Tips for Triggering Strikes on Hot, Calm Days
- By: Matthew Lanier
- on
These dog days of summer can be tough to fish. Hot temps combined with calm and clear conditions make it hard to find the bite once the sun comes up.
The good news is that once you find the fish, there’s a lure that trigger bites from sluggish fish! Check out the video below to see how I’ve been keeping tight lines once things slow down.
Triggering Strikes on Hot, Calm Days
Essential Gear
- Lure: Prawn or Prawn, Jr
- Prawn Rigging: 4/0 Hoss Helix Weedless Hook 1/8-ounce
- Prawn, Jr Rigging: 3/0 Hoss Helix Weedless Hook 1/8-ounce
- Scent: Dr. Juice Inshore Slam Formula
➡️ Get started with the Prawn USA Bundle!
Recommended Setup
- Rod: 2500 Series Spinning Reel
- Reel: 7’6″ Medium Action Spinning Rod
- Mainline: 10-lb Braid
- Leader: 20-lb Mono
➡️ Most Popular Combo: TFO Pro/Daiwa Fuego LT 2500D-XH
➡️ Premium Combo: Slot Machine Custom/Daiwa BG MQ 2500
Keys to Success
- Fish look for shade as the sun comes up on hot, clear days. Thick grass, mangroves, docks, bridges, and more can provide it.
- Since fish are moving around less, slow down your presentation. The Prawn or Prawn, Jr are perfect since they naturally move slowly or sit on the bottom.
- Scent is critical. Scents such as Dr. Juice Inshore Slam Formula give sluggish fish the final push that triggers their instinct to eat.
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I’ve had a little success sliding a Kicker Crab on grass flats for reds when its silly hot outside.
Like always, great video. I’m just curious how you are retrieving the prawn. Been using them of and in for the last few weeks and haven’t gotten a hook up yet. Always end up back at a paddletail or a mirrordine
Matt, thanks for the great tips. I wish that I watched it before I went kayaking yesterday.
Hey Matt,
Have you tried the z-man slim swims? I’d like to see Salt Strong do a review on these and compare their action to a standard paddle tail. I think they have an advantage of being small and still able to create a high amount of vibration within a short period of time.
Hey Jonathan, I haven’t personally tried those but we can see if we can get a review on em! 💪
You are worth your weight in gold, every video you make I have to take notes thank you
We really appreciate the support in a big way Michael!
Matt you are the Bomb, great Enthusiasm, not only do you show off big catches you give the Where To, What To and the How To. Keep up the great work!!
Dan Utley
Retired Fishincoach.
Thanks Dan! 🫡
Boom! 👊 Nice job hooking into black drum with artificial!
Thanks Rick! It was a good one!
Great video and advice. Sometimes it’s not a bad thing to get slimed.
That’s the truth! Thanks for watching!
Dynomite video, Matt! thanks for sharing.
Thanks Buddy! We appreciate you watching!
great will try
Awesome! Thx for watching!