By Lawrence Taylor
“…and four more bags of ice,” BASS Elite Pro Matt Reed said as I headed to the back of the lakeside convenience store to stock up on Gatoraide, waters and ice. Outside in the Texas sunshine the thermometer pushed above the triple digits and only an occasional warm wind whispered through the droopy leaves. Two bags of ice were for our ice chest; the other two for the livewell to cool down any bass we caught while we held it for good photography light.
Heat-Beating Tips
Summertime fishing is tough on fish. Without the ice and special chemicals for the livewell we wouldn’t even have entertained the thought of holding a bass for an hour or two while the sun settled to good photo light. With a surface temperature of over 90 degrees, any bass thrown into the livewell must be treated with kid gloves to ensure it stays healthy. But the fish aren’t the only considerations when fishing in extreme heat. Anglers need to take precautions too.
First and foremost is hydration. Each of us in Reed’s boat drank several large Gatoraides and a water or two during our four-hour trips. Drink heavily even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid alcohol and select beverages that are created to put back the chemicals lost through sweat and activity. Water is always a good choice.
Recognize the effect of the wind. The week prior to my Rayburn trip, I fished Falcon Lake with Alton Jones and the temperatures were actually a little hotter, but the wind blew at 30 mph and it simply didn’t feel as hot. Even in this situation, anglers should continually drink appropriate beverages.
Sunscreen is another important item. It only takes an hour or two to burn while on the water. Water reflects the sunshine, so it’s like you’re getting a double-shot of harmful rays. And if you’re like me, with thinning hair on top, you realize quickly that a cap is important. A sunburn on your back is uncomfortable, but when you burn the top of your head, it’s miserable.
Keep a few towels in the ice chest to drape over your head and across the back of your neck. This trick helps cool the body temperature and keeps you more comfortable.
Heat-Beating Options
During July and August, keep fishing trips shorter and focused on the early morning and late evening when temperatures are a little more comfortable. Or, spurn the sun all together and opt for nighttime trips. Simplify your gear to two or three rods and stay in familiar areas. The fish feel the heat too, and need to eat, and often are most active during the coolest part of the night. Try getting up at 2 a.m. and fishing until after sunrise, then take out while the skiers and pleasure boaters are just putting in. Then go home and take a nap under the air conditioner.
A cool-water stream and wet-wading is a perfect combo for summertime. The fish might not be as big, but they may surprise you. Simplify even more to a single lightweight rig with a short rod and throw Houdini Shads or Bed Bugs with tiny trailers. You’ll appreciate the shady trees and cool water as much as the fast fishing action.
Take some time off to hone your skills. Instead of fishing, invite your fishing partners over for a barbecue and Flipstah tournament. You’ll hone your flipping and pitching skills while spending that important time with friends. I’m not suggesting putting money on the games, but with three game modes and any number of impromptu games, the Flipstah can be treated like golf, only under the air conditioner.
Summertime heat can be a killer if not treated with respect, especially if you’re not accustomed to it. Take these precautions to keep yourself, and your fish, healthy when the heat is on high.