If you read last week’s topic, (shoreline fishing) you know why I choose fishing shoreline trees this week. I you didn’t get the chance to read that article; this week’s topic could still help you find some fish.

Stick-ups and laydowns are magnets for many species of fish. Reason being, they attract bait fish and provide cover. If you see any branches or laydowns with wood sticking out of the water, I’m sure you have seen fishing line and bobbers hanging off many of those limbs.

Is there a right or wrong way to fish this kind of cover? Let’s just say, if you try pitching or casting lures into stick-ups or submerged trees, I guarantee, there is a good chance you will get hung-up on branches. So, what’s the best way to fish this type of cover?

Most of the time you can determine how far the tree extends into the lake by looking at the height of the trees still on shore. Also, the shoreline trees can kind of give you an idea on the amount and locations of the branches. I believe tight lining a jig or working a jig/hook under a bobber are the two best options when fishing submerged trees.

Any rod you have will work just fine, but after years of using different rods, I found that a 9-foot heavy action rod works best for me. Reason being, once I get close to the tree or stick-up, a longer rod lets me drop my bait (MINNOW, CRAWLER, LEECH) into and around the branches without getting hung up.

Then being a heavy action rod, when I hook a fish, the rod is stiff enough to not only lift that fish straight up out of the branches, but I have better control of the fish if it tries to go deeper into the tree. Do you need to use a long, heavy action rod? NO. Everyone fishes differently and I’m just saying that’s what works for me.

For tips on fishing this type of cover, I will say get as close as you can and anchor, then wait a few minutes and let the fish settle back in before you start fishing. There are times when placing your bait as close to the outside edges as you can will coax fish out of cover. If the water is cool, I would start around 4 to 6 feet, warmer water 6 to 10 feet and by mid-summer the deepest part of the tree. Remember, when using a jig or hook, make sure you have enough weight to keep your line vertical.

Here’s the biggest thing when fishing this type of cover. If you get hung up on a branch, DO NOT TRY TO PULL IT FREE, because it WILL disturb the tree and scatter the fish. Either cut your line and re-tie or use another rod until you are done fishing that tree. Also, when you feel a bite, raise the rod until you feel the weight of the fish and just lift up. When using this technique, usually the fish hook themselves. Once you drop your bait back into the branches, it COULD take 5 or more minutes for the remaining fish to settle back in, so don’t get discouraged.