Outdoors

Worms work well on bass in the summer

By LENNY CRISPINO
Published August 7, 2005

Summer bass fishing is predictable. At the beginning of each day, bass can be found in shallow water ambushing schools of bait. Shallow water does not necessarily mean the shoreline. Often you will find bass on a 3-foot deep point or sand bar.

My theory: As the sun rises, the shad move to the shallows to feed on plankton. The bass recognize this and gorge themselves on the shad.

As the sun gets higher, the shad move to deep water and the bass follow. Obviously not all shallow water holds bass; begin your search with a topographical map of the lake. Locate points, sand bars and ledges next to deep water. Begin your fishing day at one of these areas.

As you approach the area, look for signs of life, such as a bass swirling or a baitfish jumping. Select your lure by determining what the bass are feeding on.

Throughout the summer, bass will feed mostly on shad or bluegill. Schooling bass will feed on shad. The shad are 2-4 inches and silver and blue or white and blue. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures imitate the shad. Topwater lures work better under low light conditions and when the bass are feeding on the surface. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits work best on windy days when the bass are feeding below the surface.

Always match the size and color of the bait that the bass are feeding on. Trial and error often is the only way to determine which lure will be the most effective.

As the sun gets higher, bass will move to deep water and suspend or move to offshore grass beds and structure. Avoid difficult bass and target the ones that move to the grass and structure.

Keep a close eye on your depth finder and look for bottom debris in 8-10 feet. Use the depth finder as a bottom finder; Florida lakes are shallow, and depth finders are more effective at marking fish in deep water.

With the lake temperature between 80 and 90 degrees, a slow presentation with a plastic worm is effective. Use a 6- to 7-foot medium-heavy action rod and a reel with 15-pound test line.

Rig the worm by placing a screw-in bullet weight on the line. If you don't feel the bottom you will not feel the strike. Tie on a wide-gap worm hook; the size of the worm will determine the hook size. In a 6-inch worm use a 3/0 hook; in an 8-inch worm use a 4/0 hook. Thread the hook point into the head of the worm and bring it out about a half-inch down the side of the worm.

Most plastic worms have seams down their side. Bring the hook out on the seam. Hold the worm from the head, allowing it to fall straight, and locate the point where the hook must enter to keep the worm straight. The worm must be straight or it will not work correctly and it will twist your line.

Screw the weight into the head of the worm. This will allow the worm to penetrate the cover, placing the worm where the bass is.

Work slowly and deliberately. Retrieve the worm by keeping the rod high and using it to pull the bait and the reel to take up the slack. The bite often comes when the worm is laying on the bottom. Respond by lowering the rod, reeling up the slack and setting the hook hard.

Worm fishing is one of the most effective techniques and one of the most difficult to master.

Lenny Crispino charters out of Tarpon Tom's in Palm Harbor. His number is 938-2379.

[Last modified August 7, 2005, 01:31:12]