Is Fishing Done By July 1St? 2024
hoosierbass07 reply :
The last three or so weeks we have been getting lots of rain here in Indiana and I'm sure most other places in the country. The last week Iv'e noticed the ponds I fish at have changed. The bite seems to have slowed way down and the bugs have finally come out to bite.
One of my relatives said he heard once that real fishing is done by July 1st, after July (or summer really starts to kick in), the good fishing is over.
I also noticed one of the main cable TV fishing channels, The Outdoor Network, is replacing most of their Saturday fishing shows with hunting shows.
Also, aren't most of the main tournaments now over till late summer? FLW is over, right?
This has me wondering, is the good fishing over till late summer/early fall? Has night fishing kicked in? Or is good bass fishing over till spring 2016?
Edited by hoosierbass07ABW reply :
The water was a chocolate milk green yesterday, if that makes any sense. I went out today for an hour and the water seems to have cleared up a bit.
"Real fishing" never ends. Only until there's hard water.
doyle8218 reply :
Summer can be some of the best fishing for me anyway.
Weld's Largemouth reply :
I'm still waiting for the fishing to get good... 
Senko lover reply :
Go see a doctor. Fishing is never, ever, done.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
When the going gets tough, the real fishing is just beginning.
Fair weather fishing is nice and all, but if I turned around and went home every time I heard "the fish aren't biting today" I would've missed some of my greatest days on the water. Some of the most fulfilling days I've had have been with sub freezing air temperatures, or water temps in the 90's. When you can catch fish in those conditions the rewards are much more satisfying.
I have friends who come out fishing only when the conditions are ideal, but when it's too cold/hot they are in the house with the heat/ac. I have to bite my tongue sometimes because I don't want to be that guy saying "You should've been here last week, I was slaying 'em."
einscodek reply :
Not sure what yer relative is talkin about.
Spring and summer are the two best seasons for fishing imo.. I catch the most fish in summer..the biggest in late spring
Fall imo is the toughest out of the 3 seasons when those fish are all over the place and those fall rains kill the temps.. falls not bad.. just tougher
Catt reply :
The dog days of summer is my best fishing!
My biggest stringers & a huge percentage of double digits came the month of August.
J Francho reply :
July 1st? Our tournament season doesn't start until the 3rd week of June. That's a short season!
FishWitWiz reply :
Yep, please spread the news... fishing is done for the year. Stay home, we'll take it from here. 
kikstand454 reply :
Down here the water was 86.6 this past Sunday, and that was after a rain and with fully clouded sky.
I love the summer because for me that means c-rig out deep or punching mats. My two favorite things to do.
iabass8 reply :
......no
Joe H. reply :
Nope, late summer/early fall is one of my favorite times to be bass fishing.
BASSPATROL247 reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 8:55 AM, ABW said:The water was a chocolate milk green yesterday, if that makes any sense. I went out today for an hour and the water seems to have cleared up a bit.
"Real fishing" never ends. Only until there's hard water.
Real fishing never ends for me at ice up..i will fish through any form of water, no way i could not fish in the winter...id go batty! Lol
BASSPATROL247 reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 9:17 AM, Senko lover said:Go see a doctor. Fishing is never, ever, done.
I love it!!! You got that right buddy!!!
WIGuide reply :
Definitely not done! I think your relative is a fair weather fisherman.
scaleface reply :
Your friend is wrong .
Raul reply :
Down here in my neck of the woods fishing season begins Jan 1st and finishes Dec 30th, only really nasty weather is what may keep you from fishing.
NathanW reply :
Do you guys have any smallmouth? Fall beats Spring smallmouth fishing hands down over here. They are sometimes a little deeper in the fall but school up in dense packs and the biggest fish in the water are feeding just as aggressively as the dinks. Personally I like summer best but could live without the heat. To me nothing beats the challenge. Patterning the sun relative to where/how you fish. Finding and determining the right type of vegetation combination and depth, chasing shade, early topwater. Just wish I could sit in the heat the way I could when I was 20.
scaleface reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 11:50 PM, Raul said:Down here in my neck of the woods fishing season begins Jan 1st and finishes Dec 30th, only really nasty weather is what may keep you from fishing.
