HUGE bass problem HELP!!!!!!

[bass86]

i live in madera ca close to the san joaquin river. the river here is pretty shallow but i walked up river about a mile and found this huge lake/pond.i have not seen any old line or trash on the shores so i dont think it gets fished often but i see these HUGE bass. im talking like 15 + pounds no lie but they will not bite any lure and ive tried everything. they seem a little intrested on live crawdads but still nothing. the water is so clear and i can see all the fish. how do i catch the big stuburn ones??? please help!

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Are you absolutley 100% sure they are bass??  Last spring I was sight fishing and off in the distance I see these HUGE bass, or so I think.  They look to be about 10+ lbs a piece.  So I break out all of my sight fishing tricks and I get absolutely no interest what so ever.  So I try to get my boat a little closer, and .................................I see they are stupid CARP.    > :( : :  They can look pretty similar to a huge bass under water.

[AM]

catch some local baitfish or buy some minnows. even if you aren't into the  livebait  thing i would not  pass the opportunity on a 15 lber.  just to see if it is indeed a bass.

[roadwarrior]

I think you will find KU_Bassmaster has a pretty good handle on this situation. Whip up some doughballs and you might still have some fun.

[Will]

If they are bass I would try a weightless tube. The tube will float above the fish before slowly falling leaving a bubble trail. Once the tube land on the bottom let it sit, and if the fish don't show interest fish the tube like a jerkbait back.

[phisher_d]

15 pound bass... That's huge!! :o

I'm leaning towards the carp idea too.  That would explain why they aren't taking any of your bass presentations.  I fish a pond thats very shallow and has a lot of monster carp in it.  Them things can look an awful like a world record bass underwater.  

If they are carp, I would try doughballs (like RW said) or corn.

I've heard of people fly fishing for them too. that would be one heck of a fish to bring in on a fly rod though

[Keepin_It_Reel]

Bass86 did you see them in the water or did they jump out. if they jumped they could be bass but if they were in the water carp is a good bet.

[kayl.]

If you want to find out if they are carp toss in some frosted shredded mini wheats- the carp go crazy for them!  They also make a good carp bait, get some in your hand and get them wet and then squeeze them into a ball and squeeze the water out of them!

[bass86]

thanks alot guys. i found the bass by looking for carp. i caught carp out of there before and i use the wheat bait.i am possitive they are bass. i cansee the black plotted stripe on there sides and i went back yesterday with minnows. those fish are smart. i through the minnow in weightless and the bass jumped right to it and stayed with it till it hit the botttom. they did pick at it but wouldnt take it. i think they can see the hook cause i through a minnow in there not on the line and they got him quick.  these are trohy bass and i have even thought about bow fishing for them cause they are that close but i think it is illegal here. anyone want to join me and give it a try? oh and the carp there are even bigger than the bass. i catch them there all year long. any more suggestions?

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Try and tick them off. Run baits into them once they get used to your bait being there. It works while they are guarding beds, maybe it will work now. If they won't bite out of hunger, try to get them to bite out of anger. Good luck!!! Be sure to bring your camera. I might have to make a trip out to Cali. ;D

And for sure don't bow hunt for them. Those bass are over 10 years old. Who knows how big they could get.

[bass86]

ku bassmaster your welcome to join me anytime and so is anyone else who thinks they can catch these monsters.ive tried to tick them off but every time i cast by them or bring it to them they swim away to the depths and then come back out in a few minutes. i might have to go very light line and fight them cause i think they can see the hook and line cause they will bite a minnow or crawdad if i throw it in by hand.

[Madhouse27]

Bass, what are you using for line? Also are you being stealthy as your approach them. You might have to go real light and be in absolute stalking mode. I've been in a similar situation while fishing for brown trout. You had to be somewhat camoflaged and blue heron slow in your approach to your casting spot. Low to the water, quiet baby steps. Be aware of where your shadow is falling on the water. Big bass in clear water, what an awesome challenge.

