With the high temperatures of the summer upon us bass seek the A.C. (Alternative Cooler) water for a more comfortable environment. In most cases A.C. water can be found in deeper water. Cooler water may also be found in obvious places such as shady banks. But, in order to find good concentrations of fish, other factors provide a piece to the puzzle of finding bass. Cover is important on shady banks, but current and depth are also factors to consider in the summer heat. Current helps oxygenate the water as well as cool the temperature of the water. Current can be either created by water flow or by wind action. Depth is important because A.C. water naturally occurs in deeper water.

Typically deeper water is found in the outside bend of creeks, rivers and streams. Water (current) washes away the dirt of the outside bends creating deeper bottoms as well as more vertical banks. These vertical banks, or bluff banks, offer structure for ambushing prey as well as a place for fish to suspend (giving fish something to relate to). So, when searching for summer fish in lakes, rivers and reservoirs, begin your search in the outside bends of channels. Shade from trees on the bank, floating logs, roots or vegetation is a bonus to an outside bend in the summer time. Using a good depth finder you should be able to see baitfish suspended in the channel itself. This should be a good indication of what depth the bass may be found. Bass may be underneath the schools or on the break lines of the channel itself. Straight sections of channels are usually productive if there is vegetation, stumps, etc. on the edge of the channel. Vegetation will be the most productive during the hot weather since vegetation produces oxygen as well as shade. You may be able to narrow your search of the channel bends by locating vegetation on the ledges of these bends. Also places were a secondary channel joins the main channel offers a good ambush spot for bass.

Current creates increases in oxygen and may decrease the water temperature. Lakes with man-made dams also offer A.C. water for bass in the summer time. Rocks, trees or other structure that offer a break or eddy in the current are good places to start your search. Bass will congregate around this structure to get out of the direct current, take advantage of the increased oxygen as well as ambush prey.

Wind current through funnel areas also create prime opportunities for bass to concentrate in A.C. water as well as ambush prey that are pushed through by the wind. Wind blowing into or across a point will create A.C. water that has more oxygen as well as an increase in bait fish. Add the combination of a channel bend in the close vicinity of a point and you may find a honey hole for active bass.

But, remember fish react differently depending on the body of water. Water clarity, oxygen content, depth, cover and vegetation all affect the way bass relate to their surroundings. Oxygen levels are one of the primary factors that determine were a bass would seek comfort as well as food. If a lake has adequate shallow vegetation to supply oxygen, bass may be found in shallow water all summer. Also, lakes with low oxygen content will force the bass to be shallow since fish can't survive in water with inadequate oxygen content, even if the temperature and cover are available for the fish in deeper water.