tips on how to approach new lake

[darren]

I fished a new lake a few months ago and am going again this weekend.. weather high of 90 partly cloudy. water temp 85.  the lake is really clear and shallow with the deepest in the middle being about 20 feet.  It is really like a bowl  with the deepest in the middle and shallowing toward the banks.. Lots of cover on the bank with over hanging trees...    My questions are these...from the bank to about 6 foot out there is a grass/seaweed mat that prevents me from throwing a lure to the bank...I can flip a worm up to the mat, on the outside edge or have throwm a weightless senko on top of the mat to the bank and have had some success with bass coming up to hit the senko on top of the mat, just wish there was a way to  fish in the grass better..... the other question is on the over hanging trees/shrubs. again I casted lures up to the edge of  the overhang, but I feel the bass may be up under all this mess..what lure could I use to maybe skip it under the overhang and not be hung up all the time.   any advice would help....darren

[WRB]

Frogs and pegged T-rigged worms.

Fish at night if possible.

Look for openings in the weed mat, there are always pockets of open water within the weeds and channels cut through the weeds by animals and other fisherman.

If the lake has a dam, fish that area first, should be bass around the dam.

There should also be an inside weed line about 3 feet or so from the bank, fish that area and under whatever you can with the frog. Bass in this type of lake are usually looking up at the surface and for any shaddows to alert them of danger. If you see a wake, remember where it came from and go back later and give the fish another try.

WRB

[bass wrangler569]

One word... frog. Try the spro bronzeye. You might have more success with the smaller profile of the junior size since the water is so clear. Fish it on top of the mats and skip it under the overhangs. You might also want to try lipless crankbaits along the edge of the weedline.

[Fishing Rhino]

I've had great luck with the Luck "E" Strike perfect finess worm rig orthe Luck "E" Strike perfect worm rig.  Rig them with a worm to be weedless and they go through the thickest of junk and gunk without a problem.  

Occasionally the tag end of the knot will grab a very fine filament grass or algae, but not often, and just a strand or two.  The head will allow it to dart downward as it falls off the pad or down into an opening in the weeds.

I fish it in rocks and weeds with good success.

Good luck.

Regards, Tom

[fishizzle]

or try a spinerrbait parellel to the grassline

sounds like a good lake to fish

[Catt]

Grass flipping tips

Maintain contact with your lure at all times, allow the lure to free-fall unrestricted, but without letting slack form in the line; follow your lures down with your rod tip.

Pay close attention to the depth you're flipping, any sudden change in the amount of line you're using could mean you've been bit. For instance, if you're flipping 6 feet of water and the lure suddenly stops at the 3 depth, it's possible a bass has taken the bait. If you're flipping 3 feet of water and 6 feet of line sinks beneath the mat, chances are good a bass is traveling with the bait. This is extremely true on the initial flip and no line movement maybe noticed.

Strikes will sometimes so subtle with no line movement that they can go unnoticed if you feel is a spongy sensation, as if the line suddenly got heavy set the hook.

Flipping matted cover requires compact lures which means worms with no curl tails that can wrap grass stems. Craw worms or creature baits are excellent choices, for worms use straight tails or paddle tails, for jigs any will work but obviously not football heads. In grass shorter is better than longer, I stay 6 or less.

Weights vary according to density of the vegetation, bottom contact is critical

Keep it vertical with flips approximately 8 to 10 feet away max, the farther away the better the odds of hanging in the grass.

Equipment is personal with many opting for high speed reels for taking up line faster while I opt for lower speeds and more power since I don't have that much line out to start with. I use my rod to move line since it will do it faster than any reel.  

Line size varies according to density of the vegetation; I'll use 15# Big Game in sparse grass and 50# braid in matted.

[Willzx225]

Yeah what he said  ;D

[Tokyo Tony]

I'd try a tube with a heavy internal weight (that hangs off the hook shoulder), t-rigged. Skips well for a heavy bait, and it's one of my favorite baits for matted grass. It punches through very well, and is maybe the most weedless lure I've ever used  8-)

[senile1]

Most of what you need has been said.  If you want to fish under a thick mat and there are very few openings you'll need to punch holes in it.  For me, the best way to do that is with a heavy jig or a Texas rig.

[backpain...]

You can also make your on openings and lanes if you have some serious heavy tackle. Just make sure you use a lure that you don't mind losing. Then revisit the spot later on. The smaller critters and plant parts displaced from the disruption will be fodder for other organisms and the food chain takes over from there attracting larger predators.

[Fishin247365]

I like alot of what I have seen posted. My first thought was a frog bait as well. Try using a buzzfrog, like horny toads and those like it. Rig it on a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG hook. Throw it to the bank and bring it off the bank agressively, (just like you see a "real" frog dart from the bank). Let it sit in any slight opening in the grass/weeds/moss you are fishing. Fire up your retrieve again, and keep it moving after you pull if off the edge of the mats. Sounds like a great lake. Grass, moss, reeds, pads, all bass magnets and should get you lickin' your lips! Not because you like moss sam-witches, but because this type of cover is like a big ol' shade tree for bass. They are in there! Just keep yanking all that stuff out of your tackle box and tying it on, until you figure out what they want to eat, or what pi$$es them off.

[darren]

thanks for all the tips... great weekend...special thanks to fishizzle, I tried your tip of a spinnerbait parallel to the grassline, and it landed my personal best 5lb 5oz on the digital scale...I am new to bass fishing so when I ask a question, i have a small journal that I write all your tips in so that when I get on the water I can try them all.  thank you all so much...darren

[SenkoShawn]

Frogs and pegged T-rigged worms.

Fish at night if possible.

Look for openings in the weed mat, there are always pockets of open water within the weeds and channels cut through the weeds by animals and other fisherman.

If the lake has a dam, fish that area first, should be bass around the dam.

There should also be an inside weed line about 3 feet or so from the bank, fish that area and under whatever you can with the frog. Bass in this type of lake are usually looking up at the surface and for any shaddows to alert them of danger. If you see a wake, remember where it came from and go back later and give the fish another try.

WRB

exactly what id do.. also GET JIGGY WITH IT.

[fishizzle]

great catch, congratulations

you're welcome

any tips for me?

[Brad_Coovert]

I have a lake close by that I fish that is similar.  A wacky rigged Senko tossed to the edge of the grass and allowed to fall down along the edge of the grass is a killer.

Many 50+ fish days doing this on this lake.

Brad

[fishizzle]

I have a lake close by that I fish that is similar. A wacky rigged Senko tossed to the edge of the grass and allowed to fall down along the edge of the grass is a killer.

Many 50+ fish days doing this on this lake.

Brad

thats evactly what I do in tourneys sometimes

Its a great summer pattern all day