Fought the Weeds 2

Aug 26 2015

Guy Smith

Fry

Member Since :
2015
Number of Posts :
41

Business in Canton provided the opportunity to return to west lake this morning.  No topwater action (frogs, buzzbaits, poppers).  Caught a 4.5 and 2 more (under 1 lb) on a weightless wacky worm.  If they aren't hitting topwaters, this is a tough lake to fish due to the weeds.  You have to put the worm on top of the fish, as all of my strikes were almost instant.  If the bait sinks and you start reeling, here come the weeds.  I did catch a dink on a rattletrap that was fished very fast.  There are some good fish in this lake.

Posted By: Guy Smith

Aug 26 2015

Steve Alexander

Admin

Member Since :
2002
Number of Posts :
1171

Guy,

Try throwing a 1 oz weight and "punching" the grass. You may only be able to hop in once or twice before reeling in. No need to make long casts.

Aug 27 2015

Guy Smith

Fry

Member Since :
2015
Number of Posts :
41

Steve:  Thanks.  The May Bassmaster had a good article on "punching".  I did give it a short try with creature baits.  The grass at West Lake is not matted on top as much as it is growing from the bottom.  In fact, if you are looking at the lake from the shore you don't see much grass.  If you cast anything that sinks more than 24" you'll be in it.  It seemed that the only way to avoid dragging in weeds with the "punch" bait was to not cast.

That being said, while it presents something of a challenge, there are good fish in the lake and I've landed a 7 and a 4.5, which is not something I can say about my attempts at a lot of less challenging lakes.  After all, I did return knowing the conditions.