Artificial Weeds

[Tipupdown]

Just curious how many guys use these when fishing. I'm from SW Minnesota so alot of the lakes around here don't have to much structure to them and could benefit from them. I talked to a guy who swears by them. Anyone else like or dislike them and how do you use them and usually how many?!

[GatorBait]

As I have a mixed batch of lakes with and w/o structure I only get them to use them sometime, but that sometime is not a waste of time. If I know I'm in a place w/o structure these come through for me prolly 8/10 times. Sometimes the fish just aren't there or in the mood. But when I've used them, there has been a noticeable difference in fish activity with them in the water. I usually have six of them down in various locations, I tend use the horseshoe when I'm in the porti, but otherwise I use a simple wall or just a V pattern. Even the weed I have on my Marcum draws fish in to see what's going on, which vs not having it on there shows me fish tend to not hang around as long. So, great invention, works effectively in the waters I fish, and produces fish which otherwise might not have. I can only speak of my personal experiences, and that is all I know. Good Luck!

[muc33]

I have a set and also am from SW Mn and have really found the only time I feel like they have helped was during a few good perch bites on select ponds or lakes. For other fish, I guess I can't say they have done much in my opinion. That's just me, but mine usually get left at home.

[pushbutton]

Just tried them for the first time last year and never had much luck with them. Only used them on Mille Lacs and about the only thing they held were small perch. Thought they(perch) might bring in some hungry eyeballs, but no such luck. I Know the pond is not a prarie pothole, but was out off the break without much structure around. Also essentially configured 5 of them in a semi circle. Have not given up on them yet, but thinking it might be better to try to find the fish instead of having the fish try to find you because you happen to have some big plastic weeds.

[leech~~]

I have a set I used a few years ago when they came out as the New big deal! I also had a bunch of little Perch show up but nothing else. I think if you could leave them in the lake for a week or longer then they may start to draw in some fish to hang around them for cover, but just throwing them down for a few hours does seem to work. I have not used them in a few years now since they take so long to drill all the holes, unwind them and then wind them back up after they freeze in.

[Stick in Mud]

My experience is about the same....some small fish showed up, but I didn't notice any appreciable difference in terms of bigger fish showing up. If you're interested in saving a few bucks, you could try to make some your own....

[The_Diesel]

Fished with a wise old man a few years ago who used that garland (spelling?) that folks hang on stuff at Christmas time. Tied them to some sticks laid over the top of the hole. The garland hung down and theoretically attracted fish. Not sure if this really is even legal. Only time I had ever done that. We didn't catch but one fish all day that day, but that was before I knew what I was doing and we had no electronics, power auger, etc. I may try a set-up like this of my own, assuming it's not illegal. Talked to a few people about it one other time and they questioned whether or not it was legal... Who knows? Us fisherman try anything to catch the big ones

[PerchJerker]

I have not had much luck with them for walleyes or perch, but have had some times with crappies and sunfish when I think the artificial weeds have really helped.

[scott b]

If I had them... I would set up my own artificial point on a weed edge with a tip up at the tip of it.. Just sayin. Walleyes always move. Think sharks.

Sick of trying to find that spot. Might just have to create it.

[smeese]

If you could leave em in for a few days without them freezing in I think you would see more find them and utilize the cover. Would I hope to find some Musky or a big pike laying in them? YES! but it probably would not happen.