Tips on fishing willows amd trees

[riceman]

This is my first post here although I have been following this site for a bit. I have just gotten into this sport after many many years away. Before access to all this info on the web. So yesterday I went to Black Butte Res. I caught 6, nothing big and no real pattern. All were caught in the lower end of the lake. When I went to the upper part there are willows and trees everywhere, how does one fish these - where do you start, best tactics etc. Thanks in advance for any help, Bill

[brambo0311]

Senko

[RipnRog]

This is my first post here although I have been following this site for a bit. I have just gotten into this sport after many many years away. Before access to all this info on the web. So yesterday I went to Black Butte Res. I caught 6, nothing big and no real pattern. All were caught in the lower end of the lake. When I went to the upper part there are willows and trees everywhere, how does one fish these - where do you start, best tactics etc. Thanks in advance for any help, Bill

as Brambo said a senko is a good bet.. I would also try to send a punching set in the middle of the tree and see what happens....

[brambo0311]

Here on Folsom at least for me the trees that are still a little out of the water I get better fish on. Once they get covered, I don't do as well on them. Probably just a confidence thing. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I have lost countless times by guys who say they got them on senkos in the trees.

[yjjustforme]

Senkos and brush hogs and flipping creatures for soft plastics. As for hard baits I would toss a spinner or a chatter bait or a square bill crank. Hope it helps!

[Legitbritt]

A weedless drop shot or senko. I like the drop shot because of the natural presentation and the ability to stay in the strike zone for a long time. And you can drop shot of DIFFERENT baits, colors, sizes ect. Or if you want to cover water and see what type of trees or particular "cover" their holdingin, then smash around with a spinnerbait! The fish will hopefully tell what they are wanting and what type of tree, or cover they are relating to. Hope it helps!

[riceman]

Thanks guys. I'll have something to go with next time. Are the trees that line the channel a better bet than those on a flat, in general. There are so many in a large area that I'm trying to narrow down where to start, it all looks good.

[Legitbritt]

It really depends on what time of year it is! But in general i would say the ones that line the channel because of the deep water access. Bigger fish love to have that close by! But times like now, when the fish are staging and moving up, absolutely the ones on the flats!

[yjjustforme]

this time of year the ones on the flats are more productive. early morning and later in the day the fish moved out to drop offs and when it warms up mid day those trees are perfect staging areas between the deeper parts of the lake and the shallow flats the bass move up on mid day. if it was me i would probe every single branch with a jig or squarebill!

[riceman]

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate your input, Bill

[jiggin4bass]

When i fish willow trees i like to go with 1/4 oz bullet head jigs and 1/4oz. and 3/8 oz. arkie head jigs with spring loaded wire loop guard when the jig drop through the willows the fish grab the jig and trailer they never feel the guard and you get a really good hook set. You never have to worry about the guard tripping while you are fishing the heavier cover the fish will do that for you. Ive been making and using these guards for better than 20 years now i havent seen anything that can match them. If you want to go a easier route instead of using a 30 fiber fiberguard go with 18 fiber counts in 018. or .024 material when adding fiberguards to your jigs you will get a good hookup ratio with these setups also.

[Andy Giannini]

My first pass, I try and stay away from them and throw buzzers, poppers, or cranks.

Then pass closer and hit them with senkos, jigs or big worms.

Spoons are another odd option.

Before leaving, don't be afraid to hit them dead center with heavy l big jigs or 10 inch worms. Sometimes that can be the bite provoker even on clear lakes with smaller fish.

.02 A.G.