Fishing Heavy Grass

[schinkr1]

I struggle on lakes with heavy grass and was looking for some tips i.e. what to throw, how to fish it, etc. Fishing water about 5' - 7' with super thick grass that is between 4' - 6' tall and covers the majority of the lake. I was practicing on a lake where the water clarity is about 4' and really struggled all day. I know the big fish on this lake are all caught in the grass and the banks are not worth fishing (too shallow and no cover)...I see big bass cruising around in there and other anglers pulling them out, but need some help.

[lefthook3305]

One of my local lakes is very much the same, so I understand your frustration. While I am by no means an expert on these lakes, I am to the point where I can at least go out and catch a few fish. Here is what I've learned from various sources and my own limited experience;

1. Get the best paper charts you can find. Looking at the map, forget about all the grass in the lake. Pick out spots you think fish would be even if there was no grass (points, drops etc.) Fish those spots with whatever baits the cover allows.

2. Look for any banks that are deeper than average, and fish whatever isolated cover is on those banks. It may only be a few docks, or even a single tree, but if you put enough of these spots together you set up a "milk run".

3. Cover water. Toads, buzzers, frogs, rattlebaits, and chatterbaits are all horizontal baits that fish well in these lakes. Flipping can also cover water, as long as you spread out each flip. If you have miles of grass in which to look for fish, flipping every 6" won't get you very far. When you do get bit, slow down. There will be more than one fish there.

4. Look for birds, bait or any other sign of life that will indicate fish activity in an area. If you hear snapping and popping sounds while fishing a mat, thats the bluegills sucking bugs of the grass.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

[somerdink]

Very Well put Lefthook. When I first started fishing a couple of years ago I was like you struggled. There is always going to be spots that hold more fish then others in grass find then stuff that is closest to deep water and road beds for the fish to move up on, even if you have to wait for them alot of times its well worth it trust me.

[schinkr1]

Good advice, thanks guys.