Getting a monster bass to bite again

[Integrajosh]

Hey everyone, this is my first post so I made sure it was a good one. This is a typical fish that got away story just so you're aware, Hahaha.

I was fishing the retention pond at my apartment complex yesterday around 3:00 pm. Very small pond, 150 yards in length and you can cast across it. I've only caught tiny bass up until this point. I heard rumors of a monster bass lurking near the shallowest part of the pond, where most of the cover/bait fish are. Second cast using a black/red flake crawfish jig got me a small bite, which turned out to be the potential bass of a lifetime...

My medium action pole immediately bent over, with the fish ripping drag out of the quantum smoke spinning reel. Fought for a good 30 seconds trying to keep him from jumping, until he broke the surface like a great white shark. My heart started pounding.  I've caught a 7 lb bass before but this was much, much bigger. Got him close to the shore, but as soon as it saw me he/she shot into the weeds, ripping out more drag and shaking the hook loose in the process. I've never felt so dissapointed in my life, so close to my first 10 lb or more large mouth. 

Long story short, I need redemption! In your guy's opinion, should I fish the same spot next weekend? Same lure? Same time? How the hell can I get this fish to bite again?! Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to posting a picture of this monster for you guys!

[scaleface]

I have no idea but good luck .  I would go with a heavier baitcast rod and reel and make sure I get a good hook set  .

[fishballer06]

The good news is it's local to you and it's a small retention pond, so you know that fish isn't going to go anywhere. So keep fishing for her and good things are bound to happen eventually.

[DINK WHISPERER]

This is easy man.... Get a longer, stouter setup and you're good to go. She will bite again but you have to be ready this time! It's happened to me before and that's what I did. Also, try a good sized paddle tail swimbait too. Big girls like big meals ??

[Integrajosh]

Thanks guys, I'm not giving up until I land this fish. Was also considering catching some shiners since I have a bait bucket and cast net already. What are your opinions on using live bait for monster bass? Thanks again

[davecon]

Wait at least 5 days. Try a 12 inch worm. Give her something worth eating.

[Pro Logcatcher]

Live bait will definitely work, since it is  obviously the most lifelike. Keep at it and good luck. Welcome to Bassresource, by the way!

[Integrajosh]

Thanks guys, happy to be on here. Unfortunately I can't afford a new setup at the time being, but I'm currently running 15 lb mono. Been a while since I restrung it so should I go with braid this time? I've never used it before, what do you think?

Like I said, she spit the hook out. The line has never broke on me before

[Mike L]

Agree, sounds like you need a better hook set next time. 

Yes, braid will give you that over mono... no stretch. 

 

But you need to keep tension on the line as it it much harder to feel a light bite if there is a bow in the line. 

 

Also, as the fish gets close lower your rod tip when you feel her coming up. 

If she's gonna jump she'll jump, but by lowering the rod close to where you are it may not be as high. 

 

Also, you found the right everything so I would duplicate what, how and when you did what you did. 

But give her some time.  

 

Good Luck

 

 

Mike

[HookRz]

I wish I had a 10# in one of the ponds near my house! But here up north that's highly unlikely. I think big baits with a stealthy presentation, and eventually that big momma is yours! I would definitely stick to big baits because you don't want to cause a ruckus reeling in dinks.

 Be sure to post a pic and good luck!

[Integrajosh]

I'll definitely post a pic when I catch her, gonna take another crack at it this weekend. Stay tuned guys, thanks again for all the advice!

[BassB8Caster]

Being a small pond, you need to be very careful with your presence. She will be on alert now. Dont let her see you standing on shore. Dont wear bright colors. Do everything you can control. I would tie on a big worm, cast it across the pond onto the other shore (depending if the shoreline will allow you), and drag it very slowly into the water and be VERY patient. Take your time and work the worm slowly. I would also switch to braid and tighten your drag. If you hook up, you need to get the battle over as quick as possible. Strong hookset and reel her in. dont stop. Dont let her change directions or jump. Control her head and you control her. You may want to upsize your hooks (quality and size if necessary). Be sure of your knots. I would give her a little time. She will eventually need to eat again. Night may be a good time as well. Go get her!

