Misconceptions About Catching Big Bass!!

[NorcalBassin]

Lovin this thread... thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[Slade House]

The last big bass caught at my lake was 12-7 caught on a white booyah single bladed buzz bait about a month ago.  

[tomustang]

Making this type of statement is a major misconception.It may be technicaly right but it implies that they are equal and that is VERY wrong.

This is a much more accurate way of presenting this info.

Do big baits catch big bass...Yes and its very common

Do big baits catch small bass...sure sometimes but its not the norm

Do small baits catch big bass...sure sometimes but its not the norm

Do small baits catch small bass...Yes and its very common

 

Also just because you and your friends have not figured out a bite doesn't meant that bite does not exist or that somebody else hasn't figured it out.

 

I know where your going with this but I see it a bit differently.

 

Do big baits catch big bass...Yes and its very common But what's the time involved? I know it's no where near smaller baits catching smaller fish, but is it equal in time with smaller baits catching bigger fish? I've read a lot about swimbaiters putting in much time to get their bigger catches, what I don't know is does it take a similar amount of time as the guys who throw smaller baits and finally run into a bigger fish? Would it still be considered very common?

 

I know the points of using swimbaits, one is to help drop the rate of smaller fish and to focus on the bigger ones. But beyond that, is it really that effective? I mean the basics like a jig/craw or a worm are still very effective.

[Mattlures]

I know where your going with this but I see it a bit differently.

 

Do big baits catch big bass...Yes and its very common But what's the time involved? I know it's no where near smaller baits catching smaller fish, but is it equal in time with smaller baits catching bigger fish? I've read a lot about swimbaiters putting in much time to get their bigger catches, what I don't know is does it take a similar amount of time as the guys who throw smaller baits and finally run into a bigger fish? Would it still be considered very common?

 

I know the points of using swimbaits, one is to help drop the rate of smaller fish and to focus on the bigger ones. But beyond that, is it really that effective? I mean the basics like a jig/craw or a worm are still very effective.

 

You have touched on one very common swimbait misconception. That it takes days to get a bite. Maybe for guys who haven't figured things out or are just beginning or guys who tried to save money and bought unproven cheap swimbaits. but the guys who are decent at it get lots of bites but again my main point has been missed. Its not only about swimbaits. its about baits that consistently catch bigger bass then other baits. While most big baits fall into the big bass catching category not all big fish catching baits are big. A small crawfish is one of the most proven big bass catchers ever. Jigs and top water frogs can be great choices for catching big bass.

One thing you said does baffle me. Do small baits catch as many big bass as big baits? NO plain and simple. Now again I am not classifying baits as big and small. I classify them as big bass catching baits and small bass catching baits. IMO jigs are a big bass catching bait and so are crawfish and so are frogs and so are buzzbaits at night  but I think of them as small fish baits in the daytime. But to answer your question more specifically No. I will give you a reasonable scenario to illustrate my point. If Barney goes out with his senkos, crank baits, drop shots and spinnerbaits and he catches 20 fish in a day. he will most likely catch 10-15 dinks, probably 1-5 keepers and maybe 1 good fish over 4 or 5lbs. If I go out and fish all day targeting big bass I will probably only catch 3-5 with maybe 1 fish being a keeper and the rest being between 4-8lbs and possibly a 10+. Now if you kept count over a year and we each fished 25 days. Barney (your average fisherman) would probably have caught 2-10 fish over 5 and maybe an 8lber and it would be very rare if he caught a 10+lber. Now he probably would have caught a few hundred fish. If I went out for 25 days targeting big bass I would have probably caught 50 -100 fish. However I would have certainly caught at least a couple over 10lbs and probably 20 over 7lbs and most of my fish would be over 3.5 lbs. I would have a handful of dinks I would also have a couple bad days thrown in where I caught none or 1. Barney would most likely always catch at least a few small fish with no skunks. Of course this is hypothetical but I do believe its realistic based on what I catch and what I see the average guy catching fishing the same lakes as me.

Oh and if a really good trophy hunter went out for 25 days his numbers would be closer to Barneys but his fishes weights would be like mine or bigger.

[Fish_Whisperer]

I know where your going with this but I see it a bit differently.

