Last week we hit the five mistakes that are quietly killing your summer trips. This week: the flip side — where the fish are actually hiding this time of year, and what gets them to bite when nothing else will. Change one of these things and August goes from your worst month to one of your best.
🎣 Dad Joke of the Week What did the bass say when he swam into the wall? Dam. |
Let’s get into it.
🎣 THIS WEEK'S FEATURE |
The 5 Places August Bass Are Actually Hiding
August is the toughest month of the year to catch bass. Water's warm, the sun's high, and the fish are nowhere near where they were in June. Most guys keep fishing the same summer patterns and wonder why they're going home skunked. Here's where I actually look this time of year — and what gets bit.
| Deep structureOnce the surface hits the mid-80s, bass slide out to 12–20 feet chasing cooler water. Look for offshore stuff — a hump, a submerged brush pile, a channel ledge. Slow-drag a football jig, a big worm on a Carolina rig, or a drop shot along the top of it. This is where the biggest fish of your summer are living right now. |
| Shade lines you’d missNot just docks. Overhanging trees, laydowns, standing timber, bridge shadows — any hard shade line. Bass sit right on the edge of the shade, not out in the middle of it. Cast tight to the transition and let the bait fall into the shade zone. First cast usually gets bit. |
| Grass matsPunching heavy weights through matted vegetation on a 90-degree afternoon is one of the most productive August techniques there is. A ¾ to 1 oz weight, 60lb braid, a compact craw or beaver bait — punch it through and let it drop. Big fish. Fast bites. You'll hate the heat and love the results. |
| First light and last lightThe topwater bite that dies at 8am comes back at 7:30pm. Whopper Plopper, Zara Spook, buzzbait, popper — August is prime topwater, but only for about 90 minutes on each end of the day. If you can only fish two hours, fish those. |
| Anywhere with moving waterCreek mouths. Wind-blown points. Spillways. Culverts. Inlets. Anything that's moving. Current oxygenates the water, concentrates the bait, and drops the temperature a few degrees. In August, moving water almost always holds fish. |
The mistake most guys make this month is fishing the same stuff that worked in June. Change your depth, change your window, or change your lure — and August turns from your worst month into one of your best. |
🛒 GEAR PICKS · KAYAK UPGRADES FOR AUGUST |
5 upgrades that fit the August playbook
If the article above is the "what," this is the "how." Five kayak upgrades from Eco that make hunting deep structure, holding on current, and fishing shade lines a whole lot easier.
|
|
|
|
|
Why Eco: Kayak-fishing specific, American-owned, and their prices actually match or beat the big-box guys most days. Free shipping on most orders. |
🔋 STILL LIVE |
Redodo Lithium — 10% Off With BDF8
Last couple weeks on the Redodo deal — if kayak power has been on your list, the code BDF8 still stacks 10% off site-wide through the end of the month.
🎣 Don’t Forget — Save the Date The Kayak Fishing Dads Retreat at Lake Marion is happening November 5–8. Spots are filling fast — register at kfdretreat.com before they’re gone. |
💌 SHARE & CONNECT |
Know a kayak fishing dad who’d be into this newsletter? Forward this email their way or share the link below.
Share Hookset Weekly: hooksetweekly.com
Stay connected with me and the Kayak Fishing Dads crew all week long:
Instagram — @BeardedDadFishing
TikTok — @BeardedDadFishing
See you on the water. Tight lines!
— Jay