Menendez’s Top 5 summertime presentations

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Elite Series pro, and all-around good guy Mark Menendez of Paducah, Ky., set some time aside to share his summertime big bass secrets with us. Well, they’re not exactly secrets, but there are details within that will be very helpful in unlocking your big-bass summertime dreams. And we're giving you plenty of time before June arrives to get your plans in order.
Elite Series pro, and all-around good guy Mark Menendez of Paducah, Ky., set some time aside to share his summertime big bass secrets with us. Well, they’re not exactly secrets, but there are details within that will be very helpful in unlocking your big-bass summertime dreams. And we’re giving you plenty of time before June arrives to get your plans in order.
As summer progresses, where the bass set up in a particular body of water changes with the water temperature. Menendez said as those changes take place, he alters his preferential presentations to adapt with the bass’ seasonal movements.</p> <p> “Each of the following five presentations will work throughout the season, but let’s look at this starting with postspawn and into the heat of summer.”
As summer progresses, where the bass set up in a particular body of water changes with the water temperature. Menendez said as those changes take place, he alters his preferential presentations to adapt with the bass’ seasonal movements.

“Each of the following five presentations will work throughout the season, but let’s look at this starting with postspawn and into the heat of summer.”

No. 1 — As big female bass are recuperating following the rigors of the annual spawning ritual, the fish often become hard to catch. The first significant breakline away from the spawning areas is where the fish begin to bunch up in what he calls, “an early summertime pattern.”</p> <p>“This is one of my absolute favorite patterns to catch big bass on, because it’s so much fun. The bass are dumb and hungry, which is a perfect scenario for the angler,” Menendez said. “This is the time where angry anglers can get revenge for all the difficult early spring conditions when it’s cold out, and an angler will fish all day for just a couple hard-to-come-by bites — you know, the days when we should have stayed home and tackled the “honey-do” list.
No. 1 — As big female bass are recuperating following the rigors of the annual spawning ritual, the fish often become hard to catch. The first significant breakline away from the spawning areas is where the fish begin to bunch up in what he calls, “an early summertime pattern.”

“This is one of my absolute favorite patterns to catch big bass on, because it’s so much fun. The bass are dumb and hungry, which is a perfect scenario for the angler,” Menendez said. “This is the time where angry anglers can get revenge for all the difficult early spring conditions when it’s cold out, and an angler will fish all day for just a couple hard-to-come-by bites — you know, the days when we should have stayed home and tackled the “honey-do” list.”

“Find an irregular feature along that breakline, like a creek channel bend, a noticeable hard spot, long point, old road bed or anything that stands out,” he continues. “This is the time and location where a big crankbait is the best way to go. I prefer a Strike King 6XD, 8XD and 10XD in one or two color patterns, either chartreuse/blue or a sexy shad. I’ll have each of those crankbaits tied on at all times.”</p> <p>Menendez said as soon as you catch a fish, put it in the livewell, and make another cast as soon as possible. He also suggests triangulating the spot-on-the-spot. Hitting a good area from several different angles can be productive. </p> <p>He said this pattern really shines when the water temps are 72 to 76 degrees. He prefers a Lew’s 7-foot, 6-inch David Fritts cranking rod with the Palmer grip, which is designed to place the pistol grip beneath where you pinky would typically be positioned. It straightens your wrist, elbow and shoulder to reduce the arm fatigue that typically comes with pulling big crankbaits. He’ll match the rod with Lew’s BB1 reel in a 5.1:1.</p>
“Find an irregular feature along that breakline, like a creek channel bend, a noticeable hard spot, long point, old road bed or anything that stands out,” he continues. “This is the time and location where a big crankbait is the best way to go. I prefer a Strike King 6XD, 8XD and 10XD in one or two color patterns, either chartreuse/blue or a sexy shad. I’ll have each of those crankbaits tied on at all times.”

