What are your tactics/strategies for fishing pockets of hydrilla in the early spring? One of my ponds has this stuff all over it and in the summer time it will come to the surface but right now it's all submerged in pockets near the edges of the bank and the water temps finally got to 51 degrees. So far I've been trying spinnerbaits and paddletails fished slowly and haven't had any luck. Also tried a rat l trap through the grass and a jerkbait fished along the edges. Any suggestions as the water continues to slowly warm up? 

12 minutes ago, TriStateBassin106 said:

What are your tactics/strategies for fishing pockets of hydrilla in the early spring? One of my ponds has this stuff all over it and in the summer time it will come to the surface but right now it's all submerged in pockets near the edges of the bank and the water temps finally got to 51 degrees. So far I've been trying spinnerbaits and paddletails fished slowly and haven't had any luck. Also tried a rat l trap through the grass and a jerkbait fished along the edges. Any suggestions as the water continues to slowly warm up? 

 

Those baits sound good to me, maybe there's deeper hydrilla or other structure holding bait and bass in this water.  Isolated patches near breaks are usually my best targets.  If you're sure the bass are there, you have to try a jig and or worm.

 

scott

I go right into the thick of it with a T-rigged craw plastic in a color that mimics local forage. Usually with a heavier weight first to penetrate and try to provoke a reaction strike. 

Crankbaits?  Try and run the moving bait by the vegetation at different angles. If you can find holes try dropping a weightless fluke or senko type into them. 

Trigged something. I'd probably start with a beaver type bait. If that didn't get bit, switch to a worm, or lizard, or baby brush hog... Sometimes they really prefer one profile over another.

I’d be casting and pitching jigs into it. 1/2 or 3/4oz to get it in there with a large profile. Darker color.

 

Water temps are still a bit cool for them to be chasing baits still. 

Surprisingly (to me) a floating JB has been getting it done in shallow hydrilla and millfoil this year. Anyone having an unusual pre spawn this year? or is it just me?...

21 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Surprisingly (to me) a floating JB has been getting it done in shallow hydrilla and millfoil this year. Anyone having an unusual pre spawn this year? or is it just me?...

Been catching them on suspending jerkbaits but it's been slow going due to stubborn water temps and repeated cold fronts.

Flukes, assassins, Keitech jerked around hydrilla have all produced in the past as well.

10 minutes ago, Bird said:

Been catching them on suspending jerkbaits but it's been slow going due to stubborn water temps and repeated cold fronts.

Flukes, assassins, Keitech jerked around hydrilla have all produced in the past as well.

So far the bass in this particular pond aren't that big most are around the 1 to 2lb range because it had to be restocked but I've tried the war eagle finesse spinnerbait fished slow and a keitech on a owner flashy swimmer. I'm probably gonna downsize my jerkbaits at this point because I've been throwing 110s 

I'd kill for 51 degree water...I've had ice out for less than a week here...I'd guess the water is maybe 40-42ish. Caught one today on a jerk bait and one on a dark sleeper hopping it like a jig.

I'd go with slower moving presentations now, whether vertical (fluke-weightless worm), or horizontal (tube or wacky rigged worm).  Adjust speed or fall rate until you get bit.