Best techniques for offshore largemouth

[NEBasser101]

What are some of the best techniques for offshore bass. I am having a little trouble catching the big bass that I'm seeing on the fishfinder. I'm catching the small ones though. Thanks

[Catt]

Texas rigs, jigs, Carolina rigs, deep diving cranks, drop shots are a few!

[BiteFiend]

In addition to what Catt said, don't overlook spoons, shaky head worms, and swimbaits large and small. 

[Bluebasser86]

Football jig is my personal favorite. 

[BiteFiend]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Football jig is my personal favorite. 

Dang, can't believe I forgot FB jigs! One of my favorites for deeper water as well.

[WRB]

So how do you know sonar marks a big bass? 

Off shore fishing requires precise boat control and depth control to be able to keep near the active bass. For me my first concern is what depth are active bass feeding at, inactive suspended bass aren't usually catchable. Second piece of info is what are the bass feeding on. 

If I know the location, depth and the prey type then selecting lures is a lot easier.

Tom

[NEBasser101]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

So how do you know sonar marks a big bass? 

Off shore fishing requires precise boat control and depth control to be able to keep near the active bass. For me my first concern is what depth are active bass feeding at, inactive suspended bass aren't usually catchable. Second piece of info is what are the bass feeding on. 

If I know the location, depth and the prey type then selecting lures is a lot easier.

Tom

They are around 15ft of water feeding on sunfish and smaller bass. There is no baitfish.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, NEBasser101 said:

They are around 15ft of water feeding on sunfish and smaller bass. There is no baitfish.

Uhh! Sunfish & smaller bass in the case are the bait fish!

[scaleface]

  You're catching smaller bass , you have a good starting point. If I understand right you're trying to catch bass 15 foot deep . The Strike King 6xd has been working well for me in 15 foot of water . My top two baits would be Texas and Carolina rigs . Any lure that sinks can be used . Rattle Traps, Strike King Rocket Shads , even 1/4 ounce Beetle Spins.  Let a 1/4 ounce Beetle spin sink to the bottom , hop it along ,is a real good way to pick off bass stacked up on a point .... Like already mentioned , I cant tell bass from other fish on a depth finder  . A lot of times the fish I see are big channel cats .   Keep  at it . The payoffs of deep  water fishing  can be huge and many anglers give up too soon .

Invest in some marker buoys if you dont have them and use them . Catch a fish toss it . See some cover toss it . See fish stacked on structure toss it . 

[Big Swimbait]

Another option that is working on Fork right now is a Magnum Fluke or M-Pack Shad in Bluegill Flash colors. You have to have some patience because you fish it weightless & count it down to your depth. These are big baits & the strikes can be vicious as this bait falls through the school. 

[Airman4754]

On 8/1/2016 at 6:03 PM, 1201vilbig said:

Another option that is working on Fork right now is a Magnum Fluke or M-Pack Shad in Bluegill Flash colors. You have to have some patience because you fish it weightless & count it down to your depth. These are big baits & the strikes can be vicious as this bait falls through the school. 

This is a great technique. It is painfully slow, but it can catch some really good fish.