Can You Catch Fish in the Middle of the Day?

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You can catch a lot of fish in the middle of the day with the right approach. Fish are opportunistic predators and will readily eat at any time of day if the right prey presents itself. Furthermore, fish are more locked to cover during this time frame which makes them easier to locate and target.  

Bass, walleye, panfish, and trout are often very active during the midday heat. The warmer water reduces available oxygen and warm sun-lit water can reveal fish to be docile. The trick is to locate cooler water where fish will congregate and rev up their feeding activity. I recommend you either fish cover or you fish deep.

Check out this helpful guide I wrote to the best time of day for fishing.

Fishing Cover

The first areas we should focus on are overt structures which will provide fish both shade from the sun and safety from other fish. The shaded water will be cooler than the sunlit water surrounding it.

Furthermore, baitfish will seek cover for protection which will draw in bass and walleye. These are going to be your hot spots of feeding activity on sunny days.

Focus on boulders, sunken timber, lily pads, weeds, and rooted banks. Work crankbaits, spinners, and plastics around these structures.

I recommend medium tackle with good power to rip big fish out of the cover before they have the chance to break you off. For bass, use a 15-20 pound test braided line. Make sure you use a strong wire leader for fish with teeth like walleye and pike.

The deep edges of cattails could be good but underwater, they don’t afford small baitfish very good hiding spots. The flat edges of the reeds act as more of a wall than a hiding spot. If no other cover options are visible, cattails will work fine. Click to read my full article on the topic of nighttime fishing.

Fishing Deep (& Cover)

Some fish would rather go deep than shallow on sunny days. Lake trout, walleye, and catfish certainly fit this niche. Fishing electronics or at the very least, a topographic lake map, are needed to locate deep features such as drop-offs, channels, plateaus, and boulders. Fish will congregate by these features follows large shoals of bait.

Bass

Fishing Quality: Midday can be challenging for bass fishing, as bass tend to be less active and more elusive due to higher light levels and warmer temperatures.

Adaptability: Success during midday often depends on adapting your strategy to the bass’s behavior, which may vary depending on the season and water conditions.

Best Baits

• Lures: Deep-diving crankbaits, jigs, and plastic worms are effective. Bright or natural colors can work depending on the water clarity.
• Live Baits: If preferred, live baits like minnows or crawfish can be effective, especially in clearer waters.

Best Spots and Depths

• Spots: Focus on shaded areas, such as under docks, around submerged structures, or near weed lines. Bass seek these spots to escape the bright sun.
• Depths: Bass may move to deeper, cooler waters during midday. Target drop-offs, deep holes, or submerged objects.

Tactics

• Slow Presentation: A slower, more methodical approach can be more effective as bass are less likely to chase fast-moving baits.
• Vertical Fishing: Dropping baits vertically into deep structures or along weed lines can entice bass hiding in deeper, cooler areas.
• Casting Accuracy: Precise casting to get your lure into shaded or covered areas is crucial during midday.

Best Weather Conditions

• Cloud Cover: Similar to musky, bass fishing can improve under overcast conditions as it reduces light penetration and heat.
• Wind: A mild wind can create ripples, which help to break up the light penetration and may encourage bass to feed.
• Pressure Changes: Bass are sensitive to barometric pressure; a change in pressure often stimulates feeding activity.

Walleye

Fishing Quality: Generally, walleye are less active during bright, sunny midday hours, preferring low light conditions. However, with the right techniques, you can still have successful catches.

Light Sensitivity: Walleyes are known for their light sensitivity, so bright conditions can drive them to deeper water or areas with more cover.

Best Baits

• Artificial Lures: Deep-diving crankbaits, spinner rigs, and jigging spoons can be effective. Bright or metallic colors may attract more attention in deeper or murkier waters.
• Live Baits: Leeches, minnows, and nightcrawlers are excellent choices, especially when presented close to the bottom.

Best Spots and Depths

• Spots: Target deeper areas, such as drop-offs, deep holes, or areas near submerged structures where walleyes retreat during bright conditions.
• Depths: Depending on the water body, walleyes may be found at various depths, but generally, they go deeper during midday to find cooler, darker waters.

Tactics

• Vertical Jigging: Effective in deeper waters; allows precise positioning of bait near the bottom where walleyes are likely to be.
• Trolling: Slow trolling with deep-diving lures can cover a lot of water and reach walleyes in deeper zones.
• Bottom Bouncing: Using a bottom bouncer rig with a spinner and live bait can entice walleyes that are close to the bottom.

Best Weather Conditions

• Overcast Days: Cloudy conditions can improve midday walleye fishing, as it reduces the intensity of sunlight penetrating the water.
• Choppy Water: A bit of surface chop can break up light penetration and may bring walleyes into shallower areas.
• Barometric Pressure Changes: Like many fish, walleyes can become more active with changing barometric pressure, often just before a weather front

Catfish

Fishing Quality: Catfish can be caught during midday, though they may be less active compared to early morning or evening. They are known to feed at all times, so opportunities still exist.

Behavioral Patterns: Catfish may seek deeper, cooler waters or shaded areas to escape the heat of the day.

Best Baits

• Baits for Channel Catfish: Chicken liver, stink baits, and nightcrawlers are effective.
• Baits for Blue and Flathead Catfish: Live bait such as small fish, cut bait, and large nightcrawlers are preferred.
• Scented Baits: Catfish rely heavily on their sense of smell, so baits with strong odors work well.

Best Spots and Depths

• Spots: Look for areas with structure like sunken trees, deep holes, or river bends. Catfish often congregate around such features.
• Depths: In lakes, focus on deeper areas during midday. In rivers, catfish may be found in deeper pools or near structures that provide shade and shelter.

