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When natural lakes have little structure or overhead cover such as trees, logs and man-made cribs, but these same lakes are blessed with patches of weeds and deep weed edges, the angler can expect to find most bass and walleyes hiding in the dense vegetation.

Granted, the weeds offer great cover, but they also provide needed oxygen to the fish, as well as a myriad of plankton and insect life which attract baitfish, which in turn attract predator fish such as bass and walleyes. Yet, many if not most anglers avoid weeds because their baits can get hung up and hooked fish can become entangled and get off the line.

Both bass and walleye anglers, however, look for weeds as a primary habitat to not only catch consistent fish, but to often win tournaments.

Here are some quick tips to help you catch more fish from weeds. When walleye fishing, I look for weeds that grow close to deep drops, since these fish can then more in and out of the weeds to feed. I initially fish the deep weed edge quite quickly, casting a Manniac crankbait along or over the top of the deep weeds. Since this bait has no lip, it is easy to crank it through the weeds. Once fish are located in a certain part of the weedbed, I'll then switch to an Odd'ball Pitchin' Jig rigged with a Hank's Worm for bass, or an Odd'ball Jig tipped with a leech or half crawler for walleyes.

If the deep edges aren't producing, I'll flip the jig into shallower water pockets or openings in the thicker parts of the weeds. For this type of fishing, I can get quite close to the openings, since fish in thicker weeds are less spooky than those in thin weeds.

Since both walleyes and bass can become easily tangled in the weeds once hooked, I upgrade my line test accordingly. When jigging for walleyes, I'll use 10 pound test Stren Easy Cast. For bass, I kick that up to 17 or 20 pound test. My crankbait line will also be 17 pound test for both bass or walleyes. The heavier test is necessary to pull the fish from the weeds without breaking off.

For equipment, I'm using Quantum Energy baitcasting rods and reels when casting crankbaits and the Hank's Worm on the jig. When jigging walleyes, I switch to a six foot Energy or Tour Edition spinning rod and reel combination.

The jig and worm combination can be rigged Texas style when fishing the thick weeds, allowing the lure to pass through without getting hung up. If I'm strictly bass fishing and I have massive weeds with six inches to a foot of water over the top, I'll try to cover it quickly fan-casting a Classic Spinnerbait in white or chartreuse colors. If fish are chasing the bait, but not hitting, I'll switch to a Shadow jerkbait, twitching it slowly across the top. I'll rig it Texas style with a Mustad Needle Power Lock Hook.

Over the years, I've caught more bass and walleyes in and around weeds than anywhere else. It's definitely worth the effort to pick a few weeds off your hook when catching big fish can be the result.

Walleyes in deep water can often frustrate fishermen. I know that was the case for me many years ago when I first started tournament fishing. But thanks to techniques learned on the Professional Walleye Trail, the Masters Walleye Circuit and the North American Walleye Association, I feel much more comfortable fishing for walleyes in deep water.