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Tackling Tough Times

A brain-dump of tactics and techniques for overcoming the doldrums of the summer dog days

By Jay Anglin

MUSKEGON, Mich. (August 21, 2025) – The old saying “a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work” may ring true for millions of anglers, but those struggling on the water may dispute this. While these frontline anglers are out there working the water year-round in any conditions mother nature brews up, if they were being completely honest, they’d very likely say some days just suck.

The Dog Days of summer is a prime example of when conditions can present a daunting task for anglers. Recreational boat traffic, super-hot, often low water and blazing sun don’t exactly ring the dinner bell for big fish, especially during daylight hours. While many take a brief break from fishing and focus on BBQ’s and golf, others pin back their ears and continue fishing.

This may be a good thing, because failure drives the elite to yearn and learn more about their quarry, often pealing away layers of knowledge most anglers cannot fathom. Ultimately, this process becomes instinctive, and success becomes almost involuntary. It’s this sort of confidence that separates the anglers who seem to always catch fish, from the others.

While late-summer heat presents a lot of challenges, the rest of the year also doles plenty less than ideal days for fishing, which begs the question: How do the best anglers seem to always figure out how to catch fish?

Pro anglers don’t get up in the morning and say to themselves, “I’m probably going to lose today”. Nope, they go tackle the challenge with gusto, conditions be damned. Moon phase, air temperature, wind, water levels and all that stuff may be important, but one of the most vital assets possessed by elite anglers from day to day is confidence.

As a guide, unless faced with truly dangerous conditions or the luxury of shifting a client to another less challenging day, we go fishing. I don’t get too muddled down in the details of barometric pressure or when some fancy phone app tells me the best fishing will be, because my job is to put clients on fish come hell or high water. Sure, there are some big factors to consider when making decisions such as where to fish and the best time to do it – which techniques give us the best shot, what flies or lures are our best option, for example, but my confidence and ability to convey that to my clients is always the biggest factor that brings fish to the net. Even when the odds are stacked against us.

So, what exactly does go through a pro-angler or guide’s mind when faced with the worst-case scenario? How do these anglers push themselves to the front of the pack and figure out a way to make things work? Rest assured it isn’t rocket-science. Through trial and error, logging countless hours of cracking the codes, these anglers start checking boxes and eventually hit pay dirt.

ONE: Look at weather trends and relate them to current conditions. If there is some stability, then stick with what has been working and go from there. Second guessing details is normal, but at some point, you should commit to a plan and then start focusing on it. Ignore the “maybes” and move on! This focus not only motivates anglers, but this mindset also allows them to make better decisions on water.

TWO: Consider water temperature critically important when determining where fish will be located, and when peak activity will likely occur. For instance, at certain water temperatures various species will be pre-spawn, fully engaged in spawning, or post-spawn, and this has a huge impact on how they react to presentations. Also, seasonally, big swings in temperatures at either end of the spectrum should influence what your plan is…cooling water can be your enemy or friend depending on where it was before. There isn’t a day that doesn’t go by during my time on the water that I don’t encounter other anglers fishing “wrong” and this is especially the case during spring and fall when anglers cling to their summer pattern comfort zone: Fishing too fast, too slow, too high, too low, too big, too small is all too common.

THREE: The sun is also a huge factor to take into consideration, and this is especially the case when coupled with water temperature. During spring, fall and winter, the sun will warm certain areas and kickstart the food chain, thus attracting baitfish as well as predators such as bass, walleye and muskie – besides, the water temperature in these areas is likely to be closer to their preferred “comfort zone” anyway. Shallow water, slow water, dark-bottomed areas, stumps and deadfalls…these areas absorb solar energy quicker than deep water (or fast water in rivers). Warm runoff is also important if present, so know the territory. Even a slight difference of less than a degree can make a big difference. Also, sun angle often dictates when peak temperature occurs in these zones.

