Preferred technique for this timeframe is vertical or near vertical jigging. The bait can range from minnows and just starting with leeches. This takes us to the summer peak. Nearly everything in the lake is in full bloom, the weedbeds have reached their maximum growth for the season, the young of the year baitfish are growing big enough to become lunch, the thermocline begins to form and the fish are seeking refuge from the suns penetrating rays and an easy meal. This is when weedbeds and weedlines shine.
Most mesotrophic lakes have some form of broadleaf weeds such as curlyleaf cabbage and pondweed.
The key is the wide leaves that provide shade and reduced water temperature with high oxygen levels caused by the weeds. Weeds also provide the same benefits for the food source plus protection from the predators. The deeper the weeds are growing and the closer drop-offs into the main lake basin make this situation all the better. Preferred jigging techniques for the weeds include rip jigging with a leech, crawler or minnow, still fishing with a slip bobber and the bait of your choice, vertical jigging along the edges of your favorite weedline. The weeds are nearly always the place to be right up until fall, this timeframe produces most of our trophy class fish and predictable bites right up to the turnover.