fish in weeds

[all thumbs]

Just wondreing if any fisherman out there have any special tricks to getting a fish out of the weeds. Had a walley on today in 17ft. water. It dove tight into the weeds. It was a standoff for a long time. I finally just circled the area trying to get something to happen. I just managed to break the line. 10lb test.

 

[tiftonk9]

Re: fish in weeds

Just wondreing if any fisherman out there have any special tricks to getting a fish out of the weeds. Had a walley on today in 17ft. water. It dove tight into the weeds. It was a standoff for a long time. I finally just circled the area trying to get something to happen. I just managed to break the line. 10lb test.

i dont know much about walley but for largemouth bass i use a medium/heavy rod and 30lb spider wire braid. It gives you enough to force them out of the weeds ands has a diameter that is close to 10lb test mono or flouro. also, it takes alot to break braid.

 

[Ron G]

Re: fish in weeds

What tifton said an also when one burrys up get on the trolling motor and go to it.

 

[jtexas]

Re: fish in weeds

Yup - you have to muscle 'em on up, no other way. Powerpro braid is good stuff. 30 or 50lb test.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: fish in weeds

I find that I have much more pulling power with a baitcaster than I do with a spinning reel. With a good setup you should be able to power them out of there.

 

[kail.dvorak]

Re: fish in weeds

if you head for the weeds you had better come with the tackle to match. if you have the tackle the trick i find is to put em on plane. screw the fight. cause if he aint in the boat you lost

 

[J BLANK]

Re: fish in weeds

i agree with kail.dvorak. when fishing weeds you need the right tackle. i fish for largeheads on the Tenneesee river in about 6-8 feet of water and when flipping i use 20-25 # test line and a 7' extra heavy rod,still hook up a 6-8 lb largehead and you still need a little luck because as stated above they don't count if you don't get them in the boat.

fishings fun, but catching is better

j blank

 

[danpemby]

Re: fish in weeds

What do you guys use for fishing in heavy weeds? I went to a lake last night that was nothing but vegitation, worked a T-rig worm through some of it with very little success (3 short and 2 15") I know this lake has some big fish, but how can I coax them out?

 

[Ron G]

Re: fish in weeds

10"worm,i big jig,or a tube or creature bait with a big weight.i always start out with a rat first then fish the edge,then start punching the thick stuff.i use 60lb power pro.on a 7' or 7-6' rod and there right if ya can get them up skiem on to the boat.

 

[danpemby]

Re: fish in weeds

Thanks Ron
I found a site from some "experts" here in MO that indicate a rat as well. The also said frogs, so I may try both of them later this week.

With all the cover the weeds provide, does time of day make a difference? The main reason I ask is, We took the boat out an hour before sunset, we could manuver around the weeds that were close to the surface but after dark, we had to continually stop and clear the prop.

 

[jtexas]

Re: fish in weeds

If you have hydrilla that doesn't reach the surface try burning a rattle trap over it or an unweighted fluke worked across the tops.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: fish in weeds

If I get one buried up in the thick stuff I'll get right over top of it and pull straight up. I have horsed big northerns out by wrapping the line around the pole of the net and use that rather than bend hell out of a pole and pull them straight up.

One trick we use in weedy lakes is to find a little point that forms on the outside weed edge, work that with a jig, tube, What ever you have confidence in. Jtex good advise on the weeds that are below surface, I like to work a jointed rappala over them. Most of the big bass I get in weedy lakes are usually in deeper water adjacent to the weed line. A soft plastic dropped into holes in the matts always seem to produce a fish or two.

 

[Ron G]

Re: fish in weeds

we fish the flukes and traps here too, especially in the spring,i like the bandit footloose too.i switch up alot between a buzz and the bandit.you can burn the bandit of fish it extreamly slow.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: fish in weeds

Ohhhh danny! you gonna discover the addictiveness of rat/frog fishing on top of matted stuff and the frustration also. Time of day doesn't really matter, although low light produce better bites. Low light/cloudy/hazy condition use black, bright condition use chartreuse and if they're feeding on shad heavily use white. SPRO frog works great when they want it slow and Zoom Buzzfrog when they want it moves fast. You will get frustrated because so many time you will get blow up so big that it scares you but yet you can't get hook up.

 

[danpemby]

Re: fish in weeds

LOL I can't wait. Trying to talk my buddy into going tonight. Better refill my BP meds first! You mentioned the SPRO frog, it that the Bronze eyed critter?

 

[Ron G]

Re: fish in weeds

GF is right!rat fishing is my favorite!!!!!i use a scum frog and the ribbit brand soft plastic.it aint going to be long before guntersville is going to be readyddi can hardly wait..rember not to set the hook until you feel the fish no matter how big a splash comes up.d

 

[gonefishie]

Re: fish in weeds

Bronze eyes....yes it is! a.k.a kermit.

 

[danpemby]

Re: fish in weeds

Well my buddy "could'nt" go last night because Mrs. Fishing Buddy said so!

It looks like I am limited for the time being to Manns Phat frog, Mirror Image Turbo Frog and Strike King Popper frog. That well stocked (LOL) tackle facility in this lil town - WalMart - doesnt carry much. So for this weekend it will be one of these 3. I will have to make a run up to the city to BPS to get Kermit

I will let you know how it goes

 

[cwilt]

Re: fish in weeds

mr fishie
i have learned that them frogs work at high noon, 89 deg water temp and in 6-12 INCHES of water thats covered with pads or hydrilla. that goes against every book i have read!!

 

[jtexas]

Re: fish in weeds

zoom horney toad has been pretty good, too...on a 5/0 EWG offset, it's a slow sinker, but gurgles kinda like a buzz bait on a steady retrieve. Try white and watermellon redflake/pearl.