It is hot but the fishing continues to be hotter! We are in a great transition period right now where a variety of tactics are putting fish in the boat. This weekend we started pulling spinners on some ridges with great success. All colors seemed to work, as well as all bait, with maybe a slight edge to half a crawler. After pulling in several fish we switched it up and tried jigging some Jigging Raps. This is one of my favorite tactics and it ended up producing the 4 biggest fish of the day. Sunday we pulled leadcore and this also produced some great fish.
Now for some finer details: When its flat calm, the 18-22 range has been the sweet spot. When you get overcast and breezy, the 12-14 seems to hold the better fish. All structure on the lake is holding fish right now, but deep timber or gravel edges are my hot spots.
Bottom bouncers trolled from .9-1.2 get it done most days but sometimes a jump in the speed is what it takes. If you venture into Jigging Raps, I like to spotlock on fish and give it a few rips. If nothing in a few minutes, I’ll bump the spotlock over a few feet and do it again. Trolling speed for leadcore has been 2-2.3. Colors vary by the day, so keep switching it up until you hit fish!
In the picture below, you’ll see my deckhand, Bentley! I have been so busy lately, he hasn’t gotten out with me. Saturday we changed that and we piled the fish up. I love taking people out but sometimes I have to make time for him too!
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