12 Effective Summer Swimbait Fishing Techniques for Deep Water Bass

When it’s hot out, bass swim to cooler, deeper waters. This guide will show you how to use swimbaits in deep water to catch big bass hiding in the depths. We’ll cover choosing the right lure and mastering techniques to help you catch more fish in tricky summer conditions.

1. Choosing the Right Swimbait for Deep Water

Picking the right swimbait is super essential for deep-water fishing. You want a lure that can reach the correct depth and move enticingly. Here are some good options for summer bass:

We recommend our GoBass Lipless Crankbait or Deep Diving Crankbait for deep-water bass fishing. These lures are made to reach deep spots where summer bass hang out, and they move like real baitfish to attract hungry bass.

The GoBass Lipless Crankbait is 70mm long and weighs 18g. It casts far and sinks quickly. It has 3D bright eyes and makes a loud rattling sound to attract bass. It’s on sale for $9.95. The Deep Diving Crankbait is 10cm long and weighs 14g. It can dive to 2.6m deep, perfect for reaching cool-water bass. It costs $5.95.

2. Mastering the Slow-Roll Technique

The slow-roll technique works great for catching lazy summer bass in deep water. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cast your swimbait and let it sink to where you want it.
2. Reel in slowly, just fast enough to feel the lure vibrate.
3. Let the lure touch the bottom now and then to act like real prey.
4. Keep a steady, slow retrieve.
5. Pay attention to any changes in how your line feels, as bites can be subtle.

Our BEARKING Big Jerkbait is perfect for this technique:

This jerk bait is 160mm long and weighs 30g. It’s on sale for $13.55. Its size and weight make it great for slow-rolling in deep water and big bass like it.

3. The Yo-Yo Technique for Active Bass

When bass are more active, the yo-yo technique can work well. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cast your swimbait and let it sink to the bottom.
2. Pull your rod tip up quickly to make the lure rise.
3. Let the lure fall back down with a loose line.
4. Keep doing this up-and-down motion as you slowly reel in.
5. Try different speeds and heights to see what the bass like best.
6. Be ready for bites when the lure is going up or down.

Our ALLBLUE Lipless Crankbait is great for this technique:

This crankbait is on sale for $9.95. It’s perfect for creating a jerky, up-and-down action that can make bass want to bite.

4. Targeting Deep Structures with Swimbaits

Bass often gather near deep structures in summer. Here’s how to fish these spots:

1. Use your fish finder to spot underwater structures like ledges or sunken trees.
2. Position your boat over the structure, but not too close to scare the fish.
3. Drop your swimbait straight down and move it up and down near the structure.
4. Keep your lure at the depth where you see fish on your fish finder.
5. Try different movements to see what works best.
6. Be patient and fish all sides of the structure.

Our BEARKING Bass Slicker 80 Jerkbait is great for this technique:

This jerkbait is 80mm long and weighs 8.5g. It costs $9.95 and is excellent for precise fishing around deep structures.

5. The Countdown Method for Precise Depth Control

The countdown method helps you fish at specific depths. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cast your swimbait and count as it sinks.
2. Note how long it takes to reach the bottom at different depths.
3. Use this count to hit the same depth on subsequent casts.
4. Be consistent with your counting rhythm.
5. Adjust your count based on the weight of your lure and line.
6. Once you’ve reached your desired depth, start reeling in.

Our Fishinapot Deep Diving Jerkbait is perfect for this method:

This jerkbait is 125mm long and weighs 14g. It costs €5.71 and is great for reaching and staying at specific depths.

6. Swimbait Trolling for Covering Water

Trolling with swimbaits helps you cover lots of deep water quickly. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use different swimbaits at various depths behind your boat.
2. Troll slowly, around 1-2 mph.
3. Change your speed and direction sometimes to trigger bites.
4. Use line counter reels or mark your line to keep lures at consistent depths.
5. Pay attention to your fish finder to stay over good areas.
6. When you get a bite, mark the spot. There might be more fish there.
7. Try different swimbait colours and sizes until you find what works best.

Our A157 Square Bill Crankbait is great for trolling:

This crankbait is 7.5 cm long and weighs 10.2 g. It’s on sale for $5.95. Its square bill design makes it great for trolling at different depths.

