Bigger baits....

[I/MBasser]

Up in the Chicagoland area I have a few ponds where I can catch 4#ers.   Recently learned of a few lakes that have bass as big as 9#s.   I want to put together a Plano box of bigger baits to target the bigger bass.   Looking at some bigger Swimbaits (both hard and soft) and some worms.   What other baits should I consider?  What specific swimbaits and worms do you use that are successful.   Thanks in advance for the help!!

[Catt]

Location, Location, Location! ?

[Mobasser]

16 minutes ago, Catt said:

Location, Location, Location! ?

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs will all catch big bass at times. But, as Catt says here, it's the location your fishing that matters most.

[I/MBasser]

Totally get the point about location.   But what I want to know is what specific bait is working for you guys.  

[BoatSquirrel]

Until the water warms up, drag a big black/blue jig and beaver trailer.  If You can see 2 feet down or more in the water, go with a green pumpkin jig instead.  SLOW.  An all-time winter fishing killer.

[EGbassing]

Zoom magnum lizards.

[Dens228]

5 hours ago, I/MBasser said:

Up in the Chicagoland area I have a few ponds where I can catch 4#ers.   Recently learned of a few lakes that have bass as big as 9#s.   I want to put together a Plano box of bigger baits to target the bigger bass.   Looking at some bigger Swimbaits (both hard and soft) and some worms.   What other baits should I consider?  What specific swimbaits and worms do you use that are successful.   Thanks in advance for the help!!

A few lakes, as in plural, that have 9 pounders as in plural?!!?  Public lakes?  Chicago area?

 

Jigs catch pigs........

[I/MBasser]

57 minutes ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Until the water warms up, drag a big black/blue jig and beaver trailer.  If You can see 2 feet down or more in the water, go with a green pumpkin jig instead.  SLOW.  An all-time winter fishing killer.

Too cold for me right now.   I’m preparing for spring.   And loaded with Siebert Jigs!

39 minutes ago, Dens228 said:

A few lakes, as in plural, that have 9 pounders as in plural?!!?  Public lakes?  Chicago area?

 

Jigs catch pigs........

Yes.  That is what I’m told.  I’m pretty happy catching 4#ers at my honey hole and can’t imagine the fun catching a 9#er.  Looking forward to Spring 

48 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

Zoom magnum lizards.

Sweet.   I’ll pick up a pack and give them a try. 

[Deleted account]

7 hours ago, Catt said:

Location, Location, Location! ?

X2. While there is a place and time for larger baits to target larger fish, the trick is to show your wares to larger fish.

[NorthernBasser]

7" version.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Suicide_Shad_Swimbait/descpage-BBBSS.html

 

[Koz]

I agree with Catt but the OP still has a legitimate question. And while you can catch a big bass on any sized bait in general bigger baits (especially BIG baits) are a good way to target bigger bass. The trade off is that if you're fishing a really big swimbait you had better be prepared to be patient - really, really patient - in not getting a bite in a day, or two, or more.

 

Personally, I can't do that. I have a few 5 inch swimbaits and just bought a few bigger S-Wavers (thanks Bait Monkey!) but I can't sit there and throw them all day long.

 

So my compromise is using a big jig and a trailer. I haven't caught a DD on one yet, but I had my fair share of 5 and 6 pounders this season. If I throw it enough - in the right location - I'm confident that it will happen.

[papajoe222]

There are very few lakes in the Chicago area that hold 9# bass. The ones that do are the power plant lakes that have warm water year round.  The downside is those lakes also get above 80 degrees by mid May and bass, in general, are difficult to catch. The same baits you use in the ponds you fish have just as good a chance of catching one of those brutes as any other, but 6in. swimbaits and jigs with big trailers catch the majority of fish over 4# Painfully slow presentations produce the occasional bragger, so, big or small that fact alone should swing things in your favor. 

I would imagine if you hit those lakes hard for three or four years, you'd have a chance at one.

[EGbassing]

5 hours ago, I/MBasser said:

Sweet.   I’ll pick up a pack and give them a try. 

Good luck man. You won't be disappointed with the mag lizards.

[dgkasper58]

21 hours ago, I/MBasser said:

Up in the Chicagoland area I have a few ponds where I can catch 4#ers.   Recently learned of a few lakes that have bass as big as 9#s.   I want to put together a Plano box of bigger baits to target the bigger bass.   Looking at some bigger Swimbaits (both hard and soft) and some worms.   What other baits should I consider?  What specific swimbaits and worms do you use that are successful.   Thanks in advance for the help!!

If you could share some names and maybe gps locations that would really assist me in telling you where they are.

[I/MBasser]

10 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

There are very few lakes in the Chicago area that hold 9# bass. The ones that do are the power plant lakes that have warm water year round.  The downside is those lakes also get above 80 degrees by mid May and bass, in general, are difficult to catch. The same baits you use in the ponds you fish have just as good a chance of catching one of those brutes as any other, but 6in. swimbaits and jigs with big trailers catch the majority of fish over 4# Painfully slow presentations produce the occasional bragger, so, big or small that fact alone should swing things in your favor. 

I would imagine if you hit those lakes hard for three or four years, you'd have a chance at one.

Well, that's the hope.  And if it takes three or four years I would be fine with that.  I enjoy the chase and simply being out there.  I'm not saying these Chicago lakes are littered with lunkers, just that they exist.  Half my enjoyment comes from exploring new places and learning what's out there.  Most of the ponds near me hold 2#ers or less.  Buddy and I randomly stopped at a little pond that we drive by all the time and decided to give it a shot.  Spent the next two hours catching a couple dozen and a handful of 4#ers.  One of the best days fishing I ever had.  

