Weeds and Bass Behavior

Weeds and Bass Behavior are winners in my book wherever they are found. They have all the elements that appeal to bass. There are a host of reasons for bass to be in the weeds. They are a constant oxygen source, which attracts baitfish and crawfish, and other food for the bass. Weeds also offer a place for the bass to lie in ambush, waiting for an unsuspecting meal to pass by. And in fairly dense masses, weeds offer shade from the blaring hot sun. Weeds are heaven to a bass if you think about it!

“Matted vegetation is by far my favorite type of weeds to fish.”

I consider effective weed fishing to be a specialized art. Rather than fishing like most fishermen who haphazardly toss lures to any available greenery, you must approach this cover in a smart methodical
manner. Try to picture in your mind specifically where you think the fish should be and how to get them to bite. One method to use for quickly pinpointing weed bass is to concentrate on any irregularity. Look for the visible differences first, such as a pothole in the weeds, a dip or curve in the weed line, or an especially thick or thin section of weeds that influences bass behavior. Then look for the not so obvious, a different bottom composition, a spot where the channel runs close by, underwater points or humps. Also look for small
eddies and slack-water areas right next to the main current flow.

Never overlook areas where two or more types of vegetation meet. These areas will usually hold the bigger and most bass in that weed bed. There is a big difference between the attractiveness that bass
have to different types of vegetation. Some weeds grow better in a muddy calm water area such as milfoil, lily pads, and coontail. While others like most of your grass, reeds, and bulrushes like a firmer bottom of sand or gravel. Generally search for grass rather than weeds when looking for bass on main lake or river current areas. The strong grass sustains heavier currents impacting bass behavior.

Excerpts taken from Lee’s new book “Strategies for Bass“.