Accessing the Situation: The Pads 2024
Dean reply :
Ok guys, heres the scenario. Water is 5' deep in and around the pads. Water temp is 70 degrees. There is a slight breeze. Air temp is 85. Clarity of the water is clear.So guys, how would you fish it?
RoLo reply :
I normally begin by trying to appeal to any aggressive bass that might be vulnerable (get them out of the way).
Since there's a fair ripple along the front face, I'd probably start by running a cane toad over the pockets and holes in the pads.
If that were fruitless, I might go deeper by cherry-picking the same pockets and holes using a zoom super fluke.
Finally I'd probably go to the bottom with a T-rigged worm, working as close to the weed line as possible and into every weed line pocket
(straight worm, paddletail worm, ribbontail worm or stick worm).
That's such a nice picture you submitted, that I'm going to sieze the opportunty
to mention the "cover". Although many would call them lily pads that is in fact
"spatterdock". Unlike water lilies which produces white, open-petaled lilies, spatterdock produces yellow globe-like blooms that never fully open.
Roger
maxke01 reply :
cant go wrong with a t-rig senko right there. If that didnt work i'd sit on the bank and just enjoy that wonder scenery. 
:) 
:o :o :o :o :o Sorry I love me some fishing but when it comes to scenery sometimes you just have to enjoy it
***Edit***
Not to ruin your thread but although every situation is different I think there should be more type of threads like this in the future. may help us newbs learn different techniques for situations of similar values
Dean reply :
QuoteNot to ruin your thread but although every situation is different I think there should be more type of threads like this in the future. may help us newbs learn different techniques for situations of similar values
Your not ruining it one bit. Threads like this one are good learning tools.
guest reply :
7 INCH *** RIPPER WORMS , T RIGGED/WEIGHTLESS FROM THE BSACK OF THE PADS, OVER THE PADS AND DROPPED IN FRONT OF THE PADS
Catt reply :
I would throw a Spoon & Chunk, Ribbit Frog, with a Texas Rig for back-up; if a bass misses the spoon or frog immediately drop your rod & throw a T-rig to the exact spot where the bass missed the spoon/frog.
Alpster reply :
I would be landing a 7 1/2" culprit ribbon tail worm on a Charlie Brewer Slider on top of the pads and drag it ever so gently off the edge of the pads. Very nice picture BTW
Ronnie
Sam reply :
Plan of attrack
1. Throw a spinnerbait right along the weedline. Catches feeding bass.
2. Flip a jig or a tube into any pockets.
3. Pull a frog, trick worm or a Zoom finesse worm across the top of the pads, allowing it to fall in any open areas within the pads.
May consider a buzzbait over the top of the pads early in the AM or along the pad line.
The active bass will be on the pad line, feeding or looking for a nice meal.
And I would look for any wood within the pads. There should be an opeing adjacent to the wood and you can drop your bait into that opening.
Cujo reply :
I would start with a weedless worm (usually a ribbontail), and work it over the tops of the pads, then I would work a Super Fluke, then a T-rigged worm (ribbontail or straight tail).
Popeye reply :
Great picture. The bass hiding under those pads are itching to destroy a weedless frog or large popper! Put one of those in there and WATCH OUT!! IMO:o)
Tin reply :
1st a jig to the edge of the pads.
2nd a jig burned over the top.
3rd a jig pitched to pockets in the pads.
4th a jig thorwn to the back of the pads if there are any laydowns or cover behind them.
guest reply :
Quote1st a jig to the edge of the pads.2nd a jig burned over the top.
3rd a jig pitched to pockets in the pads.
4th a jig thorwn to the back of the pads if there are any laydowns or cover behind them.
THE TIN MAN IS GETTIN JIGGY WITH IT 8-)
roadwarrior reply :
Another suggestion:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180909581
8-)
Hooked_On_Bass reply :
I think I would start by running a spinnerbait along side of the pads to target the aggressive bass. Then, I would slow it down and maybe pitch a jig to open pockets or near any wood or rocks. If that didn't produce, I would toss a T-rigged worm in there and work it real slow/methodical.
By the way, great picture and good luck! 8-)
Tin reply :
QuoteQuote1st a jig to the edge of the pads.2nd a jig burned over the top.
3rd a jig pitched to pockets in the pads.
4th a jig thorwn to the back of the pads if there are any laydowns or cover behind them.
