So I'm in Florida and it's already in the mid eighties here. A lot of the ponds and lakes I started fishing in December are now hydrilla and weed factories lol. They where once fish able now they are got an in bad. What do you guys do technique wise to combat this?

So I'm in Florida and it's already in the mid eighties here. A lot of the ponds and lakes I started fishing in December are now hydrilla and weed factories lol. They where once fish able now they are got an in bad. What do you guys do technique wise to combat this?

I go to different water.

 

Actually, it depends on how bad it is.  I've got a couple favorite lakes/ponds that get so bad you can't move a boat from the pier at peak.  I just go elsewhere for six or eight weeks.  But in the weeks leading up to peak, when you can still maneuver somewhat, I punch some....I find gaps....I twitch flukes and trick worms across, over and through

Ahh ok I considered punching!

So I'm in Florida and it's already in the mid eighties here. A lot of the ponds and lakes I started fishing in December are now hydrilla and weed factories lol. They where once fish able now they are got an in bad. What do you guys do technique wise to combat this?

 

It sounds pretty froggy to me. Our air temps may be in the mid 80's but the water temps are not there yet. Fish will be active and with the weed cover it provides multiple spots for them to hang out in. Use your strongest set up cast a frog. With that much weed growth pulling a good fish out of cover will require strong gear. 

Hmmm never thoughtt of that! I mean I figured the fish don't just leave they gotta be living in that hydrilla mess lol. Just didn't know how to get to them of make them bite!

Hmmm never thoughtt of that! I mean I figured the fish don't just leave they gotta be living in that hydrilla mess lol. Just didn't know how to get to them of make them bite!

 

Unless the lake is or fishing area is completely over grown then you have problem. If the area is spotty with growth then its fishable. If you choose to frog fish, i would cast past the pockets and then work the frog right up to the opening. Pause. Then slowly resume working the frog. If a bass is there it will crush the frog as it makes its way across the opening. Be ready to set the hook hard and wrestle the fish above as much of the hydrilla as possible. 

For those types of ponds, for me, only buzzbaits and frogs work. Nothing else. Even jigs and flukes get weeded up in the eyes of the hooks.

Awesome Lou! Thanks for the tips I'll give that a try I really need to throw my frogs more. Really work at it. I haven't caught anything on them yet

Awesome Lou! Thanks for the tips I'll give that a try I really need to throw my frogs more. Really work at it. I haven't caught anything on them yet

 

Keep at it. Frogs can be extremely rewarding if you stick with them. People put them down way to early after a little while of no action.  Just like any other big bass bait, you have to cover water until you come across a fish. 

 

I caught this guy this past Sunday frogging down in my neck of the woods. It went for an even 6lbs.

Ahhh man that's a great fish! My best is 2.5 pounds lol. I'm a pathetic Florida bass fisherman! I gotta try the frog deal and stick with it. I do set it down pretty fast I won't lie

If you arent confident with frogs try soft body frogs.  The Rage Toad is an awesome one.  I reccomend using it with a weighted swimbait hook with the spring retainer.  You throw it and reel it across the top of the water with the legs paddling sort of like a buzzbait.  I have had great luck with them.  The weight keeps the frog from flipping over the wrong way.  If you use a regular wide gap hook a lot of times it will flip over and the hook will be pointed down...  Not very good for setting the hook haha although when I first started using them I did hook a few in the bottom lip.  Keep working those and hollow body frogs you will start getting blow ups and when you do it will be hard to tie anything else on.  The frog bite is the most exciting to me.  Tight lines!