Say 15'-25', old timber but lots of limbs still on,
Tops out at the surface some tops are out. Fairly clear
Water.

How would you fish this stuff ? 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷‍♂️

I find edges of the forest first, then any irregular features along those edges, roadbeds, trails, creeks, ditches, etc. Tx rigs, jigs, weightless senkos, belly weighted swimbaits are my usual go to baits.

Pay more attention to the bottom contour than anything else.

Clear skies no wind fish bottom cloudy or windy use Senkos and fish off the bottom

yup, way more of a factor when determining which tree their hiding behind in a forest.

fish it like there was no timber and find the sweet spots. then focus around the timber in those areas.

If it’s windy, slow roll spinnerbaits through them. If it’s calm, nothing works better that a Senko, Texas rigged with a 1/16th tungsten(pegged). Lift it slowly over branches and let it fall.

This time of year, straight up and down with a drop shot, Ned rig and spoon.

Texpose a tube,.....pitch it in, let it fall with a twitch here and there,.....hang on.

Are the fish relating near the bottom or suspended in the trees? That would make a difference on your bait presentation.
The advice above covers both situations.

Lots of ideas given.
I guess I was wondering more how to get a bait in and through all those limbs.
Esp when you have multiple trees together.
I like the senko and tube idea but it would have to be calm.
Thanks for all the ideas. I'll deff try them out.

Topwater or jerkbait can also be awesome depending on conditions.

Try to find an isolated patch of trees on good contours (creek channel swing, hump, end of a point)
If any have leaves still on, fish those first
Agee with seeing what depth the bait is holding

Anchor up if possible to improve cast accuracy

1/2 or 3/4oz swim jig is very versatile and can be fished throughout the water column
Cast past the tree and let it fall straight down. Retrieve/lift on top of the first branch, slightly hop it on the branch and then lift it off the branch and let it fall again. Repeat

1/2 to 3/4oz spinnerbait fished similarly but more in the middle water column

1/2oz weedless Underspin fished same as the spinnerbait.