How To Catch Summer Bass In Current

Editor's note: This blog installment comes from Fishhound pro staffer Capt. Mike Gerry.

Unless you fish tidal waters, current generally comes from two types of water movement. The type we're most familiar with is created by wind. The other type is caused by the movement of water through navigation locks or power turbines. Both types create oxygen and give bass some life in the dog-days of summer when fishing's tough. So learning about current is critical for summer fishing success.

Wind current generally creates water movement on the top and down to at least the first foot or so of water. Wind current disturbs the surface and causes the water to deflect the sun. It also creates dissolved oxygen as the water circulates.

Wind moves the baitfish to the turns and jetties created by natural points and riprap – areas where wind current contacts structure and creates more dissolved oxygen – as well as around manmade obstructions like boathouses and docks. All these areas become ambush locations for bass to feed and react to baits and movement.

Current created by dams and locks in the heat of summer generally moves the fish to deeper locations, like deep points and structure in 20 to 30 feet of water. This type of current also shifts the mussel beds out to deep points, where the hard-bottom beds create holding points for big fish.

This year, though, it's been tough to find the bigger summertime bass on the mussel beds at Guntersville. That's because the TVA has pulled less water than in years past to compensate for the low rain yields. Less current hasn't created the typical mussel-beds areas and the bass aren't holding as long as normal over the deep areas.

When fishing current in the summer, the key is boat position. As the current moves downriver, it positions the bass in the current and around the deepest bottom structure like stumps or rocks. If you're not positioned correctly you won't get a bite.

Try to fish into the wind or current and let your bait drift to the bottom above the structure, then hold your position for the best results. This mimics the natural drift of prey items as the move with the current.

Capt. Mike Gerry has lived in north Alabama since the 1970s and has been fishing Lake Guntersville for over 35 years. He owns and operates Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service and books individual, group and corporate trips. He also offers pre-tournament trips for competitive anglers. Visit FishLakeGuntersvilleGuideService.com, send him an email at bassguide@comcast.net or call (256) 759-2270. He'd love to hear from you!

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