Asking For A Response From Every Member

[RoLo]

You're probably right, but right now we are a little short of the 42,832 I had in mind!

 

 

 

 

 

I figure by this time next year, we should have all 42,832 replies. 

Oh wait a minute! I didn't account for any new members between now & then   

 

Roger

[aceman387]

 Since most of the responses that have been given are similar i suggest buying two vacation houses. One in Texas next door to where Catt lives and buy the other one in California next door to where WRB lives and befriend them both and beg them to take me out fishing with them when they go.     Other than that read this site as much as possible.

[BridgerM]

You're probably right, but right now we are a little short of the 42,832 I had in mind!

 

 

 

 

 

What were/are you planning to do with the responses?

 

I think it would be interesting to see the stats on something like this. I'd like to see if there is a consensus among the more experienced members on how its done. And if the less experienced are picking up on those 'behaviors', if you will, or just regurgitating something they (me included) read that will not really help them (us) catch bigger bass.

[Hyrule Bass]

What are your top three suggestions for catching bigger bass?

 

 

- spend time on the water, wont catch nothing from the couch

 

- learn the areas youre fishing. structure, cover, transitional areas

 

-choose the proper body of water known to hold big fish

[roadwarrior]

Based on consensus, the common denominators were: (drum roll)  SLOW - DEEP - PATIENCE

 

Roger

 

I think this pretty much sums it up.

 

 

[grampa1114]

I think this pretty much sums it up.

 

 

Yup...

[backwater4]

Fish deep structure 25-40' (need baitfish present) mostly early spring and late fall

Fish extremely shallow cover (anytime of day) especially when it's hot

Slow down and be precise with your presentations

[Nitrofreak]

What were/are you planning to do with the responses?

 

I think it would be interesting to see the stats on something like this. I'd like to see if there is a consensus among the more experienced members on how its done. And if the less experienced are picking up on those 'behaviors', if you will, or just regurgitating something they (me included) read that will not really help them (us) catch bigger bass.

 

 

All of these answers are here to provide us with general guidelines , they wont help any of us if we do not put them to good use ourselves and learn from our own waters , our waters and our actions on our waters hold the answers , not this forum .

[CTGalloway21]

What are your top three suggestions for catching bigger bass?

 

1. throw Bull Shad

2. throw Bull Shad

3. throw Bull Shad

 

[FrogFreak]

OK, so I feel like a guy teaching Michael Jordan how to play basketball. But here goes...

 

1. Research the body of water first. DNR info topo maps etc. I don't like to ask other people though. I like to find my own areas based on my own research.

 

2. Fish with confidence. Without confidence I tend to speed up my presentation and not allow the lure to work.

 

3. Don't be afraid to try something different or bring back an old favorite like a daredevil spoon for example.

[bartdude186]

1. Stop worrying about how many fish you catch,and worry about quality fish

 

2. Don't tie on the "hottest and most popular" lure in your box, ole monster has probally seen it 1000 times.

 

3. Be sure your equipment is ready for a 10+ pound fish 110% of the time.( I lost 2 possibly PB fish this year because of overlooking simple problems, and thinking " i will re-tie it in a couple of cast, it will hold up".

[OK Bass Hunter]

Have a game plan

Fish bodies of water that are known to hold quality fish

Fish thoroughly

[Throw Back]

1. Invest in quality lures

2. Get out more often.

3. When no one is catchin anything with any logical bait, don't be afraid to try something absurd. I mean if you catch nothing on a Senko, and I catch nothing on wad of old bubblegum, who did better. I'm not gonna watch the same thing fail over and over on a slow day

[senko_77]

I didn't get to read all the replies, but here is my 2 cents.....

 

1.  100% agree with WW2Farmer....do NOT listen to J_Francho.  A double digit would probably flip that kayak of his

 

2.  Look for stable weather.  Although I did catch one of my 10+'s as a thunderstorm was moving in, pretty much all of my big bass have come when the weather has been stable, sunny, and just relatively calm for 3-4 days.  The longer the stable weather, the better the bigger fish bite in my experience.  

 

3.  As it's been said for the last 10 pages of responses, look for the area where a big fish will live out most it's life.  The area must include a prime feeding location, a sanctuary where the fish can be inactive, and easy access to and from these 2 locations.  

