Fisshin for the Lunkers...

[BAMA_BASS]

What is the key in your opinion for catching the big bass or getting them to strike and not just watch your lure swim by?

[JPost]

Getting lucky?  

[KU_Bassmaster.]

That's definelty part of it.

Step 1:  Locate Big Bass - You have fish where the big fish are.  No magic bait is going to catch a big fish that isn't there.

Step 2:  Big Baits = Big Bass - Have to have the mind set that you are probably not going to catch as many, but the ones you do should be decent.

Step 3 - I think here's where the luck part comes in.  There's a reason big bass are big bass.

[BAMA_BASS]

  Quote

That's definelty part of it.

Step 1: Locate Big Bass - You have fish where the big fish are. No magic bait is going to catch a big fish that isn't there.

Step 2: Big Baits = Big Bass - Have to have the mind set that you are probably not going to catch as many, but the ones you do should be decent.

Step 3 - I think here's where the luck part comes in. There's a reason big bass are big bass.

I realize their are no magic baits.

[Raul]

To catch some biguns first you have to be where biguns are known to be, so the first thing is to select the lake, there 's no point in wasting your time in a lake that is not known for holding big fish; then like KU said, locate the structures and/or cover that hold bigger than average fish, usually that means away from the banks and in deep hard to get cover and/or structure, season is also very important, your best chances are when the fish are together and more vulnerable, pre and spawn are when that happens, not only they are more vulnerable but also they packed together, once again like KU said, get ready mentaly and physically to cast big baits all day long and not catching anything, big fish are not only spooky but also they are choosy, they like it slow and on their faces, big slow baits for big bass, keep in mind that you 're targeting the smallest population in the entire lake so you won 't get many bites, fish slow and with concience the structure. Luck ? I don 't believe in luck, luck could be to catch the bigun instead of a regular one.

[Rattlinrogue]

I agree with KU.You've got to fish in a lake known for big bass.Although they will bite small lures,it's been my experience that big baits catch big bass.You won't catch the numbers,but when you're after a big fish that doesn't even matter.And yes,You do have to be lucky.Eventually,your bait will land right on top of one ,and she'll explode on your bait.I know someone will say there are things you can do to create that luck(like putting your bait in likely big bass cover and/or structure),that is true.

[BAMA_BASS]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Mattlures]

Raul nailed it. there is no luck in catching big bass consistantly. But, Its just the law of averages that if you fish long enough you will be lucky and get a big one eventualy. I dont believe in luck. If you want to catch bigger bass learn thier habbits. They do not behave the same as thier little brothers. As a general rule fish big baits slowly in the right areas. But there is so much more than that. Boat position, setting up your spot,stealth,and a million other factors all add up. when I aproach a spot I believe I have a 100% chance of catching a big bass. If I pull up to it wrong I may only have a %50 chance. If I choose the wrong bait it may go down to %5. Every little thing wrong adds up. Every succesful big bass hunter is meticulous. Every little thing they do has to be perfect.

If you want to catch big bass read "in pursuit of giant bass" by the late Bill Murphey. it will open your eyes.

[roadwarrior]

All excellent posts.

The water you fish must support a population of big bass. They spend most of their time near structure in deeper water and are caught on big baits fished slowly. It sounds so simple, but the most important ingredient is patience. That's not just the time spent on the water, it's also presentation, hookup and fight.

No, those big girls didn't get there just being lucky.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

all of the above plus

put your time in.  Don't get mad if you don't see a monster the first day out.  (or the 100th day for that matter)

[TWP]

i agree with low budget, take ur time fishin a pond, if u catch dinks. it could take fishin' a whole year to catch a decent 4-5 pound bass out of a pond u have fished and caught 1-2 pounders out of, cuz it doesnt mean big bass do not lie in those waters. Try fishing big baits, try fishing in diffrent areas of ponds/lakes such as areas u pass up because it doesnt look perfect. Last year me and my buddy fished a pond that u would catch tons of fish that push 1.5lbs with only a decent one ud catch would hit 2.5lbs. This year fishin it we've already caught a 9lber, and 2 or 3 5-6lbers. keep fishing and She will come. Also have confidence in the bait u are using.

