Finesse Techniques as a Co-Angler in WI Grass Lakes

[UmairF]

Hey Everyone,

 

Kind of a specific question but I fish a lot in the back of the boat mainly in southern and central Wisconsin grassy lakes. Looking for recommendations or tips on fishing in water in that general area behind someone. I figured finesse is the way to go when fishing behind someone but open to hearing any suggestions.

 

For some context. Usually I’m in these situations:

 

Shallow docks

 

Weedlines in 10-20 ft

 

On top of rockpiles in 20+ ft (usually behind a boater that livescopes)

 

I usually have a general idea of what to fish but there’s times when I can’t pick any of these fish off behind my boater. I do tend to experiment with different things (maybe I should stick to one thing for a long period of time). Whether it’s techniques or general advice I’d greatly appreciate it!

 

-Umair

[webertime]

Carolina Rig 

Fat Ika or weighted wacky senko

Spook

[Pogues2300]

On 7/28/2024 at 3:36 AM, UmairF said:

Hey Everyone,

 

Kind of a specific question but I fish a lot in the back of the boat mainly in southern and central Wisconsin grassy lakes. Looking for recommendations or tips on fishing in water in that general area behind someone. I figured finesse is the way to go when fishing behind someone but open to hearing any suggestions.

 

For some context. Usually I’m in these situations:

 

Shallow docks

 

Weedlines in 10-20 ft

 

On top of rockpiles in 20+ ft (usually behind a boater that livescopes)

 

I usually have a general idea of what to fish but there’s times when I can’t pick any of these fish off behind my boater. I do tend to experiment with different things (maybe I should stick to one thing for a long period of time). Whether it’s techniques or general advice I’d greatly appreciate it!

 

-Umair

On the one situation you described… here in Minnesota which obviously relates to you I’ve caught my biggest bass on a half ounce jig with a rage craw trailer (I’m sure many other trailers would do at least as good) on the deeper weed lines. Really shines in the fall as the healthy weeds are typically only in deeper water. I cast it out and stroke it. Good luck on your tournament season!

[Mike L]

The trick to fishing on the back end is to not be influenced by your boater. 
He’s casting straight out or to the front end of a hard line in virgin water while you’re left with what he missed or didn’t hit. 

First off don’t follow him with either his casting angle, depth or bait choice. 

 

Keep watch for any follow up opportunity especially if he’s getting short strikes or just missing fish. 

 

One of the best ways is if he’s fishing small cuts or indentations of a pad or grass line, then you target clumps or isolated patches. 

If he’s covering water quickly a slow methodical soft plastic finesse presentation isn’t gonna work.
You won’t have time. 
In those instances it’s better to power fish with a swim worm, paddle tail swim bait, or a hard bait making long casts in and around the 3 open areas you have. 
 

Lastly be ready to Improvise and Adapt to the limited chances you’ll have to find and exploit any sweet spot. 
 

Pre rig every combo you’re bringing that will cover the water column with a variety of styles and colors. 
 

Sometimes it’s tough, but sometimes if you accept the situation and dial in you can out fish him more than you think. 
 

Good Luck 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[GreenPig]

  Took a Crappie fishing buddy of mine bass fishing a couple Springs ago on a grassy lake. I tied him a T - Rigged TRD on a 2/0 EWG and 1/16 oz tungsten bullet weight on his medium spinning rod. As we're easy along I look back and he's just trolling it, facing straight out the back of the boat.

  I threw big swimbaits, chatterbaits, Flukes, etc. and he caught three times the fish I caught that day and the big fish. Opened my eyes to power of the T - Rigged TRD, which why alot of my pictured fish have one hanging out of it's mouth.

[BucksBasser]

I'd be looking to baits that cover water.  Chatter baits, spinner baits, swimming jigs, jerk baits, flukes.