As you indicated, it's a mostly a matter of water temp. Are upper 80's the surface temps? SMB spend the summer in the deep. Lake Texhoma, (border of OK/TX) has a viable pop. of SMB. Yet, they do spend the hot months around sub-surface cliffs. If you have acceptable oxygen levels at the 12 ft + depths, your temps should be cool enough for these fiesty fish (not a true bass).
