At last the final week of August is here. As usual this month was a tough one to put together a consistent fishing pattern.

The first couple weeks of September will not be much better but gradually with the approach of fall the cooler nights will slowly lower water temperatures.

When this happens get ready for some great fishing.

Fall is much like spring. For the past couple month’s water temperatures in the low to mid 90’s had the fish doing the usual summer deal.

The early bite was fair, the late evening not that great and the night bite was the best way to catch anything.

I’ve often wondered why the thousands of columns and dozens of books I have read on the subject of fish behavior state that the fish are most active when water temps are at their highest.

The authors write that the warmer the water the higher the fishes metabolism and the fish must burn off more body fat therefore feed more when water temps peak out in the summer. I find the opposite to be true. After banging away at the fish for most of my life many others that I am acquainted with and I have less luck with the fish during the summer than any other season of the year.

It is without a doubt in my mind the cooler months are the most productive days to catch bass, crappie and bream.

For now we’ll have to be content with the short lived early morning bite or brave the mosquitoes and go fishing in the dark.

The best water for good surface lure fishing is Turkey Creek, Lakes Concordia and St. John.

Just locate the vegetation. It can be in the form of coontail moss hydrilla or lily pads the vegetation holds fish.

Once the sun climbs above the tree line try fishing the thickest cypress trees with overhanging limbs. These trees offer the most shade and shade is where the fish will be.

Pier fishing can be as good. Target the piers with platforms built low to the water. The lower platforms will challenge your casting skills but it is these piers that offer the most shade.

On Lake Concordia I have used the same pattern to consistently catch some bass during the heat of the day. Try cranking the cypress trees standing in 6 to 8 feet of water and don’t pass up the openings between the standing trees.

The open areas were created over the years when trees were felled by storms of old age. The remaining stumps and logs that are no longer visible form the surface hold some nice bass.

Many style crankbaits will work as long as the lure will cover depths down to 10 feet or so. When cast on 12 or even 10-pound test line a Bomber model 7A will effectively cover those depths.

The Bomber is my favorite summer lure and the areas that appear to be open water are my best locations simply because many fishermen just troll right on by without so much as a cast because they target the visible cover.

Try to stay cool and be patient. It won’t be long before the cooler days and nights of fall will be upon us.