How to Flip and Pitch Bass in Matted Wild Rice

Northern states largemouth bass live in expansive wild rice edges and flats during the spring, summer and fall months. Although wild rice is only native to the Great Lakes region (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan), Idaho and parts of Canada, the flipping and pitching principles pertain to most grass flat scenarios. Wired2Fish intern Kobie Koenig explains how he finds fish-holding areas in expansive matted grass beds and his favorite presentation for not only generating bites but extracting big bass from the jungle.

Kobie emphasizes the importance of finding areas of change such as a hole in the grass or a change in vegetation type. These changes are usually bottom composition related, and create edges bass use to ambush prey. Matted cover means this is a punching scenario reserved for specific baits and heavy equipment. Koenig explains the importance of choosing thick yet streamlined soft plastics paired with heavy wire flipping hooks, and why double pegging heavy tungsten is a must. A heavy-power rod paired with a beefy high-speed reel is must for getting bass up and out of the grass.