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Tips for fishing hydrilla #13707806 09/22/20 03:08 PM
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Buchbass2 Offline OP
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Hey guy's and gals just wondering what are your lure choices for fishing hydrilla in early to late spring and in the fall are and also your favorite presentation. Thanks

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13707818 09/22/20 03:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19,792
Donald Harper Online Happy
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Light weight C-Rig with a Fluke in the Spring over short grass and pods.

In the fall this is for the deep grass that is 15 + feet tall.
Deep Grass

It is coming to that time of year where the lakes that produce this deep grass will be showing their full potential. Grass comes and goes in Texas with water fluctuation and the degree of the severity of our Winter months. We had one of the mildest Winters this year and the water levels are stable. I am expecting to see our grass lakes producing those deep contour runs of Hydrilla. Big bass love that deep grass. It takes clear water for light penetration and a past history of grass. Lakes like Amistad, Rayburn and Toledo Bend are just three that come to mind with such a history. If you are planning a trip for a few days and want to experience something different then begin your research. It will be the most fun trip you will ever take. Keep in mind that there are some small jewels of a lake out there; so make some calls to fisherman that are in the know to pick one that will fit your schedule and travel time.

Finding Deep Grass
The starting point is always structure related and on contour. You have to have an irregular feature to meet your grass, and that's where the bass are going to be. For bass to be congregated it is a big PLUS to have a point or a creek channel bend. There has to be something different. There will be miles of vegetation that looks the same, but you need to find the little key spots like depth changes or drops.
- A cut, point, pocket or other irregular feature along the edge of a well-defined grass line.
- Channels and ditches that have grass growing right down the middle. The next ones you go to may only have it growing on the sides of these structures as sediment in them just does not support the growth.
- Look for vegetation beneath the surface. If you are seeing matted grass on the surface it may not have the depth needed or the structure to hold big fish.
- Look for spots void of growth, with small breaks in the grass bed run. This is an indication of larger hard rock that produces pods of grass which huge Bass love.
- Points grow a distinctive Horseshoe shape in the grass line out and around bottom contour.
- Funnels formed by the bare bottoms of creek channels or other depressions where submerged hydrilla or milfoil actually hanging over the edge of the ditch bank forming a canape.
- A creek or river channel making a bend against the grass, which is the ultimate combination of cover and structure. 
- Get next to the deepest water you can find with this deep grass on top.

It is a challenge because you have to rely on your electronics a lot more to find the points and pockets that have the deep grass beds. When you find that one special spot, just a small grass bed in deep water can hold some big fish. Stay glued to the contour map so you can turn into these small depressions that only have one or two feet of irregular depression which produces that notch in the grass line. It is not always clearly defined on your depth finder. Straight lines where the grass stops are the easiest to find and follow. This is not always the best spot, what you're looking for is that irregular edge, where the grass is thinner and not a solid wall. The Bass seem to stage there better where it is scattered and broken. You will find those smaller clumps producing as they come out to feed in the open areas between the thickest grass. 

Heavy Drop Shot
This will help you get that huge fish you have been looking for. Nothing will beat it. It works everywhere, even in shallow mat but best on the deepest grass you can find. They will be grouped up under the hollow. If the wind is blowing you can get in there on the upwind side; put the trolling motor up and big motor up and walk the boat across the mat by rocking the boat from side to side letting the wind drift you across. In the heat of the day they are burred up in the grass. 

Rig a heavy drop shot rig:
5.0 heavy super line hook. Tied on 50# braid. Use a Palomar knot. Leave the tag end at 5 inches long. Tie a 1 oz. weight to the tag end. I just tie a knot in the end of the tag, then use an overhand slip knot to attach the weight. It doesn't take much to keep it on. When I am fishing grass with hardwoods and it gets hung on the wood I can pull the weight off and come out with the hook and fish. The hook is about 4 to 5 inches above the weight, so the tails of the bait will hang down and cover the weight.
Use a Gene Lawrue Hoo Daddy Jr. in Watermelon Neon. This is not Watermelon/Red although they look almost the same; but it makes a great difference.