Menendez said as soon as you catch a fish, put it in the livewell, and make another cast as soon as possible. He also suggests triangulating the spot-on-the-spot. Hitting a good area from several different angles can be productive.

He said this pattern really shines when the water temps are 72 to 76 degrees. He prefers a Lew’s 7-foot, 6-inch David Fritts cranking rod with the Palmer grip, which is designed to place the pistol grip beneath where you pinky would typically be positioned. It straightens your wrist, elbow and shoulder to reduce the arm fatigue that typically comes with pulling big crankbaits. He’ll match the rod with Lew’s BB1 reel in a 5.1:1.

No. 2 — “As the water temps rise, the bass go into a self-protection mode where they don’t move or feed unless they have to,” Menendez said. “They just don’t chase a bait as well as they did earlier. They want to consume as many calories as possible with minimal effort, and that means a big and slow presentation. It’s all about producing as many presentations as you possibly can.”</p> <p>He said bass are still aggressive enough to confront a big bait, which can create an exciting strike. This is when Menendez likes, as he calls it, “stroking a jig.” As the water temps climb to 76 to 80 degrees, it’s time to slow down and go vertical.
No. 2 — “As the water temps rise, the bass go into a self-protection mode where they don’t move or feed unless they have to,” Menendez said. “They just don’t chase a bait as well as they did earlier. They want to consume as many calories as possible with minimal effort, and that means a big and slow presentation. It’s all about producing as many presentations as you possibly can.”

He said bass are still aggressive enough to confront a big bait, which can create an exciting strike. This is when Menendez likes, as he calls it, “stroking a jig.” As the water temps climb to 76 to 80 degrees, it’s time to slow down and go vertical.

“I like to throw a half ounce jig with a Strike King Rage Raw or Rage Bug as the trailer in a black and blue or black and brown color combination. I like the half ounce because I can better control the sink rate, which is about one foot per second, putting the jig back in the strike zone quickly,” he said. “The fish will still be ganged up on that first significant breakline, but it’s a slower presentation that will require repetitive casts.” </p> <p>Menendez prefers light line, 10- to 12-pound Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon, which increases the sink rate, but maintains the kind of strength required to pull big bass from the depths.</p> <p>He likes a Lew’s 7-foot, 6-inch Magnum Heavy Cover rod paired with Team Lew’s Lite Speed Spool reel in a 7.1:1 gear ratio.</p>
“I like to throw a half ounce jig with a Strike King Rage Raw or Rage Bug as the trailer in a black and blue or black and brown color combination. I like the half ounce because I can better control the sink rate, which is about one foot per second, putting the jig back in the strike zone quickly,” he said. “The fish will still be ganged up on that first significant breakline, but it’s a slower presentation that will require repetitive casts.”

Menendez prefers light line, 10- to 12-pound Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon, which increases the sink rate, but maintains the kind of strength required to pull big bass from the depths.

He likes a Lew’s 7-foot, 6-inch Magnum Heavy Cover rod paired with Team Lew’s Lite Speed Spool reel in a 7.1:1 gear ratio.

No. 3 — When the water heats up to 80 to 85 degrees, Menendez likes a big worm, such as a Strike King Anaconda. He said when the water temps are warm like that, the bass are lethargic and need to be aggravated.</p> <p>“The bass have taken up residence in a fish condominium somewhere, and they need added encouragement to step outside and confront an annoying neighbor,” he continued. “They like to hang out near stumps, beneath brush piles, trees and laydowns—some form of dense cover. I like to get that big worm inside that cover and force a reaction. Basically, I hang the bait on the cover and lift and drop it six inches at a time.”</p>
No. 3 — When the water heats up to 80 to 85 degrees, Menendez likes a big worm, such as a Strike King Anaconda. He said when the water temps are warm like that, the bass are lethargic and need to be aggravated.

