Justin Lucas heads to Lake Guntersville to showcase one of the most effective techniques for catching largemouth bass in heavy cover—flipping thick vegetation and punching mats. Using a big rod, heavy weights, and the right bait, Lucas demonstrates how to target fish buried in hydrilla, milfoil, and blown-in eelgrass.
Featured Product
- PLASTIC – Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Creature Hawg: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- HOOK – Berkley Fusion19 Hooks Heavy Cover 4/0: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- ROD – Abu Garcia Fantasista Casting Rod, 7’11” Extra-Heavy: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Abu Garcia Revo STX LP Casting Reel, 8.1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE – Berkley x5 Braided Line, 50-pound 50 lb. Test: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
Why Flipping Works in Heavy Cover
When bass tuck into grass mats, they become difficult to reach with standard approaches. Flipping with ounce-plus tungsten weights allows anglers to punch through vegetation and get a bait where fish live. Lucas emphasizes that most strikes happen on the first fall, so keeping the bail open and staying ready to set the hook is crucial.
Adjusting Weights and Presentation
Lucas experimented with weight sizes to break through dense mats. He explains that when vegetation thickens, stepping up in weight not only helps the bait fall through but often triggers quicker bites. He also stresses how scent-infused plastics can make bass hold on longer, giving anglers more time to drive the hook home.
Tackle Selection and Strate
Lucas uses a 7’11” extra-heavy rod paired with 50-pound braid and a high-speed reel for maximum efficiency. He details how the rod provides the power to move fish, while the reel quickly retrieves slack and resets for the next pitch. Additionally, Lucas highlights the importance of positioning with the wind for a quieter approach and using shallow water anchors to stay locked in on key grass lines.
Boat Setup
- BOAT – Phoenix 921 Elite II Bass Boat: Check out at Phoenix
- MOTOR – Yamaha V6 V MAX SHO 250 hp: Check out at Yamaha
- TROLLING MOTOR – Power-Pole Move ZR Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR – Power-Pole Blade 2.0 Shallow Water Anchor, 10′: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
