Fishing Plastics on the Deep Weedline

[Doonbuggy]

I feel like I am missing out on bigger bass because I am a poor fisherman when it comes to fishing the deep weedline so I usually head in shallow where I have decent luck. This year I want more of the 4-6lb fish and I know they are on the deep weedline a lot of the time.

So, gents and gals what are the tricks? Would like thoughts on size and style of plastic baits, type of line, boat control, fishing calm vs. windy side, how to tell the difference between a bite and weeds, etc.

Also, most of the waters I fish will have milfoil in them, however I know that the techniques for largies can also work on smallies hanging on rockpiles and reefs.

Thanks and good luck Saturday.

DB

[Stratosman]

Doon,

When fishing the deep weedlines, humps, bars, ect. I typically like a few different approaches, depending on the conditions. Jig worms are always a good bet, as well as jig and plastic combos, carolina riggin really shines in deeper situations as well. Size of the bait is dictated by the mood of the fish, some days they will not touch a larger bait like a jig and plastic, but will hammer on a smaller finesse style jig worm, every day is different, just be suited for anything.

When fishing deep plastics, I tyically opt for the calm side... I know the general rule to fish the wind, but when fishing deep with plastics and finesse style, strike detection is key, which can be tough when you're fighting the wind a waves, now horizontal presentations are an entirely different deal, then I head for the wind.... I like to position the boat either right on the edge of the weedline and cast along the edge and slight into if it is a real distinct edge. If it has a slower taper with weeds simply becoming scattered, then I will also positon 10-15 yards off the edge and toss directly into the weeds. Bite versus weed is not difficult at all, when working the bait you will notice weight from either weeds or fish, simply pause and observe the rod tip and or line, if it is a fish, you will know, and after a few it becomes a breeze....

Good luck out there, can't wait to get out.

[RK]

Hiya -

I'm one of those wierdos that thinks deep water first and shallow second... Depending on the type of cover, there are lots of different ways to fish deep weeds.

Jigworms are probably my first choice for deep weeds. They're versatile (can fish anything from a 7" worm to a 4" finesse worm or 3" grub). I fish them mostly on mushroom heads - Northland makes a really good one, and the Gopher Tackle ones are the originals and still awefully good - but a ball head will work, though it's not quite as good at slithering through the weeds as a mushroom head. I use mushroom heads in sizes from 3/32 to 3/16 oz, but use 3/32 oz most of the time. Match it with a 6' to 6'6" medium-heavy spinning rod, and 8 lb test or so, and you're all set. Pitch it a little ways onto the flat past the weedline (I make fairly short casts if I can) and let it drop. Watch the line carefully - if it jumps, set the hook. Most fish hit on the drop. Then slowly work it through the weeds or over the top of them to the weed edge, and let it drop again. If you hang up, shake the rod tip a little to see if you can work it free. About the only weed you can't shake loose from is bladderwort. (I hate that clingy crud...) If it won't come loose, tighten the line, and give your wrist a short, sharp snap. The jig will pop off, and you can let it drop again. Lots of hits come just as you pop the bait loose. (Think about it - to a fish a jig hung up on a weed looks like some critter trying to hide, then scooting off...). Hop it on the bottom a few times past the edge of the weedline, then reel in and do it again... After a while you just develop a touch for it. You'll also develop a feel for what's a fish and what isn't. Fish just feel alive - and there's no other way to describe it. Until you get the hang of it, when in doubt, set the hook. With an exposed hook on a jigworm, all you need for a hookset is a wrist snap, which you were going to do anyhow to get the thing off the weed, so what's the harm? I can't imagine how many times I had clients back in the guiding days with "weeds on their hook" who had their "weeds" suddenly go airborne and throw the jig... If you think it's probably weeds, set the hook anyhow. And *watch your line* all the time. If it jumps, goes sideways, or just stops sinking before you think it should, set the hook. I use clear line for jigworms because it's so much easier to see than green.

Besides jigworms, Carolina rigs can work pretty well too, though I don't use them all that much because a lot of the lakes I fish have moss out past the weedline that cling to the sinker like mad and make me crazy. When I do, I usually fish 'inside out' by parking over the weeds and casting out past the weedline, then bringing the rig back to the weedline. If you really have the layout of the weedline down, or you can see it, you can parallel the weedline too.

The other thing I do on weedlines is drop-shot. Actually in places where there is a lot of moss on the bottom it's a good alternative to a C-rig. Just get tight to the weedline and make short pitches, or even backtroll and pause now and then. Great option when it's windy, but, and maybe this is just me, it's never been a big fish technique for me. Hard to beat it for numbers, but I catch bigger fish on jigworms or cranks on deep weedlines.

About smallies over rocks. I use jigworms for them a lot, but fish them very differently than I do for LMB in weeds. Jigworms along weedlines are mainly a drop bait. For smallies over rocks, it's a swimming deal. They'll hit on the drop sometimes, but far more often you're better of swimming them. Same with grubs. Just cast them out and reel them in. Don't jig it, don't swim it - just reel the thing straight in. Seriously...

Final thought on deep weeds: If you're not fishing crankbaits along deep weedlines, you're missing out...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Ray Esboldt]

Good advice, Rob.

Just to build on Rob's throw it and reel it technique for jigworms and smallmouth, I do something along those lines for weedline fish. I only fish it until it hits the bottom on the initial drop. That's it. I crank it back as fast as I can after that. I'll do this on what I call the right day - days where you get that push of humidity, heat, and wind before a mid-summer cool front. The fish are riding high, on the move, schooled, and chowing down. You're really just wasting time fishing the bait back to the boat.

[EBass]

Awesome info - I struggle on deep weedlines, but once in a while the sun will shine on my arse I'm sure I'll be fishing shallow these next few weeks, but I have to learn to fish deep.

I fish deep for walleyes (was that out loud?) so I don't know why I can't adapt to deep bassin. It just takes time.

Again great info!

[TwoBear]

Rob,

That's some of the best advice I've read on this site.

Thanks bro!!!