Fishing can be like the weather in the summer. Both can be very hot. To take part in this potentially fast action, you’ll need to do things a little diff erently than you would at other times of the year. Following are some of those things.

Generally, in the summer when the fish want to bite it works well to use faster moving baits and fish through areas quickly. If the fish are going to bite, they’ll let you know right away.

However, if the bite is not so good, you might be better off fishing slow and really working an area thoroughly. If you know the body of water well, concentrate on spots that you know hold fish and work them over.

Let’s say we are fishing for largemouth bass. In the summer, early and late in the day are usually when the fish go on a good bite. This is when you’ll want to use a faster moving bait. Buzz-baits, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits are good options.

When the sun gets up higher and the bite slows down, try a plastic bait rigged on a jig or weedless. Work your bait around vegetation or shaded areas where a bass might be.

There will be times when the fish will eat almost whatever you’re using. However, we can up the odds for big fish by experimenting with different bait styles.

I recall a mid-summer day when this was particularly noticeable. We were fishing for largemouth bass. It was overcast, so the bite was good throughout the day. It was better for the big guys, though, if we gave them what they wanted.

Plastic baits were the hot set-up. We started with small Ned Ochos on jigheads. We had good action.

In our search for bigger fish, we went to the larger KVD Perfect Plastics Ochos in the six-inch length rigged the same way. Fewer strikes but larger fish.

We then got really creative. We switched to bulkier baits like Rage Hawgs. We attached them to rubber legged jigs. They were much bulkier and they appealed to much larger bass. We didn’t catch as many bass, but on that day we preferred size to numbers.

Lure color is another consideration that can be important. Start with a color that you have confidence in, but don’t hesitate to try a variety of colors. Give the fish plenty of options until they show you what they want at that time.

Much of the time in the summer, the fish will prefer a faster moving bait, and also one that is moving erratically. Along the weedline, when you feel your bait hang up on a weed, give it a sharp rip.

When a bass, walleye or pike sees that bait struggling on a weed, then rips free and appears to be escaping, a strike will often be triggered.

Mid-summer fishing is heating up. It’s fun to be on the water when the sun comes up, catch some fish, then take a mid-day break. Maybe go to the turtle races in town or do touristy stuff.

But be back on the water in the late afternoon or early evening. You’ll catch fish, and you’ll be taking full advantage of all that summer has to offer in the way of fish.