Targeting big bass

[Wurming67]

I'm at the point where I'm gonna approach targeting big bass.Normally when I go out I'm averageing 30 fish but there small I've rigged up some baits for this weekend to Target bigger bass hopefully I can handle not getting as many bites and focus quality and not quantity wondering how many approach there fishing trips with that mindset of targeting bigger fish and giving up all those smaller fish,how do you handle that?Thanks!

[HookRz]

Just my opinion but I believe targeting bigger fish has more to do with where you fish than what you throw. 

[Wurming67]

The area I fish holds alot of fish big and small and I got caught up in this numbers game of trying to catch as many fish as I can I figured out which baits would catch the most fish in this area but it was just producing numbers now I figured out which baits are gonna catch the better quality bass but no where near the amount just wondering how I'm.gonna handle that and if anyone else is in similar situation.

[frosty]

Just keep a positive attitude. Sometimes it’s fun catching one after another, but when I’m hunting bigger ones I just remind myself she’s out there, I just have to keep looking. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

The approach is a little different in every part of the world. I mainly tie on big oversized baits when I want to target bigger fish. It doesn't always cut down on the small bites that much though. You'd be surprised what a dink will take on.

[WRB]

Start by reading In Pursuit of Giant Bass by the late Bill Murphy. 

To catch big bass you must fish where they are located and understand the behavior habits.

Tom

[Mobasser]

Tom, I have read Bill Murphys book too. Great reading. Also, I might add that night fishing can be good for bigger fish. Texas rigged worms, dark spinnerbait,  or a big slow moving top water. I've done best when it gets hot, in mid summer 

[WRB]

I have dedicated over 50 years targeting big bass and know 1st hand the hours of dedication required to study and fine tune presentations to catch the biggest bass in the lake on artifical lures. Right now pre spawn is the seasonal period with the highest odds to catch a bass of your lifetime. Location, location, location then timing and lure selection are keys to success. There aren't any panaceas or magic lures.

Tom

[MassYak85]

I believe it's all attitude, some of the guys in the swimbait community have this. It's not "I'm going to throw a 14" glide bait till I die in hopes of a giant bass", it's going out with the mindset that learning about big fish is more important than what you catch, and eventually that will pay off. 

[soflabasser]

There are many ways to catch a big bass but this way looks more fun than most;

 

 

[Mr. Aquarium]

a fish of a life time could be the next cast. i fish swimbaits alot, its been a tough spring with the rollercoaster weather. but i still get out there with many skunks. i just know that 8 plus may be that next cast. Im in MA, 8s are tough but out there.  i anticipate that hit and that feeling of fighting a big fish. plus night fishing with big swimbaits is AMAZING!!! thats really my favorite way to target big bass with big baits

i do a lot of jig fishin as well. im using 7 inch fluke baits.  pretty much increase your bait size, texas rig, spinner baits, crank baits,  anything like that. 

[Catt]

All ya need is a Chicken McNugget ?

 

 

[davecon]

Don’t know about the rest of the country but I am familiar with central Florida. First come to grips with the fact you are not going to catch as many fish. Second - go at night. Third - use a big lure. Personal preference is a black 12 inch worm and a black Musky Jitterbug. Also, you’ll need a large dose of patience.

 

This can all be aided by using 12 inch wild shiners, but that’s another conversation altogether.

[Wurming67]

2 hours ago, davecon said:

Don’t know about the rest of the country but I am familiar with central Florida. First come to grips with the fact you are not going to catch as many fish. Second - go at night. Third - use a big lure. Personal preference is a black 12 inch worm and a black Musky Jitterbug. Also, you’ll need a large dose of patience.

 

This can all be aided by using 12 inch wild shiners, but that’s another conversation altogether.

I think that the key for me I'm in South Florida so the number of fish  this time of year are very high but the size isn't in the area I fish I could throw a senko all day and have a fish on every cast but they aren't big, biggest fish I've caught so far is 7lbs,I've caught quite a few fish between 3-5 lb range in my life and there is nothing like getting a fish like that ,seems that's what seperates the good fishermen from the great fishermen is understanding how to locate bigger fish which I want to learn and just be able to handle not getting 30-100 fish per trip.Thanks for all the great responses so far guys!

6 hours ago, WRB said:

Start by reading In Pursuit of Giant Bass by the late Bill Murphy. 

To catch big bass you must fish where they are located and understand the behavior habits.

Tom

Thanks Tom I'll check that out.

[Wurming67]

8 hours ago, WRB said:

Start by reading In Pursuit of Giant Bass by the late Bill Murphy. 

To catch big bass you must fish where they are located and understand the behavior habits.

