How to fish water with heavy moss underneath?

[FishinBrotha]

Well, the water is cold here, as is the weather. I'll be fishing in a slough tomorrow and the weather calls for 52 degrees overcast, with light rain in the afternoon.

The water is higher this time of year, had my big raft in there with my good friend a couple days ago for 2 hours and we tried fishing the structure and all that good stuff, saw some spots that just looked 'bassy' Well, nothing.

I was fishing a GY 5in pumpkin seed tube i think is what they are called # 297 I believe. My buddy was fishin a 4inch grub in the same color.

The problem we're coming across as new fishermen is what to use in certain areas. The water has all kinds of moss about 2 1/2 to 3 feet down below the surface of water. What would you use to fish that? We only heard 2 fish jumpbut boy did they sound huge from the splash. I was thinkin about trying a storm chug bug on top or maybe a strike king spinner to maybe attract some attention?

Suggestions definently needed.

Thanks all.

FishinBrotha

[rocknfish9001]

I fish a lake just like this. There is moss all over the wood structure and the ground is very soft and silty. Sometimes topwaters will work. But my best luck comes on small spinners and rapala originals.

[Chris]

Over cast I would lean towards using a spinnerbait or swimming a jig.  A rapala minnow bait is not a bad choice either or a suspending jerkbait like a rogue would be another option or a wooden crank, or a rattletrap.

[Guest avid]

I've had very good results this time of year rippin a rattltrap through the moss beds.  It's a reaction strike and the biguns can be taken this way.  Good luck and have fun.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

It sounds like you need a bait that can handle the moss AND be a good "search" bait=spinnerbait

[Cephkiller]

A soft plastic jerkbait (Sluggo, Super Fluke, etc.) is also a good choice here.

[Rebbasser]

These guys covered it extremely well.  I'd throw a spinnerbait, a trap, and a soft jerkbait to start.

[Rattlinrogue]

Topwater?(kinda cold),suspending jerkbait,spinnerbait,3 inch suspending swimbait,weightless plastics.

[Keepin_It_Reel]

It would be cold but i have been fishing in 50 degree weather and catchin fish around cover and underwater slop with a big spook worked very slow and loud.

[Marty]

We only heard 2 fish jumpbut boy did they sound huge from the splash.

You can't assume they're bass. Carp are notorious jumpers and, yes, they're huge.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

[FishinBrotha]

Thanks for all the help, got skunked today but I'll keep at it

You can't assume they're bass. Carp are notorious jumpers and, yes, they're huge.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Whatever it was, it was YOOGE. Sounded like I bellyflopped from the trees lol.

[Rattlinrogue]

Bellyflopped from the trees...LOL.That's a good one!Gotta use that description myself sometimes.

[Guest avid]

There is a night heron that lives in a tree with alot of bassies under it.  One evening it was just getting really dark and he went diving into the water about 20 feet from me.  Scared the hell out of me. I actually think I screamed like a little girl watching a Freddie movie.

[FishinBrotha]

There is a night heron that lives in a tree with alot of bassies under it.  One evening it was just getting really dark and he went diving into the water about 20 feet from me.  Scared the hell out of me. I actually think I screamed like a little girl watching a Freddie movie.

Speaking of that, we were walkin across this walking bridge lookin for a spot to bank fish for a little bit and didn't even see this huge bird, the thing had to be 3 feet tall. Well, we are walkin back across the bridge and the thing screams and takes off, I did a 180 and started to put my wheels on and my friend let out a little yelp! lol it was crazy.

[BassinSoldier]

Fish a fluke, baby bass color or original rapala in the color of whatever forage is there.  Used to fish a lake back home that sounds like the one you mentioned.  Good luck!

[basspro48]

Speaking of embarrassing incidents one time I was out in the jon boat and I came up on this small cove with lilly pads and some laydowns, I had fished it a million times before. I pitched to the base of this huge pine that was growing in the water and I didn't notice the 4 full grown bald eagles sitting right there in front of me. Well I skipped my jig way up in there and I spooked the eagles, they flew literally within 5 feet of my face and these things are BIG with big claws and a wing span of like 6 feet. But man that scared the crap out of me and I ended up jumping right out of the boat.

Anyway getting back on topic I would try ripping a gold lipless crank through the moss or pitching jigs and tubes into it.

[Gatorbassman]

Being that you are new to bass fishing and many of the guys are suggesting ripping a lipless crankbait (Rat-L-Trap). I think I might explain it a little more so other newbies will understand what we are talking about. Cast the crankbait out and let it fall into the moss, grass, weeds or any type of vegetation. Now let your line go slack and jerk your rod to the side or up and let the lure fall again. This is ripping. It can be done with most crank baits and some spininerbaits. Like avid said, It is a great way to get those big ones to strike.

[justtrying]

have to agree with the "trap." ...fish it fast & shallow & try to find some Holes in the grass to pull it over.  ..in fact, if you can see some holes, pull it across, then; throw the trap back, let the trap "die" & flutter down into the hole & then rip it out.