MikesCrappyFishing

I've begun to regularly catch fish, which is awesome. However, a lake I fish frequently with extremely clear water has an area that I've located where I can visually see a few 4-5 pounders every time I go over there. I caught one by jigging a shad imitation a few weeks ago but that appears to have been a fluke. This area is about 10-12 feet deep with matted vegetation on the bottom. I'm not sure how to get to these guys. Stuff I throw ends up getting tangled up on the bottom. A google search keeps linking me to articles telling me to "punch" through the vegetation. This doesn't really apply as the matted vegetation is on the bottom. Yesterday I threw the shad imitation again and a couple followed and one took a bit at the tail and then took off. How do you approach matted vegetation on the bottom? I was thinking about trying a drop shot next time? Thoughts? Thanks!

Perfect. Thank you!

Thanks for all the replies. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing anything that may have put put into the design to differentiate the rod itself. I know I can catch pretty much anything on anything, but If I'm dropping decent coin on a rod I want to know exactly what I've got here. Sounds like I got a solid rod for cranking!

Haha. It just seems like a dumb marketing move. If I hadn't asked this guy, the label would have scared me away from it. So basically I got a medium/moderate rod good for fishing anything that just says "walleye" on it. Got it!

I was looking for a really good crankbait specific rod and while the specs match what I asked for, I am curious as to why they would even slap a species label on it. Is there something other than the specs of the rod that make it a "walleye" rod? I told the guy at Cabela's what I was looking for and and my price range and he handed me a St. Croix Legend 7 foot spinning rod, with the specs that I asked for (medium-moderate). I'm still pretty new to all of this, I just want to make sure that what I ended up with was the best option for what I am going to use it for. Thanks!

It was. Well, half of it anyway. Not interested in taking a break. This is my literal therapy. Work 12-18 hour shifts as a 911 dispatcher, I need out of the house and alone time on my days off. It does wonders for me!

Hello! I live in Illinois and started bass fishing this past April. Just kinda teaching myself. I've been told that the bass fishing here is atrocious. The biggest one I've snagged was MAYBE 2 pounds. Anyway, I come down to Panama City Beach late March into early April every year. I have heard that the bass fishing in Florida is waaaaaaaay better. Was just looking for some guidance. I was looking at hiring a guide. The nearest places I've found to PCB are Lake Seminole and Lake Talquin. Can anyone recommend one of the other or perhaps another place that isn't on my radar that's not too far? Thanks!

Give bass fishing a break? But then what am I supposed to do? Lol

It has been insanely cold for a while, a few stretches of below zero. But we are on the 4th day of a winter warming trend and one of my favorite lakes should be thawed out tomorrow. Was gonna throw around a drop shot. SUPER clear water. I'll probably be in the 15-20 feet of water right before the drop off to like 35ish. Lot of smallies and northern in there. What type of and color soft plastic would you throw on? Haven't done much fishing in these types of conditions. Thanks!

Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to try all of them. haha

They were quarries for sure, the weeds are like a mixture of light and dark green. Well, you appear to have been spot on with where they're at! I kept hearing over and over that they'll be on the bottom. I brought my new christmas gift out with me, castable sonar. In 20 feet of water, the ones I saw were only like 8-12 feet below the surface.

Thanks for the reply! I am, I'm using 15 lb braid to 8 lb fluoro.

Thank you! I am still figuring out the weights on the ned rigs. I'm fishing from the bank and I know you don't wanna go to heavy but I also need to get a little distance.

Hey all! I started fishing this year in late spring, so this is my first winter fishing. I live in northern Illinois and if there is open water, I'm fishing, no matter the temps! I've been getting extremely frustrated fishing my two "go to" lakes. They were formerly quarries. It seems that all of the vegetation has died off and is just sitting on the bottom. Now, everything I've seen about fishing water temps in the low 40's seems to be about ned rigs and dragging football jigs. I can't seem to do this without immediately accumulating ridiculous amounts of weeds immediately. Any tips on how to fish these conditions? Thanks!