It will drop in the grass and come out of the grass with no hang-ups. Fish vertical to slightly in front of the boat. Directly over the bait is best on the deepest grass. Drop it in slowly and soft so it is traveling slowly when it touches the bottom. The Bass hate anything sneaking in on them. Hold it there with a tight line for about 5 seconds without any movement. They don't want it bouncing up and down. This gives them time to swim through the hollow under the grass and nail the bait. Fish a vertical presentation and moving along the outer edge of the grass line, making pitches out in front of the boat so by the time it gets to the bottom you are directly over the bait for the hook set.
HAVE FUN!!

[Linked Image]


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Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13707951 09/22/20 05:02 PM
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Jarrett Latta Offline
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Lots of variables there but hard to beat a chatterbait and trap in early spring. Same with fall but I'd add some topwaters in

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Donald Harper] #13707962 09/22/20 05:11 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,733
banker-always fishing Online Content
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Originally Posted by Donald Harper
Light weight C-Rig with a Fluke in the Spring over short grass and pods.

In the fall this is for the deep grass that is 15 + feet tall.
Deep Grass

It is coming to that time of year where the lakes that produce this deep grass will be showing their full potential. Grass comes and goes in Texas with water fluctuation and the degree of the severity of our Winter months. We had one of the mildest Winters this year and the water levels are stable. I am expecting to see our grass lakes producing those deep contour runs of Hydrilla. Big bass love that deep grass. It takes clear water for light penetration and a past history of grass. Lakes like Amistad, Rayburn and Toledo Bend are just three that come to mind with such a history. If you are planning a trip for a few days and want to experience something different then begin your research. It will be the most fun trip you will ever take. Keep in mind that there are some small jewels of a lake out there; so make some calls to fisherman that are in the know to pick one that will fit your schedule and travel time.

Finding Deep Grass
The starting point is always structure related and on contour. You have to have an irregular feature to meet your grass, and that's where the bass are going to be. For bass to be congregated it is a big PLUS to have a point or a creek channel bend. There has to be something different. There will be miles of vegetation that looks the same, but you need to find the little key spots like depth changes or drops.
- A cut, point, pocket or other irregular feature along the edge of a well-defined grass line.
- Channels and ditches that have grass growing right down the middle. The next ones you go to may only have it growing on the sides of these structures as sediment in them just does not support the growth.
- Look for vegetation beneath the surface. If you are seeing matted grass on the surface it may not have the depth needed or the structure to hold big fish.
- Look for spots void of growth, with small breaks in the grass bed run. This is an indication of larger hard rock that produces pods of grass which huge Bass love.
- Points grow a distinctive Horseshoe shape in the grass line out and around bottom contour.
- Funnels formed by the bare bottoms of creek channels or other depressions where submerged hydrilla or milfoil actually hanging over the edge of the ditch bank forming a canape.
- A creek or river channel making a bend against the grass, which is the ultimate combination of cover and structure. 
- Get next to the deepest water you can find with this deep grass on top.

It is a challenge because you have to rely on your electronics a lot more to find the points and pockets that have the deep grass beds. When you find that one special spot, just a small grass bed in deep water can hold some big fish. Stay glued to the contour map so you can turn into these small depressions that only have one or two feet of irregular depression which produces that notch in the grass line. It is not always clearly defined on your depth finder. Straight lines where the grass stops are the easiest to find and follow. This is not always the best spot, what you're looking for is that irregular edge, where the grass is thinner and not a solid wall. The Bass seem to stage there better where it is scattered and broken. You will find those smaller clumps producing as they come out to feed in the open areas between the thickest grass. 

Heavy Drop Shot
This will help you get that huge fish you have been looking for. Nothing will beat it. It works everywhere, even in shallow mat but best on the deepest grass you can find. They will be grouped up under the hollow. If the wind is blowing you can get in there on the upwind side; put the trolling motor up and big motor up and walk the boat across the mat by rocking the boat from side to side letting the wind drift you across. In the heat of the day they are burred up in the grass. 

Rig a heavy drop shot rig:
5.0 heavy super line hook. Tied on 50# braid. Use a Palomar knot. Leave the tag end at 5 inches long. Tie a 1 oz. weight to the tag end. I just tie a knot in the end of the tag, then use an overhand slip knot to attach the weight. It doesn't take much to keep it on. When I am fishing grass with hardwoods and it gets hung on the wood I can pull the weight off and come out with the hook and fish. The hook is about 4 to 5 inches above the weight, so the tails of the bait will hang down and cover the weight.
Use a Gene Lawrue Hoo Daddy Jr. in Watermelon Neon. This is not Watermelon/Red although they look almost the same; but it makes a great difference.

