Catching a really big bass.

[gim]

Something I've been thinking about this winter is how I go about catching a really big largemouth bass here in my neck of the woods.  When I say a really big largie, I mean one that is 22 inches/6+ pounds for the state that I reside and fish in.  I've caught several largemouth in the 21 inch/6 pound range in my life here, but nothing bigger.  I had the best season I've ever had last year in terms of numbers and quality, and I've been wondering how I could make it even better this year.  I believe that a new PB would accomplish that.

 

Using a larger presentation is probably a part of it.  I know that a big bass will take a ned but generally speaking, bigger lures means bigger fish.  What else?  Does fishing deeper play a role?  I'm guessing that a pre-spawn or fall fish would have more weight too.  I went fishing at night a few times last year and it was very successful so that could also be part of the equation.  The body of water likely plays a role too and for that I need to target a lake that I'm confident that has them.

 

If you simply suggest that I travel south to Florida or Texas that's really not the advice I'm looking for.  Thanks in advance

[mistickslinger]

Go big. My biggest Michigan bass have mostly come while fishing using gear I'd typical throw for northern pike. When I was in high school i used to throw a salmon j-plug... i didnt know any better, when i wasnt fixing tangles (since the lure was not meant to be cast) I broke my personal best bass multiple times over that summer throwing that lure. My biggest michigan bass to date remains a 7.5 lber that hit a magnum shad rap. Those and a 10-12 inch power worm account for a good number of my biggest bass. 

[MN Fisher]

18 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Something I've been thinking about this winter is how I go about catching a really big largemouth bass here in my neck of the woods. 

I'll be ecstatic if I can just top my current PB.

[ajschn06]

22 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Something I've been thinking about this winter is how I go about catching a really big largemouth bass here in my neck of the woods.  When I say a really big largie, I mean one that is 22 inches/6+ pounds for state that I reside and fish in.  I've caught several largemouth in the 21 inch/6 pound range in my life here, but nothing bigger.  I had the best season I've ever had last year in terms of numbers and quality, and I've been wondering how I could make it even better this year.  I believe that a new PB would accomplish that.

 

Using a larger presentation is probably a part of it.  I know that a big bass will take a ned but generally speaking, bigger lures means bigger fish.  What else?  Does fishing deeper play a role?  I'm guessing that a pre-spawn or fall fish would have more weight too.  I went fishing at night a few times last year and it was very successful so that could also be part of the equation.  The body of water likely plays a role too and for that I need to target a lake that I'm confident that has them.

 

If you simply suggest that I travel south to Florida or Texas that's really not the advice I'm looking for.  Thanks in advance

 

 

I'm a bit south of you but same state.  My goal is 20" and 5 pounds- my biggest is a bit short of 19 but not sure how much it weighed.  If that's the only fish I catch all year I'll be happy.  My initial plan is mid sized jigs and soft swimbaits in the 4-5" range....

[losslakelunkers]

I wonder if glide baits could work up in Minnesota. Something like an s-waver? I’m not sure just throwing it out there.

[Catt]

Location-Location-Location!

 

I don't mean Florida or Texas but locations in your body of water!

 

Big Momma doesn't hang out with tighteyes!

[gim]

17 minutes ago, mistickslinger said:

Go big

I figured that was part of the equation.  Good to know

[J Francho]

Fish where they live and fish a lot. I caught all my big bass when I was able to spend a lot of time on the water. The baits I used are so varied, I'm not sure it's important, though jigs, big worms, and swim baits did account for most of them. My second largest LMB came on a little flick shake rig. 

[Captain Phil]

If you want to catch big bass you must fish where they are.   This may sound obvious, but not all waters hold big bass.  To grow large fish you need large food.  Nutrient rich lakes normally contain more and larger bass than crystal clear lakes with little cover.  Visit with your local game officials.  They should know which lakes will give you a better chance at catching large fish. They may also give you some tips that are not generally known.   

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Something I've been thinking about this winter is how I go about catching a really big largemouth bass here in my neck of the woods.  When I say a really big largie, I mean one that is 22 inches/6+ pounds for state that I reside and fish in.  I've caught several largemouth in the 21 inch/6 pound range in my life here, but nothing bigger.  I had the best season I've ever had last year in terms of numbers and quality, and I've been wondering how I could make it even better this year.  I believe that a new PB would accomplish that.

 

Using a larger presentation is probably a part of it.  I know that a big bass will take a ned but generally speaking, bigger lures means bigger fish.  What else?  Does fishing deeper play a role?  I'm guessing that a pre-spawn or fall fish would have more weight too.  I went fishing at night a few times last year and it was very successful so that could also be part of the equation.  The body of water likely plays a role too and for that I need to target a lake that I'm confident that has them.

 

If you simply suggest that I travel south to Florida or Texas that's really not the advice I'm looking for.  Thanks in advance

The fact that you're getting 6 lb bass - which is a GREAT northern fishery bass btw - 

and never anything bigger may mean that there's just not that many around and / or you need to do 'something else'.

