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Gotta Love Pads!!
The same way every angler has a favorite lure, every angler also has a favorite type of cover. Mine is lily pads, especially for bass. Pads come in all shapes and sizes, from small pads no bigger than a twoonie, to huge pads that are pushing two feet in diameter.
Pads provide everything a bass could want, shade, food, stable water temperatures, and numerous ambush points. How bass relate to pads will vary from day to day. A general rule of thumb would be that the fish will be more active and closer to the edges of pads fields on those dark and cloudy days. Conversely, on hot, sunny days the bass will be tucked up tight under the pads. Keep in mind, rules are made to be broken.
The Configuration of pad fields varies greatly, they can be found in groups of one or two, to massive fields spanning hundreds of feet. The depth under these pads also varies, from less than a foot to water as deep as seven feet. My preference is groups of pads about ten feet by ten feet, in about 3-4 feet of water with mixed vegetation underneath. The mixed vegetation will draw in baitfish, which will in turn, bring the bass. I like the smaller groups of pads because I find them easier to pick apart efficiently.
I have four baits/techniques I rely on when fishing pads. If I find the fish to be inactive, I will fish a worm, or a jig 'n' pig. These baits are best fished in close proximity by flipping or pitching the bait into openings in the pads. Let the bait drop vertically, sit for a couple seconds, then jiggle it a bit. If you don't get hit within 30 seconds or so, pull out and drop it into the next hole.
When the bass are active and willing to chase a bait, I'll go to a Flappin' Shad, or a Snagproof Frog. The Snagproof Frog is a floating frog imitation. I fish the frog slowly on long casts either directly across the pads or along the edges of groups of pads. The hits can be voracious, or they can be a soft as a mother's touch.
The Flappin' Shad, made by Gambler, is also fished on long casts, but at varying speeds. By working the bait fast, it functions as a top water lure, skimming across the surface creating lots of commotion. This often draws fish from a great distance. Sometimes you will see the wake of the fish as it charges to attack the bait. It's very exhilarating!! The Flappin' Shad can also be fished slower in a jerking motion. The bait will bob and weave through the water, enticing fish to clobber it.
With both of these baits, you should wait until you feel the fish before setting the hook. Often if you set when you see the fish hit, you'll miss it.
The next time you're hunting bass, find the pads, and you'll find the fish!
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