What do do when fish buries in weeds

[geo g]

I fish south Florida and fish from the bank at least 5 days a week.  All the better lakes I fish all have weed field around the lake.  The shallows are all packed with weeds.  Getting fish out successfully can be a challenge unless you are prepared.

1). Have the right equipment to get the job done.

2). A good casting reel, to wrench them out.

3). At least a medium heavy rod.

4).The right line for the job.  At least 15 pound Floro, or 25 pound braid.  The braid will help cut the weeds under pressure.

5).A stout wire hook so it will not bend under the stress.

6). Proper technique, immediately after a hard hook set,  keep the rod high, and get the head up over the weeds.  Don't ever let up on cranking the reel, and surf the fish over the pads, and weed fields.  Don't play the fish at all or a big fish will bury itself in the junk.

7). If the fish does bury in the weeds and will not move, give it some slack in the line and watch closely.  90% of the time they will swim out of the mess, once the pressure is off.  As soon as you see movement in the line, set it  hard again and get the head up above the weeds.  Head up is key especially in thick pad fields.

8). Where you see open water without weeds usually means a depth change.  A great place to target adjacent to a weed line.  Bass will move in and out of the weeds depending on the conditions, time of day, and seeking deeper water for temp changes, and schooling bait fish.

 

Be prepared my friend, and don't take a KNIFE to a GUN FIGHT!

[Bankbeater]

I did the same thing fishing from the bank, only with 8 pound line.  This was about 10 years ago, and I ended up breaking the line.  You have to keep the rod tip high and reel fast enough to get the bass up over the edge of the weeds. 

[soflabasser]

On 6/7/2021 at 8:55 AM, Flav said:

I hooked and then lost what might have been my PB largemouth yesterday, looking for some advice.  I was fishing from the bank so standing about 3 ft above water level, it hit my senko, I set the hook and first played it with my rod tip high until it made a big jump out of the water.  I dropped my rod tip after the jump to try and keep it from jumping  again, and it then dove straight into the thick vegetation about 10 yards from the shore.  I tried horsing it out of there with my medium medium power spinning rod and 6# test, and sure enough after giving it a really strong pull my knot broke off and the hawg got away.

 

In hindsight i probably should have kept the rod tip high to avoid the weeds as that was more of a risk than the jumping, but once it buried deep in the weeds what should I have done?   maybe just keep the line as gently taught as possible and see if I can wait it out until it swims itself out of the weeds?  

Welcome to the forum. I suggest using stronger line if you are fishing in heavy aquatic vegetation for big bass. I like using 30 pound test braid or 15 pound test mono when fishing in areas similar to the area you mentioned. I sometimes use heavier line than this if needed.

[BigAngus752]