Where'd The Larger Bass Go?

[Josh Smith]

So... guys...

 

My favorite lake has smaller bass that have been growing along with "keeper size" and above.  Earlier this year I latched on to most of these 'larger' bass -- those being 13.75" and above.  To keep a largemouth from an Indiana lake, it must be 14" or larger.  (Slot limits are in effect for rivers.)

 

It seems they've disappeared.  There were several I have watched grow up for the past couple years, and now the same spots are producing around 12" to 13" bass.  Nothing bigger, but nothing smaller, either, which is equally strange.

 

My question is -- why?  It could be that the larger ones were kept and eaten by someone, especially since the rivers and reservoirs have been flooded and unfishable this year.  That doesn't explain the absence of the smaller ones, though.

 

Any thoughts on the subject?

 

Josh

[WRB]

You are catching bass that are young adults, the larger adult bass are somewhere else feeding on whatever is abundant. Your thinking that all the bass are stunted at 12" to 13" is highly unlikely.

It's also possible the juvenile size bass year class (8" to 10") had poor survival rates, not likely, but possible.

If you fish the same places with the lures your success is limited.

Tom

[A-Jay]

 If you were fishing where I've been at, I'd tell ya the Pike ate them all.

 

A-Jay

[Josh Smith]

Tom,

I don't think they're stunted.

The bigger bass that were there suddenly seem to have been replaced by 12" (or so) bass.

It looks like the smaller and larger both have relocated suddenly and for no good reason I can see.

Josh

[gulfcaptain]

Sounds like the food chain might have moved if you are noticing both have relocated suddenly.  Bass aren't going to stay where there isn't any forage to support them.  Find the baitfish, more then likely you will find the bass somewhere close by.  The larger ones just vacated the area first.

[Bob C]

I've noticed the same thing. Caught 12 Saturday and 7 Sunday. Only 2 were 14". My opinion is that they moved. The weed lines that are in by June, where I usually catch the big ones aren't there. The weed lines this year didn't come in until the end of August and they are smaller few. Water temps that are normally in the 80's didn't happen and it barely got into the low 70's. I think it's weather related.

[bigbill]

Change baits and colors. I believe there still there just not biting.

[Josh Smith]

Sounds like the food chain might have moved if you are noticing both have relocated suddenly.  Bass aren't going to stay where there isn't any forage to support them.  Find the baitfish, more then likely you will find the bass somewhere close by.  The larger ones just vacated the area first.

 

I thought the same thing, but there's actually more forage in the form of fry and fingerling bluegill, and crawdads.  I've seen more crawdads lately.

 

I almost wonder if the 14+" bass are feeding on something totally different..?

 

The other side of the lake is pretty inaccessible from shore.  The boat repairs have progressed, but not done yet.  I really need to get over there and fish some cover I can see from this shore and know about from taking the boat previously.

 

My biggest fear is that they've been caught and eaten.  Bucket fishermen frequent this lake and fishing pressure on the east shore (the most accessible) is very high.  Been playing with techniques to counter this and I'm almost never skunked.  Then again, most fishermen here use live bait, so the advantage is with artificial already.

 

Josh

[gulfcaptain]

Have a few places I fish that are low key.  Almost always able to catch fish there as well.  But they do shift, shut and shut off.  Check your water temp.  They may have shifted due to higher temps and lower oxygen levels.  I know the fish are there but just have to find where they shifted and are relating as well as what will trigger them.  Bucket fisherman always take some, but they aren't going to get them all.  And you even said the smaller fish have moved as well.  So odds are that probably isn't the issue.

[Josh Smith]

Have a few places I fish that are low key.  Almost always able to catch fish there as well.  But they do shift, shut and shut off.  Check your water temp.  They may have shifted due to higher temps and lower oxygen levels.  I know the fish are there but just have to find where they shifted and are relating as well as what will trigger them.  Bucket fisherman always take some, but they aren't going to get them all.  And you even said the smaller fish have moved as well.  So odds are that probably isn't the issue.

 

You're probably right.

 

It's extremely frustrating being used to having a boat, but then being so busy that the necessary repairs are taking so long.  Been thinking about buying a canoe just to get out there, but really have no place for one at this point.