Tom

Just ordered it on Amazon look forward to reading it thanks for recommending.

[Mobasser]

As WRB has stated, location is key. Many people who target big bass talk about very specific areas to fish. These spots can be hard to find for the average run and gun fisherman. These guys have taken it to the next level as far as bass fishing goes. Not many of us catch huge bass consistently, me included. Trying too learn all I can about this too

[Catt]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

I have dedicated over 50 years targeting big bass and know 1st hand the hours of dedication required to study and fine tune presentations to catch the biggest bass in the lake on artifical lures. Right now pre spawn is the seasonal period with the highest odds to catch a bass of your lifetime. Location, location, location then timing and lure selection are keys to success. There aren't any panaceas or magic lures.

Tom

 

The #1 key is location!

 

Some bodies of water hold a small percentage of "big" bass, some haven't produced any recently, & some don't produce consistently.

 

Once we have selected the body of water we need to find where big momma lives. You will be amazed & shocked at where big momma can live!

 

Most anglers target the pre-spawn/spawn time frame because big momma is easier to find. The problem with this time frame is everybody & their brother is on the water.

 

I prefer late May through early September with August being my most productive. The bass have settled into their summer routines; of the double digits I've caught only one came during pre-spawn.

 

Lure selection is not as important as location & timing!

 

Yes that Hawg was caught on a chicken McNugget! 

 

Many say throw big baits for big bass but records show she will eat what you put in front of her if she's hungry.

[WRB]

You would think during pre spawn the fishing pressure is high along with boat traffic but in SoCal that isn't true. Late Jan to early March is our normal pre spawn window and it's also our wet season, few anglers are out on the water this early. The bass anglers that are fishing are good anglers, they are quite and dedicated. Once the spawn starts that changes, tournaments are scheduled, the weather is good and lots of anglers are out.

Summer good especially after everyone goes home, night is a good time to target big bass if the lakes are open to night fishing, most SoCal public lake are closed sundown to dawn, with the exception of a few night tournaments.

A blind squirrel can find a acorn, it helps when he is under the oak tree.

Tom

 

[Todd2]

So what's the difference between a keeper spot vs big fish spot? I need to learn this. Keep in mind, anything over 4 here I consider big. I apparently have the 2 lb spot down pat.

[scaleface]

A six lb bass around here is a really nice fish . I think the more bass I catch the better my chances of hooking one , so I mainly use med sized baits and go for bites .

[WRB]

There are as many different opinions on what is a good location or spot as there are bass anglers.

Would you recognize a good spot if the water vanished from the lake and you could see all the good spots? What would you look for? You need to know what you are looking for before the spot can be found.

Location is a seasonal thing that varies. For example a spawning area is good during the spawn, can we agree on that? The only reason big bass go into a spawning area is to spawn, not to hunt prey. 

Big bass are predators that hunt live prey, not scavengers that eat dead things. Where is the food source and what is the preferred abundant seasonal prey? 

Now put together abundant seasonal prey location and a good location for bass to hunt successfully, that is a good spot or location.

Tom

[Graham]

Here in Virginia I’ll be happy to catch a 5+ this season!

[Catt]

As @WRB mentioned it depends on the body of water!

 

Some bodies of water it's offshore main lake structure, some it's river/creek channel coves, some it's shallow water marshes, some are rivers/creeks, & then there's swamps a totally different creature.

 

1. Find their homes; usually located on prime structure & in prime cover, big bass are setup on structure & in cover that allows them to see all directions at once. Maybe not 360 but it'll be as close as they feel comfortable.

 

2. Find their feeding areas; multiple areas that have sufficient food to last the present season.

 

3. Find the trails to & from those areas; bass travel structure in a way that allows them to see while remaining unseen.

[jr231]

17 hours ago, HookRz said:

Just my opinion but I believe targeting bigger fish has more to do with where you fish than what you throw. 

Yep. Big is a relative term to location. 

 

16 hours ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

The approach is a little different in every part of the world. I mainly tie on big oversized baits when I want to target bigger fish. It doesn't always cut down on the small bites that much though. You'd be surprised what a dink will take on.

Same can be said about bigger bass eating smaller baits... Ever caught a hog on a 4" senko ? It Happens ! 

[Wurming67]

This is where I fish its Loxahatchee federal preserve it's basically a refuge that is 75,000 acres and I fish this canal system there are guys that goin the flats out there and pull good weight out but it's dangerous and have the right boat for it .So there is plenty of canal to fish with lots of opportunities but it's pretty much the same all around this refuge best I've done in canal is 7lbs but I've had alot of great days with big numbers and good size but that 5lb plus isn't easy to come by in the canal they are there though just alot of water to cover