So , the fishing sucks Dec. 31st . 
HoosierHawgs reply :
Tournaments end because the Spring is the best fishing for entertaining tourneys. They fished Toho in February, full moon, spawn is on, it was a special event. Giants. JT Kenney caught an 11+ in pre fishing. Lots of tourneys are in the south, meaning the spring is over relatively early compared to the north. I don't stop fishing until early December. I love fishing in the summer, especially with frogs at night. This is when the fishing heats up because in Indy, the bass' metabolic rate is fairly high. Big bass looking for big meals in the thick stuff. Also, my PB was caught late November. The shad movements in the fall create amazing fishing.
HoosierHawgs reply :
Would you rather live in Alaska? I enjoy 100* + Florida heat over winter any day. Humidity is the killer. But id much rather be in Arizona were its 110* daily (granted freezing at night) and dry. Just stay hydrated.On 7/3/2015 at 2:42 AM, NathanW said:Personally I like summer best but could live without the heat.
Shanes7614 reply :
On 7/3/2015 at 5:55 AM, jakob1010 said:Tournaments end because the Spring is the best fishing for entertaining tourneys. They fished Toho in February, full moon, spawn is on, it was a special event. Giants. JT Kenney caught an 11+ in pre fishing. Lots of tourneys are in the south, meaning the spring is over relatively early compared to the north. I don't stop fishing until early December. I love fishing in the summer, especially with frogs at night. This is when the fishing heats up because in Indy, the bass' metabolic rate is fairly high. Big bass looking for big meals in the thick stuff. Also, my PB was caught late November. The shad movements in the fall create amazing fishing.
In the fall try throwing a LARGE lipless. Just make sure your holding on tight!!!
Fisher-O-men reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 8:55 AM, ABW said:The water was a chocolate milk green yesterday
In the unlikely event that I ever visit your home, I will politely decline the chocolate milk. 
wytstang reply :
In the south the fishing never ends, in the north (for me at least) fishing is done when it's in the low 50's.
Goose52 reply :
Here in my little lakes in east Tennessee, May and June are the peak months. Fishing is NOT over by any means after July 1st...but fishing does slow down. The bar chart below shows the total number of bass that I have caught, by month, since the end of the 2009 season. Catch rates peak in May/June, down quite a bit in the hot weather in July/August, then it starts tapering down as you approach winter. Note that on this chart the bars for July through December do not yet have 2015 data so the bell curve will change a bit at the end of this year. Also note that this chart is influenced by a number of factors: 1) the overall "catchability" of of the fish by season, 2) my skill level to find/catch the fish in the various seasonal patterns, 3) work/travel time that is seasonal and keeps me off the water, and 4) seasonal weather changes that directly affect catch rates (like low water temps or hard water...
).
Josh Smith reply :
There's still Summer Peak, then fall feeding. Turnover shuts things down for a week or so, but there are always bass that will bite.
Indiana has been hit hard this year, but the season is not done yet. Wait until water levels stabilize before you expect too much. Til then, fish near outlets. That's where they're hanging out due to current carrying food that-a-way.
Josh
Raul reply :
On 7/3/2015 at 5:04 AM, scaleface said:So , the fishing sucks Dec. 31st .
Of course it sucks, that´s why we don´t fish Dec 31st.
Goose52 reply :
On 7/3/2015 at 11:32 PM, Raul said:Of course it sucks, that´s why we don´t fish Dec 31st.
Hey Raul - keep passing the word - you can't catch bass on December 31st ! (This keeps everyone off the water).
For me - 8.4 LMB, Tennessee, December 31st, 2011.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
the reel ess reply :
I shift my fishing to morning and evening when the dog days are upon us. And fishing can be tougher, but they'll still bite. Since they're cold-blooded their metabolism is as high as it's going to be all year and they have to eat. But you have to find them and present something they want. It's easier to get a topwater bite early and late.