THE TIN MAN IS GETTIN JIGGY WITH IT 8-)
It's the only bait you need. 8-)
I also find by just burning the bait over the pads instead of stop and go with a Kermit you get a more commited reaction strike. And 8/10 if they miss they come back for more, and I think the hook up ratio's are much better.
gatrboy53 reply :
it looks like what im fishin on the suwannee river right now.to cover alot of area i fish a producto buzz tail shad or a zoom ultravibe speed worm.if i catch a fish i'll slow down and pitch WEIGHTLESS trick worms,senkos,small jigs or even tubes into the pockets.if i know a area holds fish but they arent in the pads i'll move out in front of them and c-rig or run a crankbait parralell to them.once the water gets warm enough i'll always throw a toad in there.
RKS3 reply :
1. Spro frog tree frog green worked across the enitre field of pads and pasued in open holes.
2. Tiki Stick Smoke shad weightless pitched to the edge.
2. Tiki Stik Smoke shad weightless pitched to open Holes
3. Matt Lures baby bass casted along the edge killed and allowed to sink to bottom then slow rolled back to the boat.
BassFishingMachine reply :
First thing I'd do is pitch a jig directly into the pads/around the pads/in the back of the pads, like Tin stated.
If the jig didn't work I'd try a creature bait pegged with a bullet weight (3/16-1/4ounce), by creatures I mean either a Yum WoolyHawgtail, Zoom Baby Brush Hog, GYCB Kreature, Reaction Innovation Sweet Beaver.
If the jig/creature approach didn't work I'd try a soft plastic frog (if the pads were spread out enough to fish it), if they weren't spread out enough for the soft plastic frog to work properly I'd throw a hollow frog, particularly a scumfrog.
Another thing I'd try is a spinnerbait worked either directly in the more less compact pads, or around the edges, probably a white/chart color wise.
And the last thing that would be on my mind to try is a 5inch Zoom Super Fluke, rigged weedless/weightless with a size 4/0, jerked all throughout the pads, I'd try a fast approach and then a slow approach. Super flukes can get in/around the lillypads perfectly, snagging the pads very rarely, so there always a good choice to try, for colors I'd rercommend white or baby bass.
JCrzy4Bass reply :
QuoteQuoteQuote1st a jig to the edge of the pads.2nd a jig burned over the top.
3rd a jig pitched to pockets in the pads.
4th a jig thorwn to the back of the pads if there are any laydowns or cover behind them.
THE TIN MAN IS GETTIN JIGGY WITH IT 8-)
It's the only bait you need. 8-)
I also find by just burning the bait over the pads instead of stop and go with a Kermit you get a more commited reaction strike. And 8/10 if they miss they come back for more, and I think the hook up ratio's are much better.
I was wondering why the jig was left out of this thread. I'd run a buzzbait over the outside edges of the pads (had good luck with this in situations with spatterdock, time of day permitting), then I would tie on a shallow diving crank like a Mann's Minus One or a Orinigal Rapala (twitching) and stay on the edge a bit more to get it a little further down the water column pulling the bass up, last I'd tie on that jig and hit the holes on the outside edges working my way into the thick stuff. Every single hole is a possibility, there are so many ways to work this situation. But some great advice all around.
The jig is also versatile in the way that muddy stated. If you change out the trailer to a more action based one with more weight you could get those claws flapping and trigger reaction strikes. Or you could tie on a double tail grub and use a lighter jig with bait fish color imitators and quickly swim it back around the outside edges.
Ryan_Johnson reply :
I'd cover the open water first with a Mattlures Ultimate Bluegill or baby bass. Then switch to a Rebel Pop R and run that down the weedline. Then burn a jig or Hardnose Frog over the pads. Finish off with a weightless 6" sluggo twitched throught the pads with drops in the open areas. Might tuck in tighter and pitch to those tree roots if there's enough water to cover their backs.
GitRDoneIke23 reply :
I'd be Walkin my little froggy all over the place!! I like Yum and Zoom the best. White or Chart.
FishTank reply :
I have great success with the Fat Ika rigged weedless. I just pitch it in there and let it fall.
dumb_dog11 reply :
throw a jig in there
btw i wish we had pads that nice in california
RoLo reply :
QuoteI was wondering why the jig was left out of this thread.
Actually there are a few.
