| Did you ever plan that fishing trip to the big lake, | | | | As the day goes on, the fish will usually start |
| then when you got there you realized you had no | | | | moving away from the shore to deeper waters. |
| idea where to start fishing? Too much ground to | | | | If the grass and hydrilla extend out quite a way |
| cover, right? Let's break it down a bit to simplify | | | | from the bank, start backing away from the bank |
| it. | | | | in search of the bass that are moving to deeper |
| The first thing you want to look for is cover; | | | | water. |
| something that 'looks' like a good place for a bass | | | | Don't get in a hurry. Use a good weedless lure |
| to hide. Depending on the time of day, they will | | | | and work it very, very slowly through the grass. |
| probably be there. | | | | Painfully slow. I suggest you use plastics that will |
| Quite often, you will see stumps and reeds | | | | sink slowly. This way you can come across the |
| sticking up out of the water. These are easy and | | | | top of the grass slowly, and the bait will fall into |
| obvious spots to fish, and you should definitely | | | | holes in the vegetation. When this happens, hold |
| fish them. But you also want to look for | | | | on tight. |
| something that is not always so obvious: grass. | | | | Let the bait sink and don't move it for 10 or 15 |
| Sometimes you will see grass sticking up near the | | | | seconds, or more. Then, when you do move it, |
| shore line, and it may extend out from the bank | | | | just twitch it a little by jiggling the tip of your rod. |
| several feet, maybe even many yards. You want | | | | The idea here is that you are trying to get your |
| to fish these areas very thoroughly early in the | | | | lure to imitate an injured bait fish. This is a deadly |
| morning and in the evening. Also, fish these areas | | | | action that will entice even the most stubborn |
| as well on cloud covered days and cooler days | | | | bass. |
| when the bass may stay shallow. | | | | You can also fish the edge of the grass with |
| Don't pull your boat in at a high speed, just get | | | | other lures that are not so weedless, as long as |
| close enough where you can drift in or use a | | | | you be careful not to cast the lure into the grass. |
| trolling motor to quietly work your way to the | | | | This will only frustrate you with hang ups and lost |
| cover. It's very easy to spook fish in grass near | | | | lures. For this, I would recommend spinnerbaits |
| the shore. | | | | and crankbaits. |
| Be sure to look in the water around you and | | | | So, next time you go the that 'big' lake, try this |
| under you to see how far out the grass extends. | | | | method as a starting point. It should help you get |
| You will likely find some other vegetation, like | | | | on the bass quickly and make for a much more |
| hydrilla, which is a good place for bass to hide. | | | | enjoyable trip. |
| These areas need to be fished thoroughly. | | | | |