03-03-2004, 09:44 PM
[font "Arial"][size 2]As for lures, correctly Texas-rigged soft-plastics will penetrate dense cover the easiest, by far. I prefer compact body styles for this very reason. Crawfish imitations, tubes, or any number of worm styles work great Goggle eyes and Senkos are among my favorites. Their profiles allow them to slide right through thick cover without hanging up.[/size][/font] [left][font "Arial"][size 2]Flipping jigs are also good tools for penetrating this type of cover. Keep in mind you'll need an adequate amount of weight (as much as one ounce, or more) to plunge the lure through some of the denser mats, but use only what's necessary, no more. Any extra weight will look and feel unnatural to the fish.[/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][size 2]If magnum-sized flipping weights are required, check out the ExtraEdge and Penetrator brands. These weights have developed a loyal following among knowledgeable flippers.[/size][/font][/left] [left][font "Arial"][size 2]Heavy lines are also essential. While many anglers rely on the super braids, I prefer 8-12 pound Silver Thread Excalibur. Monofilament provides some stretch, and I find this critical when wrestling fish from matted cover. The particular test you choose will depend on one of the following factors; density of the cover, clarity of the water, or the aggressiveness of the fish. Lighter lines yield more strikes, but there's an obvious durability trade-off in heavy cover.[/size][/font][/left]
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