More Grass Fishing 101
Cranks
Lipless cranks can be worked in and around grass, but that is before
it gets terribly thick. Usually in spring when the grass is just getting up, you
can catch a lot of bass by allowing the lure to fall just into the tips of the
grass and ripping it free.
For fishing lipped cranks in and around the grass, use shallow runners
that will only run just above the grass and on occasion will tick the top. Try
going up with line size if you use a shallow crank that you find dives a few
inches too deep into the grass and the heavier line will not let the lure run as
deep and you can cover the water over the grass. Also, after casting a
shallow crank over submerged grass, wait a second before you start to reel so
that the lure has had time to float up to the surface and does not take off with
the rear hooks down in the grass. That will be a wasted cast every time if
you start cranking as soon as it hits the water over submerged grass that is
very close to the surface.
Top
water
Of course frogs/rats on top of the thickest slop work great in late
summer on. Again...braided line BUT use a 7' or longer "broomstick"
(a rod that is stiff as a broomstick). You will need that to horse them out of
that stuff. BUT...be sure to set your drag loose so that on hook sets it
will slip and not rip the hook free.
Buzz baits can be worked over very thick grass and through it with some
patience and it will pay off. Also, smaller 1/8 oz buzz baits have been a
secret for a long time when the grass gets so thick, that others stop throwing buzz baits
in and around it. It will work through and over the grass much easier. With
any size buzz bait, when it approaches the grass clumps or pulls on top of it, raise
the rod tip as it goes across and it will lift and skip across the grass and
after you have cleared it, lower the rod back into it's normal position. A
series of rod raises and speed alterations will keep you buzzing right on
through the thickest stuff. You can even use a trailer hook over this
stuff also, it will not hang up as long as you raise the rod tip and change
speeds.
Top water baits that sit level in the water can be worked around the
thick stuff and just over it if it isn't floating on top of the water. But use
baits that sit level. Pop R style baits, I will downsize to smaller 1/8 oz or so
Don Lovino Splash It II or Yamamoto Sugoi Splash. The tail on these smaller baits
will not hang down too low and snag grass.
For walking baits, most prefer a Super Spook Jr's over any others. They
are heavy enough to cast a mile, but they are not so heavy that when they hit
the water they sink down into the grass. But you should try to use a side
arm roll cast that is parallel to the surface of the water if the grass is close
to the top. This lets the lure skip into the water instead of splashing
down into the grass. The larger Spooks will be heavier and drop into the grass
before floating back up to the surface. And don't attempt to fish a Lucky
Craft Sammy over submerged grass near the surface. Those baits sit almost
vertical in the water with the rear treble hook sitting in the grass and it will
catch grass every time.