 

P.S. - The bait you throw really has no effect on making a big bass bite.  My biggest (14.7lbs) ate a 2.5" finesse craw threaded on a 1/0 hook in about 18ft of water. I've also caught a 10-4 on a 4" finesse worm and a 12lber on a small crankbait.  Yes, throwing big baits will eliminate a lot of those smaller fish from biting, but don't think for a moment that if you put a small bait in front of a fat female that she wont eat that thing up.

[RoLo]

2.  Look for stable weather.  Although I did catch one of my 10+'s as a thunderstorm was moving in, pretty much all of my big bass have come when the weather has been stable, sunny, and just relatively calm for 3-4 days.  The longer the stable weather, the better the bigger fish bite in my experience.  

 

P.S. - The bait you throw really has no effect on making a big bass bite.  My biggest (14.7lbs) ate a 2.5" finesse craw threaded on a 1/0 hook in about 18ft of water. I've also caught a 10-4 on a 4" finesse worm and a 12lber on a small crankbait.  Yes, throwing big baits will eliminate a lot of those smaller fish from biting, but don't think for a moment that if you put a small bait in front of a fat female that she wont eat that thing up.

 

I agree with No.2

Pre-frontal conditions offer a brief period of hot fishing,

but I'd much rather have 3 days of stable weather (active bass on 'top' of the weedbed).

Ryan, I well remember that hippo you caught (around 2005 as I recall).

 

Roger

[Will Wetline]

Fish waters known to produce big fish.

 

Adapt to current conditions - if one presentation, type of bait isn't working, try something else.

 

Understand that sometimes they just ain't biting. Be persistent. 

 

Pay attention to details. Retie now, don't trust that slight fray to hold.

 

Most important is focus. Fine tune your state of attention, your alertness. It works like this: Brain > rod tip > line > bait > fish on!

[DogBone_384]

1. Read bassresource.com

 

2. Read bassresource.com

 

3. Apply what you've learn from bassresource.com

[Basseditor]

1) Location is important. Not only the body of water, but 2) certain areas of lakes hold bigger fish. 3) Unlike some have mentioned, I have done best on the third day of a warming trend after a cold front. All my 8-lb plus largemouth bass came on 6XDs, 10-12 inch Powerworms or 7 inch Senkos. My son caught a 13 and 8 lb bass on back to back casts on a 6XD. On the other hand, all my 7 lb plus smallmouth came on sixteenth ounce head Gitzits.

I like big fish. That's why I struggle in tournaments. I am going to fish in the top 5 or dead last LOL. And I have gotten the big fish award in many tournaments.

[kickbasskid]

1. If a lure isn't working than switch it out.

 

2. Never be afraid to go back to a bait later in the day.

 

3. If its been said 100 times it should be said again! Slow Down!

[senile1]

 With so many of the BR members being incredibly talented and experience sticks, (which I am not)

 I am looking forward to what is posted here. 

 

In the mean time, here's my entry.

 

1).  Learn the entire life cycle of your quarry and that of it's various food sources.

 

2). Fishing at the Time & Places where the largest Fish are. 

 

3). Be Ready ~ Ensure that every aspect of the tackle you chose is more than capable of hooking, fighting

                          & landing your fish of a life time.

 

  3a).     Use a net.

 

A-Jay

 

I had to copy A.J.s quote because I feel the same.  There are some awesome "big fish" anglers on this board and I have nothing to teach, but everything to learn from them.  I agree with A.J.s first two choices, and my third choice would be "Spend a great deal of time on the water fishing and applying what you have learned."  Only through constant application does learned material become second nature.

[Basshammer]

Get off the bank, find some humps and brush piles out where know one would look.

 

Do not be in a hurry, slow down and pay attention to what is around you.

 

Use good judgement on when to move and when to stay.

[Crookedneck]

I fish a lot of smallies

1.) You have to fish a body of water that holds big fish.

2.) On a windy day fish the wind beaten shore.

3.) Make sure your gear is ready for the job. Check your line regularly, re-tie often.

Largemouth

1.) Slow down

2.) Don't be afraid to try something different.

3.) When nothing else works throw a senko.

[haydenf96]

1. Be different, vary your retrieve and what baits you are using

2. Fish where the big ones are: location location location

3. Think like a big bass

[tbone1993]

1. Stop fishing for big bass and focus on technique. 

 

2.  Practice casting, sometimes you have one shot before a fish swims away.

 

3.  follow your gut. 

[Insanity]

Fish soft plastics!

Fish slow with a lower gear ratio reel like 5:2:1 or slower.

Fish at night by the moon cycle.