By itself, a "jig" is just a hook that's bonded to a hunk of metal needed to sink the lure.
The actual "lure" generally alludes to the soft-plastic, silicone skirt, pork rind or cut bait that's attached to the jighead.
In the very first reply I mentioned a T-rigged worm, which may be rigged with a bullet sinker and hook or may be rigged on a leadhead jig
(I use both). The only difference is that the jig allows no movement between the weight and hook, and behaves like a pegged sinker
Roger
Bankbeater reply :
I would start with a buzzbait or a spinnerbait. If the bass didn't like fast I would slow it down with a t-rigged worm or a jig.
.dsaavedra. reply :
Dean, in your original post, you described my favorite lake in the summer time. the conditions are almost EXACTLY the same, except for the water clarity. my water is pretty well stained.
anyway, hands down my favorite technique for fishing this lake with the pads is flipping a wacky worm into pockets using spinning gear. GOTTA LOVE IT!!!!!!!
great thread by the way, there should be more like this. they are both fun and informative.
Joel W reply :
A very interesting piece of water. Since I'm dealing with Sunny skies and a little chop on the water, I'm tieing on a 3/8 oz spinnerbait and working the Lilly pad line. Then I'm switching to a DT-10 Crank so I can keep it right on the bottom of the weed line. If I found active fish, I'd then switch to a 3/4 oz jig with a trailer or more likely a Tx rigged Ugly Otter with a 3/8 oz bullet wt. and work any holes. I'd finish up by working a frog over the top.
garry77 reply :
I'd try what everybody else said in the pads and then I would go to the trees on the other side and fish the shade there as well.Oh and don't forget the cypress roots on the right just behind the pads.I just know there's one in there waiting on a worm or jig.
flippin reply :
flip a beaver in the pockets
619bassman reply :
I'd have to say id throw a nice meaty t-rigged 5"senko in the pockets. i wish we had cover like that out here in southern cali, but hey i guess we make up for it with the 20+lbs fish we got roaming our lakes.
Big-O reply :
Use fast or quick retrieve baits til you find if there is a pattern to it. If not slow down with med retrieve styles, frogs etc. Find the water depth and grass weed lines in conjunction with pads and flipp'em.
bassnleo reply :
Johnson Silver Minnow w/ pork trailer worked over the pads. If that didn't work I'd leave, I hate fishing pads
senile1 reply :
QuotePlan of attrack1. Throw a spinnerbait right along the weedline. Catches feeding bass.
2. Flip a jig or a tube into any pockets.
3. Pull a frog, trick worm or a Zoom finesse worm across the top of the pads, allowing it to fall in any open areas within the pads.
May consider a buzzbait over the top of the pads early in the AM or along the pad line.
The active bass will be on the pad line, feeding or looking for a nice meal.
And I would look for any wood within the pads. There should be an opeing adjacent to the wood and you can drop your bait into that opening.
Sam, you and I would fish this in very similar fashion with minor variations.
1) I would throw the spinnerbait, but I would also try a Rat'l'trap on the weedline before I try number 2.
2)Flip or pitch a jig, tube, or t-rigged craw or worm into the pockets and variations in terrain beneath the pads.
3)Drag a frog or worm across the tops of pads allowing it to fall into open areas.
RoLo reply :
Quote1) I would throw the spinnerbait, but I would also try a Rat'l'trap on the weedline before I try number 2.2)Flip or pitch a jig, tube, or t-rigged craw or worm into the pockets and variations in terrain beneath the pads.
3)Drag a frog or worm across the tops of pads allowing it to fall into open areas.
Senile1, I noticed that you've elected to work the shallowest bass, last.
I have a question: If you catch a bass or two along the outside weedline, do you think it's possible
that the commotion might alarm the bass among the pads near the surface?
On the flipside, do you believe that taking a bass or two off the surface would frighten the bass lying in deeper water along the weedline?
Roger
jrhennecke reply :
I'd throw the buzzbait and then work the pockets with some sort of t-rigged plastic or jig.
senile1 reply :
QuoteQuote1) I would throw the spinnerbait, but I would also try a Rat'l'trap on the weedline before I try number 2.2)Flip or pitch a jig, tube, or t-rigged craw or worm into the pockets and variations in terrain beneath the pads.
3)Drag a frog or worm across the tops of pads allowing it to fall into open areas.
Senile1, I noticed that you've elected to work the shallowest bass, last.
