For many smallmouth fishermen the mid-summer period can be a time of frustration. As daytime temperatures start to hover into the nineties, even many diehards begin to ask questions. The same smallmouth that cooperated so well only a month earlier, now seem to have lock jaw on your favorite lake. These are the so-called "dog days of summer." The main problem most fishermen have is that they are defeated before they head out on the water. In other words, they believe that just because it's 95 degrees with bright sun, their catch will be limited. Well, nothing could be further from the truth, for some of the most explosive smallmouth action takes place in the heat of summer.

The secret to consistent action on many natural lakes and flowages is live bait. Sure, smallmouth will continuously hit artificial baits on many waters. However, on others, artificial baits will take only occasional smallmouth. While I have caught smallmouth on about every kind of bait imaginable, one of my first choices has to be live leeches. First, the natural action of live leeches in warm water is impossible for a big smallmouth to pass up. Many times I have pounded an area will a variety of artificial baits and come up short. Finally, in a last ditch effort I toss in a live leech and, bingo, a big smallmouth. It is common for a smallmouth to inhale a leech when it hits the water. Smallmouth will hit a leech with much more intensity than they will a nightcrawler or minnow. As far as the type of leeches, make sure they are ribbon leeches and try to get the largest ones available. Large jumbo leeches are very effective on larger bass. These larger leeches are well worth the extra cost. Not only will larger leeches attract larger bass, but also you won't be bothered by panfish bites. Don't try to prolong the life of a leech. Too many fishermen will try to use a leech for too many casts. Unless you are running short, once a leech is bit or a fish caught, put on another one.

Nightcrawlers are also good summer bait for smallmouth. Here, as with your leeches keeping the crawlers as fresh as possible is essential. No self-respecting smallmouth will hit a dried up or half dead nightcrawler.

Locating areas of peak summer smallmouth activity is of course important. Sunken islands in particular seem to attract high numbers of summer smallmouth. These smallmouth that are relating to sunken islands are among the most catchable. By catchable, I am referring to fish that are in a positive mood and willing to strike a bait. Rock-capped sunken islands with isolated weed growth have proven to be most effective. Look for a combination of rubble and weeds to hold both baitfish and crayfish. The more types of forage present, the higher the concentration of smallmouth. Irregular rocks can hold a surprisingly high number of baitfish species. Small minnows and panfish will find safety in the many nooks and crannies within these rocks. The availability of forage is probably the single most important factor in searching for smallmouth or any fish for that matter. Keep in mind that even the best-looking structure can be void of fish if no forage is present. Too many fishermen fail to take in to account this predator/prey relationship when looking for active fish.

Sunken islands, which are found in relationship to deeper sections of the lake, should be your first choice. These areas also hold larger smallmouth. Summer walleye fishermen frequently seek out sunken islands that top off in 10- to 20-foot range. Smallmouth, however, will tend to relate to sunken islands in the 5- to 10-foot range. Even those that stick out of the water a few feet can be productive, although they get a bit more fishing pressure. If the flowage or lake has no sunken islands shallower than 10 feet, then fish the deep humps. As rule of thumb to follow when looking for active smallmouth is to look for the shallowest sunken islands with deep-water access.

Along with sunken islands, weeds will also hold numbers of summer smallmouth. Unlike largemouth, which move well into the weeds, smallmouth will stack up along the weed line. Look for inside turns and weed points to attract the larger smallmouth. Best weed lines will also be close to the deeper sections of the lake. Even when they are inactive, smallmouth will remain along the weed line. This is where live bait presentations are tops. Working slip bobbers along the deep edge will yield nice smallmouth. Too many fishermen only work the shallow weed line. A leech on a slip bobber can be worked tight to the bottom of the deepest weeds. Let the leech ride about one foot off bottom. Use either a plain hook or a small jighead. When working the plain hook, be sure to let the leech sit. However, when using a jig, move the slip bobber occasionally. The slight movement will trigger the smallmouth. Nightcrawlers are also productive weed line bait. Look for smallmouth to make periodic movements into the weeds to feed. Look for the larger bass to move up, feed, and head back too deep water. The smaller bass will hold high into the weeds for longer periods of time.

Rock points can also hold smallmouth, if suitable forage is available. The best summer points will have weed growth mixed in with rock. Even a small patch of weeds will be enough to hold forage fish. The best points will even have a few downed trees or stumps mixed in. It is important to be observant, and making sure to fish any available structure. Points that just contain rock will see a limited forage base and few smallmouth. However, if weeds are absent in the lake, then the rock points should be fished. Look for a rock point that breaks sharply on one side and tapers on the other. Smallmouth will make periodic movements out of deep water to feed.

No matter what type of structure you are fishing, remember that active smallmouth will be shallow. It is important to search out the active fish first. Move into the shallows with extreme caution. Too many bass fishermen will move in to quickly and spook the fish. The slower you move into an area, the greater the odds are for catching a large smallmouth. Kill you big motor ample distance away and move in with your electric motor. When fishing leeches it is important to make as little commotion as possible, especially in clear water. Use either a No. 6 hook with a tiny split shot or a one sixteenth ounce jig. Most of the time the smallmouth will hit the leech as it hits the water.

After the leech hits the bottom and no strike is felt, I raise my rod tip a few feet allowing the leech to ease across the bottom. The use of a quality rod is essential for this presentation. I prefer either a Lamiglas 661 or an IMS 60 DH. These rods will allow for a good sense of feel and still have plenty of backbone to get a good hookset. Don't let the smallmouth inhale the leech since this could be fatal to the fish. You can release smallmouth caught with live bait if the proper care is taken.

For more information, visit mike at his website at www.mikemladenik.com