Hot weather bass fishing

By By Mike Giles
July 2, 2004
Are you tired of fighting the crowd and hot weather on area lakes? If you are, then I have just the place for you! If you're not afraid of a few snakes, gators, cats and wildlife that is. And just where might we find a place such as this you might ask? Look no further than your local community, city or county and you're sure to find many streams, creeks and small rivers flowing nearby.
While most of the water enthusiasts will be on the big reservoirs and rivers, the smaller creeks, and streams will be devoid of anyone, except a few diehard creek fishing enthusiasts.
Although many of these free flowing streams pass through private land, the water is public domain, as long as you stay in your boat. Simply ask permission from local landowners for access to the creeks or find a point of entry along a public right of way. With a little legwork and map reading, anyone should be able to find a stream that provides a point of entry and departure.
Local waters
In our area some of the popular streams that do have public landings or access are Okatibbee Creek, Chunky River and the Chickasawhay River. There are many smaller unnamed creeks that are familiar to locals that provide good fishing opportunities as well.
Although many people are unaware of it, these streams are literally chock full of small Kentucky bass and panfish. The hotter the weather, the better the creek fishing is. Many of the creeks are shaded by overhanging trees, which keep the fishermen cool. The fish are kept cool by the free flowing current. Many of them just hang out under the washed out banks or behind current breaks waiting for easy meals to swim by. And when that easy meal is your lure, then you will have quite a fight on your hands.
Pound for pound the feisty Kentucky spotted bass are the most ferocious fighters around. Many of these bass will crush your lures, or straighten the hooks out while escaping back to their cool hideouts. If they can't hang you up, then they will usually put on an acrobatic display rarely seen outside of a circus tent. They will jump skyward while continually twisting and turning from side to side in a series of acrobatic moves that almost seem as if they were choreographed.
When it comes to catching fish in streams and creeks, you don't have to get too complicated. The stream inhabitants haven't usually seen many lures and most will strike with abandon. It usually doesn't matter if you are fishing with a seven dollar spinner bait or an old H&H spinner. Both will suffice. Of course, the smaller, less expensive H&H will usually be more economical and catch as many if not more fish.
Murphy's favorite
Spinnerbaits, jigs and topwater baits are all good when it comes to enticing strikes and catching ravenous bass. Ken Murphy is an accomplished bass angler who catches fish year round from coast to coast. Even with his busy schedule Murphy still likes to make a couple of creek fishing trips every year. When he does get after those tiny torpedoes, he prefers using small spinnerbaits with a small white Uncle Josh pork frog. The small frog not only helps draw strikes, but it also stabilizes and slows down the bait. It doesn't matter if the water is slack, fast flowing, muddy or clear, Murphy can catch bream on the small delicate spinnerbait offerings.
If you are hankering for some hot bass fishing action, then find a fishing partner and start making plans. All you need is a small lightweight boat or canoe, a couple of small rod and reel combos, and a few basic lures and you will be in business. Be sure to bring along plenty of drinks and refreshments to help relieve the heat, because you won't find a convenience store anywhere close.
And don't forget to pack those life jackets and plenty of bug spray. It also would help if you have a cell phone for safety purposes. Just don't carry too much stuff or make it too complicated. Stay with the basics and you'll have plenty of excitement and bass catching action.