Conventional wisdom is that fish simply do not bite in summer weather, but for those willing to brave the heat, all one needs to know is where to go.
According to Evan Brazier, conservation biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, some fish, such as large-mouth bass, seek the extreme depths during summer and are out of the reach of most anglers. However, other species do not follow their cousins into the watery deep.
“Striped bass and hybrid bass tend to find areas with colder water, but they can still be found and will bite if the conditions are right,” Brazier said.
David Quebedeaux, park ranger for the Corps, says that hot weather fishing is all about location, location, location.
Quebedeaux says to stay out of the coves, as most fish abandon those waters due to the heat.
“If you go out into the channel at Clarks Hill where the oxygenation lines are, and you can tell you’re there by the bubbles coming to the surface, that is one place where the fish tend to congregate,” Quebedeaux said.
The oxygenation lines start at Modoc and go out for many, many miles.
Fish also love catching the shade provided by bridge overpasses, according to Quebedeaux. For those seeking catfish, the rocks under the bridges are the perfect place to cast out.
The overpasses also offer the angler some shade as well.
“I take a bunch of extra hooks with me because they tend to get snagged in the rocks, but all you need is some chicken liver and you can catch catfish in only three feet of water,” Quebedeaux said.
Striped bass and crappie tend to ignore most lures, but a one-ounce spoon, which shimmers in the water, will attract them, according to Brazier. However, the best bait is always going to be live bait such as blueback herring or small brim.
For those that prefer to fish the Savannah River, freelance journalist for Bassmaster magazine, Robbie Pavey, has some advice.
According to Pavey, the best spots for small-mouth bass are the areas below the Strom Thurmond Dam and Stevens Creek Dam.
“The power turbines at the Thurmond Dam turn on around two or three o’clock in the afternoon and they shoot freezing cold water into the river which raises the water level a couple of feet and that attracts the fish,” Pavey said.
The shoals on the Savannah are also a great place for those who don’t mind wading and, in this weather, the cool water offers refreshing temperatures as well as great fishing.
Quebedeaux warns that those going out on the water should take precautions to avoid succumbing to the heat and leave the alcohol at home.
“Even people who are good swimmers should wear a life preserver and they make inflatable vests that aren’t bulky and only inflate when they make contact with the water. I also recommend wearing a big floppy hat and a lot of sunscreen,” Quebedeaux said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