[playmaker47]

I agree with the post KU made at the beggining 110% i would also add that most big bass school with others of a similar size, so if you catch 1 then duplicate exactly how you caught him and you might just snag another.

[Sweetwater]

Unless I'm taking the wife or some kids fishing, I target larger bass in search of the elusive 12+ pound lm, the minimum size I will mount that must come from water other than a pond,  isn't on bed, and isn't caught on live bait.

Plus, I'd rather catch one 5+ than five 2-3' bass. I'd rather go catch bull bluegill and shellcracker on ultra light gear,or catch 2-4 pound hybrids, than catch 2 pound LM bass,even if they're hitting on top.

On top of the excellent advice already offered, here's another...

We live close to some legendary bass lakes like West point, Eufala, and Logan Martin,but I've never owned a bass boat, nor do I plan on buying one.

For bigger bass, Fish smaller, out of the way, lakes, rivers,and streams instead of major reservoirs. West point and Eufala are excellent bass fisheries. Back in the 80's, West point was loaded with 10+ hawgs, and for the first time in years is on the up cycle again, but smaller waters around here blow away the major reservoirs in number of hawgs given up per acre.

Most bass anglers around here will not fish water if they can't do it from their bass boats. Most people will not fish water if a walk longer than 100 feet is required, or the surrounding terrain isn't manicuired grass.

One lake I fish, a 10 acre lake at a state park, the best bank spots are never taken. 5 percent of the water sees 98% of the pressure The vast majority fish the shallow water near the manicured grass bank closest to the parking lot because they refuse to walk, or fish in tight spots surrounded by trees and bushes that make casting difficult, or walk through terrain where a snake may have crawled within the last ten years.

If you're not afraid of walking, woods, weeds,briars, and snakes, you can access lunker bass from the bank that haven't seen many lures.

I know you live a good 90 minutes from me, but here's some good waters for large bass around here that are within a reasonable driving distance from you.

We were talking about the hooch yesterday and the stretch I fish.  One of the reasons I fish the stretch near me when most don't is; Most of the fish I catch are 4 and up, and I've had some monsters break me off or spit the hook that I got to see.

Here's a pic of one spot I fish just downstream from six flags over Georgia.....

http://home.comcast.net/~bkuhn67/DSCN0967.JPG

There is a very good boatramp about 4 miles down stream from that spot. The stretch in between is loaded in blowdowns and 4-6 pound bass that never see lures or boats.

You don't need a boat, just bank access. You do need some very stout tackle. I use a 7' MHrod and a baitcaster spooled with 20# big game(About to be upgraded to power pro.  Find blowdowns or woodcover near the bank, 1/2 to 3/4 ounce blue black pig and jig fished slowly and thoroughly through every square inch of the blowdown. I usually work the bait 8-15 minutes between flips . I may spend two hours fishing one blowdown.

I'd be willing to take you, but I'd be willing to bet there are some overlooked spots near you that are prime time. Don't be afraid to fish creeks with blowdowns either. You'd be surprised at the bass smaller creeks give up.

Another place that gives up hawgs is lake varner, an 800 acre water supply reservoir 40 miles east of Atlanta. Numerous 10+ hawgs are caught every year. A 13+ and a 12+ were caught each of the last two months. Jonboat tournament sacks hit the 30 pound mark on a regular basis.

http://www.gon.com/varner1.html

Since you,like me, don't have a boat and don't know the  lake, I highly recommend booking a varner trip with Randall Kirkpatrick, who specializes on fishing smaller water for bigger bass. I haven't yet, but am planning to book a varner trip with him, not just to catch big bass, but to improve my skills in locating bigger bass, and fishing certain baits.

For $150 a day, he'll not only put you on big bass, he will teach you when, where, and how to do so on your own.