My buddy tells me he's catching 4 or 5 10:00-2:00 in the afternoon, some of them have been good-he sends pics. But he doesn't believe in getting up early and works second shift. So it may be even better early/late.
As it gets uncomfortably hot and fish are harder to locate, people stop fishing.
RoLo reply :
Yup, JULY 1ST I stash all my fishing gear in moth balls, and break out the high-steppers.
Now it's time to hit the discotheques and dazzle'em with my footwork 
Roger
Bluebasser86 reply :
It might get tougher, but it certainly isn't over! If you really want to fire up your summertime fishing, get out there an hour before dark and fish until an hour after sunrise!
Neil McCauley reply :
Yep...July/August fishing kind of sucks. It can be good at times, but usually just in brief bursts like daily during twilight at dawn and dusk and right before cold fronts hit. Fish growth actually slows measurably in July because of the heat, and winter is the only period that's worse for growth. Same with fishing...even though most bass are caught in the summer, the # catches per angler is lowest in the summer. But who would mind bad fishing with such enjoyable surroundings....the insects, the tourists, the many other anglers, and the drunken boaters zooming by within 10 yards of your boat.
Canyon explorer reply :
After June 30 I fish Only at night in lakes that have a lot of deep, (10-20'), hardwood brush piles. Such lakes in my area are LOZ, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals. I use 10" Power worms, large brush hogs and big jigs. I finish at dawn with Zara spooks and buzz baits on main lake points.
MrBigFishSC reply :
Fish don't stop eating from July 1st to September 15th. You just have to adjust your strategy to catch them. The bite is not as aggressive or easy as the spring but it can be good for certain windows of time. Early and late topwater, deeper and slower presentations, more attention to shade and oxygen content areas. If we caught fish easily all year no one would take this thing seriously.
Sam reply :
You can fish all year in Indiana.
Maybe not all for bass but for other species.
You can also enjoy ice fishing in the hard winter.
So don't give up.
Keep chucking those baits all year and keep a log as to what happens on each outing.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 9:11 AM, Weld said:I'm still waiting for the fishing to get good...
X2 - I've not gotten out nearly as much as I did last year, and have only one LMB in the kayak. Talking to other fishermen I meet along the way, the consensus is that the winter we had here in MA likely threw the bass off.
As far as fishing being 'done' in July, no, it's not done, you just have to change tactics and find their Summer 'vacation' homes....
Keep at it and good luck!
*Hootie reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 9:43 AM, Catt said:The dog days of summer is my best fishing!
My biggest stringers & a huge percentage of double digits came the month of August.
Same here Catt. My fishing is best when I'm most uncomfortable from the heat and humidity.
Hootie
joeblowwwww reply :
It makes it harder when you pull up to all your favorite spots and there is a lot of people you have never seen b4.
but that's just a challenge. i'ts not over.... there is always the morning bite. a lot of those same people don't get up for the early at least in my area. and will always be the best time anyway. just skip any other time until Fall.
BassinLou reply :
Living in South FL, summer time fishing can be one of the toughest seasons to fish, however some very nice fish can be caught. My nicer fish come during this time of year, however my volume of catches drop. Besides dealing with high heat and humidity. Our rainy season begins sometime in July, so the water levels begin to rise and depending where you fish, the bass begin to migrate.
Fishing isn't over on July 1st, your tactics, patience, and tolerances have to change.
RoLo reply :
On 7/5/2015 at 4:45 AM, *Hootie said:Same here Catt. My fishing is best when I'm most uncomfortable from the heat and humidity.
Hootie
Catt's approach to midsummer fishing circumvents the discomfort,
Tom is an estival nocturnalist 
Roger
kikstand454 reply :
I think the idea that it's over during the summer is due to tons of factors that have very little to do with fish, and alot to do with the fisherman.