 

Do big baits catch big bass...Yes and its very common But what's the time involved? I know it's no where near smaller baits catching smaller fish, but is it equal in time with smaller baits catching bigger fish? I've read a lot about swimbaiters putting in much time to get their bigger catches, what I don't know is does it take a similar amount of time as the guys who throw smaller baits and finally run into a bigger fish? Would it still be considered very common?

 

I know the points of using swimbaits, one is to help drop the rate of smaller fish and to focus on the bigger ones. But beyond that, is it really that effective? I mean the basics like a jig/craw or a worm are still very effective.

Send Butch Brown a message, I'm sure he will be glad to post a pic of some big bass with sticky notes containing your username and the date of either the same day or the next.  Seen him do it many times.

[tomustang]

You have touched on one very common swimbait misconception. That it takes days to get a bite. Maybe for guys who haven't figured things out or are just beginning or guys who tried to save money and bought unproven cheap swimbaits. but the guys who are decent at it get lots of bites

 

 

I don't doubt swimbaits get bites, are they the bigger bites though and in good numbers, that's what I'm getting at. I already know they get bit from smaller fish, in fact I've thrown one of your ultimate gills for a very short time and got bit by a 4lber, so I know they get bit regardless.

 

 

 

but again my main point has been missed. Its not only about swimbaits. its about baits that consistently catch bigger bass then other baits.

 

Now again I am not classifying baits as big and small. I classify them as big bass catching baits and small bass catching baits.

 

 

 

But you did say big baits=big fish, small baits=small fish. But yeah, I agree with what you're saying now.

[Mattlures]

I don't doubt swimbaits get bites, are they the bigger bites though and in good numbers, that's what I'm getting at. I already know they get bit from smaller fish, in fact I've thrown one of your ultimate gills for a very short time and got bit by a 4lber, so I know they get bit regardless.

 

 

 

 

 

But you did say big baits=big fish, small baits=small fish. But yeah, I agree with what you're saying now.

When I say big baits= big fish and small baits=small bass I am using a generic phrase. When I say big fish baits and small fish baits I am being more accurate. The reason being is there are a few smaller sized baits that are proven big bass producers. The small crayfish being the best example. One thing to think about though is the few small baits that are proven big bass producers tend to have 1 very important thing in common. They represent a slow very easy meal with very little effort to catch. Big bass don't like spending energy chasing small baits. Small bass do that. Big trophy bass have learned to get the most meal for their efforts.

[tomustang]

Send Butch Brown a message, I'm sure he will be glad to post a pic of some big bass with sticky notes containing your username and the date of either the same day or the next.  Seen him do it many times.

The proverbial answer for all things swimbait...

[tomustang]

When I say big baits= big fish and small baits=small bass I am using a generic phrase. When I say big fish baits and small fish baits I am being more accurate. The reason being is there are a few smaller sized baits that are proven big bass producers. The small crayfish being the best example. One thing to think about though is the few small baits that are proven big bass producers tend to have 1 very important thing in common. They represent a slow very easy meal with very little effort to catch. Big bass don't like spending energy chasing small baits. Small bass do that. Big trophy bass have learned to get the most meal for their efforts.

The smaller ones are more aggressive, the bigger ones are more smarter for their food yes. I think the key is the easier meal, either being a small beaver worked slowly or a dead sticked trout as examples.

[Fish_Whisperer]

The proverbial answer for all things swimbait...

Ok then...

 

Most of my big bass have been caught on spro bbz1 jr... It's not a deps 250 or a roman mother, but I get funny looks when I throw it; it's still a pretty big lure. I can say with confidence that I hold top 3 big bass this year in the particular body of water that I frequent.  They were caught with the bbz1 jr.  

 

EDIT: What were you getting at with your reply to my post?  Yes, Butch Brown is synonymous with swimbait, but he can catch them on other lures, also.  The point of my post was that you raised the question But what's the time involved? I know it's no where near smaller baits catching smaller fish, but is it equal in time with smaller baits catching bigger fish?  

 

He can catch multiple dd bass in a day's time.  I myself have yet to catch a dd bass, but I do catch larger bass in an area where people catch hardly any fish at all.

