I am fishing in a small lake with a maximum depth of 10 to 15 feet. The lake is in Northern California and doesn't freeze. There is significant weed growth on the bottom of the lake. The last time I tried a weightless brush hog with a texas weedless rig, the weeds were building up at the head of the brush hog. About two months ago, in warmer weather, I was getting bass every day on weightless floating roboworms with #6 hooks. I was also getting hits on surface poppers.

With the decrease in water temps, the bite has gone to zero. I still want to catch bass and have been trying to go slower and deeper. However, I'm getting snagged on weeds. Are there any suggestions on how I can fish this shallow lake in the colder water temps that I have now? There are no other fisherman on the lake anymore. It seems like the bite is really tough now. The lake is usually crowded in spring and summer. However, it is close to my house and I want to figure out how to get hits in the autumn and winter.

I've been thinking that a carolina rig might be better.

The last time I tried a 6" senko rigged wacky with a 4/0 hook and I didn't get any hits. In general, a roboworm rigged texas weightless will outfish a senko rigged texas or wacky all the time in the spring and summer. The senko rigged wacky will work in the summer on the drop.

I've also been consider a live nightcrawler rigged as a 3-way soak bait, with a weight at the bottom and a dropper line hanging out from the side with a worm suspended off the bottom. I'm also planning to experiment with a jig suspended below a casting bubble.

Any advice would be appreciated. I am a desperate bass fisherman.

I am fishing in a small lake with a maximum depth of 10 to 15 feet. The lake is in Northern California and doesn't freeze. There is significant weed growth on the bottom of the lake. The last time I tried a weightless brush hog with a texas weedless rig, the weeds were building up at the head of the brush hog. About two months ago, in warmer weather, I was getting bass every day on weightless floating roboworms with #6 hooks. I was also getting hits on surface poppers.

With the decrease in water temps, the bite has gone to zero. I still want to catch bass and have been trying to go slower and deeper. However, I'm getting snagged on weeds. Are there any suggestions on how I can fish this shallow lake in the colder water temps that I have now? There are no other fisherman on the lake anymore. It seems like the bite is really tough now. The lake is usually crowded in spring and summer. However, it is close to my house and I want to figure out how to get hits in the autumn and winter.

I've been thinking that a carolina rig might be better.

The last time I tried a 6" senko rigged wacky with a 4/0 hook and I didn't get any hits. In general, a roboworm rigged texas weightless will outfish a senko rigged texas or wacky all the time in the spring and summer. The senko rigged wacky will work in the summer on the drop.

I've also been consider a live nightcrawler rigged as a 3-way soak bait, with a weight at the bottom and a dropper line hanging out from the side with a worm suspended off the bottom. I'm also planning to experiment with a jig suspended below a casting bubble.

Any advice would be appreciated. I am a desperate bass fisherman.

I am fishing in a small lake with a maximum depth of 10 to 15 feet. The lake is in Northern California and doesn't freeze. There is significant weed growth on the bottom of the lake. The last time I tried a weightless brush hog with a texas weedless rig, the weeds were building up at the head of the brush hog. About two months ago, in warmer weather, I was getting bass every day on weightless floating roboworms with #6 hooks. I was also getting hits on surface poppers.

With the decrease in water temps, the bite has gone to zero. I still want to catch bass and have been trying to go slower and deeper. However, I'm getting snagged on weeds. Are there any suggestions on how I can fish this shallow lake in the colder water temps that I have now? There are no other fisherman on the lake anymore. It seems like the bite is really tough now. The lake is usually crowded in spring and summer. However, it is close to my house and I want to figure out how to get hits in the autumn and winter.

I've been thinking that a carolina rig might be better.

The last time I tried a 6" senko rigged wacky with a 4/0 hook and I didn't get any hits. In general, a roboworm rigged texas weightless will outfish a senko rigged texas or wacky all the time in the spring and summer. The senko rigged wacky will work in the summer on the drop.

I've also been consider a live nightcrawler rigged as a 3-way soak bait, with a weight at the bottom and a dropper line hanging out from the side with a worm suspended off the bottom. I'm also planning to experiment with a jig suspended below a casting bubble.

Any advice would be appreciated. I am a desperate bass fisherman.

I am fishing in a small lake with a maximum depth of 10 to 15 feet. The lake is in Northern California and doesn't freeze. There is significant weed growth on the bottom of the lake. The last time I tried a weightless brush hog with a texas weedless rig, the weeds were building up at the head of the brush hog. About two months ago, in warmer weather, I was getting bass every day on weightless floating roboworms with #6 hooks. I was also getting hits on surface poppers.

With the decrease in water temps, the bite has gone to zero. I still want to catch bass and have been trying to go slower and deeper. However, I'm getting snagged on weeds. Are there any suggestions on how I can fish this shallow lake in the colder water temps that I have now? There are no other fisherman on the lake anymore. It seems like the bite is really tough now. The lake is usually crowded in spring and summer. However, it is close to my house and I want to figure out how to get hits in the autumn and winter.

