Finding current is key for Mark Daniels Jr . during the summer months . Bass feed in the flowing water , which is several degrees cooler . Daniels looks to shad imitations during this time .
PHOTO BY PHOENIX MOORE
August , he ’ s looking for docks in water no deeper than 3 feet .
“ There ’ s no such thing as too shallow at this time ,” says Jones . “ I mean it . I have caught bass with their backs out of the water . Access to deep water is not important now . You have to think outside the box .”
“ Isolated ” is again his watchword when scouting for cover .
“ I am looking for the right piece of cover – a laydown , an isolated clump of weed , an isolated rock pile or boulder or a dock ,” says Jones .
Buzzbaits , jigs , Texas-rigged worms and frogs are favored tools .
“ I have found a weird buzzbait pattern on one lake with Illinois pondweed ( a cabbage-type plant from the potamogeton family ),” says Jones . “ I wake them up with a buzzbait . Then , I present them a worm . It works .”
Tip : “ There ’ s no such thing as water temperature that ’ s too hot ,” says Jones . “ I have caught bass in 107-degree power plant discharge water . Oxygen level is more important . The hotter the water gets , the shallower bass have to go .” mark daniels jr : ‘ current ’ thinking
Moving water is often key to unlocking the late summer bass bite . Not only does current feature higher oxygen levels , it activates bass and baitfish alike . With the legendary Coosa River and its impounded waters near his Alabama home , Mark Daniels Jr . lets “ current thinking ” guide his hot weather strategy .
Moving water may measure a few degrees cooler than water in flat calm conditions , and Daniels is quick to take advantage of even slightly lower water temperatures .
“ My first key in late summer is to get on the lake as early as I can to take maximum advantage of lower water temperatures ,” he says . “ Afternoon water temperatures in my area can top 90 degrees at times . I want to maxi-
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM 29