Patterns that Work in July on Lake Guntersville

Patterns that work in July on Lake Guntersville

The month of July can be fun, rewarding, and frustrating on Lake Guntersville. Challenging for those that do not adjust to the summer conditions as the water temperatures hit the mid to upper 80’s and the bass become lethargic.

Understanding how the bass relate to the offshore grass, river ledges, current, and bait is key to catching fish, if you can focus on these summer patterns and understand the keys that take you to the fish you will catch more bass on Guntersville. July bass behavior intensifies and changes as the heat dominates the water temperature. Food, oxygen, and water temperature are the keys to July fishing, thermoclines move the fish as the heat intensifies so being able to use your electronics to find these oxygen ridden areas can save you lots of heart ache. There is no oxygen when you find the thermoclines so move on; no oxygen no fish!

Target offshore grass beds, river ledges, creeks and channel swings or contour changes, shell beds and current. These areas are where you will find the bass; these types of targets all create oxygen and move the bass as well as the bait to these targeted areas. Depth is important, Guntersville is unique in the heat of the summer as the grass produces oxygen sometimes in the shallowest areas moving the fish to the thickest nastiest offshore grass on the lake. Water current, produces oxygen, contour breaks and turns, force the water movement to move and change direction, hence producing oxygen. The best news about the summer fishing on Guntersville is that the warm water helps group up the bass, unlike the spring where they scatter and move allowing you to locate a bite and stay in that area for grouping fish that are all competing for the same bait!

One of the most consistent July patterns is working the offshore milfoil and hydrilla in 8 to 15 ft. of water; look for isolated clumps, quick dropping points in the grass and ditches, roadbeds and creek beds that run though the grass in this depth range. Remember bottom change hold bait and create ambush areas where bass can feed and become protected by the irregularities in the grass and become your July friend!