Back in the day, I could fish all day in this kind of weather with few problems. If it got too bad out there, I'd simply fish at night instead. Now at an advanced age and with my medical issues, I can no longer tolerate the mid-day heat OR fish at night - both are just too hazardous to my health. I fished Tuesday in southeast Texas, but had to stop at 2:30 and head for my car and its AC. I don't want to stop fishing until October or move up north, but short of taking a 4- to 6-hour (air conditioned) lunch break and/or nap during mid-day, I can't think of very many options.

What are you folks' secrets for beating the heat?

I soak towels in the cooler and throw them over my neck and shoulders

Stay out of it. This time of year from 1PM-6PM or 7PM used to be my favorite and best time for catching numbers of BIG fish at Fork. I've had severe heat exhaustion at least five times. Each episode worse than the previous.

I feel your pain, buddy. My system just can't take the midday heat any longer. I'm 58 and in pretty good health.

Houseboat. Anchor. Set out rods. Go inside and turn on AC.

I wear a thin cloth hat, like a jungle hat, I often dunk it in the lake and put it back on my head to keep cool... If there is a breeze, that works really well... Also, drink LOTS AND LOTS of water the couple days before and during your trip... That said, I still get on the lake early and off by noon... or I fish in the evening.

Jump in the lake during the day.

Listen to your body(sounds like you are).

I do like the fish.
I fish shallow early am.
When it gets hot I leave for a cool spot.
Fish do the same.

fishing until 2:30 was pretty good all by itself.

I have the towels made by Frogg Toggs. I have two of them. I soak them in ice water and wrap them around my neck. Then rotate them, one soaking while one is in use. They work pretty good. A large brim hat or even a canopy on your boat could help too.

If I still can't stand it then, like other say, I get out of it.

The heat is one reason I got a Bimini top. Its not the best and gets in the way sometimes, but sure beats getting baked and allows me to out last the heat longer.

Yup

Shade is king this time of year. I hated putting a t top on my boat, and cuss it during the cool weather, but it is nice right now.

Get under a bridge

It's just something you have to deal with as you get older. I used to be able to work 60 hours a week in the sun, go out Friday night to the club until closing time and get up before the sun to go fishing on Saturday. NOT ANYMORE!

Those cool towels are great. Get 2 or 3 of them, soak them in water and throw them (in their plastic containers)in your cooler. They work wonders. We've even got one of those water misting fans.