Big vs regular size lures?

[Craigholland]

What are your thoughts on Big versus regular size baits for Big Bass. Obviously there's one camp that feels big bait such as big swim baits are more apt to catch big bass but the number of big bass that have came on regular size jigs and lures there's also something to think about. Does it up your odds to throw big baits to catch big bass or is there as good as of or better chance at catching a big bass on regular size lures?

[casts_by_fly]

By big bass, do you mean bigger than average or the biggest bass in your lake?  I think the answer depends on which of those two you’re shooting for. 

[WRB]

There is “go big or go home” group of anglers and most bass anglers who use “normal size” lures.

When it comes to trophy bass anglers the majority are in the “go big” category since swimbaits became popular.

My belief is there is only 1 way to catch big bass consistently and this......fish for them! You must be dedicated and willing to fish during poor weather and grind it out for days on end. It’s not what lure you use it’s where you use it and why.

IF the big bass are eating big baitfish use a swimbait that replicates the prey being hunted. On the other hand if the big bass are hunting crawdads, use jigs that replicated crawdads at the depth and location the bass are at.

The top PB bass listed under my avatar were caught on hair jigs with pork rind trailers during pre spawn, average size lure. It only took me from 1981 to 1994 to catch those bass. Haven’t caught a bass 17+ lbs since 1994 using big swimbaits or jigs. Why not as dedicated anymore to grind it out day after day.

Tom

 

 

 

[Craigholland]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

By big bass, do you mean bigger than average or the biggest bass in your lake?  I think the answer depends on which of those two you’re shooting for. 

I guess that's a fair question, I guess we'd have to define what big bass is. I live in Ohio so big bass is probably 5 lb or better obviously 8 lb and up is the goal so probably much bigger than average or some of the biggest fish in the lake.

[Mobasser]

The big fish have been caught on all sizes of baits. Bigger probably helps, but if she's ready to eat, she'll eat a standard size bait also. That's just my opinion, probably wrong....

[LrgmouthShad]

The answer I feel most confident about given my humble experience is

 

Larger bass will prefer large prey in abundance as one factor where they are located

This influences more where they are located rather than what lure they can be caught on

[Deleted account]

I don't size baits to the size of the fish, I do size baits to match prevailing forage and time of the year.  I catch a lot of little fish on big lures and big fish on little lures, and everything in between.

[gim]

A big lure will generally reduce strikes from smaller fish. Do normal size or small lures catch big bass? Of course.  But generally a big lure is going to reduce or eliminate bites from smaller fish.

[RDB]

2 hours ago, Craigholland said:

What are your thoughts on Big versus regular size baits for Big Bass. Obviously there's one camp that feels big bait such as big swim baits are more apt to catch big bass but the number of big bass that have came on regular size jigs and lures there's also something to think about. Does it up your odds to throw big baits to catch big bass or is there as good as of or better chance at catching a big bass on regular size lures?

IMO, there are times when some large bass are not going to be tempted by a small bait and but may be with a large bait.  Bass are opportunistic and if you put something in front of their face, you might get bit regardless of mood, otherwise they may need some motivation.  When I’m watching a game, I’m much more likely to get off the couch for a can v. a shot glass of beer.  If my life depended on catching a big bass with a swimbait, I would throw an 8” over a 3”.  Doesn’t mean I can’t catch a big bass on a 3” swimbait, I just like my odds better with an 8”.

 

Edit:  Ever heard the story about the 2 bulls on the hill?  It’s a story about motivation ?.

[LrgmouthShad]

6 minutes ago, RDB said:

When I’m watching a game, I’m much more likely to get off the couch for a can v. a shot glass of beer

There are times when I’d much prefer a little whiskey over a can of beer though ?. 

[Deleted account]

3 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

There are times when I’d much prefer a little whiskey over a can of beer though ?. 

Amateurs...

[LrgmouthShad]

1 minute ago, Deleted account said:

Amateurs...

Dang you are a trophy bass. 
 

Also… Jack? And you were hating on Budweiser drinkers.

[Catt]

4 hours ago, WRB said:

There is “go big or go home” group of anglers and most bass anglers who use “normal size” lures.

When it comes to trophy bass anglers the majority are in the “go big” category since swimbaits became popular.

My belief is there is only 1 way to catch big bass consistently and this......fish for them! You must be dedicated and willing to fish during poor weather and grind it out for days on end. It’s not what lure you use it’s where you use it and why.

IF the big bass are eating big baitfish use a swimbait that replicates the prey being hunted. On the other hand if the big bass are hunting crawdads, use jigs that replicated crawdads at the depth and location the bass are at.

The top PB bass listed under my avatar were caught on hair jigs with pork rind trailers during pre spawn, average size lure. It only took me from 1981 to 1994 to catch those bass. Haven’t caught a bass 17+ lbs since 1994 using big swimbaits or jigs. Why not as dedicated anymore to grind it out day after day.

Tom

 

 

 

 

c'est fini : it's finished, 

[slonezp]

I've caught big bass on larger profile baits somewhat consistently. Caught my PB largemouth (just under 7) on a crappie minnow. Caught my PB smallmouth(6.5) on a large fathead minnow. 

