Summer Ledge Fishing - Crankbaits, Underspins, and Hair Jigs

Today we're on Pickwick Lake looking for Summer bass on offshore ledges and breaks. This time of year the bass stack up on the edges around current and can be caught on a variety of power fishing techniques. We found an aggressive school in 20-25 feet of water and had a great time figuring out which baits they would eat.

The fish we located today were in a giant school. They gathered in the confluence if two river arms and were feeding aggressively on shad and other baitfish that came down the current. We used a 3-part method to catch these fish. We started out with a deep crankbait to fire up the school then switched to a hair jig and a heavy underspin to keep the fish's interest once the initial flurry was over.

Ledge fishing is an awesome way to catch a bunch of bass in a hurry. Its also an amazing opportunity to catch BIG bass in the middle of Summer. If your local lake has current in the Summer, you have fish that back out to the outside structures, ledges, and breaks. This fishing style will work on your lake and you might be amazed how big of bass you can catch in the heat of the day.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment we used to catch the fish in today's video. We also included a few color recommendations to make it easier for you to apply the techniques to your local lakes.

The baits...

-6th Sense Cloud 9 C20: http://bit.ly/2BQ4uDs

(Wild Shad, Platinum Citrus, Sexified Chartreuse Shad, Shad Fantasy)

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

(Sexy Shad, Turtle Shad, Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Sexy Blue Back Herring, Powder Blue)

-Picasso Hair Jig 1 oz: http://bit.ly/2FeJkAb

(Bling Shad, White)

-Blade Runner 1 oz SpinTrix Underspin: http://bit.ly/29UVegz

(Anchovy, Black Shad, Grey Shad, Pearl)

-Keitech 4.8 Fat Swing Impact Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

(Pro Blue Red Pearl, Ghost Rainbow, Electric Shad, Gizzard Shad)

Upgraded Crankbait Hardware...

-Hooks- Gamakatsu EWG Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

-Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Crankbait Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'6" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Jig Combo...

Rod- Expride 7'7" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 20 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Electronics...

-Humminbird Solix 15 G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

-Map Card- Lakemaster Plus Digital: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Where Do Bass Go In Summer? (And How To Catch Them)

Summer bass fishing is really fun once you know where to look! You can catch fish all day long, even in the heat of the day. Summer gets a bad wrap amongst fishermen because they don't understand bass movements and feeding patterns. Once you get ahead of the fish, its non-stop action! Let's take a look at where they are and how to catch them.

During Summer the bass break into two distinct schools. The first goes shallow into cover and the second heads out to main lake structures. The shallow fish are fun because you can target them with a variety of power fishing techniques, our favorite are frogging, flipping, and throwing swim jigs. The fish on outside structures group up around current when available and large structures when the water is calm. These fish can be caught on crankbaits, worms, jigs, and a variety of other lures.

Don't let the pressure steer you away, summer is prime time for bass. Don't be surprised if you find bass stacked up in current and catch 100+ fish a day, and who knows, there might even be a GIANT bass in the mix!

Below is a breakdown of the lures and equipment we use to target Summer bass. We'll begin with cover-oriented options and end with offshore options.

Frogs...

-River2Sea Bully Wa 2 65 (Little Allen, Ghost): http://bit.ly/2axyR2a

-Jackall Gavacho (Gill, White): http://bit.ly/2L7KsWS

Flipping...

-Jackall Archelon: http://bit.ly/2uo4sN5

-Vike Tungsten 1.5 oz Flipping Weight: http://bit.ly/2DUIxB4

-Gamakatsu Superline 4/0 EWG Hook: http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

-6th Sense Peg X: http://bit.ly/2bHjowk

Swim Jigs...

-California Swim Jig 3/8-3/4 oz: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx

-Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Senko...

-Yamamoto Senko (5"-7"): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

-Wacky Hook (1/0-4/0): http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

-Texas Hook (3/0-6/0): http://bit.ly/2ac92XG

-Squarebill Crankbait...

-Rattling- River2Sea Biggie Poppa (Abalone Shad, Horizon Shad): http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

-Silent- Lucky Craft 2.5 (American Shad, Citrus, Gizzard Shad): http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Deep Crankbait...

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

-6th Sense Cloud 9: http://bit.ly/2BQ4uDs

Shakey Head Worms...

-Canterbury Shaky Head: http://bit.ly/2aFOs0V

-Netbait T Mac Worm: http://bit.ly/2jndwj9

-Zoom Trick Worm: http://bit.ly/2aWkG7E

Jigs...

