Targeting Bass Near Cattails

Bass are predators.  That's one reason they hang out near cattails.  That's where the bait fish are.  The other reason is that the cattails provide protection for the bass from their own predators.

Here's the reed line of the creek I fished tonight.  The lure I used is in the foreground.

You can see that the creek isn't very wide.  Crank baits are heavy, and they tend to sail when you cast them.  Fishing the cattail edge requires a very gentle, finessed cast.  Ideally, you want to land right at the edge of the reed line and reel the crank back toward you.

By the way ... you'll still over-cast from time to time.  You'll probably even loose a couple lures.  Just accept that now.  The more you do it, the better you'll get.

I hooked this guy on the far side of the creek at the reeds' edge.  He put up a fight about twice his size, and he tried to run back into those reeds.  Be prepared for that.

As usual, the bass was released.  Tight lines!