Problem- T-Rigged Creature Bait around Weeds

[Djman72]

Hi all,

Hopefully everyone's summer has been full of fishing excursions. I've been doing decently well this summer. Hopefully this post is in the right area.

BUT

I've run into a problem I can't quite solve. I've recently started fishing a new lake that has some great bass fishing. The water is very clear for my area, it's very weedy, and I fish from shore.

The lake is has a lot of pressure and I've found they really response to T rigged creature baits dragged and hopped along the bottom. They destroy them. The lake has a steep drop off from about 1-5 feet deep for about 20-30 feet then down to 12-20 feet from 10 yards out. I'm using a 3/8ths ounce tungsten weight to get the bait to the bottom. The problem is i'm getting hung up on serious weeds about 50% of the time and not able to present the bait right. It's limiting my chances to catch fish as I need to drag the bait out, pull the weeds off, and cast back out.

I'm not new to weighted t rigs, but i'm new to this type of weed density, and the fish being so deep in the forest. Is there any tips to help out from the members out there? I'm not pegging the weight, I thought that would make it worse (maybe i'm wrong). I'm certain i'm hooking the bait correctly as the eye of the hook is buried into the bait (3/0 EWG hook), small tag end, concealed hook point.

Is this just the way of the world? Am I missing something? They don't seem to respond quite as well to more compact, slim baits like worms or tubes.

Any help/advice is appreciated!

 

 

[Hog Basser]

What part of the bait are the weeds getting hung on?

[Logan S]

I peg my weight and use a straight shank hook instead of an EWG.  Comes through grass very well.  You can also change your weight to help you...Going down to a 1/8 will let it sit on/near the 'top' of the submerged grass a little better and going up to a 1/2 (or heavier) will let it slither its way through a little better.  Which one you choose depends on whether you think the fish are hunkered down in the grass or cruising around the edge/top.  The 3/8 that you're using could be just the right amount to hang you up.  

Bait choice plays a role too...For example, a Rage Bug will 'grab' (but not necessarily snag) grass more than a Pit Boss will...Even though both are creatures/craw baits.  

Play around with weights and baits and you'll find something that works...But pegging the weight and a straight shank will probably help you a decent amount with no other changes.  

[bigbassin']

First thing I would try is downsizing to 1/8 ounce, this may be light enough to keep the bait from sinking too far into the grass.  If that's not enough (which I'd be surprised by) you could try a Carolina rig to keep the bait higher than the grass,

[fishnkamp]

Try a couple of things.  I hate to suggest expensive solutions but here is where a tungsten weight pays off. They are so much smaller in size than regular lead worm weight. Also baits like Power Team Craw D'eouvre baits come into play. They still give a nice creature profile but in a shape that can glide through a little easier.  Also they make a nice jig trailer.  Their conviction craw is another one to look at too.  Lastly would you be better off fishing a punch rig?  It would not have to be a big one ounce weight.  Also make sure you peg you weight. I use these pegging tools that are like rubber tooth picks.  They work real well but do not nick your line 

[the reel ess]

I experience the same thing where I usually fish. I use 3/16 oz to 1/4 oz max to keep it from burying in the bottom. It still will, but you can yank it up when you feel extra weight on the bait and let it settle. It will trigger strikes. You'll need to fish slower with the lighter weight, but that will produce more bites. I never peg a weight. 

I also have these little dealies from Big Bites that come through grass well. But I prefer to use the bullet weight with a glass bead between the weight and hook. It protects your knot from the tungsten sharp edge and creates a click when the line tightens. I'm convinced the fish are turned on by it. I usually use craws, but I've used this jighead for big worms. They call it the DS Jig.

 

[Catt]

I completely disagree that an un-pegged weight will cause your t-rig to hang up!

If y'all can not fish a t-rig or jig cleanly through grass its operator error!

Most anglers try forcing a t-rig through grass which is all wrong, you finesse it through grass. When you feel the t-rig starting to load up in the grass...STOP! Release the pressure, pull up until you feel the heaviness again but apply slightly more pressure, the release, repeat until it breaks free (at this point ya wanna hold on real tight to your rod cause ya might get your arm broke). You want the motion to be similar to & as fast as working a shaky head, you're just appling more pressure.

Worm selection is paramount, ribbon tails will hang on grass more than curl tails & straight tails hang even less.

You want to stay as near vertical as possible & maintain constant bottom contact, density of the grass & depth will determine how far off vertical ya wanna go.

Grass is the reason I keep a Texas Rig & Jig-N-Craw on my boat deck 24/7/365!

[Djman72]

21 hours ago, Hog Basser said:

What part of the bait are the weeds getting hung on?

Always at the tungsten weight on top. Never on the bait itself unless I missed a fish and the bait slipped from it's holding spot.

I'll lighten the weight first next time out. That seems to be a consensus throughout the posts.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!