Standing cane, or what is commonly called bulrush, attract largemouth bass both for the cover and concealment they provide, as well as the food sources that are found within.
Plucking fish from this heavy cover can be a chore. Here are five tips to help stack the odds in your favor.
1. Stout Tackle
Cane can be downright gnarly on equipment. Go heavy when fishing this thick stuff. A flipping stick, paired with a baitcast reel and 50-pound test braid line are mandatory.
While on the topic of equipment, ensure that you check your line regularly for nicks or abrasions. Touching up your hook with a hone every half hour is also a good idea.
2. Rely on Weedless Baits
Texas-rigged plastics can be your best friend when fishing cane. Having the hook embedded in the plastic will keep your bait snag-free, allowing it to slide and fall amongst the cane shoot unimpeded. I prefer a pegged Tungsten worm weight due to the smaller size. Choose a heavier weight to ensure it is able to penetrate the jungle.
In terms of plastics, baits that are fairly streamlined in shape will make the task at hand easier. Paddle tail worms and creature baits are two of my top choices.
3. Go Deep
Fish can be picked off from the edge of cane, but many of the big brutes hang out much further back. Go deep into the cane with your casts. An underhand lob, 10-plus feet in the air, will often be necessary to clear the front cane and penetrate the vegetation further back. Repeated casts are often necessary to make your mark, but the effort will be worth the reward.
4. Key in on Variation
Cane beds may all appear the same, but those that have a variety of lead-in cover, be it pads, slop or rock, will often produce better results. Key in on variations in vegetation and structure. The more of the mix the stronger the magnet for bass.
5. Fighting Fish
Cane fish can be tough customers once hooked. Keep the head of the fish up and crane them in as fast as you can. Slack line allows them to wrap you up. The result of this is often a lost fish.
Keep reel drags tight and anticipate strikes. Quick reflexes are key to getting these fish in the boat.
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