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Use light line that they fish can't detect as well as heavy line. If the fish are in the grass I would try several methods.
Unweighted plastics that sink so slow that it would take them a while to sink in 5 ft of water. Watch your line. I would use a long slow action tip spinning rod and open faced spinning reel to get out there.
Another method would be to go with a small plastic jig under a slip bobber. Some might relate this to float and fly technology but I would just use a light weight foam slip bobber and a small 1/16 oz lead head jib with a tentacle like jig plastic body. Or a Malibu hair jig may work also.
If the fish are spawning in the grass and the water is clear then that makes for tough fishing.
Slow and small would be the secret.
Bass see all kinds of big baits year round. But they are not that familiar with these smaller light weight baits. Downsize and have some fun.
Others will do things different.
A smaller spinning bait cast and retrieve right over the top of the grass may work too. That would be a good search bait.
I have caught bass trolling a Johnson silver spoon at times.
And if you really want to have some fun get a #8 or #9 fly rod and a big hair fly. Some look like small mice or frogs. Go out early in the morning and cast parallel to the shoreline or the edge of the weed bed in shallow waters. I like the floating lines that match the rod $8 WF line. And I use a 9ft long tapered leader. Some leaders are 2# tippers and others are 6# tippets. You will have to play the fish well if you go with this light weight leaders.
A jitter bug seems to work in the fall when fish are in shallow waters. Maybe that would work well in the shallow spring spawning beds too. Cast out let it sit for a good minute or two. Twitch it a bit and then let it sit again. Work it back slowly in areas were you know there are fish.
I love fishing poppers for big bluegills and have had some big bass hit the poppers from time to time.
Don't forget you Polaroid sun glasses to help you see the fish.
PS: Those floating rapala are good baits especially the smaller ones.
Originally Posted by slowride