I have a question: If you catch a bass or two along the outside weedline, do you think it's possible
that the commotion might alarm the bass among the pads near the surface?
On the flipside, do you believe that taking a bass or two off the surface would frighten the bass lying in deeper water along the weedline?
Roger
Roger, this is a conundrum on this one, at least for me. I thought about the things you mentioned before I made my post. Theoretically, I think both are possibilities; however, I think the fish buried up in the vegetation would be less likely to be affected by commotion on the outside of the weedline. When flipping we pull our boats right up to the mat with our trolling motors and still catch fish from only a few feet away. The cover seems to make the fish less likely to spook. This may be faulty thinking but it was why I chose to pick the weedline fish off first. I do think that going after the shallowest bass first would spook the bass on the weedline because this weedline doesn't appear to be very deep to me, so when I'm reeling these fish in I will be pulling them through the fish on the weedline.
You always have some very intelligent answers to fishing questions so I would be interested in your thoughts on this.
dougw82 reply :
first jizz in my pants over excitement then wiggle a zoom worm
RoLo reply :
QuoteRoger, this is a conundrum on this one, at least for me. I thought about the things you mentioned before I made my post. Theoretically, I think both are possibilities; however, I think the fish buried up in the vegetation would be less likely to be affected by commotion on the outside of the weedline. When flipping we pull our boats right up to the mat with our trolling motors and still catch fish from only a few feet away. The cover seems to make the fish less likely to spook. This may be faulty thinking but it was why I chose to pick the weedline fish off first. I do think that going after the shallowest bass first would spook the bass on the weedline because this weedline doesn't appear to be very deep to me, so when I'm reeling these fish in I will be pulling them through the fish on the weedline.You always have some very intelligent answers to fishing questions so I would be interested in your thoughts on this.
You and I both know that there's no one way that is always best (No Goldie Locks scenario).
Since I normally target the shallowest bass first, I was wondering if I might be missing something.
If so, I wouldn't hesitate to reverse my sequence, because I love to experiment.
There are 3 reasons why I normally target the shallowest bass first:
1)Above all, the shallowest bass are typically the most aggressive bass and therefore they're usually the easiest & quickest to harvest.
There are two reasons why bass in shallower water are generally more catchable:
a) The water temperature of the upper water layer (epilimnion) is usually warmer than the water below.
More importantly, bass in a feeding mode tend to suspend higher up in the weed bed than less aggressive bass.
Oppositely, bass in a negative disposition, such as post-cold front conditions, will typically sulk on the bottom.
2) It would seem that bass in shallow water might be less insulated from topside commotion (fighting, landing & hook removal).
On the other hand, bass lying in deeper water might be a little more insulated from the world above the water surface.
If I fished for the deepest bass first, I'd be afraid that the commotion caused by a hookup
might spook the most catchable bass near the surface, before I ever got a shot at them.
3) Power fishing goes fast, so any catchable bass near the surface will either be non-existent or quickly harvested
(generally within the first few casts). With that out of the way, I'd now be in a better frame of mind to slow down and focus on finesse fishing.
That is to say, with power fishing behind me I'd have the patience and motivation to spoonfeed bass more diligently (last game in town).
Thanks for your indulgence Ed
Roger
Catt reply :
Roger & Ed; very interesting
senile1 reply :
Roger, thanks for the response. Your points make sense and, as you stated, there is no "Goldie-Locks" scenario. I am looking at this picture with a horizontal fishing mentality, rather than vertical.
I am assuming that none of this water is very deep until after we proceed past the weedline and near the main river/creek channel. I believe the spatterdock stalk generally doesn't exceed approximately six feet and, in the stained lakes that I fish, I don't see pad type vegetation beyond four to five feet.
This line of thinking led me to the conclusion that, whether I'm fishing outside the weedline or in the vegetation, these fish are shallow fish. Based on that, if I start fishing closer to the bank first, I will be disturbing any fish that are between those fish and my boat. The area between the bank and the outside edge is small, however, so I would suspect that pulling fish off the weedline will spook a few fish as well, but hopefully not as many. I will be catching these weedline fish in slightly deeper water and pulling them away from the vegetation where the shallowest fish lie. Obviously, I'm making some depth assumptions that, if incorrect, could change my plan.
bassmaster911 reply :
a frog is probaly your best bet in the lily pads.
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