rocky bottom - stuck lures

[lajos]

The lake I usually fish in MA has a large shallow area, sort of an underwater island. Depth goes from 30ft to 3ft, it's all rocks and bass love it.

 

Currently bass goes crazy for swim jigs and ned rigged z-man finesse trd, but these lures get stuck in the rocks and lost all the time. I fish this area from a kayak (motor boats can't get in there, chews up the props), so I can paddle around to free snagged lures some times, but that's lost fishing time and often a need to retie because the line gets damaged.

 

Any suggestions on how to fish jigs on rocky bottom, or alternative rigging methods to fish the dropoffs without getting stuck in the rocks?

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Glenn]

Here ya go!

 

 

[lajos]

Thanks, Glenn!

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

[Brett's_daddy]

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-telescopic-lure-retriever

[Riazuli]

Second on a telescopic lure retriever.  There are many options available.  A lure retriever that uses a weight and line can also work (I carry both on my kayak just in case I happen to get one stuck too deep for the pole).  

[NYWayfarer]

13 hours ago, lajos said:

 

 

Any suggestions on how to fish jigs on rocky bottom, or alternative rigging methods to fish the dropoffs without getting stuck in the rocks?

 

Thanks!

 

 

T-rigged or "stupid" rigged tube. Without the exposed hook of a jig or ned rig, hang-ups on the bottom will be less frequent.

[OkobojiEagle]

2 hours ago, NYWayfarer said:

T-rigged or "stupid" rigged tube. Without the exposed hook of a jig or ned rig, hang-ups on the bottom will be less frequent.

This is good advice... also use the lightest weight bait you can still feel and retrieve it with the rod tip up and in front of you. Concentrate on the lure weight, lift the rod slightly with ANY tick or change of weight.

 

I think the Ned rig would be a terrible technique to fish in rocky situations.  The classic Ned retrieve I've read about preaches loosing feel of the bait.

 

oe

[heavyduty]

I'm going to try the "neko" rig this year. Lot of my river fishing friends say they hang up less. Your line is pulling the bait away from the lead and out of the rock/ledge instead of into it with standard rigging.

[The Pond King]

I used to fish a shallow pond where the bottom is laden with jagged rocks. I've found that a weightless Texas rigged senko to be the least likely lure to get snagged in this situation. Try it out!

[SWVABass]

Not sure how your rock looks like but I fish a lake with a lot of big chunk rock. Switching up to tungsten weights has helped me, also I fish a lot of square bills and they tend not to hang as bad. Another bait that might work would be a spybait and spinnerbait if keeping bottom contact is necessary. 

[NHBull]

A neco rig is your friend and don’t be afraid to substitute a small tube instead of worm.

 

I fish Squam and it is a lure eater.......get used to it