Bassmaster

Land of Giants

Finding Summer Studs

By DAVID A. BROWN SENIOR WRITER

When the water is hot, the big-fish bite can cool down. Still, monster bass can be caught if you follow the tactics of Elite Series pros

THE YEAR’S MIDPOINT’S approaching, and bass are either in or moving toward their summer patterns. Understanding what the fish want helps you plan your big-bite strategy. Here’s the skinny from a quintet of Bassmaster Elite Series anglers with proven giant-finding prowess.

Lee Livesay — Stained River

Current and cover: When Texas angler Lee Livesay finds this scenario on a stained river, he knows he’s knocking on the right doors. A big laydown on a main-river outside bend with current — money.

“The biggest fish in a stained water system like that are really hard to catch in the summer months, so I’m going to use some type of reaction bait on the thickest cover I can find,” Livesay said. “I’m going to throw a big squarebill in there instead of flipping it with a worm or a jig.”

Thoroughly picking apart the cover, he’ll hit

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