Kim City - July 7 - Deep suspended bite

[Dock-in-it]

The deep morning bite has been fairly consistent. I chose a different section in my zip code on each outing and try to catch them with the presentations I like (swimbait, spoon, topwater). This morning I stayed off the main lake and there was a fair amount of small surface bait (like tiny shad) and deeper shad schools. The bass are eating a lot of 3 to 4" shad.

The topwater opportunities do exist but are not a priority due to lack of quality results. And the surface chasing fish are super smart as compared to the suspended fish.

Regarding the swimbait. Each group of fish have their own preferences. One group will bite a 3.3 and the next group will only bite a 2.8. The underspin will work on some groups but they get educated real quick, so I normally save it for a few wrap-up cast. The underspin (with straight tail) is also good for determining if your targets are worth the effort. The dinks and (perhaps crappie and bluegill) will bite the spinner blade and not get hooked.

With FFS I see plenty of opportunities where I need to drop the swimbait to fish postured below the lazy followers. Two of the pictured LM fell for that trick.

Regarding thermocline. I will assume a thermocline is developing based on time of year and WT. But the fish are using a lot of the water column and I like to focus on those using the 20-25ft range (in the morning hrs).

Two of the pictured fish were on a 2.8 and the other two on a spoon. Had about 12 keepers this morning.

WT 85ish.

[Dutch]

You are absolutely the deep water guru.  We struggled from Carr’s to Piney.  Never did find a pattern.

[Bill Babler]

If you’re swimming the temp change is only about 8’ right now. I have not been able to pick it up on the Garmin. 

Im guessing about 7-8 degree from surface temp. 
 

[Dock-in-it]

Regarding thermocline (or lack of) here is a picture of bass suspended at 20-25ft in 30-35 FOW. This is a creek channel swing and my boat is setting in 50ft.

These fish have trees, bait and deep water within 50-100ft. 

FFS teaches you a lot about what bass prefer (and it is not always what we consider the best option).

I caught all three species from this group  ( which included more fish than in the real time picture). Using a 2.8 with a lift/drop retrieve. When you catch one it kinda scatters the tight group and they start the education process on the impact of a 2.8.