New to Fishing Grass Mats

[Ersteman]

I'm going to fish a small lake in Tennessee with grass mats.  No, I don't know what kind of grass it is; I just know the lake has grass mats.  The mats go out about 10-20 feet wide from shore and I don't know how thick they are.   I've never fished a grass mat in my life, but have watched about 10 How-To videos. I was going to take a variety of punch weights, up to 1.5 ounces.  I have a variety of top water frogs and soft plastic punch baits.  I was going to use 65lb braid and my strongest rods. 

I have bobber stoppers, so I was going to go with a palomar knot, unless you guys give me reasons to go with a snell knot.   

I saw a prior post on this site talking about fishing the edges of the mats by deep water first, then punching through the mat.  I'll mix in some top water too to see if they are suspending high in the water column.  

 

Am I on the right track?

Do you have any advanced tips that have helped you fish a grass mat?

I'll take any info you're willing to share with me.  

 

Thanks!

[fishballer06]

Don't be afraid to throw a chatterbait, spinnerbait, Keitech, or a topwater along the edges of those mats. After you work over the fish on the edges of the mats, then go into the mat with the texas/punch rig. 

[1234567]

Look for differences within the mat such as where two different weeds meet. Look for  stumps or cat tails within the mat and punch toward the base. If there is current punch the weed "points" as sometimes they ambush from the outside. Pump your bait slow, faster, let it sit on the bottom even or pump it up and down only a few inches from the top. Eventually you could figure out a pattern.  If you feel anything set the hook right away. 

Edited May 8, 2017 by 1234567

[sully420]

You're on the right track. All i would say is sunny days punch the mat cloudy days fish the edges. Or do both it just takes time to work it over.

[ThePolkFolk]

I like using a fairly beefy hook. Typically some size of Trokar flipping hooks. 50 braid and a stout rod generally will work for most of our slop down here in Florida. I use 65 lb now but never had an issue with 50. Many people have no issues with the palomar knot, I've just always been raised on the snell knot for punching cover.

 

Like the other posters have said, don't be afraid to try other presentations as well.

 

[Catt]

Don't just fish the grass...fish what's under it!