It's hot. It's probably humid.
The fish aren't laying there in uncluttered shallow water waiting for your politely presented offering.
Exponentially more jacklegs roaming the water in skidoos and pleasure boats.
It's hot.
The fish are in less accessible water requiring the angler to put some actual effort into it.
Bugs suck.
Vacations and daily thunderstorms limit an anglers time on the water- and so "stats" are askew.
Did I mention its hot?
bigbill reply :
I had the old timers say fish the post spawn, till late June. Then go river fishing for bass till it's cooled down for the fall bite. True or false? I haven't done completely yet but the river bite has been hot with rebel crawfish crankbaits the smaller ones and the panther Martin and joesfly spinflys.
Now if you not fishing just before the rain hits and during the rain your missing the best feeding frenzy. I throw the joesfly 1/4oz bass size in firetiger apache. A shot of scent and let it fly.
I have also learned to switch baits as the weather heats up.
Try a weighted 2" yellow grub. Switch grub colors too. I drop the grub into the open weed pockets.
A mepps timber doodle works good too it's weedless.
I also use a senkos and brushogs on a c rig.
The Mann's dragunfly on a split shot rig was good for dropping it in the weeds too bring them up slow like there hatching.
Don't forget the plastic mouse around structure.
bigbill reply :
It's not over unless you give up or say it's over.
Time to change tactics. Fish plastics more, fish plastics slower.
To me it's a challenge. Where like a baseball pitcher it's no longer the fast ball it's just not working time for a curve ball or slider.
Change to different baits, different colors till one works. Record the date, time, weather in your log book.
Go early mornings when the place is quiet.
It's not luck it's skill that puts the bass on your hook.
bigbill reply :
Sorry for another post but need to add more stuff don't want to mid it all up.
1.Summertime heat go deep with plastics during the day.
2. Dusk early evenings cranks, topwater, props, spinnerbaits, spinners.
3.Twilight early mornings, same as number 2. As it becomes lighter number 1.
Don't let the weeds stop you there are plenty of weedless lures that work. You need to just slow your speed down.
Don't be in a rush to fish. I find myself reeling way to fast for no results. I know the fish are there I just need to slow the speed down.
Move your spinnerbaits and inline spinners just fast enough so the blades just spin evenly. Slow and steady. Same with your crankbaits too.
Presentation is the number one key factor. We need to adjust our
Presentation to the fishes mood speed is the key. The speed also matters to the gin clear water conditions where faster is the key but you know that already.
Lazy days of summer = slow with blade baits n cranks. Very, very slow with plastics.
Don't give up its a challenge for you to figure it out.
Ratherbfishing reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 11:50 PM, Raul said:Down here in my neck of the woods fishing season begins Jan 1st and finishes Dec 30th, only really nasty weather is what may keep you from fishing.
Guess they give the fish a break on Dec 31st, huh? ; )
hoosierbass07 reply :
So I think I was right - fishing is done buy July 1st! The strip pits I go fishing at are swarmed with bugs and gnats and mosquitoes. And this rain, it never stops.
Shanes7614 reply :
On 7/8/2015 at 3:30 AM, hoosierbass07 said:So I think I was right - fishing is done buy July 1st! The strip pits I go fishing at are swarmed with bugs and gnats and mosquitoes. And this rain, it never stops.
Fish during the rain especially if it's been hot. Grab some rain gear and head out.
lectricbassman reply :
On 7/8/2015 at 4:11 AM, Shanes7614 said:Fish during the rain especially if it's been hot. Grab some rain gear and head out.
Id be out there right now, this moment, especially in the rain!
stkbassn reply :
On 7/2/2015 at 8:53 AM, hoosierbass07 said:The last three or so weeks we have been getting lots of rain here in Indiana and I'm sure most other places in the country. The last week Iv'e noticed the ponds I fish at have changed. The bite seems to have slowed way down and the bugs have finally come out to bite.
One of my relatives said he heard once that real fishing is done by July 1st, after July (or summer really starts to kick in), the good fishing is over.
