Summertime: Line Size Makes A Big Difference

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

If someone asked me if there was a trick to summer fishing, and I had to narrow my answer to the one factor that would make the biggest difference in catching fish or not, I'd say it's line size.

Especially if you're fishing deep water for suspended fish, nothing changes the results more positively than going to the smallest diameter line you can get away with to still land the fish. I think as the summer heat wears on, the bass become skeptical of movement and line size becomes more and more important.

When the bass can see your line, as they often can in the summertime because the water gets clearer every day, heavy line can scare a fish off. Don't be stubborn and refuse to change lines. It's a small price to pay for a good sack in the heat of the summer.

I believe that one of the best ways to go to a smaller line is to use the latest and greatest in fluorocarbon. To me that's the new Elite line from Vicious. The 10-pound test is very small in diameter and strong enough to wind up a fish out of 20 feet of water or more. Fluorocarbon line, in general, is small in diameter, so if you don't like my Vicious suggestion, any type of fluorocarbon will do.

Lastly, one of the keys to catching fish with smaller-diameter or lower-pound-test line is to not horse the fish out of the water. Work the fish slowly to the boat, let your drag tire the fish, and as you get it to the boat, lip it or use a net so you don't overstrain the line.

The results will vary, but the bites will increase. I can just about guarantee it.

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!

FISHHOUND NEEDS ANGLERS TO TEST AND REVIEW GAMMA EDGE FLUOROCARBON FOR FREE. DETAILS CAN BE FOUND HERE.