Summer Fishing Tactics for Trout
By Danny Coyne, BC Fish'n.com
The summer period is no doubt the most comfortable time for anglers to target Trout on the bigger water bodies. The weather conditions are stable and lots of us are spending our summer vacations with rod in hand and trolling the freshwater in prowl of that catch of a lifetime!
The summer can be some of the best times to fish but they can also be some of the most challenging periods. Numerous factors come into consideration to whether the Trout will come out and play or not. Follow some of these basic summer fishing tactics for trout to help you hook more fish this summer:
Change it up!
Trout are most active in the summer months as their metabolism is in full swing! Not only is the summertime a great time to experiment with new baits and lures; but you may have to unlock that secret pattern or tactic that will get the fish to strike! Let’s face it; fishing pressure on our lakes is at its highest during the summer. Fish aren’t that smart but they do become somewhat conditioned to the same old presentation that they see day after day! By trying new tactics, lures and baits you may just one up the angler next to you as you’ve presented the fish with something new!
Water Temperatures & Thermocline
Our summers are becoming warmer and warmer each year which means so are the water temps. Trout want to be comfortable and they prefer water temperatures between 60-65F in the hotter months. Pay attention to your thermometer on your sonar and let it guide you towards the coolest water temperature, even a few degrees lower can make all the difference in the world. Most of the time you will find the fish nestled within the thermocline of the lake where the water temperature is optimum and the forage is plentiful. The upper layer also known as the “mixed layer” has the highest water temperatures in the lake. The thermocline “the middle layer” holds the greatest temperature change, the richest oxygen levels and is most comfortable for the fish.
Some high quality sonars will pick up the thermocline, but if yours doesn’t simply increase the sonar’s sensitivity and look for a consistent depth of where fish are suspended. Experiment with which depths to target, just above the thermocline, middle of it, or even just below it.
Inlets & Contour Lines
Inlets such as small streams that feed a lake offer essential factors for a Trout’s survival. A stream usually provides cooler water and generates an increased amount of oxygen for the fish. After heavy rainfalls the inlets act as a conveyor belt of food that washes into the lake. Inlets will also hold and attract smaller forage fish that large Trout like to feed upon. Either troll through these inlet areas or anchor up and cast towards the mouth of the freshwater.
Using bathymetric maps to identify fast dropping contour lines will help you identify drop off ledges that hold fish. Trout will seek deeper cooler water with easy access to quickly ambush passing forage fish. Deep drops allow a Trout to go deep into comfortable cooler water but they can also easily swim to the top of the ledge and feed when the opportunity arises. Trolling these ledges with bait fish presentation such as a Lyman Lures Plug or Apex Lures will “match the hatch” nicely.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm!
The old wise saying is that the best fishing times are at first and last light; this can’t be truer than in the summer months. It’s most natural for Trout to feed at first light and just before night fall. In the summer the sun is hot and bright which will push the fish deeper into the water column. As the day progresses Trout also become less active and somewhat lazy. This doesn’t mean that Trout won’t feed or attack your lure during mid-day; you might just have to go deeper and slow your tactics down. Also in the summer months the lakes are being used for other water sports such as wakeboarding or tubing. This increased water traffic can shut off the bite and drive the fish deep. In summary, stack the odds in your favour by targeting Trout in the first 3 hours of light and into the evening.
Tight lines & please take a kid fishing!
Originally published here.