[geo g]

About 5 months ago I caught a monster in a 40 acre lake, hardly ever fished because of the location.  She was 27",  as measured next to my pole.  My phone camera which is always with me died, out of juice.  This was the biggest bass I've ever caught and I have caught DD before.  She was thick, with a huge mouth.  I went back everyday for 4 weeks, and nothing close to my big girl.  I released her in great shape that day, but she still alludes me.  I've tried all types of lures.  I now go back once a week until I find my lost love, and take lots of pictures.  Then I will release her again, in great shape.  She was the fish of a life time.

[Integrajosh]

Thanks bassb8caster, very sound advice. Pretty sure I was being way too cautious before, I was trying to let her get tired. Turns out that big girl has some stamina, lol. Also forgot to mention this pond has zero cover except weeds/pads along the shoreline, which is only a foot or two deep

1 hour ago, geo g said:

About 5 months ago I caught a monster in a 40 acre lake, hardly ever fished because of the location.  She was 27",  as measured next to my pole.  My phone camera which is always with me died, out of juice.  This was the biggest bass I've ever caught and I have caught DD before.  She was thick, with a huge mouth.  I went back everyday for 4 weeks, and nothing close to my big girl.  I released her in great shape that day, but she still alludes me.  I've tried all types of lures.  I now go back once a week until I find my lost love, and take lots of pictures.  Then I will release her again, in great shape.  She was the fish of a life time.

So awesome, nothing like catching a huge largemouth. I hope you rendezvous again one day

What test braided line guys? 

[Fish n Things]

Fish are smart.  You can throw the same bait, but if you give the same look chances are small for another bite.  Try tossing a different angle, or try a new bait in general.  Remember its not just what you cast but also how you cast and the action your giving it.  Stouter hook with a medium/heavy rod will help to in my opinion.  Tight Lines Yall!

[MichaelCopeland]

Howdy and welcome aboard! ? Tie on a hollow body frog and fish those weeds and pads along the shoreline. If that's the only cover in there, then she will surely be in there somewhere eventually. You could also try a wacky rigged senko style worm or a weedless weightless Texas rigged Zoom Ol' Monster along the weedlines and pads. If you choose to go with braid use 50lb test. You'll cross paths with her again and catch her this time. I wanna see the pics when you do. Good luck!  

[geo g]

36 minutes ago, Integrajosh said:

Thanks bassb8caster, very sound advice. Pretty sure I was being way too cautious before, I was trying to let her get tired. Turns out that big girl has some stamina, lol. Also forgot to mention this pond has zero cover except weeds/pads along the shoreline, which is only a foot or two deep

So awesome, nothing like catching a huge largemouth. I hope you rendezvous again one day

What test braided line guys? 

15 pound Tylene 100% floro.

[BassB8Caster]

15 hours ago, Integrajosh said:

Thanks bassb8caster, very sound advice. Pretty sure I was being way too cautious before, I was trying to let her get tired. Turns out that big girl has some stamina, lol. Also forgot to mention this pond has zero cover except weeds/pads along the shoreline, which is only a foot or two deep

So awesome, nothing like catching a huge largemouth. I hope you rendezvous again one day

What test braided line guys? 

No problem. I have been in your shoes. Not losing anything that big tho. Up here in Maine finding bigger fish (over 6lbs) is a feat. They do exist, but its a challenge. Im not going to say 50lb braid is a must, i think 30 would do the trick. I think with your set up you may be at the mercy of your rod and reel drag limits. Fluoro may be fine, i would personally want braid. There is a good chance she is going to make a run for cover. Braid may just give you a little more protection. 

[Koz]

On 10/16/2017 at 10:34 AM, fishballer06 said:

The good news is it's local to you and it's a small retention pond, so you know that fish isn't going to go anywhere.