His website:

http://www.geocities.com/fishatlanta/guideservice.html

Other public water that can be fished with a jonboat  and have big bass reputations are, Dodge co. PFA    and Sweetwater creek state park.

Lastly, not far from you is Callaway Gardens. For $50 for one person, $55 for two, you get a electric powered jonboat and access to a 100 acre lake slap full of 5-8 pounders, and a few 10+. Not to mention the 3 pound shellcrackers and 2 pound bluegill. The lake is also stocked with trout during the wintertime.

[roadwarrior]

I would certainly agree with Sweetwater that small bodies of water hold truely big largemouth, but for lunker smallmouth you need to target rivers and lakes that can support big fish.

I know our northern members catch some nice fish on the Great Lakes, but the largest bronzebacks tend to live just south of the Mason- Dixon Line. I fish the Tennessee River which is well known for trophy smallmouth. The Cumberland River and the reserviors associated with it produce monsters, including the World Record which was caught at Dale Hollow.

To catch big bass, largemouth or smallmouth, you must target waters that produce big fish. Fishing for lunkers is a challenge, but it's impossible to catch 'em if they ain't there! I've always thought catching bass is fairly easy, it's finding them that's tough.

[senko_77]

throw jigs, buzzbaits, and huge lizards

[BiggerWorm]

This time of year.  BIG WORMS and the availability of DEEP WATER.

[BAMA_BASS]

Thanks Sweetwater..I will keep all of this in mind. And trust me I am not scared to walk through some woods. I do it all the time. Just last week

I got my car stuck trying to ride to a spot..lol

I would love to get something together and go fishing with ya.

[Sweetwater]

RW...

Would love to get on some smallmouth, always have. But smallmouth waters end about 100 miles north of me. We do have some excellent shoal bass fishing around here,and Lanier is full of magnum spots.

The Cumberland chain is excellent.

Bama....

Unfortunately, the hooch will be out of the question for awhile. If it hadn't got there yet, there is alot of muddy water heading your way.

The creek I took my screename from is a fairly major tributary of the hooch. I was gonna go drown some bait where Sweetwater meets the hooch Saturday. the rains swelled her to a top ten flood level, more than I have ever seen.

But we can plan a future trip. I wouldn't mind splitting a Varner trip with Randall. We can go to the state park lake. We can do a West Point trip. But it's gonna be a few weeks before the fishing gets reasonable again.

We had a tropical system dump mucho rain on us two weekends in a row, and there's another one lurking in the Carribean.

[Safe-light-till-3]

Sweetwater ; I have fished the Hooch you are referring to several years ago with my partner. I had read an article in Georgia Outdoor News about huge Stripers that had traveled up the chattahoochee river on their spawning run and when they got up to Morgan Falls d**n they decided to stay because of all the trout to gorge themselves on. We rode 14 miles up that CESSPOOL you so lovingly refer to. People let me tell you; the city of Atlanta, Ga. dumps their sewage treatment waste water into the river at 9 locations out of 8 foot in diameter concrete pipes.The foam which arises up from this discharge reaches a foot high and the fumes will burn you eyes and throat worse tham ammonia. Yes, sweetwater I did catch some nice bass along our way up to a place where the city of Atlanta has placed car sized boulders across the river to stop anyone from continuing on up river where 2 and 3 million dollar homes are on the rivers edge. You can bet there is no sewage running in the river that far up. But what really amazed me was the people that were fishing below these discharge pipes. I sure hope you folks are not eating these radioactive fish. There is even a power plant right beside the river which releases it wastewater into the river. On our trip we saw washing machines, old tires, wooden pallets, dead animals, polyethylene sheeting,furniture and every filthy thing you can imagine. I guess what I am B........about is I live here on West Point Lake 70 miles downstream from this ceespool and need to vent about it. I just hope by the time it reaches us it has filtered out a little bit. I went one time and have never been back. I could not imagine walking to a spot like that to wet a hook. Tight lines dude!!!!