How do you fish brush?

[Jim/UT]

We have several reservoirs out here that typically have very high water levels in the May/June timeframe. Shoreline brush and vegetation is typically underwater, and shallow water trolling (5-12 ft deep) is frequently difficult due to all of the submerged willows, sagebrush, etc. Aggressive fish frequent the 2-12 ft deep region. Obviously, trolling is costly and frustrating. What techniques and rigs do you use to fish this kind of skinny timber infested waters without depleting your tackle box every trip?

Jim/UT

[Fin Addict]

When I fish this type of cover for I use a flippin stick w/ 14-20 lb line, a weedless jig w/ hair or plastic grub. Keep the presentation as vertical as possible and hit the pockets. These should be very active fish and they will pound the bait if they are there. Need to horse them out to avoid tangles. Lighter wire hooks on the jigs and you will lose very few. This would be a great question for a bass guy.

[SUPERTROLLER]

Whenever I fish snag infested waters I go with split shot rigs and fine wire hooks. If you hook-up on limbs you can pull the hooks straight and then re-bend them. This will save you massive amounts of time re-tying hooks and you can get as adventurous as you dare with your casts. I trout fish with 4 lb. XT and typically lose about 1/2 as many hooks by the end of the day as my partner and his more rigid hooks. He just refuses to change and calls my hooks "baitsavers" cuz alot of the time my waxworms are still there. Split shot will pull down to hook occasionally but you can adjust length again and be fishing as quick as you can re-bait. Aberdeen fine wire hooks; size 6 for minnows or 8's and 10's for worms.

[Jon]

Jim,
Vertical fish with Northlands weedless jigs. They come with a brushguard on them. Tip them with plastic or live bait. I use 20 Lb. Whiplash line
and combine it with a good medium weight rod and have no problem.

[Jim/UT]

I've already done some work with light wire hooks (they work as you described) and was thinking of trying Slo-Poke Jigs. I'll have to start looking for the Northland jigs.

Thanks for the ideas!

Jim

[FJH1]

I fish lots of wood in a body of water called the Cisco Chain in northern Wisconsin. We use a wonderful jig made by Greg Bohn called the Timber Jig. This jig uses an oversized light wire aberdeen hook and has a seven strand wire brush guard (adjustable) http://www.gregbohn.com. When fishing brush or timber remember to lighten up your jig. We ususlly fish 1/32 ounce and maybe 1/16 ounce. You will really minimize snags with the lighter jig size. Also, the Northland Weed Weasel is another good option, but the hook is so stout that if you become snagged you will lose the jig.

Best Regards,

FJH

[luvtotroll]

I agree with the Timber Jig. It is great for even the heaviest timber. It comes in two styles. One with the tie point at the top of the jig head and the other is a regular lead head jig style.

Good luck,
Scott

[EYE SLAYER]

HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE WEEDLESS JIG FROM NORTHLAND. BAIT WITH WHAT EVER WORKS.SAVED ME $25 THIS YEAR ALREADY. ANOTHER TACTIC TRY SLIP BOBBERS AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BRUSH ALOT OF TIMES WALLEYES WILL SUSPEND OUTSIDE THE WOOD. GOOD LUCK WORKIN' THE WOOD!!!

[BradC.]

I have had success with a split shot above the new Spongy Bug Weedless Floater from Phelps. Their website is phelpstackle.com. Just another idea for you to try. Good Luck.

BC

[Gunga Din]

Check K-Mart for Northland products. Sportsman's Warehouse just started carrying a few products, but not jigs. I was checking out K-Mart's fishing section last week and stumbled on a bunch of their products, including their weedless jigs (1/8 oz was all they had). They also had a huge selection of Powerbait in the "saltwater" variety. Hmmm, I wonder if the buyer thought the Salt Lake has fish???