What would you use???

[cward1234]

I don't have a boat and I have been fishing a local lake for quite a while with a little luck here and there but I want to see what everyone else's approach would be. The lake is mostly shallow with a few places that drop down to about 15 feet but I can't really reach them. It is very grassy and the water is stained at a temp of about 72. It's too grassy for cranks and other things with treble hooks. I'm in IL so we're still in the spawn. Thanks for any input.

[Camden]

you say it has grass is it submerged grass or does it reach the top and mat?
on my tourny last weekend I was running a shallow crank over the top of submerged getting hits. for this tech i usually throw a Manns baby minus 1 only dives to about 1.5 ft

[Bobby Tull]

Try some large senko's or senko type bait's T rigged weight less they cast pretty far and come though grass ok.It also would be of help to add more info. on the grass so we can give more advise.If the density of the grass will allow you might try the swag swim jig's.Remember when making purchases to consider buying product's from the site sponsors as they make these forum's possible for all of us to enjoy...Bob Tull

[macon123]

Check out my post in the "Top lures in your tackle box" thread.

Good Fishing, Mac

[cward1234]

In most areas the grass does reach the top

[Camden]

yea if it reaches the top the first two baits I would be throwing is a t-rigged worm with pegged weight. or a frog worked fast over the top

[Figabytes]

I fish a lake here in AL similar to what you describe.  I had a lot of luck fishing a fluke when the water was a little cooler.  Now it is 80+ and the water level has dropped, so all the grass is at the top now.  I've caught some on a frog, pulling it over the mat.  I've also found a few spots on the bank where I can cast to the edge of the grass using a finesse jig or shakey head, and that has worked too.

Good Luck!

[bass.junky]

texas rigged senkos sounds like a great starting point in this area. If there is some room to maneuver (lanes) you can also throw a spinnerbait.

In the areas that the weed is at the top of the water (matted or not) work a frog.

[knife68]

   I fish a local lake that sounds just like yours weeds weeds and more weeds from bottom to the surface.In the am work the surface with a frog,as the day goes on texas rig worms,I use 5 in  senkos and 7 in trick worms with the occasional 10 in ol monster mostly blacks and june bug.Peg the weight,or use a shaky head or weightless depending on the depth and drag it across the top of the weeds and look for holes for it to fall into give it a few shakes wait a few give it a couple more shakes wait if nothing hits it bring it up and repeat until something smacks it.My lake the weeds start about 6 ft out from shore and the water is anywhere from 2 to 4 ft so I parallel cast along the weed line with a worm or a jig or even a small crankbait and work it along the weed line with success.Just keep at it,it's tough fishing but you would be surprised what you can bring out of those weeds..

[fisherdad]

Like the others, t-rigged worms and senkos are good. Since they are still spawning, look for the beds. After the spawn, look for grass/weed edges and work a swimbait/skinny dipper, or swim a jig or hulu grub where you can. And a buzz frog in all the places you cant fish under the surface.

Sounds like a lot of the typical ponds and small lakes in florida... although 15feet is like a deep abyss for us!

[gillrod2728]

Frog,swim jig,fluke, zoom speed worm fast across the top and let in sink for a second in openings.

[jocko]

Agreed,

A swimbait, swim fluke, skiny dipper, speed worms, or a frog --> right over the top and aim for the holes. 

If it's matted - use a punch set up with a speed or paca craw.

Don't forget to fish any shoreline cover.  Sometimes - shore bound anglers neglect to look for fish right at their feet.  Take a T-rigged creature bait and just probe the shore by where you are casting.  Stick your rod tip thru the muck and see how deep it is.  Most would be surprized to find a couple feet right at the shore.  Bass will be right at your toes without even knowing.  I can't tell you how many bass I've caught right at my toes just dropping a bait down and yo-yo ing it. 

Good luck

[gillrod2728]

Agreed,

A swimbait, swim fluke, skiny dipper, speed worms, or a frog --> right over the top and aim for the holes. 

If it's matted - use a punch set up with a speed or paca craw.

Don't forget to fish any shoreline cover.  Sometimes - shore bound anglers neglect to look for fish right at their feet.  Take a T-rigged creature bait and just probe the shore by where you are casting.  Stick your rod tip thru the muck and see how deep it is.  Most would be surprized to find a couple feet right at the shore.  Bass will be right at your toes without even knowing.  I can't tell you how many bass I've caught right at my toes just dropping a bait down and yo-yo ing it. 

Good luck

+1 on this

[phred]

+2 on all the above.
I'm also boat-free and pound retention ponds. I have caught fish so close to the bank that needed to have lawn chairs. I have been catching them lately on spinnerbaits and baby paca craws, but soon the weeds will matt everything up and it will be frog time.

Scott