It’s difficult to fish right in submergent vegetation. Unless the water is very clear or the weedtops grow nearly to the surface, you normally can’t see the weeds well enough to place your bait in the openings.

But when sunfish are actively feeding, there is no need to fish right in the weeds. The fish are more likely to hang around the edges of the weeds or over the weed-tops, opening the door to numerous fishing methods. 

A light spinning outfit spooled with 6-pound-test mono is a good choice for fishing in most types of submergent vegetation. A longer pole works better in shallow weedbeds, where the openings are visible, because it helps you place your bait in the right spot.

How to Fish Shallow Submergent Weeds
Work a shallow weed flat by setting a slip-bobber rig to keep the bait just above the weedtops. Cast upwind and let the rig float downwind of your position, varying the angle of successive casts to cover all water within casting distance.

Motor slowly over a deep weed flat or along a weedline, looking for schools of sunfish on your depthfinder. When you spot some fish, toss out a marker. Try casting to them. Or, repeatedly slow-troll over the area using a slip-sinker rig.

How to Fish Deep Submergent Weeds
Make a slip-sinker rig for fishing in weedy cover using a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce bullet sinker for weight. If necessary, peg a corkie or other small float to your line about a foot above the hook to keep your bait riding above the weeds.

Motor slowly over a deep weed flat or along a weedline, looking for schools of sunfish on your depth finder. When you spot some fish, try casting to them or repeatedly slow-troll over the area using a slip-sinker rig.