are the weeds water lilies or submerged weeds?
You can purchase frozen chum at most local tackle/bait shops. Or, you can save all you unused bait and fish carcasses.Chop them all up, put them in a mess bag and save for your next trip.
Once the fish is hooked, keep the line tight. A slack line will allow the fish to spit out the hook. Keep trying, good luck.