Starting My Quest For A Big Bass!

[Catch and Grease]

Im tired of not being able to brag about my PB! (Just under 5lb) from now on I'm only gonna fish big fish baits like 10-12inch worms, square bills like the KVD 2.5, and big jigs until I catch a 5lb+ bass....

Today went out and only fished 12 inch worms, Didn't get a bite all day except for some pickerel chomping my worm in half.

Wish me luck....

[WRB]

Location, location, location.

Tom

[Dwight Hottle]

You need a find a pond or lake that has double digit fish in it. Like Tom said location, location,location.

[Raul]

Is not about the size of your baits, it´s about where, when and how,. Preparation meets opportunity. There´s pickerel where you´re at, soft baits are not such a good idea, the bait will get torn to pieces and unless it lands right on the face of your next PB most probably 99% of your baits will never reach destination 99% of the time. Bigger baits ? not necesarily, my first 10 and my PB were caught with small baits, the catch was when ( there´s a specific window when bigger fish are more catchable ), where ( you can´t catch big fish where there are no big fish ) and how ( slow ). To be true to you, fast moving baits don´t catch as many big fish as slow moving baits.

[Catch and Grease]

Guys I know a big bass will bite a small lure too, but I believe that you have a better chance of catching big bass with big lures... Just my opinion, yes location has a lot to do with it, but I don't wanna just go to some private pond and catch a trophy, I want to catch a big bass in banks lake!

You know what I'm saying?? Like I don't just want the big bass, I want the satisfaction of catching the big bass in this specific lake (which is a very tough lake BTW)

EDIT: Maybe I didn't word that part about big lures right... I just think a big bass will have a harder time turning down an ole' monster than a trick worm.

[Raul]

Hey, he didn´t say he was going after 10 lbers, we immediately asume when our cyberpals say they are going after bigger fish they mean 10+ lbs bass and such thing is not necessarily true. "Big momma" is a matter of interpretation and geographical location, you can´t go fishing for 10 lbs LMB bass in Minnesota.

 

A 7 LMB where I´m at is a very nice fish, nicer than what 99% of the guys fishing where I fish will ever catch and at least 4 lbs better than what they will catch 95% of the time. I´ve pulled from 5 to 12 lbs out of my everyday lake consistently throughout a year but my average bass for that lake is around 1 1/2 pounds.

[Catch and Grease]

I just want a 5lb bass man....

But a 10lber would be nice too... Haha

I have seen plenty 10lb+ bass get pulled out of banks lake too BTW, So it can produce big fish under the right circumstances.

[Raul]

I just want a 5lb bass man....

But a 10lber would be nice too... Haha

 

I often joke about 5 lbs being "pan size", dink and so but 5 lbs is nice and a realistic size, in my experience you don´t need the big guns, your regular everyday tackle is good enough, opportunity for you will be during the pre spawn, for your geographical zone that would be around April - May. The problem with the South is that there are no "seasons" per se. It´s warm water and less warm water, there´s hot climate or not that hot climate.

[gulfcaptain]

Location would be the key to your quests and understand the fish you are after.  What's the food chain?  Some of the areas I fish they key in on different forage at times, will a certain bait work all year......maybe.  But it is best to try and match the forage base they are chasing.  Raul and WRB have great advice and lots of knowledge.  I would say a jig over a 10-12" worm or a 2.5 squarbill.  I would include them in your bait selection.

[A-Jay]

Best of luck to you on your Quest for a Big Bass.

 

I have three pieces of advice for you.

 

First, consider beefing up your tackle, at least go up a line class or two.  So when the fish you're fishing for does strike, your tackle will not be the weak link.

 

Second, fish a healthy sized jig & craw trailer - A Lot.  As the water starts to cool, and the bass you're looking for start feeding more (and moving a little shallower), put that jig in places others are not. 

 

And last but certainly not least - Be Confident.   Know & Believe, that if you put the time in, fish enough of the right places with the right bait & tackle, you'll get a shot at a bigger bass. When you're doing it right, you're thinking that each & every cast can and should produce what you're hunting for.  Do Not Be Surprised when it happens.  They biggest bass are often not "where they are supposed to be".

 

What has yet to be determined is, are you willing to put in the time and will you be ready ?

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

 

[gulfcaptain]

Correction....already had jig in there, but I would stick to that bait more then the worm.

[OK Bass Hunter]

Location doesn't have alot to do with it. It has everything to do with it.

[Catch and Grease]

Thanks guys!

So if y'all were targeting bigger bass y'all would throw the same things you would for any other size?

Basically I'm asking why I shouldn't throw a big worm...

I've always been under the impression that bigger worms catch bigger bass.

I've got lots of 2-4lb bass on 12 inch worms so idk...

[Catch and Grease]

Another question, where would a big bass be? I mean I find bass by finding baitfish in my lake, I've never really went into much more detail than that.

So where would the bigger bass hangout?

[A-Jay]

Another question, where would a big bass be? I mean I find bass by finding baitfish in my lake, I've never really went into much more detail than that.

So where would the bigger bass hangout?

 

 That's a tough one right there.

 

Short answer could be in close proximity to whatever their food source of that day happens to be.

 

 The tough part about that is I haven't been able to find the Forecasted Bass Menu for my area anywhere on line . . . ..

 

 

A-Jay

[Catch and Grease]

Yeah I mean lately the baitfish have been all piled into small areas on the lake, But it seems like bass of all sizes would be anywhere that the other is.

