Best Spots
Top Summer Fishing Spots
1. Lakes & Ponds
- Great for: Bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, trout
- Tips: Fish early morning or late evening. Target weed edges, lily pads, docks, and submerged structure.
2. Rivers & Streams
- Great for: Smallmouth bass, trout, walleye
- Tips: Look for deep pools, riffles, and shaded bank areas. In warmer months, fish tend to move to cooler, oxygen-rich spots.
3. Reservoirs
- Great for: Walleye, striper, largemouth/smallmouth bass
- Tips: Use fish finders if you’ve got one—structure and drop-offs are key. Early and late are best unless you’re going deep.
4. Coastal Waters (if you’re near the ocean)
- Great for: Redfish, flounder, snook, sea trout
- Tips: Fish tidal changes—early morning incoming tides are often hot. Try jetties, piers, and grass flats.
5. Night Fishing Hotspots
- Great for: Catfish, walleye, striped bass
- Tips: Use stink baits or cut bait. Bring a good headlamp and bug spray!
Summer Fishing Gear Suggestions
Bass
- Topwater lures: Frogs, poppers, buzzbaits
- Soft plastics: Senkos, craws, worms (texas- or wacky-rigged)
- Rod: Medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting
- Line: 10–20 lb braided or fluorocarbon
🐟 For Trout (in cooler streams/lakes)
- Lures: Rooster Tails, inline spinners, small spoons
- Live bait: Worms, salmon eggs
- Rod: Light spinning rod
- Line: 4–6 lb mono or fluorocarbon
🐟 For Catfish
- Bait: Chicken liver, cut bait, stink bait, nightcrawlers
- Rig: Slip sinker or Carolina rig
- Rod: Medium-heavy spinning or casting rod
- Line: 15–30 lb mono or braid
🐟 For Panfish (bluegill, crappie)
- Bait: Worms, crickets, small jigs under bobbers
- Rod: Ultralight spinning rod
- Line: 2–6 lb mono
🐟 For Saltwater (inshore)
- Lures: Soft plastic swimbaits, shrimp imitations, topwaters
- Live bait: Shrimp, mullet, pinfish
- Rod: Medium spinning rod (7 ft+)
- Line: 10–20 lb braid with 20–30 lb fluoro leader