The mindset of fishing for big bass

[Brian_Reeves]

All of my big fish (big=8lbs or better) have come off of jigs, spidergrubs, or shallow cranks.

[Triton_Mike]

Let me guess you fish with Spider Jigs, Jigs and shallow cranks the most??? If you fish with swimbaits as much as you do your spider jigs, Jigs and shallow cranks I'll bet you a donut your numbers of big fish will TRIPLE.  Try it!!!  

T Mike

[cart7t]

I think a lot of this has to do with the amount of time an angler is able to devote to fishing.  Most guys are able to get out on the weekends or every other weekend. The thought of tossing an 8" long swimbait all day in the hopes of 1 bite doesn't sound appealing. Especially when your odds are just as good for blanking for the day.  Expending 2 fishing trips with the possibility of catching nothing seems like you're losing the point to fishing.  

I'll continue to toss my larger lures into areas where I think Big Bass are going to hang.  After talking with a couple anglers personally along with the comments of several others, swimbaits may increase your chances of catching larger bass IF it's the only thing you're throwing.  I'm quite content with a few 2,3 & 4lbers along the way and even some dinks.  That sounds a lot better than wearing my arm out throwing a bait exclusively that may or may not catch a large fish for me.

[Randall]

Craigs statement,

"I think that putting a bait where they live is the key. Not ao much the size of the bait as most would claim."

You can argue it, you can discuss it, but the above statement is the one that you can take to the bank.

I will agree also. Number one is location. Number two is throwing the right lure for the  situation in the right location. In a lake in California stocked with trout a swimbait may be the best lure for the situation and location but go to another lake and there may be a better bait for the situation. Thinking that one bait is the best big bass lure for all situations and locations will not catch as many big fish as finding the location of the big fish then fishing the best lure for the job depending on the circumstances.

[Catt]

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got

How many understand the above statement?

If you're catching big bass with out using swim baits why change & if you're catching big bass with swim baits why change?

I agree it is all about mind set but the answer is not swim baits, it about the human element in fishing far big bass.

There are three major human element pitfalls you must overcome.

1. Lack of knowledge about big bass

2. Basic misconceptions about big bass and fishing techniques for big bass

3. The human tendency to respond to failure and frustration by over-complication rather than simplification of technique and theory.

Take these simple elements of knowledge, and nurture them with your own blend of hard work and fishing experience.

[Lane]

Swimbaits will definately increase your odds on catching big bass in upper 10% range,

regardless of location. Bass have GOOD eye sight. I believe that many people do not

realize just how good their vision is. Matt's swimbaits are very versatile, because they

CLOSELY resemble the REAL thing. Doug Hannon wrote about the importance of natural

looking baits 20 years ago in his book, "Big Bass Magic". In fact, I recommend that book

to anyone who wants to learn more about big bass. There is NO doubt that bigger natural

baits catch BIGGER bass more consistantly than cranks, jig,worms, etc.  Spinnerbaits

are a close second in my opinion. If size is what you are after, then you will need to locate then

outsmart the BIG bass. I can't wait until Matt comes out with his new line of baits, outsmarting

the BIG bass will get a tad bit easier!

[Brian_Reeves]

Let me guess you fish with Spider Jigs, Jigs and shallow cranks the most??? If you fish with swimbaits as much as you do your spider jigs, Jigs and shallow cranks I'll bet you a donut your numbers of big fish will TRIPLE. Try it!!!

T Mike

Oh, I don't doubt that one bit.  I just haven't had a good opportunity to work with swimbaits.  What I'm aiming to do is after I get back from Iraq (next fall) I'm going to convince my wife that I need a few mattlures for Christmas  I'm going to start using them in prespawn and keep one rigged up throughout the year.  Short of fishing Queen Cocaho (sp?) minnows for redfish, I have never used a good swimbait with success.  I'm actually going to use that same minnow on a spot remover as well.  I have a lot of re-learning to do with swimbaits and I don't wanna do that with a $3 pack of Storm garbage.  I am already sold on Matt's stuff and ain't gonna settle for less lol.

