Summertime is a great time to go fishing, but it can also require more planning and capitalizing on the bites that the day gives you. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Drew Cook is gearing up for his summer swing of tournaments with two stops in Alabama that should be very warm. His preparation is part mental and the rest comes down to being prepared with the right gear.
Get 'Em Early
The morning bite is always pretty good, but it can be the best chance to catch fish during the hottest times of the year. This is why Cook is extra focused on his morning's first stop.
"You have to make hay in the morning and get on them quick," he said. "That's obviously when it will be cooler; typically, it's the best bite of the day. I always go to my best place first, no matter what."
After that initial flurry, Cook knows things will slow down, but he keeps his head in the game.
"The middle of the day is going to be tough, and you have to stay focused so that if you get a good bite, you don't botch it," he said. "Then, a lot of times, there will be another strong bite an hour or two before weigh-in, especially if you are on a lake where they run current. Don't get discouraged; get your fish when they are biting early, and remember that summer tournaments are typically tough tournaments."
Staying Comfortable and Focused
Fishing for several days in a row can become grueling, so Cook takes the extra steps to maintain his focus for the entire tournament. He focuses on hydration, staying comfortable, and caring for his fish as best he can.
"The sun will drain you bad and if you wear yourself out after a day of fishing, you'll wake up the next day worn out. You have to keep yourself in it every day if you are fishing a tournament for multiple days or even fun fishing a few days in a row," he said. "One thing I always try to do is take the time to have water. It sounds simple, but getting caught up in fishing and forgetting to drink enough water is easy and will hurt in the long run."
He also dons a large hat to protect himself from the sun's rays. "A lot of times, I wear one of those big AFTCO straw hats. It's like having a shade tree on your boat, and it really helps," he said. "These summer events are a marathon and not a sprint, so you must do everything possible to ensure you're not struggling out there."
Cook also brings plenty of ice to summer events for him and his catch in his livewell. "I always have plenty in the ice chest and one easy thing to do is freeze ziplock bags of water," he said. "It'll keep your drinks cold, but I also had them to the livewell every hour or so after 10 o'clock. You want to cool the water for the fish, but be careful, or you can harm them if they get shocked by the temperature changing too much."
Gear for the Sun
As someone who fishes as much as Cook does, he's learned a few things about being comfortable on the water to fish his best. He also considers sun protection and everything he wears is with a purpose.
"I normally wear the AFTCO Original Fishing Shorts; they're fast drying, cool, and very durable," he said. "Then I wear a hooded AFTCO Samurai sun shirt because it helps protect my ears and keeps me comfortable."
Cook also protects his hands with the AFTCO Solago gloves, which he said feel like he isn't wearing anything on his hands after a while. "They fit very tight, and you have an open palm, so you don't get sweaty," he said. "I like the grip and feel of them, but the main deal is that they protect my hands from sunburn."
For his feet, Cook prefers sandals, specifically the AFTCO Deck Sandal. "A lot of people don't like to wear flip flops because they say your back starts to hurt after standing all day, but these have a thicker sole and are very comfortable after fishing in them all day," he said. "They also have a good grip to them, so you're not slipping and sliding on the boat."
Fishing during the summer comes down to having the right mindset to capitalize on feeding windows while staying comfortable and mentally focused. Elite Series pro Drew Cook realizes this and makes sure that he's prepared with enough water and ice and the right clothing for the job.
Advertising