Catching that big one

[BassinBoy]

Some of you fish small lakes and ponds on here.  When you have heard stories of one or two giant bass in these waters what do you do to try to catch them? What lure and technique do you go to first?  

2.  When you fish a new pond and you want to catch the biggest bass in it, how do you approach this situation?

Thanks

[BassFishingMachine]

99% of my bass fishing is done in small local ponds/lakes. That being said, my big fish producing baits are jigs, frogs (mostly hollow frogs, soft plastic frogs too, but smaller fish tend to annoy you on occasion with these). I'll also say this, out of my top 3 best bass 2 of them were caught on a jig, including the biggest of the 3. One of the 3 was caught on a hollow frog. But all in all jigs, and frogs tend to catch me more quality fish then anything else.

Another tactic that I find catches more quality fish is flipping/pitching t-rigged (mostly pegged) soft plastics. My favorite baits for this tactic are creaturebaits, but I know tubes work well also, and im sure worms will work too. Anyhow, I'll focus lillypads, wood piles, weed patches, pipes, and any other sort of cover I come across.

And one more thing! First off im from NJ, so I don't know if this applies to you, but I have noticed I catch more quality bass in April/May more then any other time of the year. I guess its because this is the period of time when the bass are in pre-spawn - spawn period.

ps. I am pretty sure 75% of the people you hear from will tell you a jig is the best bet for targeting big bass. So if you don't already have a jig in your arsenal, learn to fish this bait and it'll really do you some good.

[Stingray23]

I also like jigs for larger bass. t-rigged 10" berkely power worm works great fo me too.

[daviscw]

I mostly fish farm ponds. I hate jigs, so I usually start with a big worm.

[BassinBoy]

99% of my bass fishing is done in small local ponds/lakes. That being said, my big fish producing baits are jigs, frogs (mostly hollow frogs, soft plastic frogs too, but smaller fish tend to annoy you on occasion with these). I'll also say this, out of my top 3 best bass 2 of them were caught on a jig, including the biggest of the 3. One of the 3 was caught on a hollow frog. But all in all jigs, and frogs tend to catch me more quality fish then anything else.

Another tactic that I find catches more quality fish is flipping/pitching t-rigged (mostly pegged) soft plastics. My favorite baits for this tactic are creaturebaits, but I know tubes work well also, and im sure worms will work too. Anyhow, I'll focus lillypads, wood piles, weed patches, pipes, and any other sort of cover I come across.

And one more thing! First off im from NJ, so I don't know if this applies to you, but I have noticed I catch more quality bass in April/May more then any other time of the year. I guess its because this is the period of time when the bass are in pre-spawn - spawn period.

ps. I am pretty sure 75% of the people you hear from will tell you a jig is the best bet for targeting big bass. So if you don't already have a jig in your arsenal, learn to fish this bait and it'll really do you some good.

Actually, I do tend to catch my biggest fish in that April/May period.  

I have become more of a soft plastic craw fisherman opposed to a jig.

[BassinBoy]

I mostly fish farm ponds. I hate jigs, so I usually start with a big worm.

Im with you  ;D   Im not a fan of jigs, although like I said above a soft plastic craw has been great for me.  I fish many farm ponds too and this post is helping me anwser the quesions for those ponds.  Thanks

[daviscw]

I mostly fish farm ponds. I hate jigs, so I usually start with a big worm.

Im with you ;D Im not a fan of jigs, although like I said above a soft plastic craw has been great for me. I fish many farm ponds too and this post is helping me anwser the quesions for those ponds. Thanks

The Rage Tail craw is my favorite soft plastic. It's killer in ponds and on the river.

[BassinBoy]

I mostly fish farm ponds. I hate jigs, so I usually start with a big worm.

Im with you ;D Im not a fan of jigs, although like I said above a soft plastic craw has been great for me. I fish many farm ponds too and this post is helping me anwser the quesions for those ponds. Thanks

The Rage Tail craw is my favorite soft plastic. It's killer in ponds and on the river.

I fish the Chigger Craw!  

Trick worms and shallow bluegill colored crankbaits were great at farmponds this past year.

[Josh.]

well I would try a jig, big senko, and big worms.

Good, luck

[BassFishingMachine]

I mostly fish farm ponds. I hate jigs, so I usually start with a big worm.

Im with you ;D Im not a fan of jigs, although like I said above a soft plastic craw has been great for me. I fish many farm ponds too and this post is helping me anwser the quesions for those ponds. Thanks

The Rage Tail craw is my favorite soft plastic. It's killer in ponds and on the river.

I fish the Chigger Craw!

Trick worms and shallow bluegill colored crankbaits were great at farmponds this past year.

Have you tryed the ragetail craw, or the paca craw yet? If you haven't given them a try, just do me a favor and try them, the action from the claws is simply incredible. If your big on fishing craws, you should love these two baits.

