CTFishTalk.com: Question regarding weeds. - Connecticut Bass Fishing Reports ( CT Bass Fishing Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

lamdesign · Joined: 02 Aug 2011 Posts: 50 Location: Ridgefield, CT

Hey guys,

So as some of you know, I live on Mamanasco in Ridgefield. The fishing has been dead lately. This however has not deterred me from throwing everything I have, but some choices seem dumb since the weeds are so thick on the bottom.

So here's the deal. The water gets to about 10ft at its deepest point. I fish from my dock, in about 3-5-7 (variables) ft of water. There is a weed problem with the lake right now and it is becoming shallower from the weeds filling the lake up from the bottom.

My question comes in two parts. What would you guys throw if you were in this situation? I ask because cranks always get caught on weeds and I end up dragging them in. Texas rigged plastic are better, but every time i make contact with the bottom, I pull in some weeds caught on the wait or on the hook where it meets with the plastic. Light, light spinners are ok, but I usually have to retrieve very quick to keep off the slop. Jigs, well, i dont even bother since once they make contact I usually have to pull them out with 2lbs of weeds

The second part of the question is this. When you feel you have weeds on, even if it is just a small amount, do you forfeit your retrieve and reel in immediately to get the weeds off or do you continue to work the bait? Part of me feels like whenever I get even the smallest amount of weeds on my lure that it is pointless to think a fish would hit a a plastic or crank with weeds on it.

This is a question ive always had, but never sought out an answer. As of now, as soon as I know there is even the smallest amount of weed on my crank or plastic I reel it back in immediately, pull the weeds of and try again. Its discouraging to say the least.

Thanks,
Les

NorthEastFisherman · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 582

Id be throwing weightless baits like a senko or some type of worm. Or id be throwing frogs but id keep every thing you throw right at the top of the water. You could also use a buzz bait but i havent gotten many fish on one (only a few pike and largemouth). You could also fly fish if you know how to. But i would stick with frogs and weightless senkos or stickbaits. Keep the lure up towards the top of the water. I also felt that if a tiny piece of weeds is on your lure then the fish wont bite. But when your lure is weed free i would get strikes. Hope that helps!
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sbehuniak09 · Joined: 10 Jul 2012 Posts: 229 Location: Seymour, CT

I agree with Northeast about keeping baits near the top. I would also suggest using a spinner near the surface, I have had a lot of success with that even when it is not weedy. Also I generally reel it in quickly when I get weeds stuck to my lure, but when I haven't I have still gotten bites, sometimes even in very thick weeds. I have been surprised when this happens but it is certainly possible.

BigEd · Joined: 22 Feb 2012 Posts: 103 Location: Monroe

I would probably try a swim bait such as a Zoom super fluke, Kietech swing or shad impact, Lunker City swimfish or other similar plastic bait. Unweighted they are great for hovering just above the weedline. I love Owner twistlock hooks for this. On a jig head or weighted swim hook you would have total control over the depth you let it fall to and be able to keep the bait there. Wacky rigged worms are always good but I think you would be limiting the area you can cover. Depending on the weed height and density you might find a drop shot setup, shaky head or carolina rig will get the bait down in between the weeds. Guess it would depend on the weed situation though. I never took to jigs but I am sure someone here would toss a creature bait or similar jig in there to. Heck, even live bait under a float could drop a nice minnow in their face. Topwater and shallow suspending jerk baits are another possibility but I would favor a swimbait with the hook tip in the body so it would be weedless. Lots of options.

pikePERSUADER1 · Joined: 07 Dec 2010 Posts: 521

Easy choice for me, a mojo rigged (basically a small carolina rig)creature or senko type worm, it's basically a texas rigged and skin hooked and a small tungsten bullet weight that is pegged so it cannot move up and down the line, that will punch thru most of the weeds without becoming fouled up, as for the retreive, try giving it a quick snap of the wrist to pull it free of the weeds Cool

1/8oz -1oz weights depending on how deep you want to fish it! Cool

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I agree with NEF. Other weedless topwaters are a good choice. Shallow crankbaits that dive to 1 to 2 feet just above the weeds might also work if the weeds aren't so tall.