I vote for live bait! Does that count?

[Craigholland]

5 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I've caught big bass on larger profile baits somewhat consistently. Caught my PB largemouth (just under 7) on a crappie minnow. Caught my PB smallmouth(6.5) on a large fathead minnow. 

I vote for live bait! Does that count?

I'd say it counts. I guess my question is more geared to what gives the best chance at catching a personal best bass or the biggest bass in the lake.

[slonezp]

1 minute ago, Craigholland said:

I'd say it counts. I guess my question is more geared to what gives the best chance at catching a personal best bass or the biggest bass in the lake.

Conflicting...My PB largemouth was caught while looking for crappie on Kentucky Lake. My PB smallie was caught in Sturgeon Bay. Dad was catching 2 on live bait to my 1 on plastics. I switched over to live and "Boom went the dynamite!" 

Both the above trips were the best trips of my life. Not because of the PB's but because of the entire trips. Was at the right place at the right time, both times. Very few days in a lifetime one could have 100 bass days. These were my 2. I would also guestimate a 3lb average on both trips. 

[GreenPig]

21 minutes ago, Craigholland said:

I'd say it counts. I guess my question is more geared to what gives the best chance at catching a personal best bass or the biggest bass in the lake.

More time on the water greatly increases your odds of catching a PB. During all those hours the knowledge of what to throw and when to throw it will be garnered. 

[RDB]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

It only took me from 1981 to 1994 to catch those bass.

I’m reading Sowbelly now.  It sounds like that was a pretty special time for bass fishing after those Florida’s grew up.  I saw that something like 5 of the top 10 bass ever caught came from Castaic & Casitas between ‘80-‘91 and in the 32 years since, only 2 in the top 25.  Four of the 5 were caught in ‘90 & ‘91 alone.  Did something happen at those lakes after ‘91 that caused such an abrupt drop?

[papajoe222]

5 hours ago, gimruis said:

 But generally a big lure is going to reduce or eliminate bites from smaller fish.

Sorry, but I disagree. I've caught as many 12in. bass as I have fish in the 6lb. range on 10in.+ worms and 8in. paddle tail swimbaits.  If the fish are active, size really doesn't matter to them.  That's why I totally agree with Tom; It's all about location.  The more time you spend on the water, the better the chance of you 'lucking' into one. Big bass are very territorial and smaller fish give them a wide berth. You're not going to catch big fish consistently if you don't search them out. 

 

[fin]

You lessen your chances of catching a big bass by using very large lures.

 

It’s harder to make a larger lure look and act as real and natural, it’s like a law of physics. There are some beautiful swim baits that look very realistic, but the smaller versions look even more realistic. You’re trying to fool the smartest and most experienced fish in the lake, so you want the most realistic bait.

 

Larger lures cost more, so you might be a little more hesitant to put it where it needs to go.

 

 

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, fin said:

You’re trying to fool the smartest and most experienced fish in the lake

And when you do catch her, take her to NASA and have her show them how to properly recycle used rocket motors , and use redundant fuel sensors....

Smart fish concept exists only between the ears of (poor) anglers...

[scaleface]

I dont have enough rod n reel to throw large baits . So I  throw what i am comfortable with at cover and structure and take what bites .  

[Mobasser]

I always like to read things from Doug Hannon years ago. He wrote that he used a 6" worm most often to catch many of the huge Florida fish he caught. For him, it was more important to find the correct area, and be there at the right time.                                    It you can do this, I tend to think the same fish that hits a 6" worm will hit a 4" or 10" worm.  Because she's hungry, and she's an opportunist. Again, that's just my opinion.  I've spent most of the summer fishing for a hungry, huge opportunist. They don't come along all the time.

In past years, I've done better on larger baits in the fall. The forage has had all season to grow, and is reached full size. Two nights ago, I read an article that says that smaller finesse baits work best in fall. I don't know. Information overload has set in.Ill take some of both sizes and find out for myself which works the best.

[gim]

8 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Sorry, but I disagree. I've caught as many 12in. bass as I have fish in the 6lb. range on 10in.+ worms and 8in. paddle tail swimbaits.

That’s not my experience. When I down size to something like a Ned rig, I catch fish of all sizes. When I upsize to something much bigger, bites are rare and infrequent.

 

We’ve all seen photos of 10 inchers taking on a jerk bait. Not saying a small fish won’t bite a bigger bait. Just saying the amount of bites is reduced compared to a smaller presentation. YMMV

 

The same concept applies when I’m muskie fishing. 30 inch muskies don’t take on a pounder size bull dawg. Only the larger fish in the system take those.

[RDB]

A lot of anglers catch their PB on small baits v big baits because that’s what they throw most often.  It would be interesting to compare number of fishing hours using big v small lures…I would bet it would be pretty lopsided for most.  I think it’s pretty common sense that more time on the water and fishing where the big fish are increases your odds, but this is a fishing site, so maybe reminders are good.