Long Casting - Shallow Running Presentations

[Tyler Holm]

This place I shore fish is unique if a few ways. First off, the fish are holding tight to the lilly pads. Here inlies the problem as the lilly pads are 30-40 yards (I'm guessing here) from shore. To say the least, its a cast and a half. I have a 7' rod with 8# fireline and I can just reach the lillypads with a strong cast of the #9 skeeterpop. If the cast is not within a foot or so of the lillypads, you don't get a bite. Cast an inch too far and its weeds.

I think these fish would bite on other presentations, but I can't get anything out that far without loading it with weight. A weedless presentation would be best, as often times there are weeds a few feet below the surface.

What would you suggest?

Look Here for pictures and a report!

[jdoyle5599]

I would try a Johnson Silver Minnow spoon with your favorite trailer color. Buy the larger size and it will cast across the lake !!!!!

[Bill L]

Tyler,

I have had luck in the past throwing a 6 inch Sluggo a long way with baitcasting tackle and 30 pound Spiderwire. I have not spent a lot of time fishing in your neck of the woods, but a couple of weedy ponds I fish in have shown me the Sluggo is a good bait. Pad edges and submerged weeds are where I have had some success. I like to cast the Sluggo out and let it slowly fall and lay on top of the weeds. A lot of times, the bait never makes it to the top of the weeds as it gets picked up on the drop. I Texas rig this bait, which should help you if you do throw into the weeds. I would not be afraid to throw it on top of the pads, and work it like a rat or scum frog. I work it pretty fast, and kill it on the edge of the open water. It usually does not sink too far before getting picked up. Often, the bass will just start to walk sideways, rather than give the tell-tale tic, tic, tic you sometimes get with a traditional worm offering. You can add a piece of finishing nail in the bait for added weight. Good luck.

Bill

[V-12 Merlin]

I know I'll sound like a complete newbie for saying this, but I just found a new way to do what you're talking about. I had this cheap 6-foot rod/reel combo from one of those discount department stores, and the reel crapped out on me last year. I use it primarily for when I take kids fishing, because I don't have to worry about it being broken. But, I decided that since the rod was still good, I'd just buy a new reel. I picked up one of those spin-casting reels that's easy for new anglers to use, except this one was an underspin model. This spring, I happened to try it myself, just to prove to my wife how well it would work for her. Needless to say, she didn't get it back! The thing casts a country mile - at least as far as my expensive 7-foot rod and reel, but probably farther! And, I'm using smaller baits.

So, to make a short story long, my advice is to not underestimate those $25 underspin spin-casting reels for what you want to do. Second, there's only one bait I use on top of lilypads... weedless frogs.

Just my two cents (and that's about all it's worth...)

[Ralph Wiggum]

The Spro Bronzeye frogs that have been talked about on here will cast a long ways. They're a bit spendy, though.

[Bill L]

I like the frogs and the rat baits as well. The hookup percentage on those is somewhat less than with the Sluggo, and I have not had that many open water bites on them. I have heard that you can walk the Spro, so that may increase the number of open water bites. They certainly do cast a long way. I have not fished the Spro, but usually use the Mann's rat or super rat in white. If you do use the rat, pull the plastic outer shell up toward the front so that you expose the hook shank and the lead "solder" for lack of a better word. I always move the lead wrapping to the rear of the bait and smash it with the needle nose pliers. This keeps the bait a little tail heavy, and the nose up a little. This will help keep the water out of the bait. Good luck.

Bill

[Bobb-o]

try a rapala long cast minnow twitched just under the surface. These have worked very weel for me in conditions such as these.

[Deitz Dittrich]

get bigger waders of a float tube...

[Tyler Holm]

Thanks Bass Dudes!

I'll try whipping some Rapala Long casts out there. I've got plenty of those. I might have to pick up some of those Spro Bronzeye frogs and give them a try. I googled them and they look as though they'd catch fish.

I'm not certain the sluggo will quite make the trip, but I can give it a go.

Deitz - The wader idea is out for this spot. There is a channel right next to shore and the bank its a steep drop-off. I need to be able to cast over this channel and up int the shallows where the bass are lingering. Now the float tube is something I've wanted for a long time. We'll see about that.

Thanks Guys

[Deitz Dittrich]

a belly boat(float tube) was my first big buy when I was a kid(paper rout money).. and I would fish lake Calhoun and harriet a ton as a kid out of it. I graduated up to a sevelor blow up boat and swim fins.. then from there to a coleman crawdad and a t-moter...

Wish I still ahd that belly boat. I once caught a muskie on lake harriet out of that thing.. Wish I would have had video of that, me freaking out because there is a hooked muskie swiming between my legs...

[ocf]

that would be a sight to see, did u land it?