I've been thinking that a carolina rig might be better.

The last time I tried a 6" senko rigged wacky with a 4/0 hook and I didn't get any hits. In general, a roboworm rigged texas weightless will outfish a senko rigged texas or wacky all the time in the spring and summer. The senko rigged wacky will work in the summer on the drop.

I've also been consider a live nightcrawler rigged as a 3-way soak bait, with a weight at the bottom and a dropper line hanging out from the side with a worm suspended off the bottom. I'm also planning to experiment with a jig suspended below a casting bubble.

Any advice would be appreciated. I am a desperate bass fisherman.

Try a floating rapala or twitch one of your roboworms weightless.  As for using a jig or a t-rig I would recommend being in a boat that way you can fish it vertical and cut down on all of the weeds balling up on you bait.  I fish a lake near my house that avgs 5-6 ft so I feel your pain.  I'm gonna try to get some fishing in on thanksgiving break hopefully we'll both get something ;D

Try a floating rapala or twitch one of your roboworms weightless.  As for using a jig or a t-rig I would recommend being in a boat that way you can fish it vertical and cut down on all of the weeds balling up on you bait.  I fish a lake near my house that avgs 5-6 ft so I feel your pain.  I'm gonna try to get some fishing in on thanksgiving break hopefully we'll both get something ;D

Try a floating rapala or twitch one of your roboworms weightless.  As for using a jig or a t-rig I would recommend being in a boat that way you can fish it vertical and cut down on all of the weeds balling up on you bait.  I fish a lake near my house that avgs 5-6 ft so I feel your pain.  I'm gonna try to get some fishing in on thanksgiving break hopefully we'll both get something ;D

Try a floating rapala or twitch one of your roboworms weightless.  As for using a jig or a t-rig I would recommend being in a boat that way you can fish it vertical and cut down on all of the weeds balling up on you bait.  I fish a lake near my house that avgs 5-6 ft so I feel your pain.  I'm gonna try to get some fishing in on thanksgiving break hopefully we'll both get something ;D

How tall are the weeds?

I'd suggest swimming a drop shot rig. It is one of the best methods I've found when fishing weedbeds.

If the growth is two feet high, set your sinker about three feet below the bait, and adjust from there.

The trick is to keep the bait just at or above the top of the vegetation.

Cast and retrieve.  Vary your speed and type of retrieve 'til you find what they want.  I like to have the sinker fetch up in the weeds during the retrieve.  Just keep twitching until if comes free.  You may get hit while twitching, or when the sinker breaks free from the vegetation.

I use either of two hooks, the Owner weedless wacky hook in the 1/0 size, or the Gamakatsu extra wide gap weedless in various sizes, but mostly 2/0 or 3/0. The Owner has two plastic weed guard strands, one on each side of the hook, and slightly above the tip. The Gamakatsu has a plastic weedguard that is similar to the metal wire guards that extend beyond the tip, and hook under the barb.

The Owner is not as effective as the Gamakatsu in shedding the stringy weeds, but does an acceptable job. The Gamakatsu EWG is better for bulky baits, and wacky rigging the thicker worms and baits.

How tall are the weeds?

I'd suggest swimming a drop shot rig. It is one of the best methods I've found when fishing weedbeds.

If the growth is two feet high, set your sinker about three feet below the bait, and adjust from there.

The trick is to keep the bait just at or above the top of the vegetation.

Cast and retrieve.  Vary your speed and type of retrieve 'til you find what they want.  I like to have the sinker fetch up in the weeds during the retrieve.  Just keep twitching until if comes free.  You may get hit while twitching, or when the sinker breaks free from the vegetation.

I use either of two hooks, the Owner weedless wacky hook in the 1/0 size, or the Gamakatsu extra wide gap weedless in various sizes, but mostly 2/0 or 3/0. The Owner has two plastic weed guard strands, one on each side of the hook, and slightly above the tip. The Gamakatsu has a plastic weedguard that is similar to the metal wire guards that extend beyond the tip, and hook under the barb.

The Owner is not as effective as the Gamakatsu in shedding the stringy weeds, but does an acceptable job. The Gamakatsu EWG is better for bulky baits, and wacky rigging the thicker worms and baits.

How tall are the weeds?

I'd suggest swimming a drop shot rig. It is one of the best methods I've found when fishing weedbeds.

If the growth is two feet high, set your sinker about three feet below the bait, and adjust from there.

The trick is to keep the bait just at or above the top of the vegetation.

Cast and retrieve.  Vary your speed and type of retrieve 'til you find what they want.  I like to have the sinker fetch up in the weeds during the retrieve.  Just keep twitching until if comes free.  You may get hit while twitching, or when the sinker breaks free from the vegetation.

