Summer and ledge fishing go together, but you can get burned on an offshore bite where the fish are averaging about 3 pounds when you need them to be averaging 4 pounds or so to do any good in a tournament setting.

If I don’t have a good ledge bite I’m going to leave the deep water and go to the bank where it might be only inches deep, because at different times of the day some of the biggest fish are going to be up there cruising the shoreline and hunting bluegills. If the timing is right, it will almost feel like you’re sight-fishing.

My favorite lures for this type of fishing are shaky heads with either a 5 1/2-inch Damiki Stinger or a Finesse Miki in 5 1/2- or 6 1/2-inch sizes, and the Damiki D-Pop 70 in bluegill pattern. Also, make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses because the clearer the water, the longer you need to be able to see and cast. Personally, I wear Kaenon glasses with the Yellow 35 lenses and look for shadows off by themselves, isolated cover or any targets that might make good ambush cover.

Otherwise, put your trolling motor on high and cover every stretch of bank that looks like it ought to be holding bluegills and bass.

—- Chevy pro Bryan Thrift, Shelby, N.C.