The warm weather is here and the bass fishermen are out in numbers.  Now is a good time to review a few tips for warm water bass fishing. 

One might  think that a bass will become slower as the water warms during summer months.  This can’t be further from the truth.  When fishing for bass in warm water, use faster retrieves to make those bass strike. 

Start with a spinnerbait or crankbait, moving on to a worm or jig.  This will enable you to try different depths.  You don’t want to stick with one bait, possibly fishing too far above or below your fish.  Experiment to find where the bass are.  And remember, if one color doesn’t produce a strike, another might – so test different colors as you go. 

With spring and summer comes new vegetation, including those wonderful fish-filled lily pads.  Bass will often park near the base of a lily pad, waiting for lunch to go by.  Try retrieving a spinnerbait quickly through the lily pads, briefly slowing near the middle of each pad.  The fast action will get the attention of the bass while the brief stop and drop near his strike zone can cause him to bite. 

One of the best parts about fishing in warm water is casting out your favorite topwater bait.  Try a buzzbait, frog or your favorite topwater across the lilypads or grassy areas.  Remember, warm water means faster retrieval.  Pay careful attention as you retrieve, watching for any sign of a hit.  If you find t he fish are hitting without being hooked, slow down just a bit and be ready for the strike.  You may also try stopping the bait after a missed strike and slowly twitching it.  Watch for that bass to simply inhale that bait! 

Remember, bass love to sit near any type of structure or grassline.  While you have that topwater on, throw it over your structure and let it sit on top of the water.  Twitch it slightly, and don’t be surprised if a bass explodes out of the water to grab your bait. 

Your hottest part of the day usually begins at 11:00 and continues through 2:00.  Generally, anglers find shady spots during these hours and throw baits that swim below the surface.  But don’t forget to cast out that topwater every once in a while.  It isn’t unusual to catch one of the day’s biggest bass with a topwater during those hot summer hours!