| Matt Johnson Outdoors Weed Edge Largmouths off the Deep End |
| Matt Johnson Outdoors |
By: Matt Johnson
It’s no surprise to find out that
bass spend most of their time
in weedy areas, in fact, I would
go as far to say that in most
lakes that’s one of the only
spots you’ll find bass. So, what
better structure to begin our
search then where the culprit
lies—weeds—and in order to
fish the weeds you need to
begin with the infamous weed
edge…
Bass are notorious for cruising
the weed edge in search of an
easy meal. Actually, bass will
dominate the weed edge and even chase down prey regardless of
how hungry they are. Bass can be bullies and bass will pound a
presentation that crosses their path. Weed edge fishing makes things
easy for not only locating bass, but for getting bit more than once.
Locating the right weed edge can be half the battle. You want to focus
on areas where deep water is available. You also want to pay attention
to what type of weeds are available. Areas with more than one mix of
weeds can be very productive. Variance in weed type gives the bass
more reasons so stay. It provides an abundance of prey species as
well as oxygen and cover.
Other characteristics of prime weed edges include underwater points
and inside turns, rocky areas amongst the weeds, and pockets or
patches of weeds. Weed patches out from the weed edge can be very
productive when honing in on schooling bass. These patches serve
as spots where cruising bass can stop and relocate. It’s not
uncommon to pull several fish off one small piece of structure when
targeting fish on weed patches.
Outside of the weed patches it’s important to also pay attention to
pockets in the weeds. These areas will offer bass a chance to ambush
their prey, as well as a place where they can catch some rays. Bass
like the feel of the warm sun on occasion. This is one of the reasons
why we see a lot of bass cruising shallow flats when the sun is high.
Besides the sun and ambush feedings, bass also see these pockets
as weed edges in side the weed edges. Look at is as a spot-on-the-
spot if you will. These open pockets, or sparse areas, are excellent
areas to focus in on.
Rocky areas along the weed edge are some of the better spots
available to bass anglers. We all know that areas where bottom
composition changes can provide outstanding opportunities for
fishing. Rocks are like a magnet for baitfish, crawfish, insects, prey of
all types, and you can bet bass will follow. The temperature around
rocky areas is also more appealing to bass, so comfort plays a role as
well.
Inside turns and underwater points are probably two of the more
productive spots for weed orientated bass. These areas are very
appealing to bass and are considered long-term stopping points for
bass that cruise the weed edge. Underwater points and inside turns
serve as bass oases where they will school up and feed. These prime
spots can be found on most lakes where a distinct weed edge is
present. As one of the most prominent pieces of structure on a given
lake, these spots will kick out a lot of fish. Inside turns trap baitfish
and will definitely provide a home for hungry bass.
Outside of the many spots available to weed edge anglers, you still
have to find a way to catch the bass using them. Jig-worm, jigs, drop-
shots, crank-baits, spinner-baits… these are all examples of ways to
target weed edge bass. Case-in-point here—bass will feed on the
weed edge and sometimes it doesn’t matter the presentation. Finding
the fish is oftentimes the name of the game, but if you’re looking for a
few top options for catching these fish then here goes…
Jig-worming these fish can be very effective. Using more natural
colors like watermelons, pumpkins, browns, blues, etc, can give you
an upper hand. Yes, bright colors have their place and time, but
amongst weeds it’s important to focus on the natural surrounding and
do your best to mimic it. Ribbon-tail worms, stick-worms or even grubs
can work. Have an assortment of colors and sizes and stick to it.
Tossing a jig along the weed edge is no new secret, but it works
wonders and allows you to really hone in on pockets with a more
accurate cast. Creature baits are good options when jigging, as are
your standard variety of jigs or jig’n’pigs. These baits have won
countless tournaments in years past and it’s safe to say you’ll see
these presentations in line-ups for years to come.
One last technique we’ll touch on is the spinner-bait and crank-bait.
These techniques are excellent for covering a lot of water and
searching for fish. If fish are schooling out from the weed edge then a
crank-bait can be the ticket. Tossing a spinner-bait into the sparse
weed edge can work wonders at times too. The key here is to have a
variety of crank-baits and spinner-baits along with you when targeting
these weed edges bass.
Weed edge bass can provide constant action. Locating the right spot
on the weed edge is first and foremost. After locating a few prime
spots then it’s time to start finding the schools. After a school is found
then it’s only a matter of time until you find yourself smack-dab in the
middle of a bass fishing flurry!
Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson
It’s no surprise to find out that
bass spend most of their time
in weedy areas, in fact, I would
go as far to say that in most
lakes that’s one of the only
spots you’ll find bass. So, what
better structure to begin our
search then where the culprit
lies—weeds—and in order to
fish the weeds you need to
begin with the infamous weed
edge…
Bass are notorious for cruising
the weed edge in search of an
easy meal. Actually, bass will
dominate the weed edge and even chase down prey regardless of
how hungry they are. Bass can be bullies and bass will pound a
presentation that crosses their path. Weed edge fishing makes things
easy for not only locating bass, but for getting bit more than once.
Locating the right weed edge can be half the battle. You want to focus
on areas where deep water is available. You also want to pay attention
to what type of weeds are available. Areas with more than one mix of
weeds can be very productive. Variance in weed type gives the bass
more reasons so stay. It provides an abundance of prey species as
well as oxygen and cover.
Other characteristics of prime weed edges include underwater points
and inside turns, rocky areas amongst the weeds, and pockets or
patches of weeds. Weed patches out from the weed edge can be very
productive when honing in on schooling bass. These patches serve
as spots where cruising bass can stop and relocate. It’s not
uncommon to pull several fish off one small piece of structure when
targeting fish on weed patches.
Outside of the weed patches it’s important to also pay attention to
pockets in the weeds. These areas will offer bass a chance to ambush
their prey, as well as a place where they can catch some rays. Bass
like the feel of the warm sun on occasion. This is one of the reasons
why we see a lot of bass cruising shallow flats when the sun is high.
Besides the sun and ambush feedings, bass also see these pockets
as weed edges in side the weed edges. Look at is as a spot-on-the-
spot if you will. These open pockets, or sparse areas, are excellent
areas to focus in on.
Rocky areas along the weed edge are some of the better spots
available to bass anglers. We all know that areas where bottom
composition changes can provide outstanding opportunities for
fishing. Rocks are like a magnet for baitfish, crawfish, insects, prey of
all types, and you can bet bass will follow. The temperature around
rocky areas is also more appealing to bass, so comfort plays a role as
well.
Inside turns and underwater points are probably two of the more
productive spots for weed orientated bass. These areas are very
appealing to bass and are considered long-term stopping points for
bass that cruise the weed edge. Underwater points and inside turns
serve as bass oases where they will school up and feed. These prime
spots can be found on most lakes where a distinct weed edge is
present. As one of the most prominent pieces of structure on a given
lake, these spots will kick out a lot of fish. Inside turns trap baitfish
and will definitely provide a home for hungry bass.
Outside of the many spots available to weed edge anglers, you still
have to find a way to catch the bass using them. Jig-worm, jigs, drop-
shots, crank-baits, spinner-baits… these are all examples of ways to
target weed edge bass. Case-in-point here—bass will feed on the
weed edge and sometimes it doesn’t matter the presentation. Finding
the fish is oftentimes the name of the game, but if you’re looking for a
few top options for catching these fish then here goes…
Jig-worming these fish can be very effective. Using more natural
colors like watermelons, pumpkins, browns, blues, etc, can give you
an upper hand. Yes, bright colors have their place and time, but
amongst weeds it’s important to focus on the natural surrounding and
do your best to mimic it. Ribbon-tail worms, stick-worms or even grubs
can work. Have an assortment of colors and sizes and stick to it.
Tossing a jig along the weed edge is no new secret, but it works
wonders and allows you to really hone in on pockets with a more
accurate cast. Creature baits are good options when jigging, as are
your standard variety of jigs or jig’n’pigs. These baits have won
countless tournaments in years past and it’s safe to say you’ll see
these presentations in line-ups for years to come.
One last technique we’ll touch on is the spinner-bait and crank-bait.
These techniques are excellent for covering a lot of water and
searching for fish. If fish are schooling out from the weed edge then a
crank-bait can be the ticket. Tossing a spinner-bait into the sparse
weed edge can work wonders at times too. The key here is to have a
variety of crank-baits and spinner-baits along with you when targeting
these weed edges bass.
Weed edge bass can provide constant action. Locating the right spot
on the weed edge is first and foremost. After locating a few prime
spots then it’s time to start finding the schools. After a school is found
then it’s only a matter of time until you find yourself smack-dab in the
middle of a bass fishing flurry!
Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson
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