Shadows might be your most important resource for catching bass on hot August days.  For about 3 weeks (Starting after the 10th), the bass in lakes all over Eastern Washington/North Idaho move into the shadows next to walls and trees like no other time of the year.  I've spent days on the lake testing this theory, and 9 times out of 10, I can fish in the sun 6 inches out of a shadow, and not take a hit.  However, the moment I drop my shaky head or Senko into the middle of that shadow, it is almost instantly engulfed.  I've tested this way on lakes ranging from Long Lake, WA (near Suncrest) to Hayden Lake, and even Rose Lake.

I understand that most fishermen would say, "Of course they're going to be in the shadows during late summer."  I agree with that comment.  Again, though, there is no other time for shadow fishing in the year quite like these 3 weeks.  The bass are that finicky right now, and you must think like them.  It's not to say that you can't catch fish up on the banks in the sun during August.  You can...but I'm talking about quality.  If you want lunkers, stick to the shadows.  I like to troll around the bank looking for a shadow, and then hit it 3 or four times before moving on.  I can cover an entire half of the lake in 3-4 hours fishing this way, and I assure you my strikes per cast ratio goes through the roof.

Now for the lures.  Of course you have your staples like Slug-Gos and Senkos in white and green pumpkin.  I have a good friend who swears by the "Black Death Senkos" (black with gold or silver fleck), and he knocks them dead on Long Lake all day with them.  Make sure to wacky rig them if possible.  If you are fishing a weedy area, turn the hook back into the worm and hide it to make it weedless (the lure should look like an upside down V when rigged this way).  I tend to stick to Green Pumpkin in clear water, and white in the stained waters.  Lakes like Fernan, Hayden, Twin, Hauser, and Spirit all tend to work with the Green Pumpkin.  Get into more stained waters like Long, Bear, and Newman, and white or black tend to garner more strikes.

For those who don't want to break the bank with Yamasenkos, you can find Mister Twister Exude Sinking worms at White Elephant on Division in Spokane.  I don't believe that the Spokane Valley store carries them.  They are cheaper than Senkos, have good action, and tend to last longer.  I buy them in white, and slay the smallmouth bass at Long Lake all day.  We've caught as many as 41 in just over 2 hours at long during August.  Again, we are looking for the shadows.

In addition to the Senkos, you can use the 4 1/2" Yamamoto Tubes, and even up to 9" ribbon tails rigged with an 1/8 ounce bullet wait.  Green pumpkin, pumpkinseed, white, and black tend to pull the most strikes depending on water clarity.  Fish them slow in these shadows, and give them a big bounce off the bottom.

In conclusion, you have 3 weeks to make a difference with the shadows in August.  Please feel free to try this, even for an hour, and leave a comment about how it worked for you.  I guarantee you will land some lunkers, and cover a ton of lake in a short time.  I would also add to read our article about Late Summer Smallmouth when fishing the hours between 11am - 4pm on high sun days.  It will teach you what lures to use, and how deep to fish these bass in the middle of the day.

Good luck, respect the lake, and fish those shadows.

With August quickly approaching, we are certainly in the dog days of summer.  It’s easy to head out to the lake and cast out hundreds of times pulling nothing out but weeds.  Now is the time to think…DEEP.  Due to the increasing water temp, it is important to press out to 25-30 feet deep.  It is here where you will find the lunker you are looking for. 

Currently, Smallmouth Bass in Northern Idaho Lakes such as Lake Coeur d’Alene (particularly Cougar Bay and the Chain Lakes area), Hayden, Cocolalla, Preist, and Pond Oreille are hitting Twin Tail Grubs on a football jig bounced on the bottom.  Colors such as cinnamon with black fleck, or smoke with black fleck are garnering bites.  Work a bounce and slow retrieve motion, and don’t be afraid to let it rest on the bottom for 3-4 seconds at a time.  In stained water, stick to chartreuse or white.  Make sure to lookout for long points, or changes from rocky shoreline to sand.  Finally, look for drop offs of 7-8 feet or more.  These drop-offs will generally hold bass throughout the late summer pattern. 

Finally, Smallmouth Bass love rocks and boulders.  Take the time to know your lake floor.  Look for easy access routes to cover or deeper water.  Most of all, vary your retrieve pattern until you find the one that gets the aggressive bites.  Remember, a slow day on the lake is better than a good day at work.  So take your time, have fun, and land that lunker Smallmouth.