[aj104]

Last summer was my first time fishing, and I had to pretty much figure everything out on my own or through some research online.
My BIGGEST problem (aside from not catching fish) was getting my baits/lures/bobbers stuck in the weeds. It seemed that almost every lake I tried, - had weed problems and couldn't find any lakes without weeds. Is this normal or is there something I'm doing wrong?

 

[plumberpower1]

Sounds to me like your fishing smaller ponds, there are alot of lures to claim to be weedless but there is no such thing try casting to the edge of the weedbeds,

 

[Hoffman]

Spring is a great time to hit ponds before the weeds fill in. Also a great time to catch a pig. I like rattle traps to fan cast deeper water and spinner baits to cast parallel to shore.

Here are a few options to try once the weeds fill in. A Johnson spoon with a pork trailer is a great bait that slips through the weeds well. weightless worms with the eye of the hook and knot buried in the worm and skin hooked (search Texas rig and lose the weight). Frogs are a blast in the slop that nothing else can make it through. If you're not already I would spool up with braid to get the fish out of the weeds.

Everyone has their own style that works for them maybe some others will chime in.

 

[Paul S]

If you're fishing for bass, Senkos are a great choice around weeds. I've used them in heavy weeds and even slop and they've produced. Now if you're talking about that snot weed that just covers your lure, that's a tough one. Senkos are still a great bait for that kind of fishing just fish it faster so it doesn't touch the bottom. I've also dropped down to the 4" Senko for fewer weeds too. Good luck.

 

[twoglasseyes]

Most places have weeds around the shoreline. The exceptions are sometimes clear rocky lakes. You will be able to find areas void of weeds on that kind of water. Take a walk around Belleau in the spring for an example. However, the fish are often around the weeds, so you will just have to tinker with your presentation till you get some fish without getting too fouled in the weeds. I have landed fish on lures that were so covered in weeds that you couldnt see the lure. It looked like I was fishing with a clump of weeds with two treble hooks sticking out.
Next time you are fishing severely weedy water from shore, try a light spinnerbait. When you feel it pick up some weeds (you will sometimes also feel the blade stop turning) give it a quick hard jerk to clear them off. Then continue the retrieve. Sometimes it pays to work a spinnerbait like a jerkbait. Hard jerk, then let it "helicopter" down, then repeat a lot. Fish usually picks it up on the pause.

 

[jaypee the hhf]

haha I like when my baits are in the weeds

thats where the fish are!