It will drop in the grass and come out of the grass with no hang-ups. Fish vertical to slightly in front of the boat. Directly over the bait is best on the deepest grass. Drop it in slowly and soft so it is traveling slowly when it touches the bottom. The Bass hate anything sneaking in on them. Hold it there with a tight line for about 5 seconds without any movement. They don't want it bouncing up and down. This gives them time to swim through the hollow under the grass and nail the bait. Fish a vertical presentation and moving along the outer edge of the grass line, making pitches out in front of the boat so by the time it gets to the bottom you are directly over the bait for the hook set.
HAVE FUN!!

[Linked Image]



Awesome post. thumb


[Linked Image][Linked Image]

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Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13707964 09/22/20 05:13 PM
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Jeremyworm Offline
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1oz Jig

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13707981 09/22/20 05:22 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,810
David Welcher Online Content
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Slow methodical weightless soft plastics like a fluke, senko, yum dinger or a French fry over the top of the grass is hard to beat, even if it's all thick and matted up latter in the year they see the shadowed silhouette from below and will come out and blow up on it

And if it's early in the year like Jarret states they will chomp on the chatter bait, they seem to zero in on it when you get hung up in the grass, then you pop it out and bam!

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13708308 09/22/20 10:03 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 164
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Buchbass2 Offline OP
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Thanks very much guy's.

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13708333 09/22/20 10:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
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Rog Offline
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What is this mythical grass y’all speak of???? The most fun you will have is to find a staging flat with cuts/ditches leading to spawning areas off a main creek with scattered grass that tops out at 2-3 fow in 5-6 fow in Jan/Feb. Throw Trap and Chatterbaits.....once you catch one pay attention where/how and hit the area hard cause they gang up that time of year.

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: banker-always fishing] #13708385 09/22/20 11:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,859
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ezbassin Offline
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Originally Posted by banker-always fishing
Originally Posted by Donald Harper
Light weight C-Rig with a Fluke in the Spring over short grass and pods.

In the fall this is for the deep grass that is 15 + feet tall.
Deep Grass

It is coming to that time of year where the lakes that produce this deep grass will be showing their full potential. Grass comes and goes in Texas with water fluctuation and the degree of the severity of our Winter months. We had one of the mildest Winters this year and the water levels are stable. I am expecting to see our grass lakes producing those deep contour runs of Hydrilla. Big bass love that deep grass. It takes clear water for light penetration and a past history of grass. Lakes like Amistad, Rayburn and Toledo Bend are just three that come to mind with such a history. If you are planning a trip for a few days and want to experience something different then begin your research. It will be the most fun trip you will ever take. Keep in mind that there are some small jewels of a lake out there; so make some calls to fisherman that are in the know to pick one that will fit your schedule and travel time.

Finding Deep Grass
The starting point is always structure related and on contour. You have to have an irregular feature to meet your grass, and that's where the bass are going to be. For bass to be congregated it is a big PLUS to have a point or a creek channel bend. There has to be something different. There will be miles of vegetation that looks the same, but you need to find the little key spots like depth changes or drops.
- A cut, point, pocket or other irregular feature along the edge of a well-defined grass line.
- Channels and ditches that have grass growing right down the middle. The next ones you go to may only have it growing on the sides of these structures as sediment in them just does not support the growth.
- Look for vegetation beneath the surface. If you are seeing matted grass on the surface it may not have the depth needed or the structure to hold big fish.
- Look for spots void of growth, with small breaks in the grass bed run. This is an indication of larger hard rock that produces pods of grass which huge Bass love.
- Points grow a distinctive Horseshoe shape in the grass line out and around bottom contour.
- Funnels formed by the bare bottoms of creek channels or other depressions where submerged hydrilla or milfoil actually hanging over the edge of the ditch bank forming a canape.
- A creek or river channel making a bend against the grass, which is the ultimate combination of cover and structure. 
- Get next to the deepest water you can find with this deep grass on top.

