My go to's for fishing this HEAVY hydrilla in the bayous of Northeast LA are floating black or white ribbits, and texas rigged flukes. I've started using shakey heads recently, but still get hung up often. Any other ideas of what I can use? 

1oz+ Sk Slither rig with a black and blue Rage Craw or Space Monkey. Paycheck punch skirt would be good too.

I was gonna say punch a Space Monkey or Lobster, too. 

How "heavy"? are you fishing mats? If so, how thick are they?

Thanks Mark and Shane! 

 

 

 

How "heavy"? are you fishing mats? If so, how thick are they?

 

 

Best description I can give: Water is full of hydrilla and there are little pockets amongst it where the bass tend to hideout. Fishing some heavy duckweed with hydrilla under it. There aren't really any mats out here.... 

Put a jig, or a t-rigged craw/creature bait right in those "little pockets" you described when they won't come up for the frog, or fluke and hold on. Bass in the grass , are bass in the grass..........Fla, LA., Texas, NY, or Minn. The only diff. is how "big" the "big ones" get.  Works here, should work there too.

If the hydrila is still under the water try this spinnerbaits - soft jerk baits (weight less) - wake baits.

If the hydrila is on top of the water try a punch rig 1oz to 1.5oz weight, straight shank súper heavy cover flipping hook, 65lbs test line, heavy or xtra heavy rod, high speed reel, a punch skirt and a rage craw or something compact.

Hope it helps you thats what i do and i always catch fish fishing hydrila.

dont use a shaky head in hydrilla. Try using a soft plastic beaver or creature type bait with a 3/8 to 1 ounce bullet weight in your line and just flip the bait into those pockets. floating topwater frogs should also work good over those mats