Bass are hiding in that thick growth under the surface.  I can't seem to throw anything, that doesn't come back with tons of weeds on it.  If I throw a T-rigged, weightless senko or brush hog, the bait doesn't penatrate the thick stuff, it simply swims over it, even if my retrieve is slow.  

If I throw a jig or a weighted plastic, it comes back full of slop.  I throw a C-rig and the worm collects lots of weeds.  

How can I fish from shore(which means I've got to fish more horizontally then vertically) and get a lure down into the weeds and coax the big boys to bite without having my bait covered with gunk?  

How are you guys fishing the thick stuff from shore?

First off, you'll probably want a H rod with heavy mono or braided line.

Now, 2 possible approaches:

1) a heavy T-rig.  3/4 oz + is often needed to punch through.  Peg the sinker, or even better use screw-in sinkers

2) Zoom Horny Toads rigged weedless and retrieved over the top of the grass.  You can also let it sink into the holes

Jig and fat ike or what ever you prefer.

Two suggestions come to mind:

1) Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits makes a little "dooly" that fits on your line ahead of the hook knot that will keep the grass from balling up on your Senko (which would be a good bait in your situation) - maybe Road Warrior will see this and post the link (he told me about 'em a couple of years ago).

2) Parasite Clips - you can get these at Bass Pro Shops (Stacy King made 'em famous on one of the BPS fishing shows) - "don't know why they work or how they work, just know they work".

Try a Johnson's Silver Minnow with a twin tail grub fished slow (let the spoon sink).

You try using a heavier jig? Sometimes when my jig is bringing up weeds I'll switch to a heavier jig, and it breaks through the weeds better, and when it does get caught up, I can usually rip it out and continue to fish. Also maybe try using a jig that you haven't trimmed the weed guard, and see if this makes a difference. You can also try using a Fat Ika, that rips through the weeds fairly well for me, or swimming a spinnerbait, or chatterbait right above the weeds maybe. Just giving a few tips that might help ya out, good luck  .

I had the same problem while fishing a lake this summer choked with lilly pads.  I started fishing a T-rigged 10" Ol' Monster Zoom worm with a 1/2 oz. bullet weight pegged.  Caught fish the rest of the day and it went right through that mess. 8-)

When you talk heavy vegetation you need to talk to Florida bassers.

Oh wait.   I'M a Florida basser    

Whew.  Glad I settled that one.

Ok,   Let me get right down to it.

The most deceptive phrase in bass fishing is "Weed Guard"

A jig with a weed guard is a weed magnet.

they are excellent BRUSH guards, but forget the jig for heavy veggies.

The Florida rig is what works best in these conditions.  (surprised?)

This is a T-rigged plastic with a screw in weight at the top.

Choice of plastic usually is not critical.  Any tube, worm, lizard, beaver etc will catch fish and run pretty clean.

There are times when maximum weedlessness is required.

For these conditions the best I have found is a 5" senko florida rigged with a 4/0 owner riggin hook.

The senko has no appendages and the offset on the riggin hook is not a 90 degree angle, but is rather a sloping curve.

If this set up won't come through clean then you have to modify your technique ('nother topic)

good luck and have fun  

Woo-Hoo!

Got the perfect answer. My main pond was infested with spiro gyra late last spring. I started fishing a GYCB Kreature like a swimmming jig or spinnerbait. Man, this is THE BOMB!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180909581

It does not get any better than a jig-n-craw but one must know how to fish it in heavy vegetation. One must keep a near vertical presentation to be effective; to accomplish this one must be proficient at flipping & pitching.

Minimum Tackle:

Rod Length: 7' 0; Line Class: 10-20 lb; Lure Weight: ¼-1 oz

Reel: Any having excellent drag system spooled with at least 17 lb mono or braid

Lure: ½ oz minimum GRASS JIG

Trailer: Any type of plastic or pork

I'll second what roadwarrior said, and I'll add to it.

When fishing in the conditions you stated you need a heavy braid.  I like to throw at least a 50 - 60 lb. braid when fishing hydrilla, duckweed, watermill, or any thick vegetation in general.  

Next I swear by Lindy's Rattlin' No Snagg Sinkers, at least 3/4 ounce,  with a Carolina keeper, a glass bead, and a Mister Twister worm hook.  I usually throw a floating worm in Methiolate or Bubble Gum color, a 5" Zellamander, or a french fry type worm.  With the floating worms they stay elevated enough to stay active, the Zellamanders drive Bass crazy, and the french fry type worms are alway a safe bet.  Just remember that you need a heavier weight when fishing vegetation, because it takes a lot to sink your bait through the thick stuff.  The heavier braid will blend in with the vegetation, and it allows you to muscle the fish out of cover without compromising your catch.  

The hardest thing to master with thick vegetation is knowing what is a bite, and whats just a bump from the debris.  You'll soon learn the difference, but it may take you a few rounds to distinguish the difference.  

i love to burn white spinnerbaits over the top over it, i also like to use a ribbit over top or a black buzzbait, theres somethin about that black buzzbait they love. but for plastics i like to flip and pitch stuff like sweet beavers, flappin hogs, baby brush hogs, paca craws and chigger craws. i typically like to use a florida rig weight, but if i use a bullet weight i don't peg it right to the bait, sometimes it messes up the hookset so i just peg it up barely over top the head of the bait. i love flipping to the isolated clumps, never pass em' up, its amazing how many more fish youll catch, but o ther than that flip to the holes in the grass or the edges, or another great spot is where  the weedline takes a bend or makes  a point, also the random thick patches in the veg. are great spots hope this helps

Sick stuff guys.  This board never ceases to blow my mind.  Faaaaaaantastic.

T

Your problem is you are casting the lure. IF YOU ARE GOING TO FISH HEAVY GRASS FISH IT VERTICAL. Period!!!