2270
Captain Mike Gerry