Westernbass Magazine - Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - Summer 2013, Page 15

Westernbass Magazine - Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - Summer 2013, Page 15

sediment and grow upwards, their flowers emerge above the water surface. a couple common species of submersed plants are coontail and watermilfoil. Coontail leaves are branched and spined. eurasian watermilfoil, more commonly called milfoil was once popular in home aquaria and now is a serious and rapidly spreading invader. Milfoil has feather-like leaves arranged in whorls around the stem. Free-floating plants are not rooted. an example of a common free-floating plant is duckweed, which is usually 1/8- to ¼-inch in diameter and has small roots hanging in the water column. another common free- floating plant is watermeal, which has no roots and looks like a tiny green seed in the water. rooted-floating plants have underground stems, from which new plants can sprout. Their leaves and flowers are on the waters surface. Spatterdock aka yellow cow lilies have leaves that stand erect from the surface. Water lilies’ leaves lie flat on the surface of the water. Both of these plants provide valuable habitat for fish. Watershield can be weedy in shallow areas, it is 2- to 5-inches long, smaller than water lily leaves, and tends to be slimy. emergent plants are grass like plants including cattails and bulrushes. Cattails can grow 3- to10-feet tall and have a unique flowering spike. Bulrush is a common name that encompasses cattails and other wetland plants in the sedge family. another very common member of the sedge family are tules. tules have the same growth range as cattails; have long grass-like leaves and clustered pale brown flowers. tules play an important role, being a buffer for wind and water forces.

You may or may not believe me, but hear this; bigger bass are more often found in vegetation than hard cover! it’s hard to believe bass will get so deep into vegetation and survive, but they do. Think about it, the top is most likely worse looking than underneath. Bass and other fish are easily capable of navigating the root and stem system below. Plus, with the low light and increased oxygen levels, they would seek out a nice vegetation spot during hot days. if they can sit there, naturally camouflaged and have food come to them, they will. Weather swings may move them some, but not much. So, don’t get overwhelmed in a lake full of vegetation, keep calm and find something unique.

summer 2013

Find a floating mat of algae, or who knows maybe the vegetation is the unique character you associated bass hiding in a lake with little to no structure. if you find yourself fishing in thick vegetation use heavier weights, hooks and gear all around. You won’t waste as much time picking strands of algae off your line, because you will be able to pull right through it. Going weedless is almost a must, as well as using braid. Braid allows you to work your baits more effectively through the thicket, as well as avoided getting snagged. depending on the type of vegetation, many lures can be used; however, the standard is a lure for the top like a frog and a lure for the bottom, like a soft plastic that can be rigged weedless. Besides, have you ever been able to pass through an algae mat and not think to yourself, that’s frog heaven! Think of vegetation as an unexplored forest, there are varieties in shapes, sizes, and effects. Knowing a little about all of them is only a benefit to your internal tackle box. Go out and explore your local vegetation, don’t be scared to wander off the beaten path.

FISHING VEGETATION

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