I know that jigs (particularly spidergrubs the Title Shot jighead) will remain a mainstay in my arsenol, but I also know that swimbaits are big bass producers.  Big bass help a lot when it comes to winning tournaments, which is what I wanna do more often lol.  I'm all about trophy hunting and I'm willing to feed the trophy fish what they wanna eat.

[Guest avid]

This is one of the better threads we have going right now.  Excellent exchange of ideas with everyone being respectful of each other.  IMO this is essence of BassResource.com.  

I want to welcome Catt to the forum.  Only a handful of posts so far, but they are intellegent and really well presented.  I look forward to hearing more from you.

It's been said a few times already in different ways, but I really believe that the "mindset" of big bass fishing has less to do with a specific type of bait and more to do with limiting the "hunt" to only big bass.  The more you specifically target the big bass, the more you will catch.  Guaranteed you will catch small ones as well.  As a matter of fact you will catch more smaller bass than the big bass you seek.  But if you think "big bass only"  you will throw the best lure in the best location at the best time based on your experience and knowledge.  You will catch more big bass than you did before.

[earthworm77]

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got

this is agreat point and T-Mike also made a good point about asking Ain't Tex about what he throws regularly. I've taken 4 fish over 8lbs this year. 3 were on swimbaits, theother, my 10-03 on a jig. I regularly throw plastics and jigs and regularly do not catch fish this big. It is location, the right bait for the location and mindset all rolled up into one.

[Catt]

Thank you avid  

Big bass are controlled by certain environmental (must do) factors

1. Reproduce effectively

2. Feed efficiently (maximize food intake and minimize energy output)

3. Prosper during extreme seasonal changes

Big bass are not controlled by

1. Your bait

2. Your boat

3. Your rod & reel

It takes a rare breed of fisherman using simple techniques to perfection to consistently catch big bass.

[fourbizz]

3. Your rod & reel

Personally, I think that that is the best thing to have controlling a big bass. ;D

[Brian_Reeves]

None of my bigger fish were caught while I was "big bass fishing."  I was just fishing.  Most of the time that I'm out, I'm looking to put together stringers in excess of 15lbs or more just to see how I'm sitting for future tournaments.  Most of the time I get that accomplished farely easily, though some days....

I actually think that swimbaits would do better for me than jigs on Stillhouse Hollow Lake here in Texas.  Matt's a Texas guy if I'm not mistaken.  He might actually have experience there to back that.  I know there are some places in the back waters of Louisana where your only choices of baits are senkos and weedless jigs.  Even skirted jigs would have a rough time in some of the muck that I fish in occasionally.

I think that it really all boils down to, as previously stated, picking the best lure for that location and correctly presenting that lure.  Swimbaits are so great at producing because they can cover vast areas of water quickly, but can also target structure.  Jigs are big bass producers because they can get into crankbait hell and come out with fish.  I guess it all depends, but I can see how swimbaits have an advantage because they can cover so much more water so much more effectively.

[Lightninrod]

If any of y'all are serious about "changing the way you think" about big Bass, consider getting a copy of Big Bass Zone.  Read it with an open mind and see if what Matt has said makes even more sense .

Dan

[Cody Kupferschmidt]

I would have to agree with Mattlures, that regardless of the state you can catch big bass.  I throw a lot of 6" Storm Swimshad in Ontario and frequently catch good sized bass on them.  I have caught 20 smallmouth in a few hours on this bait, with about a 2lb average.  Largemouth will eat it too up here.

I also have a question for Mattlures.  I find that the largest of the bass seem to follow the lure to the boat then turn around and swim away.  What is the best way to convert these followers to strikes.

Cody

[Mattlures]

Aint Texan, I am not Texan. I was born a raised in San Diego CA.

Cody The answer to tour question is the million $ answer. Guys will tell you how but very few actualy get any of them to bite. I just mark that spot in my head and hit it later, maybe froma diferent angle or diferent bait. Swimbaits make great big bass locaters. Any body who fishes them knows what I mean.

Some of you guys get it and some dont. Its not only about the bait. Its about changing the way you think. Once you do that then the swimbait becomes an obviouse choice no matter where in the country you happen to fish. