Summertime Kayak Bass Fishing Techniques That Work!

A good fishing Kayak is one of the best recreational investments that I have made.  Compared to a bass boat it is pennies in a jar regarding expense.  It's often much easier to get on the water, and you can explore waterways that you would never be able to see in a bass boat.  I have owned both and for me, it's the kayak over a bass boat, canoe or any other vessel.  We can expand on that in another article, but first I want to talk about what we are here for . . . to put fish in the boat.

In the deep summer months the water temp can get so hot that it sends fish into the deepest depths in larger bodies of water.  That makes them a little harder to get to.  But in smaller, more shallow bodies of water like the San Gabriel River there often is no deep water to get to.  That's where I seem to find the fish that I can get in the boat.

Bass, especially a larger ones, are basically lazy and want to do as little as possible to get the nourishment needed to survive. Knowing this, we can better understand how to best offer it a meal with a hook in it.  The key here is SLOW.  How can you offer something that is easy prey and also convincing?  Presentation, color and texture are key.

 Forget about all the color combinations and bright colors, etc.  I have found that there is nothing more dependable than earth tones.  Choose colors that belong in nature, especially for slow fishing.  I like watermelon seed or colors of like kind.  Browns, olive drab greens and the like belong in the environment and have always worked better for me in most water conditions.   

Presentation is key.  If you "PLUNK" your worm and weight on top of a waiting bass you had better hit him in the head with the bullet weight and knock him out because he is likely to be gone before the worm settles before him.  The lightest weight you can get away with and a gentle touch is needed.  Most of the energy of the cast, pitch or flip should be expended by the time the bait touches the water.  This requires accuracy and skill.  I often like to drop the worm and weight on the bank, a rock or log and then gently slide it forward and let it silently enter the water where the bass is likely waiting.  I try to find, shaded places that are difficult to get to and offer as much cover as possible.  It's hot and they are looking for a comfortable hiding place that will likely yield a bite to eat without chasing it down.  Bottom line is to put your bait into the water as gently and quietly as possible. 

Let it sink, let it sit.  I have caught many summer fish by letting the worm sink and sit for 30 seconds to a minute.  I may be answering a text if I have my phone or picking a back lash out or who knows what.  But it pays to let that worm sit for a while after it settles.

Work it SLOW.  The shallow water summertime bass usually doesn't strike hard. Usually just a spongy resistance or the line moving across the water.  Become sensitive to all resistance on the line and set the hook  a little more often.  Some will be grass and some will be bass! 

Use you kayak to get back in those hard to get to places and enjoy the beauty.