Flipping Heavy Cover In California Tules

[Droppingshot]

I've searched the topic and didn't find much info on fishing tules that are really large and dense. Most of the info is on stuff that's more sparse.

The lake I fish at (pinto lake) in Watsonville is surrounded by a wall of tules and trees.

I've had a bit of luck sneaking up and flipping a 1oz tungsten bullet weight pegged to a strike king anaconda worm, along with a berkley pit boss into pockets and and reeds where I can get the bait to drop through.

My question to those who fish this type of cover is what type of lure/weight would you use for the style of pitching, and what should I be looking for in the endless wall of tules to up my odds?

[tritondriver]

_{all you can do is keep changing the bait..check out d and m custom baits punch baits or other crawls. also I have found that fish aren't always in the thickest part of tulies, check for thinner patches and any openings and hit both sides of that opening.}

[Droppingshot]

_{all you can do is keep changing the bait..check out d and m custom baits punch baits or other crawls. also I have found that fish aren't always in the thickest part of tulies, check for thinner patches and any openings and hit both sides of that opening.}

How long are you leaving your bait in the water for before flipping

into a different spot? I will definitely check those baits out, and try to hit the less thick spots. Thanks for the advice.

[Teal]

Also keep an eye out for isolated tulies out away from the main section ans any isolated tulies or willow that create even a slight water break. Those often hold fish too.

As for how long to let it sit, or how long to work the lure.... You are just gonna have to try a few different things until u can narrow it down. I gotta believe that NC fish are no different, in that it can change from day to day quick presentation they desire

Often if its heavy vegetation, ill use 1/2-1.5 oz and it will be pegged on braid

[Teal]

Don't forget to pick those tulies apart. Sometimes ill pitch 10+ times to one small section. Often times its the second pitch within a few feet of the first will get bit

[Catt]

I fish alot of cattail & roso-cane with a 3/4-1 oz weight & a Sweet Beaver type lure.

A worm would not be my first choice or even second.

[Catt]

Oh Yea

Look for small opening, points, sparse areas, & where they meet other grasses.

[gulfcaptain]

I would fish an ounce to ounce and a half tungsten weight pegged with a creature bait/beaver style....maybe a D-Bomb, Sweet Beaver,...etc.  Something compact.  Maybe a punch skirt with it as well.  I'd look at the wall of Tulies, look for points, indentions, gaps, maybe where two different types of vegetation mix.  Bottom line, if you look at it all you will overwhelm yourself.  Look for deep water access or a creek channel that is close by. Think someone mentioned isolated bunches as well.  All of it looks good, it's our job to pick the best parts and fish them.  As mentioned above, make a number of casts/pitches to each pocket.  And when you do catch a fish, look at how it was relating to the cover or what was different about that spot then it's surroundings. Greatest tool you have is yourself and the observations you make.  Good luck.

[WRB]

I've searched the topic and didn't find much info on fishing tules that are really large and dense. Most of the info is on stuff that's more sparse.

The lake I fish at (pinto lake) in Watsonville is surrounded by a wall of tules and trees.

I've had a bit of luck sneaking up and flipping a 1oz tungsten bullet weight pegged to a strike king anaconda worm, along with a berkley pit boss into pockets and and reeds where I can get the bait to drop through.

My question to those who fish this type of cover is what type of lure/weight would you use for the style of pitching, and what should I be looking for in the endless wall of tules to up my odds?

Sounds like you are shore fishing...from the bank!

You are not far from the Delta where flipping and punch rigs are standard practice. Read Dee Thomas books and articles. Cat tails and bullrush aren't tules, they are not as dense and don't grow nearly as deep. As mentioned look for coves or inlets in the tules and rocky bottoms where the tules can't root and fish the edges or pockets first. If you are trying to break through floating reed mates a bullet shape heavy punch rig is your best bet and use soft plastics with less bulk and length.

Tom

[Droppingshot]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I do well flipping the pockets and outside of the tules. That's mainly where most my fish come from. I was more curious about the heavy cover punching aspect of it. Which everyone helped out with. Sounds like I'm in the right track. This helped a lot with my confidence. Thanks again