August 2024
It’s been hot and it’s been dry, and the Shenandoah River has been low, clear and warm. Water temperatures have been in the mid to upper 80’s. Fish were being caught in July if you could take the heat. Water levels will continue to fall through the month of August, and water temperatures will remain warm until we get to the cooler month of September.
With this in mind, increase your chances for success by fishing the early and late hours of the day. Fish will tend to be more active during these low light periods. Look for fish in deeper holes, in shaded areas, around grass, and near moving water. Top water lures work well in the areas just mentioned. The tiny torpedo and pop-r would be a good choice. I prefer a buzz bait. I believe you get more strikes because of the noise it makes.
When fishing the slower sections of the river, such as flats that have a lot of wood or grass cover, I would throw spinner baits, rattletraps, and small crankbaits. Work the edges of the grass. Bass use these areas to ambush bait. Try different retrieves. Remember that during the warmer months you can’t move a lure so fast that a bass can’t strike it.
When the sun comes out and hits the water, fishing slows down. You’ll want to fish the shaded deeper areas of the river. Throw jigs with a chunk trailer, or Texas rigged worms. Fish these lures slow, in and around wood or rocks, and around drop-offs. When fishing jigs and worms you need to be a line watcher. Bass can pick up and drop a jig without you even knowing it. Like I said, fish early and late, and if you can take the heat, later in the day. I’m sure you will do very well. The fish are there, finding them is the hard part. Good luck fishing in August!
I don’t know about you but when I leave this world I’m going to heaven. And you might wonder how I can be sure? Jesus says in John 14:6 “ I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” I believe that with all my heart. Are you sure you are going to heaven? You know most of us are good people. We have good jobs, nice homes, automobiles, and some are even wealthy. None of these things will get you to heaven. The only way is to believe in Jesus and invite him into your life. God loves each and every one of us, and he desires nothing more than for us to be with him forever.
God bless!
Mike