“The bass have taken up residence in a fish condominium somewhere, and they need added encouragement to step outside and confront an annoying neighbor,” he continued. “They like to hang out near stumps, beneath brush piles, trees and laydowns—some form of dense cover. I like to get that big worm inside that cover and force a reaction. Basically, I hang the bait on the cover and lift and drop it six inches at a time.”

Menendez likes to keep his worm arsenal simple; he prefers a worm to be purple with blue fleck, or green pumpkin with red fleck.</p> <p>“In deep water, anything close to the color blue holds to its identity the most,” he said. “I like the exact same rod-and-reel combo that I’d use for the jig, but I’ll up the line strength to 15- to 17-pound test line.”
Menendez likes to keep his worm arsenal simple; he prefers a worm to be purple with blue fleck, or green pumpkin with red fleck.

“In deep water, anything close to the color blue holds to its identity the most,” he said. “I like the exact same rod-and-reel combo that I’d use for the jig, but I’ll up the line strength to 15- to 17-pound test line.”

No. 4 — “When the heat of summer has really set in and water temps have climbed to 82 to 86 degrees, I prefer a big swimbait like a Strike King Shadolicious,” he said. “Go with the bigger swimbaits such as a 5-, 5 1/2- to 6-inch versions rigged on a heavy 1- to 1 1/2-ounce jighead. You really want to get their attention.”</p> <p>Menendez said that a large heavy swimbait is essential to making long casts and keeping it on the bottom, which is where the bass will be feeding this time of year. As far as the retrieve goes, he said it’s a day-to-day thing.</p> <p>“Some days the bass seem to want the bait hopped along the bottom, while other days a crawl seems to get the most attention,” he said. “At this point in the season, the fish have transitioned to the river channels and ledges that have shell beds on them, gravel bars — anything that the bass use to position due to current. They like deep water this time of year. You’re typically using an open hook, so I like to avoid areas that contain lots of trees and brush.”
No. 4 — “When the heat of summer has really set in and water temps have climbed to 82 to 86 degrees, I prefer a big swimbait like a Strike King Shadolicious,” he said. “Go with the bigger swimbaits such as a 5-, 5 1/2- to 6-inch versions rigged on a heavy 1- to 1 1/2-ounce jighead. You really want to get their attention.”

Menendez said that a large heavy swimbait is essential to making long casts and keeping it on the bottom, which is where the bass will be feeding this time of year. As far as the retrieve goes, he said it’s a day-to-day thing.

“Some days the bass seem to want the bait hopped along the bottom, while other days a crawl seems to get the most attention,” he said. “At this point in the season, the fish have transitioned to the river channels and ledges that have shell beds on them, gravel bars — anything that the bass use to position due to current. They like deep water this time of year. You’re typically using an open hook, so I like to avoid areas that contain lots of trees and brush.”

Menendez explained this is one of the most exciting bites of the year because you’re not fishing with a slack line. Rather, you’re pulling a large bait and when the fish hit, you know it. The fish like this presentation this time of year because they are looking for a large meal without expending a bunch of calories.</p> <p>“A big swimbait is the best option when the water is that warm,” he said. “It’s just a great way to catch big summertime bass. I prefer a 7-foot, 11-inch Lew’s Custom Speed Stick matched with a Lew’s SuperDuty Wide Speed Spool reel 6.4:1 loaded with 17-pound Seaguar InvisX. You’ll be making long, long casts and a wide spool will hold a bunch of line allowing for optimum casting distance.”
Menendez explained this is one of the most exciting bites of the year because you’re not fishing with a slack line. Rather, you’re pulling a large bait and when the fish hit, you know it. The fish like this presentation this time of year because they are looking for a large meal without expending a bunch of calories.

“A big swimbait is the best option when the water is that warm,” he said. “It’s just a great way to catch big summertime bass. I prefer a 7-foot, 11-inch Lew’s Custom Speed Stick matched with a Lew’s SuperDuty Wide Speed Spool reel 6.4:1 loaded with 17-pound Seaguar InvisX. You’ll be making long, long casts and a wide spool will hold a bunch of line allowing for optimum casting distance.”

