On this particular day, I was not able to get on the water until about 10 am. Air temps were in the mid to high 80’s. With the warmer weather, I would suggest trying to get on the lake by safe light. Not only to beat the heat, but to maximize the low light conditions and to avoid all the pleasure boaters and jet skiers that tend to come out later in the day.

I launched from the SR 66 ramp, and proceeded to fish the tree lined shoreline adjacent to the bridge. Due to recent rains, the water levels were up around the rip rap. It was anywhere from 4 – 10 feet along this stretch. Water temps were between 77 -81 degrees.

As I fished down this stretch, I was casting and pitching a 6” Gambler Fat Ace in Lane Toad color, rigged on a 1/8 oz. VMC Dead Drop hook on 14lb. fluorocarbon line. The rod and reel combo was a 7’ medium heavy action rod and a 7.1:1 gear ratio baitcast reel.

In between catching a lot of smaller fish, I did manage to boat these two chunks utilizing this technique and set up.

Once I reached the end of that stretch, I went to the opposite side of SR 66. I wanted to try fishing a little deeper. Following the contour lines on my GPS, I began throwing a crankbait in 6 – 12 feet of water, just off the rip rap bank. The bait I chose was a Skirmish Baits Tango Six in Cricket Shad color. This bait is great for those mid-depth situations as it dives to about 6 feet, and this color is perfect for “matching the hatch”. I threw it on 12lb. fluorocarbon line, on a 7’ medium action cranking rod with a 6.4:1 gear ratio baitcast reel.

On my very first cast with the crankbait, I caught a nice keeper. Even with the higher water temps, they were hitting the crankbait consistently along this bank and in this depth range. I caught a variety of fish on the Tango Six…not only largemouth bass, but white bass and hybrids.

Right now, Lake Ray Hubbard is producing good numbers of bass. You can always find fish along rip rap banks and around wood cover. But with the hotter weather already upon us, you’re going to have to work hard to find the better quality fish! Just be sure to get out there early to give yourself the best opportunity to catch those good ones.

If you’re interested in trying out the Skirmish Baits line of hard baits, just go to: www.skirmishbaits.com and use coupon code “thomas10” at checkout for 10% off your order. Until next time….always remember “safety first” when you’re on the water.