Fishing submerged trees

[bigspirit]

25’ depth, upright trees with the tops at about 12’. 
 

What kind of presentations would y’all be using for this situation? I’ve primarily been a shallow fisherman but want to work on improving my abilities for offshore structure. This just sounds like a situation that would be hard to get fish out of. I imagine some form of vertical presentation to reduce the chance of snagging but don’t have experience fishing structure like this. 

[Jig Man]

It depends on your electronics.  If you have side imaging, you can drive by them and see if any fish are there.  They could be anywhere in the water column.  If they are up crank baits might work.  If they are down around limbs you are correct about vertical presentations.  When I fish that way I use jigging spoons or bass tubes.  Plan on losing a few baits.

[king fisher]

     I fish this situation quite often Feb. thru May.   If it is windy I fish a spinnerbait, or jig making as much contact with the branches as I can.  If it is calm, I use a T rig, worm, creature bait, swimbait, or a  jig and will try and work the bait slower and deeper into the trees.  After casting from a distance, I sometimes move in and fish a drop shot vertically.  I have only had limited success doing this, but haven't given the method a fair shot yet.

         Before I leave, wind or no wind, I will fish a crankbait that runs deep enough to tick the top of the tree.  I hopefully will catch a big bass or two before hanging the crankbait, spooking the spot and moving on.  If I have many trees to fish, and they are crushing the crankbait, I will start with the crank, and give the Bait Monkey a ride to my house when done for the day.  My biggest bass have been caught  suspended 10 feet deep in 30 feet of water in large trees on spinnerbaits, and crankbaits.

         I have also had success running an A Rig over the top of the tree, but currently am not able to let the Bait Monkey take up permanent residence at my home, so I have decided to not go down that road any more.  If you don't mind risking $40 dollars in one cast than it can be a devastating technique when conditions are right. 

        This year I plan on fishing a jig more for suspended bass in trees, and am planning on trying scroungers too.  The Monkey wants me to nick the tops of the trees with a jackhammer, but I think I will give the scroungers a try first.  

       

[bigspirit]

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

     I fish this situation quite often Feb. thru May.   If it is windy I fish a spinnerbait, or jig making as much contact with the branches as I can.  If it is calm, I use a T rig, worm, creature bait, swimbait, or a  jig and will try and work the bait slower and deeper into the trees.  After casting from a distance, I sometimes move in and fish a drop shot vertically.  I have only had limited success doing this, but haven't given the method a fair shot yet.

         Before I leave, wind or no wind, I will fish a crankbait that runs deep enough to tick the top of the tree.  I hopefully will catch a big bass or two before hanging the crankbait, spooking the spot and moving on.  If I have many trees to fish, and they are crushing the crankbait, I will start with the crank, and give the Bait Monkey a ride to my house when done for the day.  My biggest bass have been caught  suspended 10 feet deep in 30 feet of water in large trees on spinnerbaits, and crankbaits.

         I have also had success running an A Rig over the top of the tree, but currently am not able to let the Bait Monkey take up permanent residence at my home, so I have decided to not go down that road any more.  If you don't mind risking $40 dollars in one cast than it can be a devastating technique when conditions are right. 

        This year I plan on fishing a jig more for suspended bass in trees, and am planning on trying scroungers too.  The Monkey wants me to nick the tops of the trees with a jackhammer, but I think I will give the scroungers a try first.  

       

This is super helpful, I like the idea of a spinnerbait especially but would imagine I would be better of using a heavy power rod to make sure I can get them out in time…hopefully. 
 

It’s funny you mention that, I am asking this question because I caught my new pb of 9.12lbs cranking a huge Japanese swimbait over the tops. First and only cast I made I caught that fish. I was hoping to find another presentation or two to more thoroughly fish the spot without risking such an expensive bait. I believe my bait at its deepest was still a few feet over the tops of the trees but could easily have a fish come up and grab it and get me wrapped in a hurry. 
 

I bet an A-rig would be great, but that only sounds like a good idea if you can run livescope and watch it sink so you can keep it out of them.