Weed points

Martin knows fine points of fishing aquatic vegetation

Given the fact that Scott Martin grew up on the banks of Lake Okeechobee, it is no surprise that he knows the fine points of fishing aquatic vegetation.

“Bass relate to grass points just as well as they relate to submerged points,” Martin said.

In the summertime, Martin concentrates on points with a combination of peppergrass and Kissimmee grass because these species provide bass with cool shade.

“I start on the windy edges of grass points in the summertime, especially first thing in the morning when the feed is on,” Martin said. “As the sun gets higher, the bass move back into the grass.”

Because peppergrass and Kissimmee grass do not normally form dense mats, Martin can penetrate the greenery with 5- to 7-inch Texas-rigged worms paired with bullet sinkers as light as 1/8-ounce. He flips and pitches the worms with a 7-foot medium-heavy bait-casting rod and 12- to 14-pound monofilament.

In the winter, Martin switches to grass points that hold heat, such as those made up of hydrilla, eelgrass or hyacinths. He flips and pitches to the edges of the points early and pitches farther back from the edge later in the day.

Martin punches through the heavy grass with a 5/16- to 1 1/2-ounce bullet sinker matched with a tube or plastic craw Texas-rigged on a 4/0 or 5/0 wide-gap hook. When a bass bites, Martin muscles it up through the grass with a 7-foot-6-inch extra-heavy rod and 60-pound-test braided line.

Marker buoy

Though Martin does not drop a buoy directly on a sweet spot when fishing a point, he does toss a buoy next to the boat after he has found what he is looking for with his lures.

“I’m typically 50 feet away from the spot, casting a Carolina rig or a crankbait,” Martin said. “When I hit the spot or catch a bass, I drop a marker right next to my trolling motor. That way I know exactly where to hold my boat without bothering the fish.”