Catching those trophy Bass (10 or more)

[Catt]

 

[A-Jay]

7 hours ago, txchaser said:

Don't want to hijack the thread but I've seen that combo talked about in a couple of lakes with known very large size bass populations. Anyone have any idea why that particular lure combo (big jig with a big worm) is interesting to the big girls? 

Can't say why it works just l know it does.

 A big jig with some type of stick bait trailer is usually the  first bait we tie on down south.  

A-Jay 

[Mobasser]

I've never caught a DD bass. My biggest bass was 8lbs 9oz caught years ago. From all the info I've read, and especially on this site, it's hard to catch trophy bass consistently. All of our site moderators have all caught their share of huge bass. Although I can't speak for anyone else, I think they would all agree that it isn't easy. Most trophy hunters put in years of study, and I'm sure have days when the big fish just don't cooperate also. These guys are kind of in a class of their own. It takes time, study, and great fishing skills, and a dedication to the sport that many fisherman may never have. Anyone who would tell you that catching huge bass is easy, is simply not telling the truth. Its not impossible, as some fisherman have proven, but it's tough- to say the least.

[Catt]

15 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Can't say why it works just l know it does.

 A big jig with some type of stick bait trailer is usually the  first bait we tie on down south.  

A-Jay 

 

You have dogs?

 

Ever watch a fly buzzing around the dog's head?

 

It snaps at it, not because it's hungry but because the fly irritated it.

 

The bass may not hungry but that fast. rate of fall causes a reaction stike

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

I've never caught a DD bass. My biggest bass was 8lbs 9oz caught years ago. From all the info I've read, and especially on this site, it's hard to catch trophy bass consistently. All of our site moderators have all caught their share of huge bass. Although I can't speak for anyone else, I think they would all agree that it isn't easy. Most trophy hunters put in years of study, and I'm sure have days when the big fish just don't cooperate also. These guys are kind of in a class of their own. It takes time, study, and great fishing skills, and a dedication to the sport that many fisherman may never have. Anyone who would tell you that catching huge bass is easy, is simply not telling the truth. Its not impossible, as some fisherman have proven, but it's tough- to say the least.

So Much Yes ~ 

For example - 

The Yamamoto Team spent 5 day on Lake Baccarac last week.

This included Roland Martin, Brent Ehrler, Brent Hite, Roy Hawk as  well as a few other, let's just call them,

'experienced Bass Anglers'.

Still waiting on the final numbers but haven't seen any DD pics yet; which often come out pretty quick.

A-Jay

 

[WRB]

Right place, time, lure and presentation is determined by the big bass when that occurs.

The difference IMO is strike detection, the bigger the lure the easier it is to detect strikes but requires concentration to stay focused. 

Picking a week during pre spawn increases the odds with time factor, you choose the place, the lure and presentation, then it's up to the big girl to come to the dance.

Interesting to see how the Yamamoto team pro's perform.

Tom

[txchaser]

11 hours ago, Catt said:

 

The bass may not hungry but that fast. rate of fall causes a reaction stike

On the big-jig-and-big-worm, two questions 1) mostly literally on the initial fall, or do you mean how fast it falls after the hop? 2) hop or drag?

 

To the OP's question, one thing I learned here is that bigger bass don't seem to do little bass things, or hang in little bass places. Not 100%, but I've had pretty good outcomes on the 'best' cover, or moving when I'm catching smaller bass. @WRB calls them adult bass over 4 lbs, and more often that not I'm getting fish over 4 with different baits or different places, or both. Spending some time learning about bigger bass behavior changed how I fish completely.

 

Here's an example: on a few acre pond I was on there was a single bush in the water across the whole pond. About 6' in diameter, 8' off the bank, 4' water, and a steep dropoff about 5' away. Good ambush point - check, visibility to anything crossing at the ledge or between the bush and the bank - check, easy access to safety - check. I threw a jig at that bush 26 times to get a hookup. There was no better place to be in that body of water, and if there was a big fish anywhere but sitting on the bottom, that's where it was going to be. Family thought I was nuts, there were lots of fish everywhere else... but I wanted this one. 

 

 

 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, txchaser said:

On the big-jig-and-big-worm, two questions 1) mostly literally on the initial fall, or do you mean how fast it falls after the hop? 2) hop or drag?

 

 

Both

 

Rate of fall is one of the most overlooked aspects of a Jig-n-Craw/Worm & Texas Rig. 

 

I always hear anglers say, throw the lightest weight you can get away with, giving no consideration to rate of fall.

 

I've said it a thousand times on this site, in 10' of water a 2# bass can stop a 1oz. from ever hitting bottom. What y'all think a double digit is capable of stopping?

 

Hop or drag?

 

I seldom drag a jig or Texas Rig, I'm usually hopping or stroking em.

[bazzelite19]

You have the hardest part already covered being that you live in Texas. Obviously florida, Texas, and California are the top 3 states in the u.s. for donkey bass. Mexico has probably more catch rates per hour of lunkers then anywhere however due to all the forage down there like tilapia. Just living in texas puts you at a advantage. Everywhere and anywhere you cast at anytime has good potential. Most lunker bass have been shown to come on normal to large size plastics firstly. Plastics like a zoom ol monster or rage anaconda. Large 7" senkos also can be good. Jigs are probably just as good as plastic. Obviously 4-8 inch swimbaits are always promising slowrolled along with spinnerbaits. Topwaters like a 130 size whopper plopper or jerkbaits also take biggins as we all know. Dont always think upsize bass only eat large lures as i recall the TX record (18.18) was taken on a crappie lure. I myself have caught many large bass (some up to 8#s) on micro in-line spinnerbaits and roadrunners. Just experiment. Another solid option is to target lunkers at night. Any time of year.  A 13 lber was caught after dark in january once so dont be suprised. Especially do it prespawn- fall. Obviously you want 2 foot visibility ( clearer the better) for the night bite. Most of the largest bass will feed at night. I believe a rage craw, a 1/2 oz jig, spinnerbait, and a weedless chatterbait are your best options. A topwater frog can be killer at times but dont forget a whopper plopper, large popper, or even a crankbait will snag slappers that dont strike well. Not as many people fish at night so you're at a good advantage. Just because the water is stained, say 8-18 inches isnt a dealbreaker. Just fish slower with bulkier lures. I often catch some fish rooting for craws with there nose on the bank. You can watch them rolling around in the mponlight. Big bass feel quite secure at night. Good luck!