Summer: Thick Weeds

On hot, sunny days, bass often seek the cool water and shade beneath a thick weed canopy. One great way to get their attention is with a weedless spoon rigged with a grub or twin-tail trailer. Rig a heavy-action, 7-foot baitcasting outfit with 20-pound line or stronger. Cast your spoon as far into the weedbed as possible and begin a steady retrieve right over the top of the weeds. It's important to keep the lure moving at a constant speed so bass will be able to track its movement. When the lure comes to a break in the canopy, that's when the fish will strike. Let the bass take the lure, then slam the rod tip back and haul the fish to the boat. If you give him a chance to get his head down, he'll tie you up in the weeds.