[Catch and Grease]

Hey matt, what time of year would you say you have the best chance at catching big bass, the Pre-spawn/Spawn maybe?

[Mainebass1984]

Great post topic. So many variables are involved when targeting big bass. I may fish in Maine and Vermont but I prefer to target big bass. Lots of great information on here. I would consider myself a big bass hunter. It is what I fish for, BIG bass. I think that along with all the afore mentioned information time of year and weather has a lot to do with catching big bass.

[Lund Explorer]

I wonder if anyone of the big bad swimbait crowd can explain the results the Big-O gets from those "Barney Baits" he designs?

[Raul]

Gee, I think I´m gonna kick meeself on the butt, never really looked deep into the Mission Fish until today just to find out that it has a weighted head that I can bottom drag n´ hop n´ work like a jig/worm

 

DUHHH, what an idiot I am

 

 

[WRB]

I wonder if anyone of the big bad swimbait crowd can explain the results the Big-O gets from those "Barney Baits" he designs?

Matt didn't say jigs and big worms are Barney baits, it's where and how you fish jigs and big worms that counts. Give Barney a big bad swimbait and he is not going to consistently catch big bass with it, nor will Barney catch big bass consistently on Big O's baits. Give Big O a big bas swimbait and he will learn and become successful at swimbait fishing, who knows maybe he is working on that design!

I catch lots of big bass on jigs, worms and swimbaits, whatever works.

Tom

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I wonder if anyone of the big bad swimbait crowd can explain the results the Big-O gets from those "Barney Baits" he designs?

 

Please re-read what has been written in the thread.  Big bad swimbait crowd?  You're a funny dude.

 

I am glad that you finally decided to have a picture under your screen name. Good job.

[Catt]

Misconceptions About Catching Big Bass?

First let me say location, location, location, is so over used and over rated!

Wait, wait, wait, location is vitally important!

Do big baits catch big bass? YES!

Well not really big baits but BIG BASS BAITS which can be small baits!

Who defines what a big bass bait is? The Bass!

It comes down to the fisherman and the decisions he makes.

The fish and the decisions he makes...I mean she makes.

To consistantly catch bigger bass including trophy bass.

One must understand what structure is, how to interpret it, and the fish it effectively.

Understand what the predominate prey species in your lake is and how that species relates to structure morning, noon, and night...with each passing season.

Understand that next is timing; just cause you didn't get bit does not mean the bass are not there or you tied the wrong lure on.

[einscodek]

can bigger fish be caught on small and average size lures.. absolutely

in my experience, I've noticed the size of fish caught on average improves as I upsize the lure and slow the presentation

are these the only factors involved.. no

[Brian6428]

This is a great thread! Hopefully it stays civil and the conversation continues. You guys seem to have talked a lot about lures, though. Not too much has been said about the "where."

 

Now, I know this thread was started as a rebuttal to the other "big fish" thread with the main piece of advice being "location, location, location", but surely you guys aren't just throwing these "big fish baits" up shallow near shore where everybody else is, right?

 

How do you approach a lake and start looking for those high percentage bit fish locations?

 

I am already familiar with Catt's views, but I always love to hear what he has to say. He has forgotten more about structure fishing than most people will ever know. What are the rest of you guy's thoughts, though?

 

Brian

[Mattlures]

Hey matt, what time of year would you say you have the best chance at catching big bass, the Pre-spawn/Spawn maybe?

This question depends a lot upon the angler and the area he fishes. The time leading just up to the spawn is when bass are at their heaviest. Not because of the eggs but because the fatten themselves up in preparation for the spawn. They feed a lot. This is the favorite time for most swimbait fisherman. The actual spawn is a great time to hunt a huge bass because you can pick with fish your going to attempt to catch. Summer time is one of my favorite times because I can catch a lot of big bass on my bluegill baits. Summer at night is probably the easiest for me. The big bass come in shallow at night to feed. They are easy to locate and you can just work down a shoreline on foot. Slow and steady top water baits like waking swimbaits both hard and soft  and buzzbaits are my favorites.

