Fishing topped-out hydrilla/pegging weights

[sockey]

I'm going to be fishing a lake with some really heavy, topped out hydrilla, and I'm interested in trying to punch straight down through the middle of the mat(keying on holes, obviously). In the past I'd always just fished down outside edges of big weed beds. I know heavy braid is a must, as well as a stout rod and reel, but I have zero experience with pegging a t-rig sinker, which I assume I'll need to do to keep the sinker from shooting to the bottom, leaving the lure up on top of the weeds.

What's the best way to peg a weight--a toothpick or some other system? Also, coincidentally, is a jig an option at all in the really, really thick stuff? How would I keep the hook clean down through the weeds?

[backwater4]

If your fishing mat with some holes, I'd go with a 1/2 to 3/4 tungsten bullet weight, heavy duty WG hook and a creature type bait w/ rattle in it. I like the brush hog. I peg with toothpicks, but wieghts with the screw wire work well also.

A jig of the same size will also work, its probably not as thick once you get through. Let the bait hit the bottom, lift a few inches, twitch it and pay attention to the bait, a lot of times they won't kill it.

[gobig]

This is what I use to punch. By far the best set up I have used.

[kms399]

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This is what I use to punch. By far the best set up I have used.

that fish he caught at the end of the video, I wouldn't have even tried to fish in there! just insane and of course, I.......must..........have.............some

nice link thanks.

[Catt]

Jigs with a craw worm trailer were invented and techniques refined to effectively fish for bass in grass.

[Bankbeater]

Get the heaviest jig you can find and put a Senko on it for a trailer.

[brushhoggin]

i wonder why people push that rig over these...http://www.crucialtackle.com/catalog/item/5843850/6756852.htm. why bother with the bobber stopper and a punch stop when you can just screw the weight to the bait?

[sockey]

Thanks for the responses!

So, fishing that jig, I shouldn't worry too much about it getting hung up with the bare hook?

[WRB]

If you have a problem with weeds fouling the jig/line tie , try Paycheck Baits punch skirts, rubber bobber stopper, 3/4 to 1 oz tungsten bullet weight rig; Google paycheck baits.

This is a popular CA delta technique for heavy weed mats.

WRB

[gobig]

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i wonder why people push that rig over these...http://www.crucialtackle.com/catalog/item/5843850/6756852.htm. why bother with the bobber stopper and a punch stop when you can just screw the weight to the bait?

Screwing the weight into the bait does not allow the hook to cam out. Plus you need 1 1/2 oz or 2oz bait to get through that stuff.

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that fish he caught at the end of the video, I wouldn't have even tried to fish in there!

Most people pass that kind of cover up all the time. On the delta that is where some real pigs come from.

[DINK WHISPERER]

I would never use a jig in hydrilla that heavy! A T-rig with a pegged tungsten weight, a quality flippin' hook and braid will work better imo. I recently fished a lake where i had to use a 1 1/2oz tungsten weight and a 4" Chigger Craw to get through the hydrilla. Key in on ANY irregularities in the mat. For me it was tiny patches of pads mixed in. 90% of the fish were caught this way. Good luck

[gobig]

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Key in on ANY irregularities in the mat. For me it was tiny patches of pads mixed in. 90% of the fish were caught this way

Different types of vegetation play a roll but do not forget what is under the mat. Another words if you took the mat away what does the topography look like. Structure plays a roll here to. The irregularities in the mat you speak of may be the difference in bottom composition or depth.