7. The Drop-Shot Swimbait Technique

Using a drop-shot rig with a swimbait can be effective for deep-water bass. Here’s how to do it:

1. Tie a drop-shot rig with your swimbait about 12-18 inches above the weight.
2. Cast to your target area and let the rig sink to the bottom.
3. Once the weight hits the bottom, reel up any slack line.
4. Shake your rod tip to move the swimbait while keeping the weight on the bottom.
5. Try different shaking motions to see what works best.
6. Sometimes, lift and drop the rig to cover more area.
7. Pay close attention to your line, as bites can be very subtle.

Our Banshee Creature Bait works well for this technique:

This creature bait is 90mm long and weighs 5.9g. It’s on sale for $9.95. Its soft body and multiple appendages create lots of movement on a drop-shot rig, even with minimal rod action.

8. The Pendulum Swing Technique

This technique works well when bass are suspended in deep water. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cast your swimbait beyond your target area.
2. Let it sink on a loose line, creating a pendulum-like swing.
3. As it swings under your boat, slowly reel to keep it at the correct depth.
4. Once the lure is directly under the boat, let it pause before starting your retrieve.
5. Vary your retrieve speed and add occasional twitches or pauses.
6. Observe your line for any subtle movements that could mean a bite.
7. If you don’t get a bite on the swing, try jigging the lure as you reel it back.

Our ALLBLUE VIBRATION-X Lipless Crankbait is perfect for this technique:

This lipless crankbait is 75mm long and weighs 21g. It’s on sale for $9.95. Its weight and shape make it perfect for creating a smooth pendulum swing in deep water.

9. The Burn and Kill Technique

This technique can trigger strikes from lazy summer bass. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cast your swimbait and let it sink to the depth you want.
2. Reel in quickly (burn) for about 10 feet.
3. Suddenly, stop (kill) and let the bait fall on a loose line.
4. Keep doing this as you reel in. Vary the length of your burns and kills.
5. Pay attention to when strikes happen – during the burn, when you stop, or during the fall.
6. If you’re not getting bites, try adding a slight twitch when you stop reeling.

10. Night Fishing with Swimbaits

During hot summer nights, bass often move to shallower water to feed. Here’s how to fish at night:

1. Use darker-coloured swimbaits that stand out against the night sky.
2. Fish near drop-offs where bass move up from deeper water.
3. Reel in slowly and steadily to let the bass find your lure.
4. Use a braided line for better sensitivity.
5. Consider using lures with rattles or vibration to help the bass locate your bait.
6. Pay attention to moon phases – a full moon can make excellent night fishing.
7. Always be safe when night fishing. Wear a life jacket and use lights.

Our Duck Lure by Vtavta can be fun and effective for night fishing:

This unique lure is 10cm long and weighs 20g. It costs $9,.95 and its unusual shape can cause a creagripping action on the water’s surface at night.

11. Using Swimbaits with Offshore Humps and Ledges

Offshore humps and ledges are great places to find summer bass. Here’s how to fish them:

1. Use your fish finder to spot these structures.
2. Position your boat to cast beyond the structure.
3. Let your swimbait sink to the correct depth.
4. Reel in so your lure follows the shape of the structure.
5. Pay extra attention to any irregular spots in the structure.
6. Try different retrieval speeds and techniques.
7. Cast to the same area from different angles.

12. The Deadstick Technique for Pressured Bass

When bass are stressed from lots of fishing, sometimes doing little with your lure works best. Here’s how to do the deadstick technique:

1. Cast your swimbait to where you think the bass are.
2. Let it sink to the bottom.
3. Once it hits bottom, let it sit still for 30 seconds to a minute.
4. After the pause, twitch it a little and let it sit again.
5. Be ready for subtle bites. You might only feel a slight heaviness on the line.
6. If you don’t get a bite after a few twitches, reel in and cast to a new spot.
7. Consider using scented lures when using this technique.

This technique requires patience but can be effective for cautious summer bass, especially in clear water or areas with frequent fishing.

Conclusion

Getting good at these summer swimbait fishing techniques for deep water can help you catch more bass when it’s hot out. Try different methods and lures until you find what works best that day. Don’t be afraid to experiment and change your approach based on the conditions and how the fish act.

 

Check out our range of swimbaits and crankbaits to gear up for your next summer bass fishing trip. Having different lures will help you adapt to various conditions and what the bass like. Don’t forget to browse our fishing accessories, like our Bassdash Fishing Backpack, to keep all your gear organized and easy to reach while fishing.

 

Happy fishing from all of us at Bass Fishing Tips! Remember to fish responsibly, respect nature, and follow local fishing rules. With these techniques and the right gear, you’ll be ready to handle the challenges of summer bass fishing and hopefully catch some great fish. Good luck!