Bait size

[okieinoz]

I've heard some anglers make comments about fishing with a bigger bait will result in catching bigger fish.  How many of you feel this is accurate?  I've been fishing a 2" plastic shad on a 1/8 oz jig head attached to a spinner arm.  I've had no problem catching the little ones, but no keepers.  Should I fish a bigger bait?  All feedback welcomed and appreciated.   ???

[Gatorbassman]

This is true... some of the time. (I should have been in politics.) If I am fishing a lake that is known for its big bass I will throw a 12-14 inch worm all day long. See big bass are naturally lazy. They want to conserve as much energy as possible. So they don't like to spend it chasing a little baitfish if they can just roll over and grab a monster of a worm being drug past them. That's the theory anyway.

I do know this. When I throw that big worm I catch few fish but the ones I do catch are 4lbs and bigger for the most part.

[Marty]

I'd definitely go with some larger baits, what harm can it do? Do you know what size fish are in the waters you're fishing? Even with that small lure, I would think you'd catch some keepers if you were fishing where keepers were hanging out. I've caught a number of two- and three-pounders on 2" curly tails on 1/16 jigheads. But I wouldn't target bass with lures that small unless I had a reason for using such small finesse stuff.

Good luck.

[okieinoz]

Yeah, that sounds logical.  I'm in KS, where one of our best bass species is a wiper (striped/white bass hybrid).  The fishing report for the lake I'm fishing has a size regulation.  They must be 21" or bigger.  Most are 8-10 lbs.  I probably should go for the larger bait.  Thanks for the input.  

[roadwarrior]

My theory for catching bigger bass:  

1. Bigger lures

2. Slower presentation

3. Deeper water

Suggestions include: 6" Senko, Fat Ika, Kreature, Kut-Tail and jig & pig (plastic trailers are fine). Topwater lures for bigger bass include the Spook, Sammy, buzzbaits, frogs and rats. I also like jerbaits: Lucky Craft Pointer 128, Smithwick Rogue and Rapala Husky Jerk. I have had some success with the LC Staysee fishing deeper water.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

big baits=big fish

[playmaker47]

hey okieinoz. where at in kansas are you, and what lake are you fishing at?

[Raul]

Ok, there 's no black & white in fishing, not everything is black and not everything is white, everything is gray with different shades, bigger baits for catching bigger fish is right......almost, using bigger baits is a way to cull the smaller fish and deter them from hitting the bait or if they hit it they can 't mouth it.

Also, no they are not lazy, it 's a matter of energy, chasing smaller prey to fill in their daily energy intake requirements may not be as energy efficient as hunting for a bigger meal, why bother in chasing and eating 10 2-3" minnows when a couple of 5" bluegills are more than enough ?

Like RW said, fish slow and fish deep, smaller fish are more active than larger fish, they are always hungry and are more eager to attack a small bait.

But like Marty said, there are times when fishing smaller baits is a necessity, a good example are clear water lakes.

[dodgeguy]

forget the finesse stuff.throw 1/2 oz.jigs,spinnerbaits,5 inch and larger senkos,7-10 inch worms,buzzbaits and spooks.

[piranha]

Like Raul indicated, big bass are not lazy, they are SMART! Unlike most humans, they work smarter, not harder.

[okieinoz]

Playmaker47,  I'm fishing at Cheney Resevoir in Reno county.  Good fishin'. 8)