Summer Bass Fishing
Season · water 80–90°F
Summer (June–August) in Central Texas means heat, so bass go deep to cooler water, bury in grass and shade, or feed at night. Target early-morning topwater, offshore structure with electronics, matted grass, and lighted docks after dark — the deep, clear lakes fish it best.
Why: Early, deep, or after dark.
Evidence: Verified knowledge from Bryan Cotter, 26+ years guiding all 16 Central Texas lakes.
Related: Lake Travis · Lake Austin · Bass fishing by season
Verified Answered by Bryan Cotter, Texas Hawgs guide · Updated Jul 12, 2026
The pattern
Offshore on structure by day; shallow at dawn, dusk and night; grass and shade midday.
Where the bass are: Deep points, humps and ledges; matted grass; shaded docks; shallow only in low light.
What they're doing: Feeding in the cool, oxygenated windows; sluggish in the midday heat.
Summer at a glance
- Type
- Season
- Months
- Jun, Jul, Aug
- Water temp
- 80–90°F
- Spawn phase
- Summer
How to fish it
Go-to techniques: Offshore / Ledge Fishing, Deep Cranking, Football Jig, Frog Fishing, Walking Topwater, Dock Fishing / Skipping, Night Fishing.
Best lures: Deep-Diving Crankbait, Football Jig, Hollow-Body Frog, Walking Topwater (Spook), Swimbait.
Colors: shad/pearl, green pumpkin, black-blue (frog/jig), bone (topwater).
Best lakes right now
Lake Travis · Lake Austin · Lake Buchanan · Canyon Lake · Fayette County
Conditions in play
Rain, Heavy Rain & Runoff, Calm / Slick Conditions, Summer Heat / Dog Days, Cloud Cover, Falling Barometric Pressure, Low Barometric Pressure, Water Temperature, Water Clarity, Current / Generation, Rising Water Level, Falling Water Level, Thermocline, Shad Spawn, Dissolved Oxygen, Full Moon, New Moon, Solunar Periods.
What to expect
A great early bite and strong deep and night action, with a tough midday lull — plan your hours around the heat.
Common mistakes
- Fishing shallow in the midday heat
- Sleeping through the dawn window
- Not using electronics to find the deep schools
Bryan's reasoning
Why fish early, deep, or at night in summer? The shallows get too hot and low on oxygen by mid-morning, so the better fish are either deep in the cool water or waiting for dark — I match the trip to when and where they can actually feed, which is why our summer night trips are so productive.
From Bryan's logbook
Based on Bryan Cotter's on-the-water observations.
The deep, clear water keeps Travis fishing through the heat better than most lakes - as the sun climbs, the bigger fish just slide out to deeper structure.
In the summer the recreational traffic is heavy, so I run night trips - quiet, cool, and the big bass are on the prowl away from the daytime crowds.
In summer on Bastrop the bass school up in the middle of the lake, and there are spots where you can sit and catch lots of fish - some days over 100.
Keep exploring
All seasons & months · Bass fishing calendar · Conditions · Central Texas bass fishing guide
Want to fish Summer with a guide who knows the pattern? See rates and book or call 512-762-0190.