Fishing the lily pads for largemouth

[northcountryman]

Went fishing to day w/ a friend for largemouth. To be honest, I don't fish for them much and know very little about it so I relied on him. Tried using bass bugs on my flyrod around the lily pads but it gets snagged too much so eventually, had to switch over to a spinning rod and put on a tube bait to finally achieve success. Anyone fish for largemouth w/ a flyrod regular and if so, do you have suggestions as to flies to use around heavy vegetation so as not to get hung up all the time? Is there such a thing as weedless flies/bugs?

[BrownChickenBrownTrout]

I'm no expert but have had some success. I fish poppers around structure, not thru it. I have a frog and a bumble bee popper that I fish off logs, rock piles, weed lines, etc. I've tried in the grass, but never had a hit.

I'll cast it on the log if I can, let it fall in, and strip it once or twice, then wait. Strip strip, wait. It's usually the wait that they slam it from. I try to cast in the voids of weeds, not on them. Also, I've had much better luck in the shade, as I think all fish like the security of darker water.

[northcountryman]

Ok, so you don't try to pull it thru the lily pads then, just in open spots and around the edges of them?

[BrownChickenBrownTrout]

Generally no. Not because I don't think the Bass hide there, but because a popper doesn't fish weed free like some other baits. Basically I try to fish them so I can get a few nice "chugs" on them. I'll start them in the weeds, but end in open water.

Most of my hits have been about 3-5 feet away from structure, after the strip. I figure the the big Bass is lurking under what I cast to. He sees the splash, follows the struggle, then when the pause comes, Bam!

By no means am I an expert, but this has worked. Forgive the pic repost, but theres my popper! I get fouled some, no doubt.

[Flydaddy]

I have had some luck getting serious strikes on moss beds or inside the Lilly pads. It's just like fishing with a spin rod stronger leader and you may have to clean it in between casts but it can be worth it especially when you know there is open water under a floating structure. Another tip is to fish the down wind side of the pond or lake because the baitfish and food get dense!ImageUploadedByTapatalk1311601426.273770.jpg

[Flydaddy]

Oh yeah and purchase poppers with a heavy mono weed guard!

[BrownChickenBrownTrout]

Actually to what Flydaddy said, one of the reasons I don't fish poppers in the weeds is because unlike Lilly pads, the lake grass I fish goes all the way down. Nothing open under them. But I agree with what he said, fish where you think they are hiding.

I would like to tie some poppers, though. The ones I fish (bought) are a little too big to cast. I'd like to tie up some smaller ones.

[Flydaddy]

Bcbt,
What size poppers are you fishing? I've been able to cast a #2 with out problems but you have to open your loop up! A hard stop is important on your cast! And to be honest I make a simple leader with 40#,20#, and 12# stren easy cast.

[BrownChickenBrownTrout]

Flydaddy, I think they are Size 6? Its a three pack I picked up at the local sporting good store. I do the similar with my leader, hand tied.

[Flydaddy]

Bcbt,
What fly rod are you using to toss your bugs?