I am an avid fisherman on both salt and freshwater.  I live on a small lake in central CT which is a very good lake for good sized largemouth (black) bass through out the fishing season (April through October) except during the hot month of August.  Water temps reach about 75 to 85 degrees and the weeds in the lake spread to cover virtually all of the lake.  Up until the "shut-down", I am able to catch 2 or 3 large bass every hour or two.  Of course, I release them.  I catch these fish on a variety of lures.  Right up to the "shut-down", I catch fish on buzz baits and buzz frogs.  Lots of fun!  Then suddenly, nothing hits; or, if they hit, they miss!  When this happens, I can be out for hours and hours, wearing my arm out, casting buzz baits and buzz frogs and nothing happens.  Very disappointing! 

Even if I were a good worm fisherman (I'm not!), nothing like that can penetrate the weed mat.  I have never been about to catch much of anything on "rubber".  I know that it works well for others, but I never could get the knack on my own.  Never had any "training" for it, except a very good NAFC video on it years ago by Karen Savak.  I purchased the video back then and I reference it during this time of year to figure out some way to catch fish on "rubber".  I have tried different types of rubber and weights to penetrate the weed mat without success.

By the way, my fish finder shows the fish are there.  They appear to be in the weeds and I don't see any open area below the weed mat.  There are some (deeper) areas in the lake that are relatively weed free .  My fish-finder shows plenty of good sized fish, but cranks, spinners, rubber, etc., etc. just don't work.  I am in to this "spell" right now.  Any thoughts....HELP!

Kris Miller
860-836-4770 (Cell, if easier than lots of typing)