Weeds

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on September 16, 2009 at 9:15am

Hey Joel,

My suggestion would be to experiment, fishing the different types of vegetation available on each body of water. In Washington State, the choices are rarely overwhelming, even in the most diverse of fisheries. My experience has been that you can determine relatively quickly which weeds hold baitfish and bass, and which weeds are seemingly devoid of life. This can vary season to season depending on dissolved oxygen levels, density of the vegetation and a variety of other factors.

There usually seems to be a predominant weed or a combination of weeds that holds the lion's share of the bass at any given time. That being said, you can still find a very reliable secondary pattern so don't get tunnel vision either. For example, you might find a wide open bite on offshore cabbage (as long as it's devoid of witch's hair) in deeper water. In addition, you may also discover a good population of quality fish using dollar pads adjacent to flamentous algae mats in shallower water. I figured Bavery would like this example.

Guys like Hobbs can figure these things out much quicker than the rest of us, which is one reason why he is among the best anglers you will find on the West Coast. If you continue to experiment, eliminating the unproductive vegetation and identifying the productive weeds, you will gain confidence and proficiency in finding bass in the salad.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on September 16, 2009 at 11:02am

What are the most common weeds we have in our lakes?

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on September 16, 2009 at 11:30am

Marc likely knows the scientific names for the predominant species of vegetation in our lakes. I mostly use nicknames for all the weeds, which isn't much help. Milfoil, duckweed, pondweed, lily pads, cabbage, witch's hair, hydrilla, algae and cheese are what I call the weeds I typically encounter.

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on September 16, 2009 at 12:33pm

Thanks Tag,
I'm sure this is a subject many anglers overlook! I would love to hear from Marc and any of the other guys who have knowledge in this area.

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on September 16, 2009 at 1:35pm

The key is not knowing which weed is which, but understanding the interaction between weed, bait, bass. It's a difficult puzzle to decode at times, but it is critical in summer/fall. Part of what makes it difficult is it's constantly changing - unlike a rock pile, weed environments are very dynamic and shouldn't be viewed as a "spot" but as a whole system. Part of what Ron is talking about when he mentions how much the Columbia changes in another thread.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on September 16, 2009 at 2:10pm

Very well said, Don.
Don Hogue said:

The key is not knowing which weed is which, but understanding the interaction between weed, bait, bass. It's a difficult puzzle to decode at times, but it is critical in summer/fall. Part of what makes it difficult is it's constantly changing - unlike a rock pile, weed environments are very dynamic and shouldn't be viewed as a "spot" but as a whole system. Part of what Ron is talking about when he mentions how much the Columbia changes in another thread.

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on September 16, 2009 at 5:06pm

Right on Don thanks, that make a lot of sense. Would you mind giving us an example/experinces youve had fishing weeds? Is there a starting point for us weed rookies? Like look for millfoil in 15feet of water and work the edges with a dropshot?

Don Hogue said:

The key is not knowing which weed is which, but understanding the interaction between weed, bait, bass. It's a difficult puzzle to decode at times, but it is critical in summer/fall. Part of what makes it difficult is it's constantly changing - unlike a rock pile, weed environments are very dynamic and shouldn't be viewed as a "spot" but as a whole system. Part of what Ron is talking about when he mentions how much the Columbia changes in another thread.

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on September 16, 2009 at 7:08pm

Weeds provide habitat for bait, plan and simple. Not all "weeds" are created equal, but sometimes that is hard to determine initially. Can you simply fish a given weed edge at a certain depth? You may stumble on a way to pattern them. That' s kinda how I started. You will notice certain requirements to what holds feeding bass and what doesn't. If I sound like I'm being cryptic, it's because there is no real absolutes here. There is no formula or pattern that works all the time. Different bodies of water on different days can have a different interaction going on. Sometimes the outside weedlines, sometimes the inside. If current is involved, then a whole different variable is introduced. Sometimes the bait and bass coexist in the same weeds. Sometimes the bass turn on them and begin feeding. Just remember that the weeds provide cover for the prey and give them (the prey) an advantage....think of bass fry the other fry that use weeds for cover. The weeds function like the cupboards in the kitchen. They hold the food, but not necessarily where the bass feed. So edges, holes, pockets, depth changes associated with the weeds are all important for feeding areas, just don't get caught up with what worked last year or yesterday in terms of "spots" (easier said than done). Remember, bass are going to feed in the most advantageous situation for them. The only prerequisite is the presence of bait. How are the bass positioning themselves in relation to the weeds to feed? Position yourself accordingly.

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on September 17, 2009 at 1:33pm

Last ditch effort by me before this post gets barried under all the new ones! I wouldnt mind hearing from you NWBass guys on this topic. What experineces have you guys had fishing weeds?