How do y’all approach fishing Cypress trees?

 

Just about every lake I’ve been on in Florida has at least some Cypress, with many smaller undeveloped lakes being completely lined with Cypress. 
 

As far as how I’ve approached them in the past, I typically pitch a jig or worm, fish a square bill, or throw a top water. I put more emphasis on any tree that forms a point or has vegetation/lily pads around it. I can only remember catching a single fish over the years like this.

What I do is to pitch on the root ball as close to the truck as I can and then pull it off bringing it through the knees. 
Once I past them I reel up and do it again making multiple casts at different angles until they show themselves. 

 

Really any plastic or presentation can work it’s just a matter of cycling through until you establish a pattern, vertical or horizontal
 

Keep in mind that once you get past the outer edge of the knees, which is usually a little past the farthest reaching branch,  you’re “usually” past the sweet spot 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

Cypress Trees are my favorite cover to fish. They are one of the primary forms of cover in my home waters in south Louisiana.

 

The roots of a cypress tree make a ring completely around the tree and can extend out as much as 5-6 feet or more from the base of the tree. Some days I catch more fish out away from the tree than I do off the base. I always start outside the tree base and work my way towards the tree and then continue to the other side. 

 

I also look for groups or lines of cypress trees that are in deeper water. A depth change of as little as 2 feet can make a world of difference on some days.

 

You are on the right track with your lure choice. I use jigs, texas rigs, shallow crankbaits, and buzz baits. 

 

Good luck.

 

 

And getting a lure in under low underhanging greenery on cypress is always good...structure PLUS shade.

I have my best luck fishing cypress trees in the dead of winter.   When it's cold, our fish go to wood.  To keep from getting hung up on the roots, I use a weightless worm or a spinnerbait. 

Pitch a jig or crawworm as close to the trunk as possible and let it fall on slack line and watch the line, fall rate makes a difference some days. I use 3/8oz most times, 1/4oz or 3/16th if I want a slower drop. Mostly dark colors

46 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

I have my best luck fishing cypress trees in the dead of winter.   When it's cold, our fish go to wood.  To keep from getting hung up on the roots, I use a weightless worm or a spinnerbait. 

I always try to fish them during the summer time, with my thought process being that they are providing shade. I’ll need to keep that in mind this winter.

I fish Blue Cypress lake all year round. it is lined with cypress trees all around. thus the name. I fish with jigs, weightless worms,squarebills,spinnerbaits and topwater plugs.work the whole tree from the base to all the root system. some of the roots or knees will go out quite a ways from the base so keep that in mind when working a tree. like Captain Phil said, some of you best fishing comes in the winter around a cypress tree.

2 hours ago, crypt said:

I fish Blue Cypress lake all year round. it is lined with cypress trees all around. thus the name. I fish with jigs, weightless worms,squarebills,spinnerbaits and topwater plugs.work the whole tree from the base to all the root system. some of the roots or knees will go out quite a ways from the base so keep that in mind when working a tree. like Captain Phil said, some of you best fishing comes in the winter around a cypress tree.

 

Wow...  I haven't fished Blue Cypress in many years.  The first Club bass tournament I ever fished was on that lake and it was always one of my favorites.   I knew old Joe Middleton when he was fishing tournaments.  Cypress tree lined lake water is stained from the tannic acid in the trees.  The bass in that lake are almost black.  I'm surprised anyone still fishes it with the Stick Marsh nearby. 

28 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

 

Wow...  I haven't fished Blue Cypress in many years.  The first Club bass tournament I ever fished was on that lake and it was always one of my favorites.   I knew old Joe Middleton when he was fishing tournaments.  Cypress tree lined lake water is stained from the tannic acid in the trees.  The bass in that lake are almost black.  I'm surprised anyone still fishes it with the Stick Marsh nearby. 

it is and always has been one of my favorite lakes......still hit it at least once a month.

6 hours ago, BayouSlide said:

And getting a lure in under low underhanging greenery on cypress is always good...structure PLUS shade.

This is the key to catching the biggest bass on the tree. Too many anglers are afraid of losing their bait and won't get it in there where the fish live. In summer, I skip frogs and paddle tail swim baits under the limbs. 

 

You gotta get in there where they live. Big bass don't normally chase a bait very far. Put it in their living room and hang on!

10 hours ago, riverat said:

 

Cypress Trees are my favorite cover to fish. They are one of the primary forms of cover in my home waters in south Louisiana.

 

The roots of a cypress tree make a ring completely around the tree and can extend out as much as 5-6 feet or more from the base of the tree. Some days I catch more fish out away from the tree than I do off the base. I always start outside the tree base and work my way towards the tree and then continue to the other side. 

 

I also look for groups or lines of cypress trees that are in deeper water. A depth change of as little as 2 feet can make a world of difference on some days.

 

You are on the right track with your lure choice. I use jigs, texas rigs, shallow crankbaits, and buzz baits. 

 

Good luck.

 

 

 

Atchafalaya Swamp, is the largest wetland & swamp in the United States.