☀️ Summer Starts Now — Why Big Baits Shine When the Heat Turns Up

☀️ Summer Starts Now — Why Big Baits Shine When the Heat Turns Up

Summer bass fishing is here, and while many anglers reach for finesse baits, some of the biggest fish of the year are feeding on larger meals. Here's how to use swimbaits, glides, and soft plastics to target quality bass all summer long.

The Summer Feeding Window Is Open

As water temperatures climb across Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas, bass settle into their summer patterns. Schools of shad become a primary food source, bluegill move around shallow cover, and big bass start looking for meals worth chasing.

That's where realistic swimbaits and soft plastics earn their place on the deck.

While smaller baits can put numbers in the boat, larger profile baits often attract the fish we're really after—the ones that make you check your drag before the next cast.

Early Morning: Hunt the Feeders

The first few hours of daylight can be magical.

Look for:

  • Shad activity near points
  • Wind-blown banks
  • Grass edges
  • Creek channel intersections

A 5" Wee Shad Glide, Shad Glide, or Gill Swimbait can draw explosive strikes when bass are actively feeding.

Keep your retrieve steady and natural. Let the bait do the work.

Midday: Slow Down Around Cover

When the sun gets high, bass often slide toward:

  • Boat docks
  • Laydowns
  • Brush piles
  • Deeper grass lines

This is where a Pin Point Shad or your favorite BFZ soft plastic can shine.

Work it slowly through the strike zone. Summer bass may not move far for a meal, but they'll absolutely eat one that looks easy.

Match the Hatch

Summer is all about confidence colors.

Some BFZ favorites include:

🩶 Gizzard Shad – A proven producer around baitfish.

🟢 Bluegill – Deadly around grass and shallow cover.

🎣 Crappie – A great option around timber and brush.

🟣 June Bug Red – A summer staple in stained water.

🟤 Motor Oil – Subtle, natural, and effective in changing conditions.

Bigfoot's Summer Rule

Bigfoot Boudreaux has one simple rule:

"Fish where the groceries are."

Find baitfish and you'll find bass.

You don't have to fish every inch of the lake. Focus on areas holding food, make quality casts, and stay patient.

Summer giants rarely announce themselves before they bite.

Featured BFZ Summer Lineup

This month's favorites:

  • 5" Wee Shad Glide
  • 7" Shad Glide
  • Gill Swimbait
  • Pin Point Shad
  • 7" Ribbon Tail Worm – June Bug Red
  • 7" Ribbon Tail Worm – Motor Oil

Built by hand. Tested on local waters. Ready for your next giant.

Final Cast

Summer fishing isn't about fishing faster.

It's about fishing smarter.

Whether you're working a glide bait over a grass flat at sunrise or dragging a worm through deep cover in the afternoon, the next cast could be the one that makes the whole season.

From all of us at Bigfoot Zombie Custom Lures, thank you for supporting handmade baits and small businesses.

Now get out there and make some memories.

Tight lines,
The BFZ Crew

Back to blog