[Keepin_It_Reel]

When you are casting, if possible stay way back from the bank and make extra long cast. if they swim away from everything then you could try to deadstick a senko or similar type bait.

[flechero]

bass86

You might try marking the locations and coming back at night, in water that clear, line shy fish are very hard to catch.  

[phisher_d]

bass86

I have had a similar problem in a pond I fish up in southern ontario (the bass aren't 15 pounds up here, maybe 4 or 5 pounds).

The pond is heavily pressured and those fish are smart.  I see them all the time just cruising the shallows.  When I cast to them they just swim off like you said.  

The only time I have ever caught one is in spring when they were around their nests.  I wasnt even fishing for bass.  I casted a pretty big pike spinner and I guess it just annoyed her enough that she decided to eat it.  That bass went just over 19 inches and almost 5 lbs.. released.  

[cletus___]

Bass86,

I'll go try it with you!!!    My parents still live in Sanger.  I go visit about once a month or so.

Get back to me homie......

- cletus

[Matt Fly]

My advice also, very low light conditions or dark.

[bass86]

i went back yesterday with shiners again during a cloudy day. i did not see 1 fish.today i went and it was sunny again and they were out and still stuborn. ive seen quite a few frogs there do you think they will hit a baby bull frog live since they already know what they are.?

[Guest DavidGreen]

bass86,

m talking like 15 + pounds no lie but they will not bite any lure and ive tried everything. they seem a little intrested on live crawdads but still nothing. the water is so clear and i can see all the fish.

I started my fishing career on the clear waters in San Deigo County, Poway (clear to 80'), El Capitan (clear to 60'), San Vicente (the same), etc....;D

One thing I learned sight fishing the giant Florida Strain bass there, was if you can see them, they can definitely see you, (you should be casting no shadows on the water, etc).

I had to scale down to lighter lines (6lb test) and as clear a line as I could find (then). I also scaled back to 4" split shot plastics in clear/silver fleck, clear/blue fleck, clear/red fleck, smoke/silver fleck, etc. and also had to change hook colors (nothing shinny). Also the presentation had to very soft....;D

My biggest out there was 14+ caught on Poway City Lake, and I watch that hog suck the lure in at 30'.

Good luck in your quest.....;D

Tight Lines!        

[Gatorbassman]

One thing I learned sight fishing the giant Florida Strain bass there, was if you can see them, they can definitely see you, (you should be casting no shadows on the water, etc).

You took the words right out of my mouth. This is the most important rule of sight fishing. You have got to stalk them just as if they were standing on the shore looking in your direction. Stay low and move slow and don't cast a shadow into the water. Don't wear bright colors. Keep your rod low when you cast.

[Guest River_stumps]

I also have go along with the carp theary. But! Go in you tackle box find the biggest worm you can find, 10 inches if you have one. Load that bugger up and see if he will suck that thing in. Big bass go for big baits. Good luck

[bass86]

thanks alot . im goiong back tommorow an dif i catch one of them ill post the pic

[smd70]

Hey Bass, I live in hanford and fish lake eastman a ton. If you want someone to go with ya, well im game to give it a shot.  What river and pond are you refering to. Is it private? Send me some details and Im good for just about any weekend.

[Guest avid]

these are trohy bass and i have even thought about bow fishing for them cause they are that close but i think it is illegal here. anyone want to join me and give it a try?

Ok.  I know that your new, but you are waaaaaaaay off course here.   First, if they are trophy bass then you have a wonderful opportunity to learn the skills and techniques required to properly catch these magnificent creatures.  Second. Please do not engage in or encourage others to join you in illegally poaching bass.  I hate to be preachy, but what you are suggesting is NOT GOOD SO DON'T DO IT!!! >

[bass86]

im not poaching. smd 70 i fish eastman alot also. im open to go back in a week if you want. keep me posted.