Fishing In The Summer

Fewer things will frustrate the die-hard angler than discovering that the fish are no longer hiding out in shallow water. As the summer progresses, water loses oxygen and forces fish to head out to deeper areas where the water is cooler, more oxygenated and offers a larger pool of baitfish to feed on.  Rather than struggling to get a decent catch in shallow waters, anglers can move into deep waters and reefs if they have the proper equipment.

To visualize a reef, simply take a look at any hill. You’ll quickly notice that it has both an up-slope and a down-slope. This isn’t any different in the water – reefs have them too. Fishing a reef typically means that the fish are going to be hiding in the structures that are provided – either rock formations, weeds or even old wrecks.  To make the most of this type of structure, you’ll need to drift over it and go with the flow of the tides.  A depth finder is a required tool for this type of fishing, as you have to be cautious to not damage your boat, but it is also helpful to mark the location where you find fish – remember, fish tend to return to the same areas and storing these locations for future use will help make each fishing expedition fruitful.

Live bait or fresh cut bait is often the best choice for striped bass and bluefish.  This is nearly a requirement in deep water.  You need the right tackle also, or you’ll soon find that the fast moving currents in deep water will be a particular challenge.  Choose a rod that is capable of handling heavy sinkers – 10 to 20 ounce sinkers will be almost a necessity. While in the past this capability was often restricted to the heavier, fiberglass rods with a super duty reel, thankfully technology has changed all that.

Braided fishing line has become far more popular with deep water anglers, in fact, it is practically designed for it. Since it is smaller in diameter than the older, heavy monofilaments, you merely need to have a reel that will comfortably accommodate 30-50 point test (a couple of hundred yards) and a mono backing.  This type of reel will work well in deep water.  Ensure that you have a successful trip by making sure that your reels drag system is capable of landing larger fish.

Fortunately, the creation of braided fishing line also provided new rods that were built for handling the line. This meant that carbon and graphite were incorporated into the manufacture to create a lighter rod that would accommodate a smaller reel.  Composite rods are typically made from a combination of fiberglass and graphite which produces a rod that is not only lightweight but also capable of handling the pressure associated with deep water fishing.

Speed jigging is one of the newest deep water techniques.  When you are using live bait in deep water,  you may elect a short, stout rod which is specially designed for baits and jigs that are on the heavier side (e.g. 16-20 oz).  Fortunately, these rods are ideal for those who wish to fish all day long, they are no longer heavy and bulky, they’re very lightweight and easy to use.

Instead of giving up fishing for the season just because the fish have moved into deeper waters, evaluate your equipment and adjust it accordingly. There’s no need to not go after your favorite catch just because they have moved into deeper waters.  Make sure you’re using a good quality line, appropriate sized rod and you’ll find success as a deep water angler.

When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Reels, Penn Saltwater Reels, and Team Daiwa Reels.