Edge Work Largemouth: Prospecting Plants For Big Bass

Countless Canadian lakes and rivers are home to big largemouth bass. Many waterbodies feature vegetation-rich habitats, ranging from shallow bays filled with water lilies to deep-growing milfoil, coontail, and cabbage. One of the best ways to catch more big largemouth bass is targeting the edges of aquatic plants. Here are five fishing techniques ideally suited for this veg-centric approach.

The Storm’s Surge Frog is ideal for catching largemouth bass hiding beneath water lilies, arrowheads, pondweed, cut-weed along the shore, and other shallow vegetation. The Surge Frog’s lifelike profile and the subtle kicking action from its paddle tail legs send largemouth into a feeding frenzy.

Just like any presentation, be mindful of your casting angle and the Surge Frog’s path back to the boat. Adjust your rod angle as needed to steer the frog through openings and along the edges of cover, a straightforward task thanks to the Surge Frog’s unique belly design and weight that keel the bait on the retrieve.

Experiment with speed. Frogging fast can trigger reaction bites, while a slower pace with pauses can mimic an injured amphibian.

Gear Tip: No stretch, ultra-durable Sufix ProMix Braid in 50-pound is essential when frogging in heavy cover.

Largemouth often hunt along weed edges early morning and evening, as well as throughout the day when it’s overcast. In these conditions, using a large, noisy topwater enables you to cover water fast and entice big bass.

For example, the Claptail 110, Precision Xtreme Pencil, and PXR Jowler 127 consistently draw up big largemouth looking for an easy meal. Their hefty size, captivating movements, and unique noises appeal to aggressive fish, and can trigger reaction strikes from bass that weren’t actively feeding.

Tip: Don’t fall into the trap of setting the hook at the initial splash when a bass hits a topwater. Be patient. Wait for the rod tip to load up from the weight of the fish, then sweep the rod to bury the hooks.

A lipless crankbait is a powerful tool when largemouth are hiding in weeds or scattered on shallow grass flats. Rattling lures like the Snare 50 and Rattlin’ Rapala cast like bullets and trigger strikes on steady, fast retrieves. Another effective tactic is yo-yoing a lipless crank over weeds and along weedlines.

Veg-oriented largemouth readily strike diving crankbaits as well. When a precise approach is needed, look no further than the DT (Dives-To) Series. The seven DT models each have a different running depth, giving you a comprehensive collection for working depths from 4 to 16 feet. The OG Series comprised of Rocco, Tiny, and Slim crankbaits are also excellent cranks for catching shallow largemouth relating to vegetation edges.

Tip: A crankbait brushing up against plants helps it get noticed and prompts reaction strikes. 

The CrushCity The Mayor and Storm Largo Shad are must-haves for targeting largemouth around weed edges. To maximize their effectiveness, weedless rig the swimbait on a Heavy Duty Weighted Willow Swimbait Hook. This rigging protects the hook point from snags, allowing you to fish closer to cover, and through sparse plant growth.

The flash and vibration from the willow blade stimulate bass. Combine this with a natural profile, captivating colours, and enticing tail-kicking swimming action, and it’s no wonder why The Mayor and Largo Shad are irresistible to bass.

Tip: A steady retrieve is effective, but brief speed changes and occasional pauses often trigger bigger bites.

When largemouth are holding along an inside weedline beneath an overhanging tree or dock, skipping a wacky-rigged CrushCity Pigstick is a dynamite tactic. This versatile rig catches largemouth from various locations. Examples include the edges of emergent plants like pencil reeds and lily pads, as well as near clumps of cabbage or distinct milfoil edges.

When fishing a Pigstick around cover, you’re well served using a hook with a weed guard. What hook you choose depends on the drop speed you want.

For a slower fall, you can’t go wrong with the RedLine Series Weedless Wacky Neko Hook (unweighted). For a faster sink rate, use a Wacky Weedless Jig, which is more efficient for getting the stickbait into the strike zone when bass are near the bottom around deep weed edges.

Tip: Adding a CrossOver Ring to the Pigstick dramatically extends its lifespan and increases the number of fish you’ll catch on a single bait. The ring also features a dual-channel hood, allowing you to rig it in either Wacky or Neko style.

From skinny-water vegetation to deep weediness — and all green spaces in between — a Texas-rigged CrushCity Bronco Bug or Cleanup Craw is an excellent choice for catching bass near the bottom, especially around weed edges. Both baits effectively mimic meal-sized forage and, being weedless, get in and out of cover with ease.

Rig the plastic on a 3/0 to 4/0 RedLine Series Heavy Duty Wide Gap hook below a Tungsten Flippin’ Weight. Tungsten’s recommended as its exceptional hardness provides a better feel for structure and light bites, and its 35% smaller profile compared to a lead weight reduces snags and improves cover penetration.

Tip: Many anglers overlook the Tokyo Rig, but it’s another excellent way to fish a Bronco Bug or Cleanup Craw to catch largemouth from deep weed edges. Read this blog to learn more.

Largemouth are drawn to aquatic vegetation. They also have a tendency to position along the edges of cover. Given these behaviours, anglers who focus on specific areas — like inside and outside weedlines, the periphery of lily pads, and the tops of deep-growing plants — are certain to catch a heck of a lot of big largemouth bass.