Looking for help and advice

[Swest18x]

I'm vacationing on North Hero Island on Lake Champlain early August. The house we rented is right on the Alberg passage, supposed to be great bass fishing, the homeowner even says tournament time the bass boats come right along his property. I want to make the most of this opportunity and somewhat limited fishing time since I'll be with wife, in-laws and kids most of the days, with a few hours each morning to fish. Here's my situation: 

 

I have a 17 foot flat bottom fishing canoe with fish finder + a 3hp motor so I can get around but not far. The Alburg passage is specifically mentioned in some fishing articles so that's good, I figure focus my fishing on a relatively small area (maybe 1/2 mile each direction) and stay there all week so I don't waste time exploring. But my biggest problem is this: I have lots of gear and I'm aware of all the basic bass fishing techniques, but my direct experience is limited because my main fishery lacks weeds, it's just miles of riprap. This trip could give me the chance to try a lot of techniques I don't get the chance to use much, but my way of thinking is I better focus on just a couple new things and stick with those. For example, crazy as it sounds I've never jig fished or even shakey head: they just get snagged too easy in the riprap we have here. I have them but never use swimjigs because I never have to come through weeds. I don't even Texas rig: if I'm using a soft plastic it's a fluke  or swimbait on an exposed hook for the same reason. Lipless cranks, jerkbaits, small swim baits flukes and paddletails, covering water, now that's my home, apart from that I also have a bit of experience dropshotting.

 

All I really have worked out so far for this trip is topwater around weedbeds mornings and evenings is a no brainer, my walking baits and whopper ploppers are ready to go. Other than that, for this area, especially in/over grass and weed beds, what are the top few techniques you'd recommend I focus on? Thanks for any advice.

[MediumMouthBass]

Some of the lakes and ponds near me have more grass in them than water. Im serious about that, a few of my favorite lakes/ponds arent fishable currently due to a complete grass take over, so most of my fishing is done in grassy/weedy areas.

Topwaters (you already have) are great options not sure what ones you have but a popper, plopper, spook, and a frog. Maybe some wakebaits too.

Depending on how the grass is at that place bladed jigs are good to rip out of the grass, but definetly a swim jig if its more of a pressured body of water.

You said you have lipless crankbaits, well my biggest bass ive caught came from ripping one out of a grassy pond so thats something to think about taking with you to use.

T rigged big worms (10" or larger ribbon tails to be exact) 1/8oz weight fished slow on the bottom, sometimes the grass gets stuck on the weight but just pull it off if it happens.

Wacky worms as well as senkos (weightless or weighted t rig).

[WRB]

We have several members that are familiar with the area you mentioned.

Senko’s, jerk baits are very popular for both smallmouth and Largemouth bass. The further north you venture the better the Smallmouth fishing gets. Both are located around the Albert and Gut passes.

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I havent fished Champ in decades, but I recall being wowed at the sheer size.  Really the gear I would bring wouldnt be much different then that of what I use around here, I would just have to bring some heavier weights and maybe a deeper running crank or 2.

Personally I would have 3 rods, 2 casting 1 spinning.  ! casting rod would have a T rig or Free rig and the other would have a swim jig, possibly soft JB or buzzbait or frog early.  Spinning rod would either be wacky rig, light SH, ned rig, DS or small swimbait depending on how tough the fishing is and what ever you have confidence in.

Just wing that swimjig around looking for a bite and everytime you see a good target pitch that T rig in there.  If you dont get bit on the heavier gear, just downsize and slow down.

 

 

 

 

[webertime]

Message me your phone number I'll set you straight. Good friend lives on the passage and I'm like 9 miles from it.

[papajoe222]

I'll add to stick with what you have confidence in. If it's hard baits, spinnerbaits and lipless cranks can cover the entire water column and run just above weed tops.  If it's soft plastics, bring an assortment along with an assortment of weights. If you have any confidence in tubes, you'll be in tube heaven.