What Bait Would You Guys Say Target Big Fish?

[NDH Fishing]

I've heard a lot about "Big fish baits". Some people say that certain baits sift the big bass from the small bass. Is this true? If so, what bait would you guys say pretty much only catches big bass? 

[Catch and Grease]

No bait only catches big bass really...

However jigs and big worms IMO help stop dinks and can catch huge bass, but I've caught dinks on 12" worms...

[gulfcaptain]

Larger swimbaits (8" and up) tend to curve your chances.  I don't think I have caught one under 4lb, but have had smaller fish follow.  But you're not fishing for numbers, you're fishing for those few quality bites.

[WRB]

The truth be known bass like most animals can't determine their size verses the size of the lure. Like a small dog going after a big dog, it has no concept it's own size.

If you want to catch bigger bass fish where they live. My 5 top bass,all over 17 lbs, were caught on a jig less than 5" long, right place, right time with the right lure is what it takes to consistently catch big bass.

Tom

[Jig Man]

When I concentrate on big fish I use large jigs with large craws as trailers.  I fish bluff ends and deep brush.  Most of the time the boat is over 50 fow and I'm fishing down to 30-35'.  In the spring after the spawn the Zara Spook is a good big bass bait.

[Knightiac]

Jigs. It really is a one word answer.

[Raul]

Take what "they say," with a grain of salt, you throwing a big bait doesn´t necessarily mean you´ll catch big fish. you´ll catch big fish when you fish for them because big fish behave in many ways different. Here´s some food for thought:

 

My first 10 lber was caught with a Rapala Original Minnow size 7 .... not exactly a big bass bait

My PB ( 13.86 lbs ) was caught with a Rapala Shad Rap size 7 ..... wait ! that ain´t a big bass bait either

 

For some folks big spinnerbaits have caught big fish, big is a relative term because it depends a lot on where you fish, I´ve never caught a bass bigger than 9 lbs with a spinnerbait, for me 9 lbs is a very nice fish but not quite a bigun.

 

My second largest ( 13.5 lbs ) was caught with a 5" senko  ....ain´t that the size everybody, including me fishes ? not a big bass bait

 

There I go and try some "beeg bass baits" ----> a bunch of 2-3 lbs with a 8" Hudd, let me see ......I´ve found and seen several dead or nearly dead 2-3 pounders with a half pound bass stuck in their mouths, and a half pound bass is larger than a 8" Hudd.

 

My personal big bass bait is a 1/2 oz jig with a Brush Hog as tráiler, there´s a reason for it being the bait I use to catch big fish, I can fish it in practical terms everywhere.

[THE_Vue's]

that big senko, i think its 7-8 inches

[gulfcaptain]

I have no doubt a jig, senko, or any other bait will catch big bass...just answered the question if I was going to target only larger bass what bait would I fish.  But like WRB and Raul both point out, honestly have to fish where there are big bass in the population and the high percentage areas that will hold them. Guess the best answer is whatever bait will trigger and excit them into biting.

[Marty]

 

If you want to catch bigger bass fish where they live

 

I agree 100%. My definition of a big bass is vastly different than those from California or Mexico, but by my standards I've caught big bass on many different lure types. As WRB said, fish for the big ones where they live and use lures that are appropriate for the conditions.

[jignfule]

The truth be known bass like most animals can't determine their size verses the size of the lure. Like a small dog going after a big dog, it has no concept it's own size.

If you want to catch bigger bass fish where they live. My 5 top bass,all over 17 lbs, were caught on a jig less than 5" long, right place, right time with the right lure is what it takes to consistently catch big bass.

Tom

There are no mirrors down below.

[einscodek]

not necessarily means big fish only eat big bait.. they eat big and medium and littel at times

but big lures are like a filter.. they filter out most smaller fish

in my experience, when I go after big fish with big lures I get only a couple of bites an outing and risk getting skunked but catch bigger fish

I made my peace with that and realized I'm not out here to not catch fish

so I only whip out the bigger lures when I've already caught enuf to be satisfied and am ok w/catchin nothing else for the rest of the day.. and I still catch the spectrum its just that the bigger fish are far fewer and usually in the spring and late fall

know what I realized.. I just like catchin fish.. dont care how big!  My big lures usually stay put nowadays..

