| As summer progresses and water levels drop, many lakes develop vast fields of matted vegetation. Sunlight and heat encourage hydrilla, milfoil, and other aquatic plants to grow thick and dense, creating floating mats on the surface. Beneath these mats lies a labyrinth of tunnels and shaded pockets where baitfish and bluegill often take cover. Bass are drawn into these areas to hunt, using the heavy grass as both ambush cover and protection from the sun. For anglers, this means some of the best late summer shallow-water opportunities can be found right in the thick of the weeds. Learning to approach these mats can consistently put you on bigger fish during an otherwise tough season. The unique canopy formed by grass creates a cooler microenvironment, giving bass a comfortable place to wait out the hottest parts of the day. These mats of grass also concentrate their food sources, which means hungry fish don’t have to travel far to feed. Anglers who overlook these key areas often miss out, assuming the thick cover is simply too intimidating to fish effectively. Once you understand how bass use these mats, they transform from an obstacle into a reliable fishing target. Embracing this seasonal pattern can turn late summer into one of the most rewarding times to be on the water.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility when flipping matted grass. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures the beetle remains enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection, but year-round action you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as our Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or the 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting, durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction underwater! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect year-round in any weather condition! |
| Fishing in matted grass isn’t the right place for light tackle. It’s all about strength and control. Using a stronger heavy-power rod with a fast tip gives you the backbone to drive hooks home and the leverage to pull bass out of the dense vegetation. Strong braided line is equally important, as it cuts through stalks and stems where other lines would fail. The combination of a powerful rod and line ensures that once a bass bites, you can bring it out of cover without the risk of breaking off. Anglers who try to finesse their way through heavy mats often lose fish or waste time freeing snagged gear. Proper equipment is the foundation of success when targeting bass buried in shallow grass beds. Heavy gear also helps you maintain accuracy when flipping or pitching into small openings in the grass. The additional power allows anglers to set the hook quickly before the fish buries itself deeper into cover. Without the right setup, even a big bite can end in frustration as the fish tangles you in weeds. Using strong equipment not only increases landing percentages but also gives you confidence to fish these areas aggressively. Having confidence in your gear translates directly into better decision-making and more productive time on the water.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, and the Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action that triggers strikes! |
| Breaking through the mats requires a compact yet heavy presentation. Oversized soft plastics such as beetles, cray-styled baits, lizards, insect larva, and worms can be rigged with weights from three-quarters to over one ounce to punch through dense grass. A Texas-style rig with a streamlined sinker often slips into tight spots more easily, while a heavier jig setup can be effective for triggering aggressive bites. The key is to use enough weight to consistently penetrate the mat and reach the strike zone below. Once the bait is in the water column under the grass, its natural fall and those smaller movements can draw immediate strikes. Choosing the right rig style and weight makes all the difference when fishing in these demanding conditions. Another factor is the profile because more compact baits slide through vegetation more cleanly, while bulkier ones can create extra commotion that draws attention. Anglers should also experiment with color, as darker shades often stand out in the low-light conditions beneath the mats. Smaller movements like shaking or yanking the bait can trigger strikes from less aggressive fish. A well-presented soft plastic can mimic natural prey such as bluegill or crawfish, making it irresistible to bass hiding below. By fine-tuning weight, bait profile, and action, anglers can maximize their success in even the thickest cover.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater. |
| Not all sections of a grass flat hold bass, so anglers should focus on areas with subtle differences. Points, inside turns, ditches, and changes in depth often attract fish because they funnel bait or provide ambush positions. Grass that grows taller or has gaps between different patches is also worth extra attention. These irregularities may look minor on the surface but often signal prime feeding areas beneath. Once a bass is caught in one of these spots, it’s really common to find several more close by. Fishing with precision around irregular features greatly improves your chances compared to randomly punching mats. Bass often use these smaller types of transitions like highways, moving along them to feed or shift with changing conditions. Paying close attention to wind direction can also help, since it pushes bait into specific edges or corners of the grass. Even slight depth changes of just a foot or two can concentrate fish in otherwise uniform flats. Anglers who learn to slow down and thoroughly work these spots often uncover schools that others pass by. Treat every little irregular feature as a high-percentage zone, and you’ll quickly turn scattered cover into reliable fishing opportunities.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater, along with being made in the USA by real fishermen. We recently restocked the HellaMite Pro Pack, which is loaded with 60 baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also restocked our Green Pumpkin and Smoke Purple HellaMite. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility. |