Heres another trick with the ragetail craw I use. It works when you can get away with using a small bullet weight, which is often for me, unless I am trying to break through some real thick weeds. I'll keep my rod tip high, and retreive the bait at a fairly fast speed, so it burns over the top, the feet will paddle and it looks like a frog. I'll also lift it up off the bottom sometimes when I approach weed mats, then bring it ontop of the weed mat and slowly twitch it like you would a hollow frog. Both techniques work great for me, definetly a bait I keep in my arsenal. And as with any other craw, you can always shorten the bait and use it as a trailer. (Works great for a swim jig/chatterbait). Extremely versatile bait, theres no doubt about that.

I like the chigger craw too though, I find the scent to be a big plus. Theres just something about that berkley scent. I cut em in half alot and use em as jig trailers. Only thing though is the claws from the chigger craw just don't swim like the paca or ragetail. I like it as a finesse bait, but when the fish are aggressive I prefer a ragetail or paca. I'll say it again, if you haven't tryed the ragetail or paca give them a shot, or see if you can find yourself a video of them, im sure theres a few on youtube. You'll be amazed when you see the action the claws produce.

[BassinBoy]

I mostly fish farm ponds. I hate jigs, so I usually start with a big worm.

Im with you ;D Im not a fan of jigs, although like I said above a soft plastic craw has been great for me. I fish many farm ponds too and this post is helping me anwser the quesions for those ponds. Thanks

The Rage Tail craw is my favorite soft plastic. It's killer in ponds and on the river.

I fish the Chigger Craw!

Trick worms and shallow bluegill colored crankbaits were great at farmponds this past year.

Have you tryed the ragetail craw, or the paca craw yet? If you haven't given them a try, just do me a favor and try them, the action from the claws is simply incredible. If your big on fishing craws, you should love these two baits.

Heres another trick with the ragetail craw I use. It works when you can get away with using a small bullet weight, which is often for me, unless I am trying to break through some real thick weeds. I'll keep my rod tip high, and retreive the bait at a fairly fast speed, so it burns over the top, the feet will paddle and it looks like a frog. I'll also lift it up off the bottom sometimes when I approach weed mats, then bring it ontop of the weed mat and slowly twitch it like you would a hollow frog. Both techniques work great for me, definetly a bait I keep in my arsenal. And as with any other craw, you can always shorten the bait and use it as a trailer. (Works great for a swim jig/chatterbait). Extremely versatile bait, theres no doubt about that.

I like the chigger craw too though, I find the scent to be a big plus. Theres just something about that berkley scent. I cut em in half alot and use em as jig trailers. Only thing though is the claws from the chigger craw just don't swim like the paca or ragetail. I like it as a finesse bait, but when the fish are aggressive I prefer a ragetail or paca. I'll say it again, if you haven't tryed the ragetail or paca give them a shot, or see if you can find yourself a video of them, im sure theres a few on youtube. You'll be amazed when you see the action the claws produce.

I will have to give those new rage craws a try.  You must not be fishing the same Chigger Craw as me  ;D they have a great action.  The claws flap wave in the water with the slightest movement.  The key is to make sure the claws are seperated by tearing the two tags off that are between them.  The nice thing about the chigger craw is that its claws are very thin and float.  When the bait first falls to the bottom its claws point strait up and wave like a defending crawfish.  They slowly settle to the bottom like a crawfish letting down its guard.  Then once you it again its claws go right back up.  An action thats hard to beat!  ;D

[Tin]

Not what but where.

First choice would be either a jig or big bulky bait like a Brush Hog. If on open water structure with limited cover then a drop-shot gets the nod. It's like candy...

[flippin]

I agree with tin

[Catt]

Location; you can't catch what aint there  

[Bantam1]

This is what I would use especially before or after the spawn in a little pond.

http://www.316lurecompany.com/baits/babybass.html

[BassinBoy]

Location; you can't catch what aint there

This makes sense, but where do you find the big bass

[ptomacbass]

find them then throw a big jig.

[BassinBoy]

find them then throw a big jig.

Where do you look for them normally?

[ptomacbass]

It depends what time of year it is, where I'm fishing, where the baitfish are and many other things.

[daviscw]

In the summer I find all of mine in the shade (overhanging trees, steepest banks) hugging close to shoreline. I cannot seem to catch a big one in the wintertime though...

[Tin]

It depends what time of year it is, where I'm fishing, where the baitfish are and many other things.

Why throw a jig if they are on baitfish? Sounds like the making for a great crankbait, fluke, or spinnerbait bite. :-?

[Catt]

Location; you can't catch what aint there

This makes sense, but where do you find the big bass

GOTO General Bass Fishing Forum & find Favorite "All Time" Threads  

[ptomacbass]

It depends what time of year it is, where I'm fishing, where the baitfish are and many other things.

Trust me, I throw a lot more than just a jig, but when I'm looking for a big fish, I throw a big round rubber jig.  When the bass are on baitfish, you can swim the jig. I rarely find myself swimming a jig.  Here is an example of bass feeding on baitfish (blueback herring) but taking a jig. http://www.another site/news_article.asp?ID=1718

Why throw a jig if they are on baitfish? Sounds like the making for a great crankbait, fluke, or spinnerbait bite. :-?