I use either of two hooks, the Owner weedless wacky hook in the 1/0 size, or the Gamakatsu extra wide gap weedless in various sizes, but mostly 2/0 or 3/0. The Owner has two plastic weed guard strands, one on each side of the hook, and slightly above the tip. The Gamakatsu has a plastic weedguard that is similar to the metal wire guards that extend beyond the tip, and hook under the barb.

The Owner is not as effective as the Gamakatsu in shedding the stringy weeds, but does an acceptable job. The Gamakatsu EWG is better for bulky baits, and wacky rigging the thicker worms and baits.

How tall are the weeds?

I'd suggest swimming a drop shot rig. It is one of the best methods I've found when fishing weedbeds.

If the growth is two feet high, set your sinker about three feet below the bait, and adjust from there.

The trick is to keep the bait just at or above the top of the vegetation.

Cast and retrieve.  Vary your speed and type of retrieve 'til you find what they want.  I like to have the sinker fetch up in the weeds during the retrieve.  Just keep twitching until if comes free.  You may get hit while twitching, or when the sinker breaks free from the vegetation.

I use either of two hooks, the Owner weedless wacky hook in the 1/0 size, or the Gamakatsu extra wide gap weedless in various sizes, but mostly 2/0 or 3/0. The Owner has two plastic weed guard strands, one on each side of the hook, and slightly above the tip. The Gamakatsu has a plastic weedguard that is similar to the metal wire guards that extend beyond the tip, and hook under the barb.

The Owner is not as effective as the Gamakatsu in shedding the stringy weeds, but does an acceptable job. The Gamakatsu EWG is better for bulky baits, and wacky rigging the thicker worms and baits.

X2 on the drop shot

Getting the Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, or Drop Shot through vegetation requires some amount patience but to what Rhino said. When you start to feel the lure hanging up release pressure and quickly reapply it, each time add slightly more pressure until the lure moves forward.

Some times added a 1/64 or 1/16 oz. bullet weight to your weightless rig will help part the vegetation. I also add a liberal amount of worm juice to help add in sliding through the vegetation.

My personal preference in hooks when fishing vegetation is a straight shank which lays closer to the lure body.

X2 on the drop shot

Getting the Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, or Drop Shot through vegetation requires some amount patience but to what Rhino said. When you start to feel the lure hanging up release pressure and quickly reapply it, each time add slightly more pressure until the lure moves forward.

Some times added a 1/64 or 1/16 oz. bullet weight to your weightless rig will help part the vegetation. I also add a liberal amount of worm juice to help add in sliding through the vegetation.

My personal preference in hooks when fishing vegetation is a straight shank which lays closer to the lure body.

X2 on the drop shot

Getting the Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, or Drop Shot through vegetation requires some amount patience but to what Rhino said. When you start to feel the lure hanging up release pressure and quickly reapply it, each time add slightly more pressure until the lure moves forward.

Some times added a 1/64 or 1/16 oz. bullet weight to your weightless rig will help part the vegetation. I also add a liberal amount of worm juice to help add in sliding through the vegetation.

My personal preference in hooks when fishing vegetation is a straight shank which lays closer to the lure body.

X2 on the drop shot

Getting the Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, or Drop Shot through vegetation requires some amount patience but to what Rhino said. When you start to feel the lure hanging up release pressure and quickly reapply it, each time add slightly more pressure until the lure moves forward.

Some times added a 1/64 or 1/16 oz. bullet weight to your weightless rig will help part the vegetation. I also add a liberal amount of worm juice to help add in sliding through the vegetation.

My personal preference in hooks when fishing vegetation is a straight shank which lays closer to the lure body.

Here's the result of swimming a wacky rigged drop shot rig in a tiny, shallow pond with grassy patches behind our daughter's house yesterday.

The main reason for weedless hooks is the pond has several stumps. The weedless hooks work their way around them, most of the time.

This poor old girl has seen better days.  Her tail is about worn off.  But, she has a full belly.

Here's the result of swimming a wacky rigged drop shot rig in a tiny, shallow pond with grassy patches behind our daughter's house yesterday.

The main reason for weedless hooks is the pond has several stumps. The weedless hooks work their way around them, most of the time.

This poor old girl has seen better days.  Her tail is about worn off.  But, she has a full belly.

Here's the result of swimming a wacky rigged drop shot rig in a tiny, shallow pond with grassy patches behind our daughter's house yesterday.

The main reason for weedless hooks is the pond has several stumps. The weedless hooks work their way around them, most of the time.

This poor old girl has seen better days.  Her tail is about worn off.  But, she has a full belly.

Here's the result of swimming a wacky rigged drop shot rig in a tiny, shallow pond with grassy patches behind our daughter's house yesterday.

The main reason for weedless hooks is the pond has several stumps. The weedless hooks work their way around them, most of the time.

This poor old girl has seen better days.  Her tail is about worn off.  But, she has a full belly.