The something else doesn't necessarily mean something extreme (huge baits, only night fishing etc) but something or some place (location) that you might not be doing a whole lot of now.

For me, if I want to get on fish no one else is getting, I expect to have to do something or fish someplace no one else is fishing. 

Can't say for sure what that means for your & your fishing (I know, sorry) but it could be the start of a beautiful thing.

So branch out, start fishing new water, fish SUPER early or Super late in the season.

Doing the same old same old feels good but you can catch what you've been catching anywhere so perhaps take a chance and see what happens.

Careful though, you might get your arm broke.

Good Luck

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

Minnetonka produces 6+ LMBs every year during tournaments.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/westmetro/mtka_bass_tourney_summary.html

 

Lake Auburn, which is just a little SW of Minnetonka currently holds the state record, with one close to that being caught just a few years ago.

 

So the Metro area has them...it's just tracking them down in the lakes.

[gim]

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Lake Auburn, which is just a little SW of Minnetonka currently holds the state record, with one close to that being caught just a few years ago.

For sure.  I'm guessing that little lake got pounded when the state record did come out of there but it still may be worth a shot.

 

These responses are fantastic.  I should have posted this a month ago.

 

A lake I occasionally fish a few times each season has produced two 20.5 inchers and a 21 incher for me the last 3 seasons.  So the strategy of fishing a body of water known to have them is proven by my own recent experience.

 

Keep em' coming

[Deleted account]

Big bait yes, but more importantly is putting in the time and doing your homework. 

[Bird]

Fishing the pre-spawn with regularity will greatly increase your odds.

 

My PB came out of a local lake with minimal cover but did have a large submerged tree with easy access to deep water. 

Taking your time around that kind of structure will eventually produce a good fish providing they exist.

 

That said, I fished on average twice a week in 2020 and only broke 6 lbs once so expectation of a given body of water comes into play eventually. 

[Catt]

53 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

you need to do 'something else'

 

Be prepared to fish when no one else does!

 

My best big bass days (nights) were in less the comfortable weather for angler.

[A-Jay]

Just now, Catt said:

 

Be prepared to fish when no one else does!

 

My best big bass days (nights) were in less the comfortable weather for angler.

Yup ~

And you know that's not news to me my friend 

A-Jay

[roadwarrior]

Fishing water that holds big bass trumps everything else combined. 

 

[NoShoes]

Definitely agree with everyone else’s sentiment you have to fish big fish water. A lot of those kinds of places may not be the best place for numbers, but you can’t catch what ain’t there. 

[Team9nine]

You've hit much of the key factors. Now just add LiveScope and you'll be there 

[gim]

In no particular order -

1) fish waters that have really big bass (check)

2) fish when others aren't (check)

3) fish often (check)

4) fish generally bigger lures (check)

 

In my original post, I mentioned perhaps fishing deeper.  No one commented on that specifically...

[roadwarrior]

All of my best fish, both largemouth and smallmouth, have been caught

in 20' or less.

[DaubsNU1]

Great list. I would add...

 

1. Don't be afraid to fish new water, smaller lakes / reservoirs , even ponds.

2. Don't be afraid to try new lures, or something different.

 

My personal best was an 8 lb. largemouth caught on a rainbow trout colored slug-go on a 2 acre pond in NE Missouri. This was in the early 90's, when slug-go's were pretty new.

 

My #2 biggest bass is just under 5 lbs.

[FishinBuck07]

Fish weightless soft plastics in thick stuff, drag across the top and let it fall into holes, both of my largest bass have been caught this way, something about that slow fall where most people are throwing heavy stuff!

[GReb]

It is quite ironic that most of my 7+ Lb fish were caught on days that were gloomy, cold, windy, rainy, etc. 

 

Another trend I’ve noticed is that more often than not they are near access to deep (relative) water. Even if they were caught in less than a couple feet of water on a point or flat there was 10+ water within a short swim. And every one bolted straight to the deep as soon as the hook was set

[jimmyjoe]

      Big bass are ambush fish. They're not going to go racing 12 feet "over there" to intercept your lure .... big, small or medium. But from what I've seen, from my fishing and other people's, they will move 2-3 feet to intercept. So you need to find the hidey-holes, then target them specifically and accurately.

   I personally don't think depth matters. Three of the largest bass I've seen caught were caught in less than 6' of water. I also don't believe that lure size matters. One of those bass was caught on a 1/6 oz. Super Roostertail, and one other on a 3/4 oz. Dardevle spoon. What I think DOES matter is taking the lure right smack dab to the fish, just like a guided missile.

   Remember; for every Big Mama you pull in, you're going to get hit by 100-or-so midsize fish.

That's just the spread. Don't let it discourage you; it's part of the fun.

 

   Good luck!        jj