How To Get Bigger Bass.

[smr_hga]

Ok so I have a little pond in my neighborhood that I like to fish in and it has a lot of Largemouth Bass! I've caught hundreds of bass here and have a lot of experience but the problem is the average size is a mere 12 inches. However one day I did get a monster 24 incher but that is the only big one I've ever got there. They are normally 10-16 inches and that 24 incher was the only one I've caught there over 16 inches. I know they are in there but I keep getting the smaller ones. Should I try using a bigger lure or what? At the moment my lure is 2 1/2 inches which I think is small but I caught my 24 incher on a 1 1/2 inch jig! So what is the problem?

[geo g]

There are normally a lot more small fish then big ones in a body of water..  Although some baits have a reputation for catching big bass, many monster bass have been caught on small jigs, flukes, centepedes, and small worms.  I think it is more important to concentrate on where big bass hang out, and the conditions while your fishing, then what your throwing.  There are no magic bullets, fish will hit all types of baits.

[Mccallister25]

As mentioned, try to find where the bigger bass like to be. Eventually, if they're in there you'll figure them out.

Don't let the "smaller" baits fool you. I only fish neighborhood ponds myself and tend to use smaller baits. I can't tell you how many 3+ pound bass have been caught off a 5/16 oz jig or a 1/4 oz trap.

[WRB]

1 1/2" jig with a trailer is 1 1/2" + the trailer length. See my avatar photo, caught on a 1 1/2" jig with 4" trailer to resemble a crawdad that big bass like to eat.

Tom

[Ozark_Basser]

When I first started fishing bigger baits like jigs, swimbaits, and bigger crankbaits, etc., I did catch more adult bass and large adult bass, but bigger baits are not always the answer. You need to learn how to target larger bass according to the conditions. Sometimes bigger baits do more harm then good.

[smr_hga]

Wow thanks guys. I guess I just need to pay attention to where I catch the bigger ones and try to fish there until I find what works

[Mike L]

Wow thanks guys. I guess I just need to pay attention to where I catch the bigger ones and try to fish there until I find what works

Exactlly right...

Keep that in mind every outing, and every place you fish going forward.

Hardly any big fish I've ever caught was on the first cast with the first bait I had tied on.

It took me a long time to accept the fact that to be successful I had to first learn to be ready to Improvise, Overcome and Adapt to what they're telling me.

Sometimes it can become clear right away, but most times it doesn't.

Mike

[John G]

Sounds to me like your little pond is overcrowded with little bass and you need to start eating the little bass. Go to the How To section of the Bass Resource videos and watch the video called Facts and Myths about Bass.

[Matthew2000]

The jig look a lot bigger in the water than in you're hand. The skirt flares out and makes it much wider. Find a bit of cover or structure that a bigger bass could fit into. I would use a bigger bait to filter out the smaller bass. Try a rage lobster, caught lots of 3+ on that bait.

[smr_hga]

Sounds to me like your little pond is overcrowded with little bass and you need to start eating the little bass. Go to the How To section of the Bass Resource videos and watch the video called Facts and Mythis about Bass.

They spray pesticides around the lake so I'd rather not eat anything out of there. But you could be right about they overpopulation of small bass.

[einscodek]

As long as you let the 24" guy go.. you can bet the little bass in there will be respectful of that guy and I'm sure there are a couple in there.

It may be a while before you hook into that gal again using those tiny lures tho.. I'm sorry Ill get flak on the forum but thats just the sorry honest truth.

Sure the big gals eat small lures on occaision but so do the faster smaller fish.

[hatrix]

Timing and angles. They may not bite unless it goes past in a specific direction.

[Catt]

Sounds to me like your little pond is overcrowded with little bass and you need to start eating the little bass. Go to the How To section of the Bass Resource videos and watch the video called Facts and Myths about Bass.

Selective Harvesting

[F14A-B]

The jig look a lot bigger in the water than in you're hand. The skirt flares out and makes it much wider. Find a bit of cover or structure that a bigger bass could fit into. I would use a bigger bait to filter out the smaller bass. Try a rage lobster, caught lots of 3+ on that bait.

Yes, they do appear about 25% larger underwater, that's before they open up ( round silicone skirts looks like a sea urchin ) also that's to a human perspective.. I couldn't say how a bass may see it

[Mattlures]

Catt and John are correct. The pond is out of balance. You cant catch bigger bass if they are not in the pond to begin with. There may only be a couple. I would remove every bass I caught that was under 2pounds. Depending on how big the pond is determines how many small bass to remove. Changing your tactics and learning how to target big bass is very important but if your fishing a stunted pond then you might already be catching the bigger fish in the pond. Those 15 inchers might be the mature bass

[HoosierHawgs]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/156767-monster-tactics/page-2#entry1769182