It is a challenge because you have to rely on your electronics a lot more to find the points and pockets that have the deep grass beds. When you find that one special spot, just a small grass bed in deep water can hold some big fish. Stay glued to the contour map so you can turn into these small depressions that only have one or two feet of irregular depression which produces that notch in the grass line. It is not always clearly defined on your depth finder. Straight lines where the grass stops are the easiest to find and follow. This is not always the best spot, what you're looking for is that irregular edge, where the grass is thinner and not a solid wall. The Bass seem to stage there better where it is scattered and broken. You will find those smaller clumps producing as they come out to feed in the open areas between the thickest grass. 

Heavy Drop Shot
This will help you get that huge fish you have been looking for. Nothing will beat it. It works everywhere, even in shallow mat but best on the deepest grass you can find. They will be grouped up under the hollow. If the wind is blowing you can get in there on the upwind side; put the trolling motor up and big motor up and walk the boat across the mat by rocking the boat from side to side letting the wind drift you across. In the heat of the day they are burred up in the grass. 

Rig a heavy drop shot rig:
5.0 heavy super line hook. Tied on 50# braid. Use a Palomar knot. Leave the tag end at 5 inches long. Tie a 1 oz. weight to the tag end. I just tie a knot in the end of the tag, then use an overhand slip knot to attach the weight. It doesn't take much to keep it on. When I am fishing grass with hardwoods and it gets hung on the wood I can pull the weight off and come out with the hook and fish. The hook is about 4 to 5 inches above the weight, so the tails of the bait will hang down and cover the weight.
Use a Gene Lawrue Hoo Daddy Jr. in Watermelon Neon. This is not Watermelon/Red although they look almost the same; but it makes a great difference.

It will drop in the grass and come out of the grass with no hang-ups. Fish vertical to slightly in front of the boat. Directly over the bait is best on the deepest grass. Drop it in slowly and soft so it is traveling slowly when it touches the bottom. The Bass hate anything sneaking in on them. Hold it there with a tight line for about 5 seconds without any movement. They don't want it bouncing up and down. This gives them time to swim through the hollow under the grass and nail the bait. Fish a vertical presentation and moving along the outer edge of the grass line, making pitches out in front of the boat so by the time it gets to the bottom you are directly over the bait for the hook set.
HAVE FUN!!

[Linked Image]



Awesome post. thumb





This set up works very well.

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13708414 09/23/20 12:11 AM
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McLovin’ Offline
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Where is any TPWD hasn’t screwed up???

I love fishing hydrilla but it’s like Obama’s birth certificate.....it’s hard to find

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13708473 09/23/20 01:10 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,770
northdallasfisherman Online Content
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Where is this grass you speak of?


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Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13708516 09/23/20 01:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
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grout-scout Online Sleepy
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I can point you guys to miles & miles of hydrilla, but it’s a drive for you North Texas guys.

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13709367 09/23/20 10:57 PM
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Len B 1 Offline
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Last time there Hubbard Creek was loaded.

Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Donald Harper] #13709399 09/23/20 11:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
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361V Offline
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Originally Posted by Donald Harper

[Linked Image]

Donald you have been posting this set up for years.....and it still intrigues me. Keep thinking I’m going to try it at Welsh, Hubbard Creek, Clark....one of these lakes that still have some serious grass. Wish I could use it across the street from my house on Wheeler Branch but no bass boats allowed anymore. It has tons of grass growing out to 20’ deep. One question about your set up: you say the weight hanging 5” below the hook allows the “tails” or appendixes on the Hoo Daddy Jr. to cover the weight. Doesn’t look like it would be anywhere close to “hiding” the weight? Your set up is still on my “bucket list” to try. smile thumb

Last edited by 361V; 09/23/20 11:33 PM.
Re: Tips for fishing hydrilla [Re: Buchbass2] #13709580 09/24/20 01:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
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Donald Harper Online Happy
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Yep. Tied this one too fast and got the tag a little long. It being short is the key. The Big fish will eat the whole thing.
'


Each person you work with holds some promise to your future success.
Websiite Sponsors:
www.eletewater.com - Staying Hydrated
www.lakeoviachic.com - Booking Mexico Trips
20 Hot Spot Mapping - GPS Contour Chips - Custom Spinner Baits - Jigs -Spooks
Pure Extracts - Minnow-Night Crawler-Crayfish-Craylic


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