FOUR: By the same token, the sun can be a killer during warm summer months by driving peak water temps, often making the daytime hours extremely difficult to fish. When fish are forced to stare straight into direct sun to see your lure, they are prone to not “finish”. It’s very common to observe a bass – especially smallmouth bass, for example, come to a bait quickly and then turn away and race to cover in this situation. They respond to the commotion and sonic profile of the bait and know approximately where it is, but the burning ball of fire in their eyes essentially turns them away. Know where to find shade at any time of day – this could be shoreline vegetation, a topographical feature, a bridge, a dock, or subsurface cover such as a weed bed, boulders or wood. At the very least present offerings from an angle that mitigates the risk of fish getting “eye blinged”.

FIVE: Late-summer water temps can soar and absolutely destroy daytime fishing. Depending on the weather, fishing early morning, evening, and at night will nearly always yield better results. During the day, fish deep, cooler water found near deep thermoclines or target fish congregated in spring-fed zones. Another important factor to consider is oxygen, and to no surprise, hot water diminishes dissolved oxygen levels dramatically. Consequently, fish will often seek areas with higher O2 levels including riffles in rivers, below dam spillways and turbines, as well as areas where “chop” and waves break over structures. Heavy boat traffic also increases dissolved oxygen levels and both prey and predator species alike can be found roaming open areas, often over deep water. Predators focused on schools of baitfish such as shad are known to remain very high in the water column where they specialize in blitzing schools of bait, even in boat wakes.

SIX: Stealth is critical when targeting fish that are less active. Barging in with abandon is a visual and audible no-no anglers often ignore. Prior to entering a given zone, think about the best way to approach. Obviously, this isn’t always possible when competing with other anglers or depth issues for example, but it is important. Again, the sun angle comes into play. Neutral or “off” fish, are likely going to go into flight mode if a huge shadow looms in close while slapping water with the bow. If the water is choppy, you can get away with a lot more, but sunny conditions often associated with post-frontal shutdowns are a prime example of when being attentive to your approach and how you run the boat may dictate success. Be overly cautious until fish reaction tells you otherwise. Stay back, avoid creating shadows and make longer casts when possible.

SEVEN: Lure size is important. If you are “matching the hatch” as fly anglers say, mimicking natural forage predators are focused on works fine, however when you are addled by overall terrible conditions, sometimes you must think outside the box. If fish are well-fed and “off”, a smaller lure or fly may be a better option. Smallmouth bass for example, are opportunists and often feed on small forage associated more with trout, such as insects. Finesse fishing for smallies with tiny lures and flies works great when coaxing fish to eat. On the other hand, you can go with shock and awe by using something outlandish. This is a brazen move often reserved for last resort, but if you ask any muskie angler who is dealing with lockjawed fish, throwing the giant lure that looks like nothing they’ve ever seen will sometimes trigger their predatory instincts. Much the same, fly anglers are known to go with ridiculously large and colorful streamers fished super aggressively to trigger finicky big trout.

EIGHT: When odds are stacked against you, consider dropping down to a lighter line test. If you typically run, say, 12- 17lb test, back off to 8 or 10lb. I much prefer fluorocarbon in these situations, and if the water is clear the ever-popular braid/leader setup may not be your best option. I want everything in my control to be perfect and this includes lighter line, softer casts and presentations with extreme focus. This sort of mindset is how elite anglers put fish in the net, day in and day out.

While we all wish every day we fish offers perfect conditions, this is rarely the case. In fact, often Murphy will greet you at the boat ramp and bring his Law friend along to mess things up. As I like to tell my fishing clients, don’t “talk yourself out of fishing, talk yourself into fishing”. This theory is based on decades of making fish happen. Fish smart, fish with purpose and be attentive to every cast and presentation, because randomness is a success killer. Most of all just go fishing!

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ABOUT WHITEWATER

Whitewater performance fishing apparel gives anglers distinct advantages whenever Mother Nature’s unpredictability conspires to ruin angling adventures. Whether faced with wind, rain, snow, sun, or extreme temperatures, Whitewater apparel equips anglers with the ability and confidence to overcome the elements, so they apply their focus and energies on fighting fish, not the conditions. Whitewater is a brand by Nexus Outdoors, headquartered in Muskegon, Michigan, USA. Learn more and order at whitewaterfish.com.