Veggie Bass
By Jason Lewis

Don't let vegetation ruin your weekend.  When faced with the “slimy stuff” make it your ally and use it to your advantage, bass do!  Time after time you hear fishermen complain about the weeds or the moss and how they can't get any fishing done in their once productive spots.

      There are three things I think about when preparing to fish vegetation.  (1.Attitude, 2. Bait Selection, 3. Heart Condition) I feel like with any situation your dealt in life you need to approach it with the correct attitude.  Vegetation means shade, means home to bait fish and ambush points.  It means sometime difficult conditions and less pressure from other fishermen.

Bait selection is important and for some situations is absolutely crucial.  If we are talking about thick floating moss almost any weed less frog, rat or big moss boss will work (heavy is good so the fish can zero in on your bait.)  For light or patchy moss a plastic worm (weightless), small moss boss or big grubs work well.  For big lily pads go back to the rat, or moss boss.  For small pads (my favorite) go for a Johnson spoon with a plastic worm trailer or plastic Zoom chunk trailer so it mimics a snake or baitfish.  For flooded grass, plastics are still good and shallow running crank baits like Mann’s Baby One Minus and Bomber’s Shallow A.

The last thing to remember is if you do become addicted to fishing the moss or pads, for heaven's sake please consult your doctor and have regular check-ups on your heart.  When these fish zero in on your bait they are explosive.

Preparation and presentation are essential and you can only get better so don't get frustrated.  If fishing from shore, wear rubber boots or old tennis shoes in case you have to wrestle one of these monsters in.  From boat, be prepared to move and go get a fish that may be buried deep in the stuff.  I recommend no bragging until you actually land the fish because normally a 1lb bass can carry 6lbs of moss.  Usage of heavy line is recommended as well.

A good presentation to use is stop and go and hang on.  Seriously though pop your bait along the vegetation like a frog and watch for anything unusual.  Unusual meaning rolling pads or moss moving after you've stopped your bait (if this happens barely tap your bait and hang on.)  Experts will tell you not to set the hook before you feel the fish, like you would a buzz bait or other surface lure.  Honestly though when that explosion comes you've got to jerk if for no other reason than to defend yourself.