Tactics

• Bottom Fishing: Catfish are bottom feeders, so techniques that present the bait near the bottom are most effective.
• Still Fishing: Cast your line, let the bait settle, and wait. Patience is key with catfish.
• Drift Fishing: If fishing from a boat, drifting over potential catfish spots can be effective, especially in rivers.

Best Weather Conditions

• Cloudy Days: Overcast conditions can make catfish more active during midday.
• After Rain: Rain can stir up food and nutrients, potentially increasing catfish activity.
• Warm Water: Catfish are more active in warm water, so midday fishing can be productive in warmer climates or seasons.

Trout (Rainbow, Lake, Brown, etc)

Fishing Quality: Midday can be challenging for trout fishing, especially in clear water, as trout are often more cautious and less active in bright light.

Behavioral Adaptations: Trout, particularly in streams and rivers, may seek deeper pools, shaded areas, or places with faster currents for cover and cooler temperatures.

Best Baits

• Artificial Flies: For fly fishing, use patterns that match local insects, considering nymphs or streamers if dry flies are less effective.
• Lures: Small spinners, spoons, or crankbaits can be effective, especially in colors that mimic the local baitfish.
• Natural Baits: In waters where allowed, live baits like worms or small minnows can be successful.

Best Spots and Depths

• Spots: Focus on areas with cover such as overhanging trees, undercut banks, or boulders. In lakes, look for drop-offs or areas with aquatic vegetation.
• Depths: Trout may be deeper than usual to avoid the bright conditions, so targeting deeper holes or the deeper side of a lake can be more productive.

Tactics

• Stealth and Precision: Trout are very wary, especially in clear water. Approach fishing spots quietly and cast accurately.
• Drift Fishing: In rivers and streams, allow your bait or fly to drift naturally with the current.
• Slow Retrieval: For lure fishing, a slower, steadier retrieval can be more effective under midday conditions.

Best Weather Conditions

• Cloud Cover: Overcast days can provide better midday trout fishing conditions by reducing light penetration.
• Chilly Weather: Cooler days can keep water temperatures down, making trout more active.
• After Rain: A recent rain can stir up insects and other food sources, potentially increasing trout activity.

Muskies

Fishing Quality: Midday fishing for musky can be challenging, as these fish are often less active during the brightest parts of the day. However, under the right conditions, it can still be rewarding.

Weather Considerations: Overcast or slightly windy days can improve midday fishing conditions, as muskies are more likely to be active in less bright conditions.

Best Baits

• Lures: Large, flashy lures are effective. Consider using bucktails, crankbaits, or jerkbaits.
• Live Bait: If legal and available, large sucker minnows can be used as live bait for a more natural presentation.

Best Spots and Depths

• Spots: Focus on areas with cover, like weed edges, submerged logs, or rock piles. Muskies use these structures for ambushing prey.
• Depths: Midday is a good time to target deeper waters, especially areas adjacent to shallower feeding zones.

Tactics

• Slow Down: Slow your retrieve slightly, as muskies are less aggressive during midday.
• Vertical Jigging: In deeper waters, vertical jigging can be effective, especially near structures.
• Follow-Up: Always be prepared for a follow-up cast. Muskies often follow a lure without striking, so a second cast can trigger a bite.

Best Weather Conditions

• Cloud Cover: Overcast skies are ideal for midday musky fishing, reducing the light penetration and encouraging muskies to be more active.
• Wind: A slight breeze can create surface disturbances, which can mask your presence and stimulate musky activity.
• Barometric Pressure: A falling barometer, often indicating an approaching weather front, can trigger musky feeding activity.

Other Related Questions:

How can you have success with midday crappy fishing?

Crappy are much like other panfish in their behavior. During the hottest periods of the day, they will seek out cooler water. That often means hanging around docks, timber, and lily pads. The shade of these structures provides cooler water and some protection from bigger fish like bass and pike.

Small tube jigs and live bait has proven effective for both white and black crappies. Work the edge of cover with dark-colored lures to entice a strike. You may also catch small bass and perch using this technique as they’ll all use the same cover.

How to catch bass in a pond during the summer

Bass fishing in ponds can be tough since many farm ponds lack overt cover like logs and weeds. Many of them are pretty uniform in shape and depth. The water also tends to be muddy in clarity. These factors make pond fishing for bass a bit trickier.

I recommend working the deeper parts of the pond with orange or yellow plugs and plastics. A medium retrieve speed is ideal as these fish will be active and ready to eat. You can also try 2-3 inch golden shiners. Golden shiners are on the best baits you can use for largemouth bass. Fly fishermen can have success with streamers and dry frog patterns fished at the surface.

What are the best bass lures for sunny days?

For sunny days, the best bass lures are usually jigs rigged with pork and plastic worms. Work deep structure or the edge of lily pads. Slowly jig your baits off the bottom. Bass have a tendency to strike when the bait is falling, so be prepared to set the hook as you lower your rod.

Some other great sunny day bass baits include crankbaits, plugs, spoons, and spinnerbaits. I would try to avoid bright colors though. Darker colors will be more visible to fish in bright light.

How to catch bass in hot weather

The rules for fishing bass on sunny days apply for hot weather bass. Work deep structure with plastics or jigs. It’s best to work the outer edges of a structure where fish will be facing outwards looking for prey. Medium-to-heavy tackle is ideal for pulling bass out of dangerous cover fast without them breaking the line.

If you don’t have a boat, fishing from shore with live bait, plugs, and spinners can also be effective. Focus on dark colors like green, black, and brown.