Hi, I'm new here--this site looks great I've learned ALOT and you are all really supportive of eachother. I've really gotten into fishing with the kids since this summer, they even like to get up earlier on weekends than school days!

We fish at a decent sized lake (no boats allowed--fish from bank). There is what I believe a drop off about 3 feet out from shoreline that goes down about 6 feet, not sure how deep the center of the lake is. Water is very dark.

This past summer we caught many smaller bass (1Lb tops) and a 4Lb carp (success with those fish was only if we used short casted spinners, tiny mister twisters jigged close to bank but also lost some spinners and jigs due to misjudging bottom weeds and rocks). We did hook a baby pickerel yesterday with a spoon--gotta move fairly quickly or the spoon is a goner too.

Our issue: Elodia--TONS of it! All over the lake except for patches of open topwater here and there of about 5 feet in diameter (mostly towards the middle of the lake and I'm sure more Elodia not far below). Google the words Elodia Lake (click on images at top left) and the 2nd pic accurately illustrates the horror. This Elodia often has areas that reach to the top of the water. I estimate 90% of this lake contains it (also dillweed on top of the Elodia in some areas). Along the shoreline is clear topwater area from bank out to 10 feet but very shallow (probably a foot max). In this area I see no action visually nor when I cast any type lures. A big tease is that I see some very big bass out there (like 10+ Lbs), towards the middle--just jumping/smashing from within those small gaps of Elodia!

Spinners are out, lost too many where I misjudged the bottom. Topwater lures and weighted plastic drag tons of muck, ruining presentation. Unweighted lizards and such don't go out far enough, even to land on the weeds. Tried Senkos today, patiently bottom shakes with long pauses, no luck yet and of course when I reeled in muck galore :'( All plastics have been Texas Rigged/weedless.

At least I figured out that the fish prefer the colors chartreuse, yellow and shiny spinners/spoons.

Any suggestions welcome. I'm in Northeastern NJ (Morris County) if location is a factor.

PS. Signs are posted that this lake was also stocked with 1200 trout but I haven't caught one yet :-?.

Thanks so much for any ideas!

-M.I. Soldier

Sorry, not DILLWEED, DUCKWEED

Have you tried frogs? Might be your best bet. You're definatly going to have to use a heavy braid to bring a fish thru the slop.

Are you sure the larger fish you see jumping are bass and not carp?

Other option, if it's really that thick and tough to fish, and you're limited to shore fishing, you may want to fish elsewhere until the vegetation begins to die off.

That pretty much sums up the fishing scene in Jersey this season :'(

The heat, along with the drought have really made the bass lethargic, especially in shallow waters.

Frogs or other "scum baits" would be the way to go as already said. The temp cooldown we've been having should help a bit. We need rain though, lots of it.

As for the trout, depending on the stocking schedule for that particular lake, they likely are gone by now.

Between being caught, getting eaten by predators and the heat, they don't stand a chance. However, when conditions improve, baits that mimic trout should do well for you in that lake.

Well thanks for the responses...I didn't give up and after I walked the entire perimiter I found 3 nice sized breaks (30ft diameter) in the top cover and toss where those meet the hydrilla. Eureka! 3-4 LB bass and growing Pike galore

My salt water fishing buddy at work teases me that seeing m pics that there must be bigger ones in my lake.