There could be a lot of reasons that it doesn't have any fish. How clear is
the water, if I am in a greenish colored water, 4' to 6' depth with weeds is
amazing for bass if 1) There isn't moss growing on the weeds , 1a) as long
as there is some kind of food present. If it is an expansive flat look for
irregularities. Do the weeds get sprayed? Are they brown or green? What
other predators do you have in that lake. Also I am not saying that
Smallies do not frequent weed beds, but that would not be my first target
areas for smallmouth, unless that is the only cover available. Do you ever
see any bluegills or insects around those weeds? Birds in the area will
give you an idea about the insect population, which in turn will give you
insight into the baitfish and pan fish population, and on down the food
chain.
Also if the weedbed is very large with 4' to 6' of water, with consistent
contours, the fish could really be anywhere within that weedbed. Fish have
basic needs, such as safety and food, if that weedbed has these elements you
can feel pretty confident the fish are there.
Here on the lakes I fish in Wisconsin (Winnebago chain) Weedbeds are few and
far between, plus we have people spaying the weeds, other predatory species
(Muskie, Northerns, Walleye, and Freshwater Drum), dark water, and lots of
shallow weeds. So fish are really confined to predictable spots.
I hope any of this helps, I really rambled on and on.

Chris
"Gone Angling" wrote in message
...
In looking at the pre fishing thread it made me think of my own summer
fishing
situation. I fish in a bay. On one side of the is a weed area that is
adjacent
to a deep drop off. This is a productive area for bass. On the other side
of
the bay there is and expansive area of weeds in a shallow area (4' to 6'
deep).
The bass never seem to be in this area. It looks like a prime bass
habitat. I
would like to exploit the other side of the bay but the smallmouth bass
just
don't want to enter the shallows.