Ive been fishing the St.Johns river in the Palatka area since i was 8,im 25 now.I usually catch a limit when i go out but mostly in Creeks and along the sides of the river on the eel grass.I recently started devoting all my fishing time to learning a new lake,Rodman Reservoir in North Central FL.Its got heavy grass and stumps down everywhere in the lake,many different types of grass though,and lillies and hydrilla.Through the spring i was doing good using plastic topwaters around heavy grass and where the lillies thin,but as it got to be summer,the lillies and grass have gotten thicker and its very hard to get the fish to bite in these areas now.I see other anglers carolina rigging in stump fields but i have no luck with carolina rig,i believe its because i have no expirience with the carolina rig.Ive read numerous tips online and asked other anglers for tips but most are misleading.Does anybody have any tips for the carolina rig in such areas like rodman?Any other rigs i may be able to try?It also may be my worm selection while using the carolina rig that gives me no luck,i have no idea,help please.

I used to fish Rodman on a weekend basis, those stump fields are loaded with big bluegill and bass at certain times of the year, I would throw a black 1/4 ounce jig with a blue zoom chunk up against them and let it fall. Also at the mouth of the Oklawaha coming from Rodman is a good spot to throw traps.

Also the channel used to hold fish in the summer, the one out from the public ramp coming out of Interlachan.

You should try to get used to Carolina rigs, all it takes is to catch a couple of fish on them to gain confidence. They were hard to get used to for me years back but once i got used to the bite I loved them. Great summer technique anywhere in Florida.

The bite is a little different more of a movement, most beginner mistakes are to long of a leader, try a short leader about a foot to a foot and a half, this will get you used to the bite and you'll have a little more contact with the bait.

We throw them with only a foot of a leader and tear the fish up at times, this has worked all over the state for me.

i fish rodmans all the time.the rig is a necessary technique especially if ur fishin the river channel.if u have gps u can find the bends,intersections and points thru the middle of the stump field if not ull have to get someone to show u the general area.as for baits .alot is preference but we have success w/ tick worms,uv speedworms,magII,and 10'' worms.depending on water clarity as to color.right now the water is super clear and green pumpkin works well.junebug,and wat. red always work and a black trick worm when it gets tough.

we had a great spring,i think i posted some pics on here of some hawgs we caught in may.july has been really tough bite.the north flats down by marker 6 work your way in around deep creek w/ a t-rig and 1/16 weight fished super slow.id be glad to show u around sometime.just give me a shout,mike

Thanks gar tracker,i will definatly try anything for a bite out there.lol.Mike i appreciate the offer and yes i wanna catch fish like those.Yea id really like for someone to show me around,i will have time to check it out soon,ill keep in touch.