| Of the common aquatic plants, hydrilla tends to be the most productive for late summer flipping. Its pyramid-like growth creates large canopies with open water beneath, making it ideal for bass to hide and hunt. Even a few strands visible on the surface may indicate a much larger bed extending below. Hydrilla also supports strong ecosystems, holding baitfish and bluegill that bass feed on throughout the season. Anglers who can locate tall, healthy hydrilla often find consistent action compared to other vegetation types. Targeting this plant specifically can maximize results when fishing shallow mats. Because hydrilla grows so densely, it creates shaded areas where bass feel secure even in bright sunlight. These thick mats also offer consistent oxygen levels, which is especially important in hot weather when other vegetation may decline. The structure of hydrilla can funnel baitfish into pockets and edges, giving bass perfect ambush points. Recognizing the hydrilla patches and learning how to work through them is a major advantage for anglers. Once it’s mastered, the hydrilla becomes one of the most reliable types of vegetation for consistently producing quality bass in late summer months.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Watermelon Red Worms have been restocked as well. You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electric Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also Restocked 6-inch Worms, including Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin, Black & Blue, Fire TGR, Wild Berries, Bone, 10w30 Synthetic, Zombie Blood, and Chocolate MNT! — all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater. |
| Bass behavior shifts with the time of day, even within the same grass bed. During bright daylight hours, the fish often burrow deeper into the thick mats to stay cool and shaded, making these punching presentations most effective. Early mornings and evenings, however, see bass move toward the edges or over submerged grass in search of easier prey. Recognizing these shifts allows anglers to adapt and cover water more effectively. You might flip heavy mats under the sun, then switch to working the outer edges with a lighter presentation at low light. Matching your approach to these daily patterns can double or even triple your success. Anglers should also consider seasonal changes, since cooler fall weather can extend the edge bite later into the day. Wind plays a role as well, pushing bait toward certain sections of grass and concentrating fish activity. On calmer, sunny days, bass are more likely to bury in the cover, while cloud cover often keeps them roaming closer to the edges. Varying your lure selection between heavy-weighted rigs and smaller soft plastics helps match these shifts. By paying close attention to both time of day and conditions, anglers can stay one step ahead of the fish and maximize their catches in September.Introducing the Newest 8-Inch MagDingo Worms! These are the ultimate game-changer in bass fishing! Engineered for anglers who know SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a fixation for the larger bait. The MagDingo Worm boasts a solid 8-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. The 10-count packs are now available in a variety of 6 crucial colors, including the 10w30 Synthetic, Black & Blue, Zombie Blood, Green Pumpkin, Wild Cherry, and Watermelon Red. Each worm is made in the USA from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for maximum attraction, the 8-inch MagDingo Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing trophy-sized smallmouth and largemouth bass. |
| Getting the bait through the mat is just the first step. It’s how you present it that makes all the difference. Many strikes occur as the lure drops straight down, so always let it fall freely on slack line. If fish are less aggressive, working the bait in the open pockets or shaking it along the bottom can trigger reaction bites. When bass are feeding on bluegill or shad higher in the column, lifting the bait up to the underside of the mat and gently jiggling it in place can be deadly. Bites are often small, felt only as the bait becomes slightly lighter or heavier than expected. Training yourself to recognize these small signals ensures you don’t miss opportunities hidden beneath the grass. Patience is critical because bass in heavy cover often need repeated presentations before committing to strike. Making small adjustments in cadence, such as pausing longer on the bottom or shaking the bait more aggressively, can make a big difference. Changing angles by pitching to the same spot from a slightly different direction may also trigger inactive fish. The more precisely you can control the bait’s fall and movement, the more natural it appears to bass watching from below. Developing more confidence in these types of techniques separates average mat fishermen from those who consistently land bigger fish.We just restocked a wide variety of terminal tackle, but when it comes to flipping in matted grass, the 4x Jungle Flippin Hook works perfectly, and it’s actually designed for big fish held in the toughest conditions. The Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also a really solid match for flipping matted grass. Featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. We also offer popular All Purpose Hooks that are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The WEEDLESS Block Head Jig features high-quality construction that helps increase your hook-up ratios and keep your bait clean from snagging rocks or vegetation. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig, which has an attached weight that saves you precious time when fishing cover. The Mosquito Hooks are a favorite when it comes to dropshotting, and they perfectly accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. We also recently released Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it holds the bait upright in a defensive stance! The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward-facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action that triggers bites. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next trip. |