Hydrilla

[BluegillCrankbait]

What do you guys find to be the best lure for fishing heavy mats of hydrilla in 4-8 foot of water ; some even surfaced out?

[Bassfan17]

a heavy texas rigged worm to puch through it what have you normally used?

[NateG]

I'm sure a popular answer will be either a buzzfrog or floating frog. a texas rigged worm or punch bait would also be a great option.

[Bassfan17]

spro bronzeye frog works good cut down the strands on the back to about 10 on each side then cut the legs a little shorter put a dab of super glue at the tie point so water doesnt weigh the bait down then cast it out and reel have fun try reeling it in a different way like twitch twitch pause and more good luck hoped this helps

[Unholy_Fury]

i would have to go with the spro frog. I sometimes take a big jig and punch it through.

[Joshawa]

I agree that a heavy T-rigged worm will give you success. Also a Sizmic toad is perfect for these applications, it will sit on top of the surface weeds and act like a normal frog but will also slowly sink in the open pockets. Often you will trigger strikes by letting that frog slowly fall in those open pockets in the matted Hydrilla.

[Baron49]

To fish it properly you have to look at the time of the year and how active the fish are.  Also you want to work it from top to bottom.  As stated a floating frog would be a good lure to start with, but don't rule out a buzz frog either.  A Horny Toad moved slowly over the top of hydrilla and allowed to fall into the holes is a good producer when the fish are active.

To fish through hydrilla you need a good heavy action flipping stick and at least 65 lb braided line.  Start with a 1 oz weight, 5/0 superline hook, and a craw.  Punch it through the canopy and pitch it into the open pockets.  When retrieving the bait, pull it up until you feel the bottom of the canopy. Allow it to fall a little or jig it up and down just under the canopy.  It is amazing how many time they are hold just underneath it.

In really thick heavy hydrilla or on blue bird cold front days you have to get to the very bottom where they are burrowed up.  A 1 1/2 oz jig with a creature trailer is hard to beat.  Punch it through the cover and let is fall to the bottom.  Jig it up and down a little and let it sit.  The hit will feel like you have a heavy weed on the bait.  Set the hooks hard and try to get the fish moving to the surface as quickly as possible.

I used to fish worms in the thick stuff, but found more compact baits go through hydrilla without hanging up and are easier to fish.  Jigs, creatures, and tubes are my favorites for punching through hydrilla.