Mid-Summer Bassin'

As the summer progress the Bass fishing all over western Washington will be hot. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth bass are readily feeding and fairly easy to catch, IF you know where to find them. Despite Largemouth and Smallmouth being closely related, their summer habits tend to be very different. 

"Smallmouth fishing, particularly in Lake Washington and Sammamish has been on fire for the past couple weeks, with an exceptional topwater bite in the morning and a good bite fishing deep structure in the afternoon with football heads and drop shots" Says Strike King Pro-Staffer Wes Williams. For Lake Washington focus most of your efforts around Mercer Island area, specifically the I-90 bridge. Fish topwater baits such as Rebel Pop-R's in fire tiger, or Silver/Blue, or Zara Spooks in Baby bass and Sunfish patterns. As the day moves on and the sun begins to rise with a little chop on the water, its time to throw spinnerbaits such as a White, White and Chartreuse, or perch pattern in 3/8oz to 1/2oz, with a Strike King 3X trailer. When the sun gets higher and boat traffic starts to pick up is when you want to move out into 25-30' of water and Drop Shot the bridge pilings and deep docks with Sniper Bolts in Green Pumpkin and Green Pumpkin Pepper Copper, or Drag KGM Beavers in WA Craw on a 3/8oz football head along the bottom by the pilings. Tip: Remember not to set the hook immediately when a fish blows up on your topwater, instead slowly lift the rod tip until you feel the pressure of the fish, then set the hook.

When the big lakes get crowded with jet skis and boats, don't be scared to drop off at one of the smaller lakes in the area. Small trout lakes in the area such as Martha Lake in Alderwood, Lake Serene, Beaver Lake, and others are a great bet for some largemouth action. Early morning, and late evening are the best times of the day to target these fish, with the topwater bite again being very good. However instead of fishing deep water structure, focus your efforts in shallow underneath docks, and in or around lily pads. For topwater largemouth baits stick with Buzzbaits in black and blue, black and purple, or black. Later in the day fish slow with 4-5" Yamamoto Senkos in Green Pumpkin(297), or Watermelon Green Pumpkin(912), or flip the pads with Skinny bear Jigs in Black and Blue or Brown and Green Pumpkin with a KGM craw trailer to match.