Bass Buries Itself In The Weeds

[Will Ketchum]

What to do? last year I hooked a few from the shore and when they apparently knew the jig was up, they went into the weeds along shore and stayed there. I wasn't prepared to wade after them so after several attempts to undo the situation I intentionally broke off. In a boat you have some options but on shore not many.  I wonder if playing and tiring them or horsing them in would make a difference. Any suggestions?

[casts_by_fly]

1- don't let them get into the thickest weeds in the first place

2- use heavy enough tackle to be able to pull them and the weeds into shore

3- fish in places where you can get them across the top of the weeds or that the weeds aren't heavy enough to stop you.

[avidone1]

Total bummer when you hook a big from shore but can’t land him and break off   I been there 

My solution is use 30 lb braid and tie it directly to the jig or worm hook 

lock down the drag and horse em in   It’s more fun than it sounds believe me when they see the shoreline they blow !!  

[Mobasser]

Ease up pressure and try to get them to swim out.

[schplurg]

My friend had one wrapped up in some underwater branches and he waded out there and took care of it. Sometimes fishing is inconvenient for the angler as well as the fish.

[ironbjorn]

Positioning is as important for bank fishing as it is boat fishing. Whether you're fishing from the bank or a boat you should be using the gear suitable to the situation and cover. It sounds like you missed on both fronts. If you're fishing weeds from the bank, don't stand over the top of the weeds. Cast and fish horizontally and pull the fish away from the bank. If you're going to fish vertically over heavy weeds on the bank you better be using the equipment to rip those weeds out.

[Mike L]

You only have 4 options…

Go get her and lip her out. 

Try to let her swim out

(Walk the shore to change your angle)

 

Keep pulling to get her out

(Don’t recommend at all, as you can injure her permanently)

 

Cut the line (last resort)

 

Agree with what others said above…

Be sure to use the appropriate equipment.

Be mindful of where you cast in relation to where you’re standing.
Be aware of how you would get a fish out before you start. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike 

 

 

[Catt]

12 hours ago, Mike L said:

Be aware of how you would get a fish out before you start.

 

I'm of the mindset, stick em first, figure out how to land them second. 

 

I'm also of the mindset, you have to be in complete control from the moment you set hook. 

 

A punch rig is not necessary, proper technique is. Control the head...control the body!

 

This bass was caught in thick partially matted hydrilla from the bank on 15# Big Game. 

 

 

My grandson Aiden says this is what they look when ya stickem!

 

 

[Mike L]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

 

I'm of the mindset, stick em first, figure out how to land them second. 

 

I'm also of the mindset, you have to be in complete control from the moment you set hook. 

 

A punch rig is not necessary, proper technique is. Control the head...control the body!

 

This bass was caught in thick partially matted hydrilla from the bank on 15# Big Game. 

 

 

My grandson Aiden says this is what they look when ya stickem!

 

 

I get it and you’re right of course, gotta stick ‘em to get ‘em. 
 

But if I’m using a spinning rod with 8# line and put it in a hole surrounded by heavy stuff, I gotta know my chances of getting her head up and out before she buries up aren’t too good. 
 

OP, you didn’t post what you used. 
Just giving an opinion 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Mike L said:

getting her head up and out

 

Control the head ?

 

8# test or 80# test you have to move em as fast as your equipment will allow.

 

No hesitation, no pause, & certainly no stops. I see guys set hook & about the time their rod tip reaches apex they hesitate. Their reasoning to feel the pull verifying hook up.

[Mike L]

4 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Control the head ?

 

8# test or 80# test you have to move em as fast as your equipment will allow.

 

No hesitation, no pause, & certainly no stops. I see guys set hook & about the time their rod tip reaches apex they hesitate. Their reasoning to feel the pull verifying hook up.

Yeah I’ve seen that too

 

The only time I do that is moving a frog fast. If walking slow or walking in place I hit her hard all the way in. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Mobasser]

It can be hard sometimes, because many bass head straight for the thick stuff after you've hooked them.

[Team9nine]

Even if you're not prepared to go in after them, sometimes, you just have to... 

 

 

[Zcoker]

I lost a nice bass not so long ago in the weeds....or water hyacinth. I was fishing from shore at night when she hit a spinner bait. Before I knew it, she hit the green stuff and when I tried to gain the bait pulled--gone. Or so I thought lol About two hours later, a friend and I decided to hit the same area. While we were fishing, I kept hearing this splashing, no big deal, I thought, many creatures splash about at night. Well, the splashing continued. So I walked down to where the commotion was and noticed a big bass on top of the pads, scrambling around, my big bass, the one that I had lost! That's one way to get them out lol