 

Another interesting thing:  The water warmed early this year and there was an early spawn.  The temps have been pretty mild since.  I still have to take the water temp, but I'll be danged if I didn't catch a 12" post-spawn female just a few weeks ago.  She was a very healthy 12" bass I caught on a frog, and she was laying lazy at the outlet of this small impoundment waiting for food to wash by.  I cast a frog way out there (about 30 yards) and twitched it.  This little girl ate it.

 

The water warmed early, then stayed relatively cool and constant due to heavy rains for a couple weeks.  (These rains were heavy enough that the reservoirs, both Salamonie and Mississinewa, were at record levels with the emergency spillway on the former in use for the first time and the rivers higher than I've ever seen them, and for most of the summer.)

 

There's been an explosion of vertebrate life in this lake with all the nutrients coming in from the rain, and the rain itself oxygenating everything, but the lake itself never really did flood.  The dam has a fixed outlet that is not actively monitored, but the water simply can't get over a certain level.

 

Josh

 

Edit: For reference, see attached.  The only readily accessible points are the shoreline where I have the bass locations marked (these are outdated) and along the dam.  The rest must be gotten to by boat, electric or manual only.

 

[*Hootie]

They usually go in my livewell.

 

Hootie

[WRB]

The primary location on this very small lake is the Y intersection area where the 2 arms divide, it's the only major point. The dam at night would also be a good area.

Tom

[Phu Man]

The primary location on this very small lake is the Y intersection area where the 2 arms divide, it's the only major point. The dam at night would also be a good area.

Tom

I'm still new to bass fishing, so bear with me. Would the point near the hunting grounds be a good location also and why or why not? Not trying to hijack this thread, but a lake I fish is similar to this one and I've been trying to figure it out.

[bigbill]

I caught many bass in the evenings at dusk. Up to 1 1/2lb to 6lbers max. The numbers was there with the smaller ones between 1 1/2 to 3lbers but it was limited. I started fishing in the dark till dawn when the place was quiet and the bigger bass were feeding at the shoreline.

As twilight became daylite I casted farther out because they move to deeper cover. I switched from topwater/cranks to a c rig/plastics. By 8/9am the spot is dead. (Shore fishing) unless I hit the thick weed pockets.(thicker cover)

[WRB]

I'm still new to bass fishing, so bear with me. Would the point near the hunting grounds be a good location also and why or why not? Not trying to hijack this thread, but a lake I fish is similar to this one and I've been trying to figure it out.

No problem, the point by the hunting grounds label is a secondary point and a good location for pre spawn bass to locate, the nearby coves used for spawning. After the spawn the bass move out to the secondary point, then move out to the primary point and other deeper water areas with access to shallower water.

We are just looking at a overhead sat photo, not a topo map with depth elevations, however this small lakes looks shallow in both arms beyond the major point. There is a cove near the major point with a lay down that looks good.

Tom

[einscodek]

So... guys...

 

My favorite lake has smaller bass that have been growing along with "keeper size" and above.  Earlier this year I latched on to most of these 'larger' bass -- those being 13.75" and above.  To keep a largemouth from an Indiana lake, it must be 14" or larger.  (Slot limits are in effect for rivers.)

 

It seems they've disappeared.  There were several I have watched grow up for the past couple years, and now the same spots are producing around 12" to 13" bass.  Nothing bigger, but nothing smaller, either, which is equally strange.

 

My question is -- why?  It could be that the larger ones were kept and eaten by someone, especially since the rivers and reservoirs have been flooded and unfishable this year.  That doesn't explain the absence of the smaller ones, though.

 

Any thoughts on the subject?

 

Josh

Its summer the bigger fish didnt jump into the transporter room.. they are generally deeper during the day or in the thickest weeds

Either approach requires finess style approaches .. dropshot & slowly punching the thick stuff & frogs

Even when you dont pull them outa the thick stuff many huge heart stopping blowups

[Phu Man]

No problem, the point by the hunting grounds label is a secondary point and a good location for pre spawn bass to locate, the nearby coves used for spawning. After the spawn the bass move out to the secondary point, then move out to the primary point and other deeper water areas with access to shallower water.

We are just looking at a overhead sat photo, not a topo map with depth elevations, however this small lakes looks shallow in both arms beyond the major point. There is a cove near the major point with a lay down that looks good.

Tom

Thank you. I think I understand. Now I just have to apply to my lake. I do have a topo of it, so that will help.