 

This spring I plan on targeting a few of the ponds/lakes that I was told hold big bass.  Just want to be prepared with some bigger baits.  You mentioned swimbaits.  From reading these forums I might pick up a Huddleston 68, Savage Gear 3D Shine Glide and a Spro BBZ-1.  Which swimbaits do you use in our region?  Thanks for all the input!

[Bluebasser86]

Are these ponds or lakes? I've had very limited success with big baits in ponds. Big pond bass are just so in tune with everything that they seem to be able to tell a fake from the reel thing easier. The exception being large topwaters like big walkers or wake baits like a Slammer or rat. Big pond bass eat lots of terrestrial animals so topwaters are a great way temp them. Tubes, brush hogs, 10" worms, senkos, and big straight tail worms like a YUM mighty worm or Strike King Bull worm are good baits for big pond fish. A spinnerbait or bladed jig probably catches me more big ones from ponds than anything else though.

[I/MBasser]

4 hours ago, dgkasper58 said:

If you could share some names and maybe gps locations that would really assist me in telling you where they are.

Ha!  If/when i find them I'll be sure to send you a DM  

10 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Are these ponds or lakes? I've had very limited success with big baits in ponds. Big pond bass are just so in tune with everything that they seem to be able to tell a fake from the reel thing easier. The exception being large topwaters like big walkers or wake baits like a Slammer or rat. Big pond bass eat lots of terrestrial animals so topwaters are a great way temp them. Tubes, brush hogs, 10" worms, senkos, and big straight tail worms like a YUM mighty worm or Strike King Bull worm are good baits for big pond fish. A spinnerbait or bladed jig probably catches me more big ones from ponds than anything else though.

To be honest, I don't know how to differentiate between the two.  Is it acreage?  Habitat?  I'll come prepared with a selection that works at both.  Thank you very much for the suggestions.

[papajoe222]

12 hours ago, I/MBasser said:

 You mentioned swimbaits.  From reading these forums I might pick up a Huddleston 68, Savage Gear 3D Shine Glide and a Spro BBZ-1.  Which swimbaits do you use in our region?  Thanks for all the input!

I use soft plastic swim baits rigged on a Siebert jig head the majority of the time. Havoc GrassPig, BPS SpeedShad and Basstrix hollow bodies for over 6in. although I have tried some solid body hand pours, but mainly those three. On occasion I have used a belly weighted hook for a weedless presentation, but I prefer a big, thick worm in that situation.

[deadadrift89]

Netbait C-MAC 11" worm

Zoom Ol' Monster 10.5" worm

Large Jig with craw trailer. Style/Weight depends on cover/depth of area fished. 

 

Jigs are good year around for large bass. I prefer using large worms post spawn thru early Fall but they work all year its just my preference.  

 

 

 

[Catt]

Caught on a Chicken McNugget!

 

Wrong lure...right location ?

 

[Harold Scoggins]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Caught on a Chicken McNugget!

Try the Chicken Tenders next time, they catch the HAWGS!

[the reel ess]

Spinnerbaits (2) ,jigs (2), and frog (1) have accounted for my last 5 PB's. These baits also won't cull all the smaller bass so you'll get lots of action between new PB's.

[Mr. Aquarium]

I live in Ma and we dont get the true giant bass but ever since I switched to swimbaits, my average size went up. But you will get skunked more often then not. You need to get your mind into the game. I love fishing swimbaits!!  I dont strictly fish swimbaits only, I'll toss other gear  but I always have a swimbait stick with me. 

For someone like yourself, I would look into spro swimbaits. The BBZ 1, the spro rat. Also savage gear makes good swimbaits as well.   I fish the expensive hand made swimbaits.

[WRB]

What Catt is saying is spot on, it's always location before lure selection. Thinking there is a panacea lure that a big bass will seek out and strike is misleading.

Spring to me means the spawn cycle and definately prime big bass periods. I have no idea what spring means to the OP?

If the pond is a power plant discharge with year around warm water then that creates a different spawn cycle period then a natural ice out pond that far north.

It comes down to location and abundant high protein prey sources, select lures that represent what the bass are eating. Big lure equals big bass is often a myth along with 9 lb LMB in a northern pond.

You can use jigs and big worms using standard bass tackle, big swimbaits you need swimbait tackle.

Tom

 

 

[Dens228]

2 minutes ago, WRB said:

What Catt is saying is spot on, it's always location before lure selection. Thinking there is a panacea lure that a big bass will seek out and strike is misleading.

Spring to me means the spawn cycle and definately prime big bass periods. I have no idea what spring means to the OP?

If the pond is a power plant discharge with year around warm water then that creates a different spawn cycle period then a natural ice out pond that far north.

It comes down to location and abundant high protein prey sources, select lures that represent what the bass are eating. Big lure equals big bass is often a myth along with 9 lb LMB in a northern pond.

You can use jigs and big worms using standard bass tackle, big swimbaits you need swimbait tackle.

Tom

 

 

I wouldn't say a myth......but close to a myth.  I caught my pb best, 8-03 in a pond around 6 acres in size an hour straight west of Chicago. I also caught it on a huge lure, a 5 inch wacky rigged Senko!  LOL  I will admit I didn't think it was a bass, my son saw it first as it swung towards shore near him, I told him he was crazy, that it had to be a catfish........imagine my heart right when I saw it for myself. That's about 3 pounds bigger than my second best so yes they are very rare around here. I'd consider a 5 pound bass a monster in my neck of the woods.