Go big in summer

During the recent Wired2Fish “World Championship” on Evergreen Lake in Illinois, several of the pros and local anglers hit the banks for shallow action.

That goes against the norm in summer when most folks head to deeper water to test humps and ledges for that “deep pattern.” But that’s not always the case. Whenever bass have enough water with oxygen, food and some kind of cover, some will be shallow.

Many pros turn to bigger baits in summer, too, for several reasons. One is the reaction strike of a larger bait plummeting through the water in front of a bass. Another is the old “big bait, big fish” theory if you’re looking for a few bites from quality bass. Yet another is simply to reduce your options of bait selections and focus on one or two that will work.

“You want a faster fall rate in summer to make them react,” said legendary pro Denny Brauer of Missouri. “Go to a bigger jig with a bigger chunk to get that fall. Something falling slower may work, but I’ll stick with the bigger jig more often than not.”

Some of our favorites are the 10-inch Berkley PowerBait worm or a 10-inch Kriet Tail Worm from Big Bite Baits, the Gene Larew Mega-Ring Tube and a ¾ or 1-ounce Omega football jig with a Strike King Rage Tail Chunk.

Pick your favorites, upsize for summer and hang on!