-Football Jig: http://bit.ly/2d0iJbd

-Pitchin Jig: http://bit.ly/2amL3of

-Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver: http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

-Reaction Innovations Spicy Beaver: http://bit.ly/2MPuma1

-Strike King Rage Bug: http://bit.ly/2aAsuiV

Favorite Flipping Combo...

Rod- Expride 7'11" XH: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- 65 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Early Summer Fishing- Catch A Giant Bass Right Now!

You only have a few days! There is a short window during the full moon in June that you can specifically target MONSTER bass with swimbaits. Once this window closes you're in to Summer patterns and typically have to wait until Fall for your next shot with the giant baits. Don't miss your chance, get the info and head to the lake now!

You only have a few days before the full moon arrives. Its time to head to the lake! Our primary bait for this window is a wake bait. If the fish won't come all the way to the surface with switch our attention to a glide bait. If the glide doesn't seem to fool them, we head a little deeper with paddle tail swimbaits. All 3 options have a shot at putting a truly GIANT bass in the boat for you this weekend.

Below is a breakdown of the lures and equipment we use for this big bait approach to Summer bass fishing. Remember, its a short window so get out there and catch them while you can!

Wakebait...

-Spro BBZ 8": http://bit.ly/2cU1x5P

-Evergreen Noisy Dachs: http://bit.ly/2JbrbaM

-Megabass Garuda: http://bit.ly/2ILgfxc

Glide Baits...

-S-Waver 168 and 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide: http://bit.ly/2DcI1yM

Boot-Tail Softbaits...

-Osprey 6" and 7" Tournament Talon (Top Hook): http://bit.ly/2bqsLS0

-Osprey 6" Winged Talon (Belly Hook): http://bit.ly/2IBlDTG

-Keitech 6.8" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Matt Allen Swimbait Head 1 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-8/0 Owner Beast Hook: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

Bonus Swimbaits...

-Mattlures Shad: http://bit.ly/2vM8cKF

-Scottsboro Tackle Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2LBssth

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Matt's All Around Swimbait Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 HG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 35 lb FC100 Sunline: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Summer Bass Fishing Buyer's Guide

There are a ton of new baits from Ned Worms to Swimbaits on the market this Summer and today we're going to review some of the best. Its easy to get overwhelmed by all the new tackle but Tim makes it easy by sharing some of his confidence baits as well as a few recent finds. If you're looking for something to try as we head in to Early Summer, give these baits a look.

Today's video samples baits from both ends of the spectrum. Tim has a lot of confidence in a new Ned Worm from Missile Baits, as well as a couple finesse hooks. But he's also developed a ton of confidence in a few swimbaits for Summer bass fishing. If you're heading shallow the Noisy Dachs by Evergreen was out of stock for nearly a year and is finally back on the market! If you're probing deep, the new colors of Baitsanity are a killer option (That Kokanee is hard to beat!)

No matter your style, there is something here worth looking at. Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment mentioned in the video.

Soft Baits and Hooks...

-Swagger Tungsten "Flanders" NED Heads - http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb (Goby Bite, Fishalicious , Super Bug) - http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

-Keitech Swing Impact FAT- http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Owner Mosquito "Light" Hooks - http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Squarebill...

-Evergreen CH-1 Squarebill (Fire Craw, Ayu) - http://bit.ly/2MrsOCG

Squarebill Combo...

-G. Loomis IMX Pro Crankbait Casting Rods (845CBR) - http://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

-Shimano Chronarch MGL Casting Reel (7.1:1) - http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Frogs...

-Stanford Baits Boom Boom Hollow Body Frog (Fred's Frog, Dirty Bird) - http://bit.ly/2K90m6U

-Spro Dean Rojas Bronzeye Spit Shad 60 (Spooky Shad, Blue Back Herring) - http://bit.ly/2MHu9pA

Frog Setup...

-Shimano Expride A Casting Rod 7'3" Extra Hvy - http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

-Shimano Curado 150 DC Casting Reel (7.4:1) - http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

-Sunline FX2 Braided Line Dark Green 60b (Froggin/Flippin) - http://bit.ly/31u57xA

Wakebaits and Swimbaits...

-Evergreen ND 180 Wooden Wakebaits (Oikawa, Black Bone) - http://bit.ly/2JbrbaM

-Gan Craft OSA 115 Wakebait (Nakahira Buna) - http://bit.ly/2IzGIOm

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide Bait (Kokanee) - http://bit.ly/2DcI1yM