How to Catch More Fish This Summer

It’s
summertime, and that means it’s time to head out into the wilderness with your
fishing gear and catch as many fish as possible. Hot weather can make it
challenging to reel in anything bigger than the palm of your hand. If you’re on
a dry streak and haven’t been catching much lately, here’s what you can do to
increase your haul.

Look for Cover

Fish
are cold-blooded, so during the warm summer months, they tend to be lethargic
and don’t seek bait like they do in colder weather. Shallow water will get
uncomfortably warm, even for cold-blooded creatures, so those that continue to
live in the shallows will look for shade and cover where the water is cooler.

They
won’t come out of their shady spots easily, but if you can cast your line into
these places, you’ve got a better chance of catching a big shallow-water fish.
They’ll also retreat to these
grass beds
at night, so if you’re spending some time on the water once the sun goes down,
fishing in vegetation is your best option.

Fish Deep in Hot Weather

Swimming
in warm water might be nice for humans, but it can get uncomfortable for fish —
especially big ones. Even if your preferred catch normally lives in shallow
water, start fishing deeper once the temperature starts climbing. You might
have better luck casting a weighted line in deep water, where the temperatures
are lower and the fish are more comfortable.

Explore Vegetation Patches

In
natural water features, vegetation acts as a home for fish. Once they’ve fed,
they’ll return to water-rooted plants for the cover they provide. It also increases
localized oxygen levels, making the area a comfortable home for the fish. Fishing in
vegetation is a tricky skill to learn, but once you master it, it can be a
fantastic way to follow the fish when the water temperature is climbing and
they’re not inclined to bite.

Watch the Weather

You’ll
want to pay close attention to the weather if you’re going out fishing, but not
just so you don’t get caught in the rain. Storms change the ambient barometric
pressure of the area, and fish are very
sensitive
to these changes. They often feed more right before a storm hits, making it the
perfect time to get out on the water. This is especially true if you live in an
area that’s prone to frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Take a Boat

You can catch plenty of fish by the shore, but sometimes the ones you really want are going to be in deeper water. There are plenty of ways to get to the good spots. You could take a simple kayak and paddle, which is fine if you’re catching fish in the 12 to 24 inch range. Anything bigger and you’re going to need a bigger boat. Of course, you could always go extreme and get a yacht with a 1600hp engine, but then you might end up just cursing around and not actually fishing. Not that that’s always a bad thing!

Stay Hydrated and Have Fun

This
last tip might not help you catch more fish, but it’s important if you’re going
to be out on the water during the hot summer months. Make sure you’re drinking
plenty of water and staying hydrated. No one wants to get dehydrated while
they’re trying to catch a few fish for dinner.

Other
than that, all you need to do is be patient, pick the right locations to cast
your line and have fun. The fish will bite eventually — you just might have to
follow them around a bit before they do.