Hey guys,

I just bought myself a flipping rig (7'6, heavy, extra fast tip, 50lb braid etc...). I am hoping to get out and fish super heavy vegetation since I fish a lot of lakes that have large sections with emergent vegetation. Do any of you have any pointers/tips/stories for this type of fishing? I'm not quite sure how to approach a "field" of emergent vegetation that all looks the same.

 

I like to t rig an appropriate weight and use a stopper to keep the weight in place.  Some of my favorite baits are pitboss, senkos and worms.  Pitch into nearby openings and weedline edges. 

I'm guessing Michigan lakes are similar to Wisconsin lakes. I look for thick weed with rock mixed in, if thats not available I look for more than one type of weed mixed in the same area. Another key would be baitfish in the area. Fishing a buzzbait or spook over the area if the vegetation will help you locate fish, frog if the matts on the surface. Heavy weights like 1 OZ tungsten weights are a must, maybe heavier if matts are real thick. Compact bait with smooth sides will slip through the weeds easiest like a tube, pitboss, etc.Straight shank Flipping hook with heat shrink keeper tied with a snell knot will increase your hook up. Buy some rubber stoppers or pegs for your sinker so it doesn't slide up the line. I like to drop the baits close to the weed stalk itself, not in the hole...shake it a couple times and lift the bait back out.

Just one of many

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/11960-jigs-n-grass/

 

3 hours ago, Yudo1 said:

I like to t rig an appropriate weight and use a stopper to keep the weight in place.  Some of my favorite baits are pitboss, senkos and worms.  Pitch into nearby openings and weedline edges. 

Not only this, but find holes/pockets farther back. Lots of people fish the outside edge, few throw in those deep pockets. Just get ready to shove the boat up in the grass if you have to go dig a big fish out that you pinned 

How far into the weeds can a boat go? It seems like I see people on TV ride right over top of large patches of lillies.

8 hours ago, Captain America said:

How far into the weeds can a boat go? It seems like I see people on TV ride right over top of large patches of lillies.

Depends on the trolling motor, boat, and operator. 

12 hours ago, Captain America said:

How far into the weeds can a boat go? It seems like I see people on TV ride right over top of large patches of lillies.

Depending on the depth of water you might be scaring bass!

Did ya read the link?

If your going to go deep into the weeds its probably a good idea to take a paddle with you. 

Down here almost every boat I've been on the owner has a push pole of some sort for getting way back in the jungle. The key is stealth! I mean QUIET!! No banging the rods on the gunnel, no loud talking, no dropping a long nose pliers on the deck...you get the idea. 

If you're intent on going, stop way before you get to its edge or keep the trolling motor on low and shut it off when you get there. Constanly running the motor on low is better than constantly turning it on and off. 

Going into the middle of a pad field may seem like the thing to do, but once you hit the pads they will know you're there, and when you spook em they just head deeper where you won't be able to go. 

More times than not I've had boaters stop 10yds before we hit the edge, and let our momentum or wind take us to where we stop, and make long bomb cast's. All after we hit the outer edges. 

Think of it like walking through the woods and stalking a Grizzly. 

 

Mike

Mike

 

This is what I'm fishing lately, it has Coontail Moss growing with the pads!

Perfect! Absolutely Perfect!

If I was a Bass I'd live there

 

Mike