When pro angler Scott Martin isn’t on the water chasing big bass, chances are he’s doing one of two things: dialing in his gear or mowing his lawn. Lately, he’s done a little bit of both—and making the most of it. In between fishing sessions, Scott’s been putting in some serious yard work with a new piece of equipment he can’t stop talking about: his Exmark Lazer Z. And while the mower’s making quick work of his lawn, he’s not skimping on fishing time. In fact, he’s got a full lineup of summer tips ready to go. Here’s Scott’s summertime bass fishing strategy—and why he’s loving his new setup, both in the boat and on the lawn.
Summer Means Structure
For Scott, summertime bass fishing starts with the right rods and the right targets. Which, this time of year, means ledges, rock piles, and deep structure.
His go-to? A 3/4-oz. green pumpkin football jig, paired with a range of trailers depending on where he’s fishing. But the key isn’t just the bait—it’s how you fish it. Scott says to think Carolina rig style—slowly dragging across the bottom, letting the jig grind, bump, and stir up sediment.
Rod-wise, he’s throwing a 7’3” medium-heavy with a high-speed 8:1 reel to stay ahead on those long casts. And he’s using anywhere from a 12- to 17-lb. fluorocarbon line, depending on the cover. But lighter lines are better for keeping the jig down.
Big Cranks
When he’s not dragging a jig, Scott’s cranking deep.
To get those 10- to 20-ft. crankbaits down where they need to be, he’s using a 7’10” medium-heavy rod with a 7:1 gear ratio reel and 12-lb. fluorocarbon line. That lighter line helps the bait dive, and the longer rod covers water and helps control bigger fish once they’re hooked.
For his 10- to 15-ft. crankbaits, he likes a shorter rod (7’5”), but the setup philosophy stays the same: 12- to 15-lb. fluorocarbon line and a lower gear ratio (7:1) to keep the bait in the zone a little longer.
Shallow Bites
Not every bass is deep in the summer—especially in Florida. So, Scott’s go-to is a one-two punch: a popping frog and 10-in. worm.
He prefers a black popping frog but will change out to a bluegill color if there’s spawn nearby—or to a shad or white color if needed. But the key is to swap out the stock hook for a Trokar frog hook—a total game changer. He says that small tweak makes all the difference, bumping your hookup ratio from 50% to about 75-80%.
And, on his frog rods he likes a 7’3” heavy, with a 50 lb. no-fade braid, giving his frog a little more action as it comes to rest.
For his worms, Scott’s throwing them on a 7’3” to 7’6” heavy-action rod, depending on the situation. And he’s keeping it light—an 1/8- to 3/16-oz.(maybe even up to 1/4-oz.) tungsten weight. He wants it to swim a little and not just sit on the bottom. He’s also throwing the Bandito Bug, especially in green pumpkin with a touch of chartreuse on the tips. Scott says it looks just like a bluegill, and the bass just can’t resist.
If he’s in really shallow water, Scott’s fishing weightless or with a small lead insert, rigged Neko-style. But most of the time he’s fishing it wacky style, just popping it through the water column, letting fish see it fall.
His Other Setup
Once the rods are rigged, it’s time to handle the yard—and Scott’s loving every minute of it, thanks to his new Exmark Lazer Z E-Series. Built for commercial performance, this machine delivers legendary speed, comfort, and control—all in one sleek package.
The 52” deck delivers that signature Exmark cut. And, with a unibody frame, the Lazer Z is built to handle the unforgiving Florida heat and year-round mowing schedule. That’s not to mention its high-backed suspension seat and adjustable deck height, making Scott’s cutting sessions a lot more comfortable—and efficient.
So, with his yard on lock and his summer bass fishing game dialed in, he’s free to focus on what matters most—chasing big bass and spending more time with family. Because once the work gets done fast, the water’s always waiting.
