Need some ideas....

[fish_4_any]

I've been fishing this lake for 2 weeks and have figured out where the fish are just haven't figured out how to get them.
From the bank, there's a lot of vegetation with open spots between mats. I hit the mats and pull off clean I get hits but the fish run the bait and hook right back into the weeds.

What kind of a float presentation could work for the panfish in a situation like this? Have caught a crappie, bluegill and yellow belly and gotten crushed twice by big fish, (no clue what they were) just using nightcrawlers.

And since I'm a big noob for real panfish fishing, when do I need to set the hook? First slightest nibble or movement of float? Let em take it under? I feel like I've only fished a few days getting my butt kicked by these warm water fish! Lol

[skeetbum]

My take on float fishing. When the float does anything you didn’t tell it to, set the hook. A snap of the wrist will drive the thin wire hook home. When some crappie hit they’re rising to the bait and the float will no longer have weight and the float will relax somehow, maybe lay over if there’s a stick float you’re using. If they’re a bit more active they may ease up to it and flare their gills, sucking in the jig. When the jig hits inside their mouth. This generates the thump we all love. It will make the float bounce or jump but not travel a lot of the time but not come tight and move off. I use braid and have to be careful not to set the hook too hard.

[S10CHEVY]

You need to change your info, for where you live. That will help others, when they respond, knowing your living in Texas, and not Washington state.

[fish_4_any]

That would help! Thank you!!!

[Eagle 1]

lose the float . Check out the drop shot rig . Hook is inline with no slack . Works with live or plastics .

[Tdub318817]

lose the float . Check out the drop shot rig . Hook is inline with no slack . Works with live or plastics .

Do you have a pic of this set up? I know a guy told me about the vmc spinshots and he uses them for bream. I guess you have your weight 6-12 inches below the hook? How heavy are you going?

I am looking for better set ups as I am limited to the bank and its gets tough sometimes

[fish_4_any]

I'm bank fishing in thick vegetation so a float is needed for now. Had lots of bites before the cold snap just couldn't hook a fish. Gonna try much smaller hooks and set that hook if my float twitches. Gonna be a while before I make friends and get out in a boat.

[JUNGLEJIMJIGS]

Take some pics of where you are fishing. Use the smallest float you can get away with since there is less resistence and easier for fish to pull under. Smaller hooks are easier for fish to suck in and will catch more fish. A simple small jig with soft plastics or hand tie under a float catches a lot of fish every day. Best to have different options available in case first option isn't working and get out there as often as you can. Nothing beats time spent on the water and trying new things until you find out what works best for you.

[Eagle 1]

I'm bank fishing in thick vegetation so a float is needed for now. Had lots of bites before the cold snap just couldn't hook a fish. Gonna try much smaller hooks and set that hook if my float twitches. Gonna be a while before I make friends and get out in a boat.

THE STRENGTH OF A DROP SHOT RIG IS TO FISH HEAVY VEGETATION . SET YOUR HOOK (IUSE A #8 LONG SHANK ABERDEEN ) ABOVE THE DEPTH OF THE GRASS HEIGHT AND USE A 1/8 OR 1/4 WEIGHT (I do not use true drop shot weights , not necessary )Sometimes my hook is several feet above weight . If you fish the outer edge of the grass yes set it 12-16 inches apart . hope this helps . Make sure your hook is pointing up . Are you talking grass or trash(bushes and fallen trees . In trash I tend to cast a "slider type jig with no exposed hook . Send pm if you want to talk in depth .The drop shot can be used with soft plastics weedless with point in bait . I use worms for red ear and minnows for crappie . The shallower the water the father out the cast . over 10 ft . I skull a small boat and fish straight down .

[skeetbum]

I lived in OK for a while and in the winter we fished the creeks with flooded trees alongside the channel. Some better fish were caught getting a bait as close to the wood as possible. Always with a float and I used a minnow at the time but a jig would do fine also.

Also look at a YouTube post from i_fish on rigging a jig hook without a head for drop shot. Inexpensive and the hook has no choice but to ride point up. Worth the look and the watch.