Idk if that made any sense what's so ever haha

[gulfcaptain]

Big fish aren't going to out compete smaller bass. Example, lake I fish, the smaller 10-12" bass chase shad amost daily in one area.  Decided to bring an umbrella rig.  Below those smaller fish the bigger bass will lay in wait to pick off shad that the smaller fish have injured but didn't eat.  Caught 2 of the 3 I hooked....one 12", the other almost 5lbs and staightened a hook on another before the bigger fish.(new rod and reel set up so drag was a bit tight).  Big fish will look for prime areas to feed.  Deep weed beds, points on the weedbeds or breaks where forage funnels through for easy picking. Two types of cover coming together, structure and cover.  Sometimes big fish just decide to suspend out in deeper water till they decide to feed or a feeding oppurtuity presents itself. Big worms are skinny and produce more fish but may be smaller.  Jigs produce bigger average fish depending on the jig and trailer size.  I have caught bigger average on a 3/4 to 1oz punch jig and a SK Rage DB Craw then say fishing with a 1/2oz jig and a 4" paca craw.  Bigger profile craw bait I believe tends to attract that bigger bite although it is compact in size compared to a big worm.  I can also drop this bait into their space quickly producing a reation bite where a big worm may fall slower and give them time to look at as well as possibly mouth and spit it out. Bigger fish use their enviorment to their advantage for a meal instead of chasing it down. They will sit motionless next to bluegill beds for what seems like forever until they explode and grab one that has gotten used to them sitting there and deemed them to be no threat. So as stated although some may disagree, location, location, location.  Then it's putting something that they see as an easy meal in front of them that they can't resist.  A jig could represent a crawfish or a bluegil, I use the A-rig to my advantage on schooled up bass chasing shad or glass minniows to take advantage of their messy feeding habits when schooled up. Other times swimbaits will work, but only when they are keying in on them when they stock trout which is a small window on small bodies of water. So guess I would have to add timing to the location as well.  Disect each fish you catch...where, and why was it there.  What were the conditions? All of that information will help you in your persuit of larger fish you are after.

 

Good luck.

[Catch and Grease]

Great post man ^^

thanks for the tips, when summers is coming to an end I may buy a smaller type A-Rig because I don't feel like buying a new rod just for A-Rigs yet.

Something small enough I can get it out with a MH/F

[gulfcaptain]

I fish 2 main rigs, the Yum Flashmob jr with 1/8 oz heads and 3-4" swing impacts, 3" Big Bite Shad's, and Lunker City Grubsters.  Only can fish 3 hooks but use 5 wire with 2 dummy heads normally attached to the BB shad or grubsters and use Kietech 3/0 1/8oz tungsten heads on the others.  The hooks hold better but I can still straighten them if needed with 20lb mono and 30lb braid.  Other rig is the yellow hammer spinnerbait rig.  Same baits, but this is a bigger rig and has larger blades which I can fish slower and shallower.  Both I throw on a BPS MH 7'6" Cranking Stick with a 5:4 Carbonlite reel spooled with 30lb braid.  Like the softer tip so it doesn't pull hooks.  It's kinda like fishing a big spinnerbait. Is this fishing for everyone....no.  Many have seen me use it, tried it and gotten frustrated.  When all is said and done, one rig may run you after all the components $30+ hence why I fish leadhead I can straighten if needed but may cost me a fish if I pull too hard. But then I feel the smaller jig heads give the baits more action also. 

[Catch and Grease]

Someone give this man a medal!! Thanks I'll definitely be looking into those setups, do you use those in the summer time?

Most people say A-rigs aren't particularly successful this time of year...

[gulfcaptain]

Anytime you can find them schooled up chasing shad or baitfish they can be successful. It's a tool that I find excels when they are in that feeding mood. Late summer, fall, late winter and spring up until early summer....especially right before and after spawn.  Only time I don't throw it is when they are keyin in on bluegill or burried in the grass and weeds. I fish highy pressure wates, anything I can do to set myself apart from everyone else I feel gives me an edge. Your hunt for bigger fish should include mastering new techniques as well. The more options and techniques you have the better your chances of catching those fish you are after.

[Catch and Grease]

Anytime you can find them schooled up chasing shad or baitfish they can be successful. It's a tool that I find excels when they are in that feeding mood. Late summer, fall, late winter and spring up until early summer....especially right before and after spawn. Only time I don't throw it is when they are keyin in on bluegill or burried in the grass and weeds. I fish highy pressure wates, anything I can do to set myself apart from everyone else I feel gives me an edge. Your hunt for bigger fish should include mastering new techniques as well. The more options and techniques you have the better your chances of catching those fish you are after.

Thanks, the bass here aren't nessecarily schooling up yet but they are chasing schooling bait fish, so a A-rig is plausible right now I geuss, I have a few lighter A-rigs that are 10-20$ setups but I haven't fished them much...

[gulfcaptain]

Well it took me a year to figure those out for what would work for me and what was the best.  And quite a bit of failure too before I figured out what worked best for me. I've only lost 2 rigs and have broken 3 due to fishing use.  They don't last forever and will break. 

[joeyfishes]

As long as you don't keep it. Those big fish are critical to the population. 

[Catch and Grease]

I wouldn't call them critical to the population, a big bass is old and has already spawned multiple times, so its genes are already out there... But that's for a whole new thread, let's not get that debate started up here