The sun can definitely work against you when fishing for spotted bass, however, there are certain times of year where it will help for sure. The water clarity also plays a role in how well the sun may make fishing harder or easier.
In the Spring, The Sun is Your Best Friend
During the spring, the sun can actually help make the bite better. The sun helps warm the water during the day, which usually provides a better afternoon and evening bite for spotted bass.
Sight Fishing is Easier When the Sun is High in the Sky
If you’re going to do some sight fishing, you are going to want the sun to be shining. You don’t have to wake up super early either. Wait a few hours until the sun gets higher in the sky, then head out on the water. In clear water, once that sun gets up, break out the polarized glasses and start covering water as you search for active bass in the shallows.
Summer & Fall, Fish Deeper on Sunny Days
Once the spawn is over, the sun can actually make fishing a lot harder. On clear waters, spotted bass will often be found much deeper from summer through fall. On murky waters, they will go deeper as well, but not usually as deep.
Late Fall, Mid-Day Sun Can Actually Help
Once the late fall rolls around, the bite may be better from afternoon through evening as the water warms up several degrees. A warm, sunny day near the end of the open water season can help get the bait fish moving around more, which can also help turn the bite on for some spotted bass.
In Murky Water, The Sun Can Actually Help
On most murky water lakes or rivers, you are still going to have that peak early morning and evening bite and the middle of the day can be tough. However, if you can find the areas that hold the fish, the sun actually makes it easier for spotted bass to find your bait in murky water. On these bodies of water, you can usually find some fish a little shallower than you would on clear water lakes.
