Fat-G Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 This year I have some personal goals. One of which is to key in on the big fish. If this means fishing a whole day for one big bite, that's fine. I need some suggestions on some baits to throw this year, stuff I've never tried. Here's a rundown of my big fish ponds. They are well-fished, the fish won't hit a spinnerbait or crank unless it's a "special occasion", meaning very rarely. I SMASHED 'em last summer on t-rigged Rage Craws, but I want to try other things. I'm gonna go with more subtle, finesse baits this year. I already have a handful of plastics to buy and try, but thought it would be interesting to see what others thought. Just throw ideas out. Plastics you've had good success with on the bigger fish. Quote
A-Rob Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Not exactly plastic but a Jig & Pig gets some big bites. 10" ribbontail worm? maybe they'd work for ya? I don't use swimbaits or other big big lures so won't talk on them. Quote
WanderLust Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 If I was looking for pure quality I would start with: Jig and (baby) Rage Craw Chatterbait with a Lake Fork Magic Shad trailer <Insert favorite brand> frog I have and use all of these but GYBC Fat Ika was my number one producers in terms of quantity and quality. I am going to pitch \ flipping the Big Ika this year as I hear this is also a good producer. Based on your description shakey head, drop shot may out produce other bait techniques. Also tubes, tubes and more tubes. Its an extremely effective finesse bait and is very versatile. Quote
Fat-G Posted February 28, 2011 Author Posted February 28, 2011 Good suggestions so far, I'm going to be throwing a jig a lot this year. I'm talking more along the lines of weightless plastics rather than dropshots. I guess I'll just post my list up, that makes the most sense. I have fished the Trick Worms a lot, and they have always produced. Everything else is new. Jackall Flick Shake (5.8 and 6.8) Fat Ika LFT Live Magic Shad Rage Hawg Trick Worm Rage Anaconda Quote
hookingem Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 I'd try to really focus in on big Worms such as the Rage anaconda, Mann's Jelly Worm, or the Ole Monster. In ponds these things imitate snakes going through the water and can attract some down right Hawgs! Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 28, 2011 Global Moderator Posted February 28, 2011 I'll put in another vote for the big worm. One thing I will add is to use an extremly light weight 1/16 or a 1/8 oz if you can get away with it. Big bass in ponds are very in tune with their environment so a big splash hitting the surface is almost as likely to scare them off as it is to get their attention. One thing you might try with the spinnerbait that has worked for me with picky pond bass is to cast it out in the middle and let it sink to the bottom. Let it sit there for a little while before starting your retrieve. This way if the splash scares any fish away they will have had the chance to return to the area. I think this gets reation strikes from big fish near cover. They spook with the splash but when the return and all the sudden a "baitfish" takes off from the cover it's more than they can stand! Quote
WanderLust Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Big worms have't produced for me yet but I'll keep plugging away. Since you said the bass are picky... You can irritate a large bass with a chatterbait or buzzbait just be making multiple casts to the same location. Shakey head or wacky rigged trick worm has also scored some decent fishing for me. As already posted stealth presentation is key. Quote
Super User deep Posted February 28, 2011 Super User Posted February 28, 2011 Location, location, location. Big fish get the prime locations in the whole lake. Read Murphy's and Siemantel's books. My three biggest fish were caught (respectively) on a 5" senko, 1/8 oz popper, 1/8 oz F7 Rapala original. I know you wanted to know about plastics. Location and presentation are way more important than the bait. The spawn is coming up. Remember that big fish spawn early and late, and in deeper water. My very limited experience with big (5+) bass is that they won't run down or chase a lure. Quote
Hamby Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 I'll put in another vote for the big worm. One thing I will add is to use an extremly light weight 1/16 or a 1/8 oz if you can get away with it. Big bass in ponds are very in tune with their environment so a big splash hitting the surface is almost as likely to scare them off as it is to get their attention. One thing you might try with the spinnerbait that has worked for me with picky pond bass is to cast it out in the middle and let it sink to the bottom. Let it sit there for a little while before starting your retrieve. This way if the splash scares any fish away they will have had the chance to return to the area. I think this gets reation strikes from big fish near cover. They spook with the splash but when the return and all the sudden a "baitfish" takes off from the cover it's more than they can stand! I got a 4lber on a buzzbait, at night, after i pulled out a backlash. Smacked it after it came off the bottom. Just felt like sharing that. I like jigs for big fish. Sure i could fish a small ribbon tail or a senko and catch 20 fish in no time, but i've had days where i catch nothing but big ones while fishing a jig. I'm gonna try those mop jigs this year. Quote
Uncle Leo Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 Good suggestions so far, I'm going to be throwing a jig a lot this year. I'm talking more along the lines of weightless plastics rather than dropshots. I guess I'll just post my list up, that makes the most sense. I have fished the Trick Worms a lot, and they have always produced. Everything else is new. Jackall Flick Shake (5.8 and 6.8) Fat Ika LFT Live Magic Shad Rage Hawg Trick Worm Rage Anaconda Add a Lizard for the beginning of the year bite when bass are on the spawn. That part of the season a Lizard shines. Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2011 Super User Posted February 28, 2011 Quit worrying about what & concentrate on where Quote
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