ESPN.com - Targeting grass bass

ESPN.com: BASS

Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Updated: March 16, 3:06 PM ET
Targeting grass bass

By Bob McNally
BASS Times, April 2004

Prime bass fishing can usually be found in hard-to-reach places; strike zones the average angler purposely motors past on his way to greener pastures and easier casting. At the top of this list is thick aquatic vegetation.

The thick stuff intimidates most anglers. Whether it's the fear of losing lures or the assumption that some targets simply cannot be penetrated, many fishermen simply chose to avoid them. Or they limit their exploration to the edges, hoping that one or two largemouth bass would be willing to leave the comfort and safety of their weedy jungle.

McNally's Top 5 WeedLESS WONDERS 1. Slug-Go
Lunker City Fishing Specialties, P.O. Box 1807, Meriden, CT 06450; 203-237-FISH; www.lunkercity.com.
2. Premier Pro Model Jig
Strike King Lure Co., 466 Washington St., Collierville, TN 38017; 901-853-1455; www.strikeking.com.
3. Terminator T-2 Series Spinnerbait
Horizon Lures, 9855 E. Admiral Place, Tulsa, OK 74116; 800-944-4766; www.terminatorlures.com.
4. Pro Tournament Frog
Snag Proof Manufacturing, 11387 Deerfield Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242; 513-489-6483; www.greatlures.com.
5. Johnson's Weedless Spoon
Pure Fishing America, 1900 18th St., Spirit Lake, IA 51360; 877-502-6482; www.johnsonfishing.com.

But hardcore bass anglers - those willing to take the risk for a higher rate of return - view thick cover as a challenge worth the risk. The rationale is simple. Aquatic vegetation is home to the highest concentrations of forage inside a fishery. In addition to abundant foraging opportunities for both predator and prey, the same habitat also represents prime cover in an unpressured setting.

So, it's obvious why many BASS pros target the jungle. Buried deep inside aquatic vegetation are consistent strikes and bigger bass. The key is to find the right tools for the job.


Slug-Go

A wide range of weedless lures — in a variety of different shapes, colors and actions — are built especially for this type of fishing. Take thick weedbeds that form a seemingly impenetrable surface mat, for example.Typically, these surface mats feature open holes or pockets. These small openings are where bass will station themselves looking for a meal. A slow-wobbling, surface weedless lure is ideal for working these holes. The cast should be made beyond the opening and the lure should be retrieved right up to the edge. Pause a moment, then slowly ease the lure into this isolated strike zone. Allow the lure to remain motionless for a few seconds, perhaps wiggling it with the rod tip to impart subtle action. Multiple presentations are sometimes necessary, but the payoffs can be huge. And this game plan usually involves hitting as many of these small targets as possible.

Among the top lure candidates for this job are soft plastic lures, particularly ones featuring skirts or plastic tails that flutter and wave as the lure enters the open strike zone. This subtle movement is usually enough to elicit a reaction from any bass nearby, especially big fish living in highly pressured lakes, which explains why soft-bodied lures, like Slug-Gos, frogs and rats, are favorites among experienced weed fishermen.


	Premier Pro Model Jig

Unbeknownst to the average bass angler, thick mats of weeds often create tunnels hidden several feet below the surface like a low-to-the-floor kitchen table. The weed stalks are the table legs, and above them the vegetation forms a thick, dense surface layer, like the table top. Targeting this vacancy below requires "punching" a heavy jig through the surface junk, then keeping the lure in the open area just off bottom.

These seldom-targeted open areas beneath the surface mats are highways for bass in depths from 6 to 20 feet. Almost anywhere weeds grow deep and thick, "void fishing" can be practiced effectively. This technique works in thick vegetation ranging from hydrilla and milfoil to coontail moss and peppergrass. Other types of vegetation that feature a relatively snag-free strike zone beneath them are water lettuce, cabbage and even deep lily pads.


	Terminator T-2 Series Spinnerbait

Reaching the "void" involves using a heavy, weedless jig weighing up to 1 ounce or more. The angler flips it out a short distance and its weight pulls it down through the vegetation. Many top pros opt for jig trailers to enhance the lure's profile and spiraling descent. Either plastic or pork, the trailers enhance the jig's appearance and improve its action once it enters the strike zone.

When bottom contact is made under the canopy, the angler engages the reel handle, tightens the heavy line and imparts a subtle "hopping" action with the rod tip. This causes the lure to rise and fall vertically. With practice and patience, a bass fisherman can begin to "feel" the lure touch the ceiling of the weeds above, giving him a mental image of what the optimum presentation and lure action should be. And the results are usually positive.


	Pro Tournament Frog

Then there are emerging weedbeds situated in relatively shallow water. These are ideal havens for forage, whether it's baitfish seeking protection or crawfish burrowing below for food. An ideal weedbed of this type in shallow water would be one located on a large flat in 4 to 6 feet of water, with the vegetation growing up to about 1 or 2 feet from the bottom. In this situation, an active strike zone usually develops early in the morning or late in the afternoon, or under heavy overcast skies in the relatively open water above the vegetation. The best lures would be spinnerbaits or soft plastic jerkbaits.

Yet another common situation that fishermen encounter are widely scattered, thick stands of aquatic vegetation. This situation calls for "action" lures that mimic baitfish darting in and out of the cover. Among the top lures for this application are buzzbaits, tandem spinnerbaits and weedless spoons. The secret is to make long casts, hold the rod tip high to keep the lures at or just below the surface, and to cover lots of water.


	Johnson's Weedless Spoon

Frequently, bass "strike short" at action lures in and around weeds because their window of opportunity is so brief. They see the lure moving quickly past them and they must move quickly to catch up. That's why it's a good idea to delay the hook set until you feel the fish.

A final fishing tip for weedbed bass — always have a "backup" rod ready on the deck, rigged with a soft jerkbait or jig to throw behind a missed spinnerbait or buzzbait strike.

With the variety of weedless lures available today, there's no reason to curse aquatic vegetation. Applaud it instead.