Lake bottom

[GoneFishingLTN]

So yesterday I finally got a chance to fish a lake nearby but when I went into what I thought would be a productive cove it pulled up moss time and time again and left the area. Had no bites but didn’t cast to many times maybe 15. Is this the right move or should it be a time I change baits. I moved thinking the moss on the bottom wasn’t a favorable bottom for bass

[DinkDreams]

I fish ponds d**n near exclusively, so it may not be the same but almost all of them are full of grass and mucky bottoms. The muck on the bottom isn’t necessarily an issue, but you have to put a little more thought into weight choices. 
 

Personally I would go lighter on Texas rigs, say 1/8-1/4 oz at most. This will allow you to fish on top of the muck, and not get bogged down as easily. The other option (and the way I’ve had most of my success this year thus far) has been targeting other areas of the water column. Quickly retrieving a spinnerbait about a foot or so below the surface, swimbaits in the middle of the water column.

 

If they aren’t hitting moving baits or topwater, grab a light Texas rig or even a weightless Texas rig, maybe a dropshot depending on cover. I haven’t fished anywhere where they won’t hit a wacky rigged stick bait, and that won’t get bogged down in the muck as well.
 

Not sure where you are located, but in the Midwest the bass are finally starting to really push shallow, so your thoughts on the location were right. But sometimes, the fish just aren’t there!

[scaleface]

Fish over the moss is a  productive  approach . I like spinnerbaits a lot . Their depth can be controlled easily .

[hokiehunter373]

1 hour ago, DinkDreams said:

I fish ponds d**n near exclusively, so it may not be the same but almost all of them are full of grass and mucky bottoms. The muck on the bottom isn’t necessarily an issue, but you have to put a little more thought into weight choices. 
 

Personally I would go lighter on Texas rigs, say 1/8-1/4 oz at most. This will allow you to fish on top of the muck, and not get bogged down as easily. The other option (and the way I’ve had most of my success this year thus far) has been targeting other areas of the water column. Quickly retrieving a spinnerbait about a foot or so below the surface, swimbaits in the middle of the water column.

 

If they aren’t hitting moving baits or topwater, grab a light Texas rig or even a weightless Texas rig, maybe a dropshot depending on cover. I haven’t fished anywhere where they won’t hit a wacky rigged stick bait, and that won’t get bogged down in the muck as well.
 

Not sure where you are located, but in the Midwest the bass are finally starting to really push shallow, so your thoughts on the location were right. But sometimes, the fish just aren’t there!

^^^ Was going to say this just about exactly.  You're still going to come back with crap on your "weedless" options half the time but it won't be as bad if you're going light weight or using some of the methods described above.  If it's warm enough I'll start with top water.  If that's not working test out a spinnerbait through the middle of the water column.  Might get some slime but I find it easier to deal with on spinners.  If that doesn't work, go to a weightless wacky or texas rig.  The texas rig will be the most weedless but the wacky rig always gets bit.  Drop shot can be deadly.  Good luck

[papajoe222]

A little clarification on your part as to what presentations you were using and what is what  you call moss.

A couple of ideas based on the information in your OP.  If it's the type of moss that clings to everything, including your knot, you are limited to fishing below it, or above it.  The moss around here will stay a foot or so under the surface until the water temps get into the 60's. Personally, I run an UltraVibe speed worm (weightless) over the top and pause it over open pockets.  That works fairly well for active fish.  I actually do better punching a tube through it and work the structure below.  You won't need as heavy a weight to punch through it as you would for matted vegetation. A 3/8oz. sinker, peg and a light wire hook will get you there.

[Bird]

Sounds like you may just need to avoid bottom contact.

Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits, top water baits, drop-shot might be better options in this cove.

 

[Catt]

On 4/28/2022 at 6:23 AM, GoneFishingLTN said:

pulled up moss time and time again and left the area.

 

What pulled up moss?

 

How deep?

 

[ironbjorn]

For Texas rigs, lighter weight and HOP the bait, do not DRAG the bait.

[Mike L]

10 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Personally, I run an UltraVibe speed worm (weightless) over the top and pause it over open pockets.  That works fairly well for active fish.  I actually do better punching a tube through it and work the structure below.  You won't need as heavy a weight to punch through it as you would for matted vegetation. A 3/8oz. sinker, peg and a light wire hook will get you there.

Ditto!

 

 

 

 

Mike

[cyclops2]

Dense vegetables are a DIFFICULT  problem.  VERY difficult problem.  Fish somewhere else more open.

 

 Possible GOOD side of dense slime / weeds is plenty of Oxygen.  But the plants can & do generate too much oxygen sometimes.  So fish move to SAFER AREAS.

 

I would just fish more normal water...............  15 casts ??    My braided line is still DRY.   You are being too impatient for a difficult  water.