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Successful spin fishing in summer usually lies between these two extremes, in the middle layer. Here the temperature is more comfortable, the oxygen supply is adequate, and usually there are mouthfuls of small fry. This optimum layer, called the thermocline, may start at ten feet below the surface in small lakes or at fifty feet or more in extremely large, deep bodies of water. Since it is the thinnest of the three layers, don't depend upon luck to locate it. Trolling at different depths until you've hit the fish-bearing stratum is too time-consuming. Much simpler is to lower a minimum-maximum thermometer and take readings at 5-foot intervals. Soon you will have charted the three layers with surprising accuracy because the thermocline changes its temperature abruptly, say, from 50 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 feet while the other two change temperature very slowly. However, despite the thermocline, the greedy old bass haven't forgotten the location of their shore-line breadbox and they will make excursions to it occasionally by day but usually by night. As a result, it is a good place to start the day's spinning operations, but make it early, while the water is coolest and the wise old bass haven't been frightened by the daily horde of tackle-rattlers.
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