Summer Suggestions

[G-Man]

Well it looks like summer is finally here, and the fish bite is changing, in Mass anyway. Time to change tactics? Maybe loose a little sleep on the night shift.

Could some of you guys share how you change your fishing tactics as the heat of summer comes on us?

Also, does anyone have experience or interest in kayak fishing a couple of Maine's southern rivers for stripers?
Thanks

[G-Man]

Now does no response mean:
1. There are no change of tactics for summer?
2. You have advice, but forgot to reply?
3. Your fishing tactics are none of my business? :rolleyes:

[AlderBrookFarm]

Maybe they're all too busy fishing?

I don't fish MA or ME or have a yak so don't blame me! Fishing from a 16' bass type boat doesn't really let me go out that much further than you would in a yak probably. As for changing tactics...here in SE CT the only thing I've done different is try and fish more "active" water like rips and current. Course we always pay attention to structure. I also pay attention to water temperature, finding that they prefer it cooler. Big fish is always great but it's not high on my list, catching fish is better.

[SamRiley]

I turn to Tunoids in the Summer and so spend most of my time paddling the south shore of the Cape. There are still Bass around if that is what you are after but I've found that they tend to be smaller unless you fish deeper and/or earlier in the morning. Pleasant Bay on an early rising tide will usually produce for me with jigs. P-Town harbor always has fish with some of size mixed in. They tend to follow the tide and stack up in particular areas. Early morning outgoing tides at the mouths of the Falmouth and Mashpee outlets are a good bet too although I usually get into Blues here. My Summer SOP... on the water and in position by first light, yak back on the car by 10am.

Hope this helps

[Bob Parsons]

I focus on the waters just outside Barnstable Harbor. water temps were 69 yesterday

[PeteV]

I'm just an early morning fisherman.
I'm a big believer that the the best time to fish is whenever you can. And for me that is the predawn before sun rise.

I usually try to get on the water by around 4 am and I'm off by 8 am.

To be honest, I'm a lousy fisherman from my Kayak. Although I can cast great, I can't get a good drift and I can't maintain good line control. So I usually use my Kayak to go from point to point and get out and wade fish. I have a few favorite Sandbars that I work and as the tide changes I just move around. Sometimes though I'll spot an offshore blitz & thats when the Kayak is fun I'll just paddle out and cast into the comotion. Since line control isn't as critical in that situation.

Speaking for myself, The big difference in summer fishing is that I need to be a technicly solid fisherman. The errors I make are noticed by the fish. In early spring the fish seem to be very forgiving and will overlook sloppy technique. but as summer kicks in the fish settle in and become more choosy about what they eat. Unless you find a blitz..then it becomes easy again

[rockfisherman]

I fish dawn, dusk, and after dark all the time so that doesn't change.

I love to fish the salt ponds in the spring, but when the water warms up, the fish move outside into the cooler water. Then I move outside, too. This makes it more difficult with the yak because I have a SINK and surf launches are not "a good thing" for me.

Think deeper, cooler water and fish after dark.

[ruge13]

I fish early too, just before to just after sun up. in the soring and fall I fish everywhere but in the summer I will send more time looking for areas with deep water access....I stay away from vast flats and look for bars with deep water reel close. so far I've had moderate success, for me that means at least a fish or two every other time out. seems to work