If the weather has been stable, odds are that weedlines will be well defined with a uniform edge which can be easily trolled. However, at times of continually changing winds, the grass may be broken up and scattered. This is the time to leave the lighter tackle idle. Reeling in a clump of seaweed can be an arduous challenge even with a 4/0 reel on a stiff rod, but it is even worse on a light spinning outfit. It's going to happen, so why make life hard on yourself? Besides, it really eats into your fishing day.

This is also a time when I refrain from some of the clunkier baits like swimming mullet, plugs and even spoons. These are weed magnets which likely will end up fouled before the rod even makes it to the holder. Strips and ballyhoo are far better choices.

If you have never been a fan of trolling skirts and heads, now is the time to become one. Not only do they help deflect the weed, but they shield the hook as well. I use skirts as much to help deal with seaweed as I do to make baits more visible and attractive to fish.

Another option is to make your baits truly weedless. The easiest way to do this with mullet and ballyhoo is to rig so that the hooks are turned inward. As you might guess, this rig should only be used when conditions are at their worst, because hookup ratios tend to be lower. To minimize this, always make some incisions on the top of the bait where the barb is.

You can also add a loop of wire to your hook as a weedguard, much like some freshwater bass hooks. One way to do this is to double a piece of No. 5 or heavier wire and run the ends through the hook eye. With a piece of copper rigging wire, tightly wrap the doubled wire parallel to the shank. Leave enough of a loop to serve as a weedguard, which you will fold back to cover the hookpoint or lie against the barb. This works great for strips and ballyhoo.

If you have done this and you're still having problems, a final option is to pull your baits in closer to the transom. The hull of the boat acts as a giant cowcatcher and the engine as a giant chopper, clearing the way for your baits.

Unfortunately, there will be times when conventional trolling is virtually impossible. Normally, this is when weeds are diffuse and scattered all over the place. One option is to pick up and find a more fishable area. A better one, however, might be to drift with either cutbait or livies. By moving at the same rate as the weed, baits will look natural without being hindered by foulups.

Sometimes, as you're fighting a fish, stray pieces and even large clumps of weed will foul the line. Keep in mind that if you are fishing in a tournament or for an IGFA line-class record, only the angler handling the rod is permitted to touch the line and clear the debris. Otherwise the fish will be disqualified.

Never forget that working a stretch of weed is pure opportunity fishing. Results come to those who are prepared. Often fish seem to come out of nowhere, and in the time it takes to cut up chunks of baitfish or rig some light spinners, they likely will have come and gone, possibly not to be seen again that day.

By carefully searching the subsurface water, altering bait rigging and presentation and being ready when your shot comes, fishing seaweed isn't nearly the pain we sometimes make it out to be. Especially when line starts peeling off that reel and your drag sings that song we all love to hear.