No. 5 — August brings slower waters as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reduces water flow, because it’s typically pretty dry. As a result many lakes will begin to show a thermocline, which allows for the quick elimination of unproductive water. Menendez said a spinnerbait becomes a big player during this part of the summer.</p> <p>“When the water gets still and flat, the oxygen levels often get depleted and the fish seek out portions of the lake with an abundance of oxygen,” Menendez explained. “At this time, the bass tend to suspend at a level that is even with the nearest breakline, but positioned out from it in open water. For example, if the breakline is in 15 feet of water, the bass will suspend at 15 feet over 30, 40 feet of water, or even deeper.”</p> <p>A big, 3/4-ounce spinnerbait really shines according to Menendez. He prefers a Strike King Hack Attack in white, white/chartreuse, sexy shad or blue shad patterns — the bright colors help attract attention in deep water.
No. 5 — August brings slower waters as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) reduces water flow, because it’s typically pretty dry. As a result many lakes will begin to show a thermocline, which allows for the quick elimination of unproductive water. Menendez said a spinnerbait becomes a big player during this part of the summer.

“When the water gets still and flat, the oxygen levels often get depleted and the fish seek out portions of the lake with an abundance of oxygen,” Menendez explained. “At this time, the bass tend to suspend at a level that is even with the nearest breakline, but positioned out from it in open water. For example, if the breakline is in 15 feet of water, the bass will suspend at 15 feet over 30, 40 feet of water, or even deeper.”

A big, 3/4-ounce spinnerbait really shines according to Menendez. He prefers a Strike King Hack Attack in white, white/chartreuse, sexy shad or blue shad patterns — the bright colors help attract attention in deep water.

“I’ll slow roll it along the bottom near the break, and I can almost make it hover as it comes off the ledge into the deep water,” he said. “And, you had better be hanging on. Tightly. The ferocity that the bass hit this bait with is nothing short of impressive. It’s a four- to seven-bite per day kind of thing. You’re not going to catch big numbers of fish, but the fish you do get will be quality — the little ones don’t mess with this.”</p> <p>Menendez works this presentation much like a Carolina rig with a long rod sweep, then catch back up with the reel. He uses a 7-foot, 3-inch Lew’s Custom Speed Stick, which is a football jig rod, with a moderate action paired with a Lew’s BB1 5.1:1 crankbait reel loaded with 12- to 15-pound line to keep the bait on the bottom until it hits the break. A slower reel with a slow retrieve keeps the bait below the breakline, which is critical to the effectiveness of this presentation.
“I’ll slow roll it along the bottom near the break, and I can almost make it hover as it comes off the ledge into the deep water,” he said. “And, you had better be hanging on. Tightly. The ferocity that the bass hit this bait with is nothing short of impressive. It’s a four- to seven-bite per day kind of thing. You’re not going to catch big numbers of fish, but the fish you do get will be quality — the little ones don’t mess with this.”

Menendez works this presentation much like a Carolina rig with a long rod sweep, then catch back up with the reel. He uses a 7-foot, 3-inch Lew’s Custom Speed Stick, which is a football jig rod, with a moderate action paired with a Lew’s BB1 5.1:1 crankbait reel loaded with 12- to 15-pound line to keep the bait on the bottom until it hits the break. A slower reel with a slow retrieve keeps the bait below the breakline, which is critical to the effectiveness of this presentation.

There you have it. Mark Menendez’s Top 5 summertime big-bass patterns, and insight on how to property execute each one. There’s so much information here, it’s worth a future book-writing effort.
There you have it. Mark Menendez’s Top 5 summertime big-bass patterns, and insight on how to property execute each one. There’s so much information here, it’s worth a future book-writing effort.
Thanks Mark!
Thanks Mark!