Lures for fishing in and around rice this time of year.

[NELS-BELLS]

We are heading north to explore some lakes that we have never fished before and one of the lakes we will be fishing is loaded with thick pockets of rice, I'm told. (similar to Leech Lake)

What lures do you recomend for fishing in and around rice this time of year? Will the bass even be in the rice now?

Nels

[corncob]

Various lures will produce bass, however , you must keep in mind that you will be fishing in thick rice beds that require a fairly weedless presentation, in addition , a heavy or medium heavy action rod and 40 lb or more braided line.....Weedless spoons, jigs , large texas rigged worms, flukes , and other weedless plastics...Flipping and pitching often is required , as reeling lures through rice is virtually impossible....The bigger fish often are in very shallow water under these surface mats or other heavy vegetation......Good fishin.

[RumRiverRat]

Frog

Punch Rig

1 or 1.5oz jig

[Fairchild_82]

+1 for the Frog. Main thing you want to worry about is not getting hooked up on the weeds. Once you get snag up in that junk your cast is pretty much worthless. Have to reel in quick and try not to spook any fish with a handful of weeds. Weedless jigs will still bring back weeds. Otherwise try Texas rigged plastics. Hit pockets. Let sit. Beaver or Worm. Have to get in the weeds without bringing em back!

[thatoneguy]

I do 90% of my fishing on Leech - here's what I use when the rice gets thick later in the summer:

frog

t-rig anything with a thinner profile...senko, slop craw etc

more frog

jungle jig (or something similar) with your trailer of choice

still more frog

weightless wacky rig - awesome for pitching into openings in the rice or along the edge

Jawbreaker - for edges/before the rice is standing up