I also noticed one of the main cable TV fishing channels, The Outdoor Network, is replacing most of their Saturday fishing shows with hunting shows.
Also, aren't most of the main tournaments now over till late summer? FLW is over, right?
This has me wondering, is the good fishing over till late summer/early fall? Has night fishing kicked in? Or is good bass fishing over till spring 2016?
I too get irritated when the fishing shows get replaced with hunting shows. This is marketing though...getting everyone pumped up for fishing in the cold months and then getting everyone getting pumped up for hunting in the hot months....annoying. I don't hunt, never will, don't care and won't. I guess for most folks that fish they all also love to hunt so probably not a big deal to them.
slimshad reply :
I didnt read all of these, but did anyone meantion fish have to eat or die? Just because it gets tough or the elements get worse, doesn't mean they won't bite. Fishing is "over" when I am dead.
I hope to be fishin with the real pro fisherman then!
stkbassn reply :
The night tournaments we fish in still bring in pretty hefty bags in July and August even when the temps are hard to take. Deep brush and ledges, docks on main channel and main channel points... buzzbaits, t-rigged worms, jigs, carolina rigs, and cranks. Works well.
monkeyman3dee reply :
I guess it is more of a challenge for bank fisherman especially to fish.
I see some tips here, as far as slowly fishing blade baits in the morning along with topwater/etc. and fishing c-rigged platics/jigs deep during the day. I guess I gotta find a casting point that allows access to deep water. Any other tips?
The lakes around me are man made reservoirs, quite large, nice timber and sparse weeds and good baitfish activity as well as crappie bluegill. I do notice if you're in the right spot right when the sun goes down the water comes alive with bait, relatively shallow.
Most of the lakes are closed to boating. When the lakes were at their worse (<5% capacity) You could walk quite a ways to the waterline, a lot of stumps, drop offs, now inaccessible due the fill up from winter/spring rains.
-Joshua
hoosierbass07 reply :
Oh man, I went out in my kayak yesterday evening. It was horrible. The gnats here in Indiana are horrible. I could only stay out thirty minutes before they drove me crazy and I had to pack up. The gnats have stopped me from bank fishing for the last four weeks, are stopping me from kayak fishing, and my two other areas to bank fish, the water levels are very high. I feel like my summer of fishing is over till fall when the water levels go back down and the bugs go away, if they do.
JOBU1967 reply :
Here in Ohio the best fishing of the year is June-Oct. top water!!!!
Wayne P. reply :
Yep, pretty much over by July 1st.
I've only been fishing three days this month so far and only caught a total of 108 bass. Sort of pathetic.
HoosierHawgs reply :
Sir, you must no longer be in school... Fishing is over August 1st! JK
J Francho reply :
Catching starts around then.
Dennis1972 reply :
i fish just about every evening and it has been good for me so far, infact its almost time to break out the rubber frogs and have some real fun (my favorite kind of fishing)!
poisonokie reply :
No way, man. Not in OK, anyway. Fishing is always more difficult after heavy rain, but here it's drying out and I've been slayin' 'em. The bite is on between 8-2, after that it gets too hot and they take afternoon naps. The other thing is that they fight harder right now. More heat, more forage, and more energy equates to pounders pitting up epic fights. Just gotta match the hatch. Sounds like you should be fishing chartreuse rattling squarebills right now.
BassinLou reply :
I encourage anglers to take break from fishing after July 1st. It leaves me alone while I am fishing during the summer. Less boats to contend with. 
hoosierbass07 reply :
I went bank fishing yesterday evening and I'm happy to say - no gnats!
hoosierbass07 reply :
Wow. I went bank fishing at a state park reservoir this evening. The lake was flooded. I ended up catching my second biggest bass this season (3.8 pounds) on a Stanley soft body frog. OK, finally bass fishing is starting up again for me! Felt good to see my Fenwick rod bend some and that bass jump out of the water a few times.
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