Lake With Weed Filled Bottom

[IDUTBass]

I've fished a lake here pretty much all summer with my girlfriend. We are usually the only people fishing the whole lake and I'm pretty sure its because of how bad the weeds are. It's nice to be the only ones there because we usually catch quite a few but i wanna try some different techniques. There are only a few things i have been able to use because most things just end up dragging back 5 lbs of weeds. The only things i can use (that i can think of) are weightless senkos, top waters, spinnerbaits, shallow cranks, lipless cranks and that's about it. Texas rigged anything seems to just sink into the weeds, as well as jigs, and most other bottom baits i have tried. I started trying a drop shot, but have never done it before. I was just curious if anyone else has any ideas of things to try. I stuck my rod into the bottom and it swallowed about 1/3 of my 7' rod and there is usually about a 5 foot wide mat of weeds around the entire shore. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. 

[Mike2841]

Frogs, also stick with the t rig. Sometimes getting down into those weeds is a good thing.

[bighed]

What kind of weeds?  Hydrilla, slim grass, or ??  Swimbaits come to mind but senkos are great in weedy ponds

[sarcazmo]

Punch them!

[fishballer06]

Sounds like perfect water to throw a Cavitron

[IDUTBass]

I'm not sure what kind of weeds I keep telling myself to take a picture of them but I forget. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I picked up some booyah frogs. I really wanna punch here I'm trying to finish getting a few more setups. One weird thing I tried that work was flipping a light megastrike shaky head. It actually worked decent but still tons of weeds. Also haven't ever fished a cavitron. Are they that much better than other buzzbaits?

[Senko lover]

Weedy waters can be a ton of fun. I had the chance to fish a typical MN lake-complete with a super weedy bottom and cattails galore-this last summer.

Here are some good ways to fish them:

• Spinnerbaits: The ultimate weedless lure. These suckers can cut through the thickest weeds. You'll want something heavy to get down there, though.
• Buzzbaits: The topwater equivalent of spinnerbaits.
• Jigs: Not 100% weedless, but they get the job done. You can try flipping, pitching, punching, or just plain old casting.
• Topwaters of any kind on top of any water that doesn't have weeds poking through. This would include frogs, which are totally weedless, and soft plastics like the Rage Toad or a floating worm.

Hope that helps.

[IDUTBass]

Thanks everyone that gives me some more things to try. I appreciate it.

[Hattrick7]

I would try a super fluke with a weighted hook and use it as a jerkbait through the weeds. Make sure you skin hook the bait so you're not getting caught up. It probably looks like a wounded baitfish to them.

[Bluebasser86]

If there's room above the weeds to fish a spinnerbait I'd be fishing a bladed jig The strong vibration really draws them out of weeds. 

[bass1980]

I am all too familiar with those kinds of lake coming from MN where our natural lakes are filled with weeds by summer time. I know a smaller lake that seems to sound just like your lake and during the right months is top water heaven but when it's not top water season it's a tough lake. If you are fishing in 5 foot of water and there is tons of vegetation then you have three options. One is obviously top water with a frog, horny toad, or the likes. Weedless and can get the job done if the fish are feeding top water. I wouldn't really recommend spinner bait of swim jig if it's the same water I'm talking about. Although semi weedless, it's a PITA reeling back a lump of weeds. Now if the weeds doesn't come right up to the surface and there are also a few breaks in them try weedless fluke. I really like them as they can be walked on top, or jerk just below the surface, or sink into pockets. The fluke is a walk the dog, jerkbait, senko all in one in these water conditions. Lastly if those don't work try attacking the bottom. Not all weeds go all the way down to the bottom. Some weeds open up on the bottom. Think of a forest with trees. Up on top has branches and leaves but on the ground is all stumps with openings. When reeling your lure back up you then snag on the branches/leaves, basically the weed you see. So in your head you think how could I fish down there when it's all weed to the ground but like I said, sometimes it opens up. Try punching with bullet weight depending on how thick the weed is. Punching is like finding a needle in a hay stack, it's a guessing game. Many times I like to go and find the edge of the weed, the weed line. Throw a Trig worm or plastic or even drop shot. Many times bass are hiding at weed line edge waiting for a free meal. Fishing these weedy lakes can be tricky and discouraging. I struggle myself, especially with new lakes but the past year I've learn so much fishing these kinds of waters.