Over The Top

[Pat Brown]

I think most has been covered here but I'll add my 2 cents.

 

It sounds like your primary issue is you've never had even a single bite dragging the frog or worm across the pads:

 

To me that sounds like how I retrieve my frog or worm once I'm done working the bait.

 

Maybe instead of dragging across the pads, try lightly popping in place and into openings in the pads with lots of pauses.  Same with a worm over the top etc.

 

Bass seem to generally be more apt to chase something down that's sneaking by or seeming to struggle a little bit.   Things whizzing by them at light speed often get ignored for an easier meal because they are energy conservationists.

[Zcoker]

If you've spent hours and years doing it with no hits, then it's you or the places you fish. It could also be time. You didn't say when you go fishing but you might wanna try different times. Frogs come to life sunup down here in south Florida, that or on overcast days. Working them over anything during those conditions will usually produce violent strikes. Unfortunately, light tackle would be a loosing preposition. 

[Tackleholic]

Sometimes pads are concentrated in very shallow water with mud bottom and no accompanying shade from the bank.  This water heats up pretty fast and usually doesn't hold much of anything but Carp.

[Donald Tyson]

On 8/22/2024 at 6:55 AM, Catt said:

This is heavy cover

 

Now that is weeds!

4 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

Sometimes pads are concentrated in very shallow water with mud bottom and no accompanying shade from the bank.  This water heats up pretty fast and usually doesn't hold much of anything but Carp.

I think this is often the case for me. 

5 hours ago, Zcoker said:

If you've spent hours and years doing it with no hits, then it's you or the places you fish. It could also be time. You didn't say when you go fishing but you might wanna try different times. Frogs come to life sunup down here in south Florida, that or on overcast days. Working them over anything during those conditions will usually produce violent strikes. Unfortunately, light tackle would be a loosing preposition. 

It is what it is. Light tackle works for me but it takes good decisions on how to drag them out of these areas. 

[Donald Tyson]

On 8/21/2024 at 5:48 PM, Spankey said:

I like what I see there. Those open areas are nice. I’d be back there at before sun up in stealth mode as quiet as I can. I’d be throwing Pop-R’s, Skitter Pops, Skitter Props, Chug Bugs or something like that. Especially if you have a lot of holes and open space to work a bait. Fish that open stuff first. Than I’d double back and throw a worm in those plants. Especially after the sun has come up. The frogs I do fish along with some of the grubs and worms in that heavy stuff I do it with a bait caster and braid. You get a bite back there 6# test might not get it done. Not saying it can’t. Majority of the time I’m fishing lite. I’ve never caught a monster in that stuff but found a heavier set helps get them out of there. I fish it like I’m after that monster bass, I am after that monster bass. 
 

I like that you want to up your game. I try to give them a different look also. Try something new for myself also. Every time I go out I want to break a PB. 

Spanky you're bad tryin to get this old man over the weeds with those nice lures on lite gear, lol. your tryin to bankrupt me. 

Seriously I may need a 3700 Plano full of them soon. 

[Spankey]

10 hours ago, Donald Tyson said:

Spanky you're bad tryin to get this old man over the weeds with those nice lures on lite gear, lol. your tryin to bankrupt me. 

Seriously I may need a 3700 Plano full of them soon. 

No I’m referring to throwing those top waters in those open areas. 

[Donald Tyson]

18 hours ago, Spankey said:

No I’m referring to throwing those top waters in those open areas. 

Yes I need to try them out. Used them as a kid but got away from them in lieu of live bait or soft plastics.