 

Maybe, maybe not. Down here most of our retention ponds have outlets to keep the water at the appropriate level. In one of the areas I fish here the fish travel through the outlet and under the road to the next lagoon. How do I know? My son fished a storm drain between the lagoons!

 

As for where to fish, if it was me I'd start in the area where the big strike happened and slowly work the length of the pond from there. In a smaller pond I'd operate under the assumption that the area was a primary food source for the bass until proven otherwise.

[gim]

Lots of good advice on here about attempting to catch a large fish.  Now that you have the address/neighborhood, upsizing your presentation and going with stouter/stronger gear is important.  Try to control everything that you can in this situation.  A trip at night might be more effective than the day time.

 

[UPSmallie]

Huddlestons and glide-baits   Like others said, it's not going anywhere so just keep working and you'll get it.  I would go back to where you originally hooked it and slow twitch a big bait.  It just might work - or go the opposite route and slow twitch/drag a finesse style bait.

[lonnie g]

heavier rod, maybe top water frog or pop r. if not that ,a worm sliding off of the bank. good luck ,we want to see her

[Integrajosh]

Decided to just buy a new setup this weekend. Thinking a 7' something medium/heavy rod and a nice b8 caster combo because I like to jig fish a lot. You guys have any suggestions of your "dream setup"? I'd rather get opinions than just buying the most expensive stuff ?

[Tara-senko]

On 10/16/2017 at 7:28 AM, Integrajosh said:

Hey everyone, this is my first post so I made sure it was a good one. This is a typical fish that got away story just so you're aware, Hahaha.

I was fishing the retention pond at my apartment complex yesterday around 3:00 pm. Very small pond, 150 yards in length and you can cast across it. I've only caught tiny bass up until this point. I heard rumors of a monster bass lurking near the shallowest part of the pond, where most of the cover/bait fish are. Second cast using a black/red flake crawfish jig got me a small bite, which turned out to be the potential bass of a lifetime...

My medium action pole immediately bent over, with the fish ripping drag out of the quantum smoke spinning reel. Fought for a good 30 seconds trying to keep him from jumping, until he broke the surface like a great white shark. My heart started pounding.  I've caught a 7 lb bass before but this was much, much bigger. Got him close to the shore, but as soon as it saw me he/she shot into the weeds, ripping out more drag and shaking the hook loose in the process. I've never felt so dissapointed in my life, so close to my first 10 lb or more large mouth. 

Long story short, I need redemption! In your guy's opinion, should I fish the same spot next weekend? Same lure? Same time? How the hell can I get this fish to bite again?! Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to posting a picture of this monster for you guys!

Go at night time, and old 10ib mono ain't gonna cut it especially with cover she's gonna bust for 

On 10/17/2017 at 3:15 PM, gimruis said:

Lots of good advice on here about attempting to catch a large fish.  Now that you have the address/neighborhood, upsizing your presentation and going with stouter/stronger gear is important.  Try to control everything that you can in this situation.  A trip at night might be more effective than the day time.

 

Perfectly said

[Tara-senko]

On 10/18/2017 at 9:45 PM, Integrajosh said:

Decided to just buy a new setup this weekend. Thinking a 7' something medium/heavy rod and a nice b8 caster combo because I like to jig fish a lot. You guys have any suggestions of your "dream setup"? I'd rather get opinions than just buying the most expensive stuff ?

You gotta do your own research, go to stores and see how u like the feel, see how you like the rod. Get an idea now what ur sorta wanting and narrow it down thru reviews and research. Take your time. 

 

Yes MH is good choice and I'd recommend like a lews baitcaster, reliable and easy to figure out and learn. 

 

Show up at the pond like 30 mins before u start, just observe. Wear all dark clothes and don't bring anyone who could ruin it for ya. Go on a warm evening if there's any left or just before a fronts moving in. Become a ninja seriously or full moon!

Edited October 23, 2017 by Tara-senko
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