Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk AL Fishing Talk Traps in Submerged Grass

Some of you pros that are familiar with this technique, fill me in on your setup. It's something I don't ever do, but I'm going to try it, and i'm probably going to hit guntersville a couple times early this spring.

Line
Rod
Reel

It's more of a "ticking the top" technique, obviously, and then snatching the bait out.

Some guys really whack the crap outta the rod just above the foregrip to get it out. Others feel the resistance and give the rodtip a firm, quick snatch. You'll want at least a medium-heavy rod, if not a heavy action, because anything "whippy" won't get it done.

As for line, you could fish something like 30-pound Vicious braid (small diameter) or a 14- to 20-pound fluorocarbon that would have a little more give than the braid. Mono possibly, but it's so stretchy I wouldn't use it.

Some sites:

http://www.mikeiaconelli.com/article.php?id=13


http://proxy.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassma..._basics_BMM0703


http://www.secretweaponlures.com/intel/traps_on_grass.htm


http://www.tb-guide.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=365

That sums it up pretty well. I use a flippin stick with 30-40lb braid when throwin a trap in grass. The heavy action is key. I have also read where people have replaced the trebles with regular hooks turned backwards.

Don't wait till early spring, from now through April is the time to go. You need to get a variety of different rattle baits as well in many brands, size and color. Red, Royal Shad, Gold, Blue Chrome Back. To be honest, I use 12lb mono on a 6'6 to 7'0 rod. 7:1 gear ratio. Most of the fish I have caught doing this are always caught right on the edge of the grass, right before you leave the flat and into the transition to deeper water. I have never lost a fish this time of the year due to getting hung up in the grass. The grass will be in patches and fairly short. In all seriousness, you need to be going now and not later. I will start out throwing a 1/2ounce red, if that doesnt work I will go throug all my colors on the 1/2 ounce till I catch a fish. If I don't catch any, go to a the 3/4 ounce same progession of colors. You may start to pick up fish, but then they stop. Switch up brands and size and you will usually pick up a few more.

7' rod, 6:3 reel, Suffix 50lb braid. Throw out, let sink, start reeling. You HAVE to stay in contact with the grass. When it hangs up just give it a snap to get it out. If it feels like you hung into a stump set the hook.

ICOT's right ... start throwing them now.

Tourney on Big G last week was won with 5 weighing 32 pounds, caught on 'traps and spinnerbaits. The fish are probably 3-8 feet deep and any old grass stems or areas will be good targets.

I use a MH rod that has a good backbone. I want some ripping power, but I want it to sling one good too.

Line, I use 30-50 lb braid.

Reel, a 6.3 or a 7.1.1.

What colors for the spinnerbaits? Since I'm no-boating the BFL's this year, I figure I'll spend most of the next three months trying to throw something different than my boater.

I pretty much always use solid white, Black or white/chartruse.

I think you will find out on your first tourney, jerkbaits and rattle baits will be the ticket. Dragging a jig works fairly good to. Pack you a few gold rattle baits along with the reds etc....I still haven't figured out if I'm gonna fish it or not.

"Crawfish/Old Way" ...

When I say early spring I'm talking feb-march. I would go in the next week or two, but I've got another tournament on Feb 13. It's on Logan Martin, which is one of my least favorite lakes to fish, but I'm going to try and go at least once to find something. My wife and I have a college friend who lives on guntersville. We're going to go up there and let the girls go shopping, and hopefully I'll be out there dragging some in the boat. Thanks for the help.

Throw the lipless baits on Martin, too, and don't overlook any shoreline weeds or wood with a jig or craw tube ... can't hurt to double-check.