NorthEastFisherman · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 582

I also have a JSR (jointed shad rap) i believe it is and the deepest it will run is 2feet. Ive had some success by using it above weeds because it has some great action that attracts fish with the vibration.
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x182dan · Joined: 19 Mar 2009 Posts: 329 Location: Seymour, CT

What are you using for line? I use braid for topwater and /weedy conditions

mikey5string · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 179 Location: West Haven

if the weeds are at the surface a frog is a great bet. The other option is punching the grass with a heavy jig or a pegged tex rig.

if the weeds are submerged, drop shot rigs can be made pretty weedless and can get your bait below the surface if topwater isnt working out.

Get a pencil weight and either use an offset worm hook or nose hook the bait with the hook coming throught the middle of the bait and stopped so the tip is just barely protruding from the nose of the bait.

Cast it, let it sink and twitch it very slightly. The trick is to move the bait without moving the sinker. wait a few seconds and drag it a couple feet and repeat.

Soft plastics texas rigged are weedless as well, try different baits t-rigged weightless. You could also try a carolina rig. Buller weights dont get hung up too much. You could try a mojo weight if the bullets are getting hung up. Rig it with a long leader so your bait can float above the weeds.

Depending on the density of the weed growth, a shakey head could work....you csan really rig anything weedless with the hook pinched in the plastic.

buzzbaits and frogs are my go to baits in matted weeds or pads.

while heavy vegetation may be annoying for fishermen, it is PRIME habitat for bass. I always look for green, it is my favorite place to fish.

mikey5string · Joined: 09 May 2012 Posts: 179 Location: West Haven

also.

dont be retying every 5 casts. Really fish a bait before you give up on it. Most of the time its the location and presentation more than the bait. You also want to develop confidence with different techniques. Confidence plays a big role in fishing success. I used to change baits a lot. I started really dissecting individual techniques until I felt like I would be happy using only that for the rest of my life. Then I would try something else for a while.

This year I have gained confidence and caught quality fish on

Carolina rigs, Drop shot, Shakey Head & Frogs.

I had never really used those techniques before. I was a texas rig guy. If I couldnt get bit on a t-rig I figured the fish werent biting. Now I have a rig for each of those techniques with me when I go out and if I cant get something on one I know I will on another.

countryboyfisher94 · Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

I have the same problem as you at some of the ponds I fish at and I found one of the most effective solutions was a popper. You can cast and steer it in between any type of clearing on the top of the water once you get good with it.

Megaman · Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Central CT

agree with Frogs ....also id throw
T rig 5inch senko/dinger weightless..slowly twitched through weeds
T rig 10-12 inch curly tail worm...with pegged 1/16oz weight
T rig 4 inch craw weedless or with pegged 1/16oz weight

If weeds are not that dense....3/8 oz swim jig with craw trailer = Deadly!!!!!

post pics after you CATCH EM' .....
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Ryanmalloy44 · Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 92

These responses are insane.. The water is extremely warm. Get a cheap boat/kayak/dingy, a 7'11" flipping stick, 50 lb braid, a 1 ounce weight, and start flipping the bottom of that 10' area. I'm sure you'll start finding the big boys.

At night you might get the cruisers in shallow or top water on the frog. But if you're catching anything in shallow during the day there's a good chance it's not that big.

PM me if you have questions.

Megaman · Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Posts: 85 Location: Central CT

Accurately Flipping/Pitching from a kayak, while sitting is not possible..your momentum will sway the kayak, ya need to be standing...btw I caught a 5lb LMB from shore last week..in about a foot of water...SMASHED my swim jigs...dont laugh..they do come shallow to hide and feed..its no secret....try and see what works best for you...
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Ryanmalloy44 · Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 92

Not if you can stand in your yak which I at the moment can not. Rolling Eyes

Which is why I find myself fishing less this time of year. I agree with your swim jig but odds are in my favor to fish 10 feet. Good talking with ya