Catching pressured shallow bass

[trout123]

There's this spot in one of the creeks I like to fish that has lots of rock and riff raff for about 5 feet and then drops down to a sandy bottom(I think). There's lots of bluegill and baby bass that hide in the rocks and I've seen bas from 1 to 5 pounds go in 6 inches of water to try and feed. The creek I fish is insanely pressured and probably doesn't go a day without getting fished. Ned rigs get stuck in the rocks and the bass will seem to turn around if they see something that's the tiniest bit unnatural. What are some other good options?

[Scott F]

If you can see the bass that turn away, they can also see you. In small streams, stealth is very important. They not only see you, they can feel your footsteps. Do you fish from shore, wade or float? Stand back and cast toward the rip-rap from as far away as possible.

[QED]

If you encounter lots of "riff raff," you must be fishing in San Francisco or LA! ?  I used to fish the riprap in the San Joaquin delta system and did fine with spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. I like to cast parallel to and somewhat tight to the riprap.

[trout123]

6 minutes ago, Scott F said:

If you can see the bass that turn away, they can also see you. In small streams, stealth is very important. They not only see you, they can feel your footsteps. Do you fish from shore, wade or float? Stand back and cast toward the rip-rap from as far away as possible.

I fish from the shore. The spot I'm talking about has a spillway flowing into it and turns into a rocky/weedy beach that has 1 small spot to drain out and I'll walk the beach.

[MIbassyaker]

If a ned rig gets hung up, try a 4" weightless t-rigged senko or other stick worm.  Very natural, slower fall, no chunk of lead to get stuck in the rocks. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Try a DS with a really short tag end to keep it just above the bottom.  Try to use the lightest weights you can find.  Tie a weak knot to the weight so its easy to break off if its stuck.  If you think you may lose a bunch of weights use lead weights if you can to save money.

[Sphynx]

I have had great success with lipless and squarebill crankbaits in similar areas in the past, if they are not particularly interested in a feeding bite then perhaps a reaction bite would serve you better, in addition to cranks you might find success on a jerkbait (soft or hard would work well enough in these conditions) or topwater, I find that poppers and walking baits do pretty well fished over rip rap, if you want to stick with something slower on the bottom a finesse football head jig might get stuck less, or since you have current from the incoming water a shakeyhead would probably work well too.

[MGF]

If a ned gets hung another option that works in similar conditions is a "tiny child" rig. Texas rig your TRD (or whatever you use for a ned) on a 1 or 1/0 hook and put a nail weight in the other end. It's pretty snag proof and I've been catching a ton of fish on it.

 

My other trick this time of year in shallow clear water is a 4" finesse worm on a split shot rig...snag resistant, quiet, natural and the fish eat it.

[trout123]

2 hours ago, MGF said:

If a ned gets hung another option that works in similar conditions is a "tiny child" rig. Texas rig your TRD (or whatever you use for a ned) on a 1 or 1/0 hook and put a nail weight in the other end. It's pretty snag proof and I've been catching a ton of fish on it.

 

My other trick this time of year in shallow clear water is a 4" finesse worm on a split shot rig...snag resistant, quiet, natural and the fish eat it.

I hooked some big bass on an ultra rod with a rig like that but toned down for trout. Might need to try it again.

[ironbjorn]

Ned Rigs won't get snagged in rocks if you're using the right weight. I fish Neds in 6"-4' fow that's all rocks and rapids with massive success. Lighter the weight, the slower the fall, the least likely to fall into the rocks, more likely to catch fish. And then you need to do a quick swim, shake, glide retrieve. Don't let it hit bottom. Don't bounce it, hop it, or dead stick it. Keep it constantly moving.