Punching Matted Vegetation In Shallow Water

[iceintheveins]

A lake I fish has matted weeds but they only grow in 1 - 4 feet of water. I do catch fish on frogs in these weeds. Is this too shallow for punching or should I try it?

[Shanes7614]

Try it. As long as there is shade then there's a good chance you'll find fish. Especially if your already catching fish on frogs from there.

[Bankbeater]

I would try it.  As long as the weather doesn't get too hot I think the bass will stay in the weedy shallows.

[WIGuide]

You should try it. There's no reason not to especially since you already know there's fish there.

[Shanes7614]

I would try it. As long as the weather doesn't get too hot I think the bass will stay in the weedy shallows.

Here in Florida we have WATER temps in the 90's right now. Plenty of fish are hiding in the shallows. The one thing I've been taught to think about is this... When it's too bright in the sun we can put on sunglasses. Bass however cannot. For them one of the only ways to prevent looking into direct sunlight is, to hide under thick matted weeds and grass!!!

[iabass8]

I routinely punch weeds/pads/grass on the river in 1-4 feet of water and find fish. 

[gobig]

Here in Florida we have WATER temps in the 90's right now. Plenty of fish are hiding in the shallows. The one thing I've been taught to think about is this... When it's too bright in the sun we can put on sunglasses. Bass however cannot. For them one of the only ways to prevent looking into direct sunlight is, to hide under thick matted weeds and grass!!!

 

 

  This sounds like an intro for strange wilderness.

[BassinLou]

You will be surprised how shallow anglers are punching in. If the mat is thick and well insulated bass will under  it. The depth's are not as deep as you may think. 

[RoLo]

A lake I fish has matted weeds but they only grow in 1 - 4 feet of water. I do catch fish on frogs in these weeds. Is this too shallow for punching or should I try it?

 

No freshwater game fish fills a shallower niche than the largemouth bass, even shallower than the eastern chain pickerel.

If matted weeds are present, then the opportunity for mat-punching is also present.

 

Some natural lakes suffer from an oxygen deficiency during midsummer.

Although anglers habitually probe deeper on hot summer days, bass in oxygen-deprived water

are forced into the upper few feet of water, where they welcome a canopy of foliage.

 

Roger

[iceintheveins]

Temps are in the mid 90s to low 100s this time of year, water temps are around 80 degrees. Will do it.

[Montanaro]

Shoot, I punch matted cattails in the spring in roughly 18 inches of water or less and catch 1 and 2 pounders.

[topwaterrob]

I punch in two feet and less sometimes....  Hit it....

[Chris Butts]

By the way... looking at my original pic, is that the type of vegetation you would call a mat? Maybe the stuff on top, I don't know what the stuff is below. It's like snot.

[Mike L]

I dont care what's on top...Be it grass, weeds, pad's, lay down's, reeds etc.

Naturally growing in one spot or blown in.

If on a boat and it's going slow enough I'm gonna punch it.

If on the bank and I can reach it, I'm gonna punch it.

If it's clear or stained, I'm gonna punch it.

Be it in 10 ft or 18" of water, I'm gonna punch it.

If theres water and oxygen, somebody may be living there.

Mike

[Bluebasser86]

My boats is sitting in 3' of water, flipping into less than 2'

 

 

Thursday night we won a tournament flipping grass and never caught a bass deeper than 2'. One of our biggest came off the backside of the weeds in less than 1' of water. Even a big bass only needs 8-10 inches of water to cover it's back and if there's vegetation to hide under and protect it from the sun, they're not afraid to sit in water that shallow. 

[JOBU1967]

As long as there is cover (weeds, logs, bushes) present it is never too shallow. I have caught dozens of 4-6 pounders in less than 6 inches of water punching & frogging. The most important thing when going this shallow is you have to go into stealth mode or you will spook the bass.

[RoLo]

As long as there is cover (weeds, logs, bushes) present it is never too shallow. I have caught dozens of 4-6 pounders in less than 6 inches of water punching & frogging. The most important thing when going this shallow is you have to go into stealth mode or you will spook the bass.

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

Stealth is important in skinny water, and if the bass aren't as stealthy as the angler,

their dorsal fins will betray their presence 

 

Roger