Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 08/22/2010: Offshore Weed Beds Spells Large Bass

When the going gets tough in the shallows check out your lake for offshore weed beds. These offshore havens can be loaded with bass that are following migrating baitfish such as shad. They often setup ambush sites behind the edges of the weeds and move out when forage is near.

Typical offshore weed beds are made of hydrilla, coontail and peppergrass. These types of vegetation form thick umbrellas shading the largemouth and concealing their location from their prey. They also offer cooler temperatures in the summer months and moderate temperatures in the cold winter months.

Fishing these weed beds can be done in a variety of ways. Texas rigged soft plastic worms along the edges can be deadly, however if the water is much deeper than 10 feet then a switch to a Carolina rig or heavy jig will produce more fish. The key is finding where along the weed bed edge the fish are holding. Moving in and out of the thicker weeds and fishing different thicknesses of weeds is a necessary tactic until fish are located. Once the fish are found, repeat that water depth and weed thickness pattern on all of the offshore weeds you find. This will considerably raise your chances in catching more bass.

Rattling sinking crankbaits and deep diving crankbaits can also be effective. These baits require using them more to the outside edge of the weed bed due to their exposed treble hooks. In water from 6-8 foot deep, rattling baits can be the ticket but you need to contact the underwater weeds to be successful. This requires letting the bait sink until contact with the weeds occurs and ripping the lure through the weeds. Vary your retrieve and when contact occurs, rip the rattling bait out again. This technique provokes ferocious strikes so be ready to set those hooks.

A deep diving crankbait is work similarly to the rattling bait. Typical use of these lures is in water 9 foot deep or deeper. Again, try to contact the weeds on the bottom near the edge of the weed bed and try the rip method. Another technique is to crank until contact is made then stop. This will make the bait float backwords and up and can invoke some serious bites.

Spinnerbaits are also lures that works well in fishing these offshore havens. Fishing the heavy stuff is very possible with this bait. The key to success using this bait is to use a heavier bait in the 3/8 to 1/2 ounce variety and let it drop when it goes over an opening in the weed bed. The drop of the lure is more of a slowdown of your cranking speed rather than a complete stop so that the lure runs deeper.

Topwaters such as buzzbaits and propeller types can also be great. These are usually reserved for the lowlight conditions of dawn or dusk but some very big bass can be caught using these lures. Work them along the edge or in pockets formed by the weeds. One very important key is to not set the hook until weight is felt then set it hard.

Last but not least are the hard jerkbaits such as a Husky Jerk/Bomber Long A or the soft jerkbait such as the Zoom Fluke. Both of these baits can be awesome along the scattered weed edges and the key is to vary the retrieve to create an erratic action.

So the next time your shallow spots seem to be all dried up, find some offshore weed beds and hang on!

Tight Lines and Do More Catching with Less Fishing,

The Largemouth Herald