[dam0007]

Siebert Jigs!

[Violinguy]

My PB was caught on a 3" tube.  7+ pound fish on a tiny bait.  Likewise, I've caught lots of 5-7" dinks on large cranks that are at least 2/3 the size of the fish that hit it..  Yes, your chances of hooking a big bass instead of a dink on a big bait are greater than small ones, but I agree with the post above about bass not understanding their own size in relation to what they are eating.

[jonnyblazex]

Here's a video that shows bass not understanding their own size. If theres even a chance it may fit in their mouth, they will go for it. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sKBmONt_dds

[ClackerBuzz]

great answers.  if you're stuck fishing from shore and catching only dinks i'd advice up sizing right away..and move to an area with deep water access. 

after thinking about my experience over the last few years i realized i like smaller lures better when searching for larger/structure bass. in tough situations tubes and jigs are more likely to get bitten than a 12" worm.  

those fish that bite reveal bass holding locations.  you can then make educated decisions on what/where/how ur next move will be (i usually move deeper immediately if dinks). like everyone has said location trumps everything.  after that my biggest bass have come by slow dragging on the bottom. doesn't matter if it's a 3" tube, 5" jig, 6" shakyhead, 10" worm, c-rig, t-rig, etc etc etc.  bubba can't seem to stand something dragged slowly across his dinner plate.

[Uber]

Caught my biggest on a gulp alive 3 in. Leech drop shotting. But have caught some nice ones on wacky style and jigs

[Mattlures]

I disagree with some of this. Big bass mainly feed on smaller fish when available. A quality realistic swimbait replicates those small fish. I disagree that those swimbaits filter out the small fish so you get more big fish bites. Thats not how it works. Those realistic baits mimic what those big bass are used to eating. Its not that they filter out the small fish, its that they attract the big fish. Every bait has caught a big bass. You cant judge a bait on that. Whats important is, how big is the average fish caught on a specific bait. Swimbaits catch bigger bass on average then any other bait period. Jigs and live bait would probably be 2nd. Big worms would probably not even be in the top ten. Why? because they are long and skinny and little fish love them to. That would bring the average way down. But fishing big worms in areas that hold big bass is good choice. Obviously fishing in a lake that has big fish and fishing an area that hold big fish are a no brainer. Thanks captain obvious! .The OP asked which baits target big bass. You want to target big bass? Fish where they are( captain obvious) and use baits that consistently catch bigger bass. Swimbaits, Jigs, livebait. and yes big worms and big senkos. But those big plastics catch a lot of small bass to.

[gobig]

Well said Matt.

[roadwarrior]

Here in the Mid South the Alabama Rig has become legend.

For whatever reason, The Rig is most effective in spring and

fall, not so much during the summer months.

 

My theory is that most of the double digit bass being reported

were previously uncatchable. When The Rig passes in front of

a bass the fish instinctively attacks the school, she has no choice.

[Bankbeater]

I have caught bass so small that it was just hanging on to the bait and not hooked, and I have seen 8 and 9 pound bass caught on crappie baits under a bobber. 

I think it is more important to find water that holds those large bass first, and then worry about what bait to use.

[Catt]

I've heard a lot about "Big fish baits". Some people say that certain baits sift the big bass from the small bass. Is this true? If so, what bait would you guys say pretty much only catches big bass? 

 

 

Question #1: False

Question #2: None

 

While I agree with what Matt wrote swim baits down here will not catch a cold, why? Can not tell you!

 

What I can tell you from my limited experience is it's location 99.95% of the time.

[PersicoTrotaVA]

I caught my PB on a 1.0 KVD squarebill.  Small baits catch big fish.  My biggest hook ups are on a jig.  Big bass like jigs for some reason.  I haven't caught anything smaller than 3.5 lb on a jig and had my biggest hook up, fish had to be at least 6 lbs probably closer to 7.

[Primus]

5 LBS plus is what I consider a big fish where I live. I've caught these fish on a variety of baits over the years but my most consistent producers are jigs and deep diving cranks for my top 2.   R.I. Sweet Beavers,  full size brush hogs and swimbaits have also done well. 

[frogflogger]

Frogs have accounted for most of my over 7's - followed by jigs and spooks - that said I caught a 7 on a beetle spin. I need to explore the swimbaits more thoroughly.