Best bait for fishing in the reeds

One of our nearby lakes has large beds of reeds (bullrush) that holds large redears. If you've ever fish the reeds you know how easy it is to get snagged. When that happens you don't pull it loose, you gotta go get it and wind up spooking the fish in the process.

I need some ideas on a weedless method to fish the reeds for panfish without getting snagged.

Try something like this:

http://www.fishingworld.com/Slider/D...3466&SKU=NH-10

I'd use a long pole, tiny float, and the lightest weight i could get by with, crickets, wax worms and small night crawlers would be my bait of choice, might not work, but i'd try it.

john b.

yep i agree with both above posts, also could use tiny minnows on a size 10hook

Try rigging a live worm like you would a plastic it will be somewhat weedless and still leave a portion to wiggle around in the water.

when i fish in the reeds i like red worms on a #10 or 12 with red worm threaded so hook tip is not exposed until something grabs it. for a float i like pencil slip floats. one thing about this set is you need hemos to dig out hooks, it seems the bigger fish inhale it.

crickets

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Originally Posted by Hoosierdaddy

One of our nearby lakes has large beds of reeds (bullrush) that holds large redears. If you've ever fish the reeds you know how easy it is to get snagged. When that happens you don't pull it loose, you gotta go get it and wind up spooking the fish in the process.

I need some ideas on a weedless method to fish the reeds for panfish without getting snagged.

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I'd use the long pole method. Reach out over them and bring them up as fast as you can. Use a heavier line than what you'd normally use. No bobber or splitshot. If you get snagged, push your tip down to your bait and push it loose with out disturbing the fish too much. An 11 or 12ft WM would work good for this presentation. Works good from a boat or wading, not casting long distances tho.

I had this problem too...

First thing is to use a smaller hook. You'll be surprised how tough some of the smaller hooks are. It's important to use a short hook. I like using a short #10, sometimes a #12. The length of the hook will require you to react fast. The longer you wait the further down the hook will be.

If you're fishing crickets, worms, ect. you can do the same thing. Run the hook through the bait closer to one side, once totally through the bait push the point back into the other side. The cricket, worm will look like it's sitting in the bend of the hook, if you could see it.

This works well in clear water also.