Early summer, highly pressured lakes, 78-degree water
“In lakes that are both superclear and subject to heavy fishing pressure, bass suspending around main-lake structures will often swim up to check out a big, noisy surface lure, then refuse to strike it,” Clark Reehm explains. “During early summer tournaments, I’ll downsize to a small topwater bait with subtle features like tiny propellers or a slender body in a realistic, reflective baitfish color pattern.”
Spring prespawn, 58-degree water
“I’d definitely throw a buzzbait now,” says 2014 Classic champ Randy Howell. “This is a deadly big-fish lure in spring when the water is first warming into the upper 50s. Bass should be moving into shallow spawning coves now, and the big females will be cruising around, waiting for the males to fan out…