[Catch and Grease]

This question depends a lot upon the angler and the area he fishes. The time leading just up to the spawn is when bass are at their heaviest. Not because of the eggs but because the fatten themselves up in preparation for the spawn. They feed a lot. This is the favorite time for most swimbait fisherman. The actual spawn is a great time to hunt a huge bass because you can pick with fish your going to attempt to catch. Summer time is one of my favorite times because I can catch a lot of big bass on my bluegill baits. Summer at night is probably the easiest for me. The big bass come in shallow at night to feed. They are easy to locate and you can just work down a shoreline on foot. Slow and steady top water baits like waking swimbaits both hard and soft and buzzbaits are my favorites.

Thanks for your input, sight fishing for spawning bass on the lake I fish called banks is difficult, the conditions have to be right, It can be done though.

[Mattlures]

I wonder if anyone of the big bad swimbait crowd can explain the results the Big-O gets from those "Barney Baits" he designs?

I can explain it. A jig is a proven producer of big bass so his results are a good example of what a skilled fisherman can do with a big fish bait. Well done Big-O.

He is not a Barney.

[F14A-B]

Gee, I think I´m gonna kick meeself on the butt, never really looked deep into the Mission Fish until today just to find out that it has a weighted head that I can bottom drag n´ hop n´ work like a jig/worm

DUHHH, what an idiot I am

It's a Good Bait, various sizes, and plays into my strength as a worm/ jig man.... Change the hooks to owner beast 6/0 to 8/0 and a big ole Neptune blue Gl2 rod ... I like the just over 2oz model...

( mission fish )

I need to try Matt's bluegill but I can never locate them when I am feeling frisky for swimbaiting.. And mostly Iam not....

[Mattlures]

This is a great thread! Hopefully it stays civil and the conversation continues. You guys seem to have talked a lot about lures, though. Not too much has been said about the "where."

 

Now, I know this thread was started as a rebuttal to the other "big fish" thread with the main piece of advice being "location, location, location", but surely you guys aren't just throwing these "big fish baits" up shallow near shore where everybody else is, right?

 

How do you approach a lake and start looking for those high percentage bit fish locations?

 

I am already familiar with Catt's views, but I always love to hear what he has to say. He has forgotten more about structure fishing than most people will ever know. What are the rest of you guy's thoughts, though?

 

Brian

Brian one of the great things about swimbaits is you can cover a lot of water. Many times you dont have to hit the fish on the head to catch it. Most swimbaits are big and push a lot of water. Big bass can see, hear, and feel them from farther away then other baits. I look for structure or cover that has close deep water access. I especialy like points working them up hill and down hill at an angle across. One huge benefit of throwing swimbaits is the amount of big fish they draw out. Even if you throw one all day and don't get a bite your are likely to see more big bass then you would ever think. By doing this they reveal a lot about where they hang out on that particular body of water. You add that info to big fish that you have caught, structure that you have graphed and you can start piecing together your swimbait milk run. In general each spot has an optimal way to fish it. It has an optimal angle depending upon how the fish are sitting on that spot. When I fish a new lake I will start by throwing a swimbait and working along the shore. Usually outside of the normal shoreline boat path. I will take inventory by marking spots where I have seen big bass. Then I will comeback later and graph the area and try and figure out the best approach to the spot. Eventualy after several trips I will have located several big bass holding spots. I will try and learn the best way to hit those spots. After a while I can show up to that lake and go through my milk run. It can be very productive. Of course some of the spots only hold those fish at certain times of the year and other spots hold them year round so I adjust accordingly. I will also just cruise around looking at my side scan and mark spots sometimes without making a cast. After a while you can really get tuned into a specific lake. Oh I also turn off electronics and make long casts when I am approaching a known spot.

[Mattlures]

Gee, I think I´m gonna kick meeself on the butt, never really looked deep into the Mission Fish until today just to find out that it has a weighted head that I can bottom drag n´ hop n´ work like a jig/worm

 

DUHHH, what an idiot I am

Raul, Mickey told me he designed the bait as a worm/swimbait because the plastic worm is one of the all time best baits. I have to hand it to him, the mission fish is a great idea. Many guys who have fished it have had hook up problems. The recommended fix is to bend the hook point off to the side a little. It also helps to set the hook HARD.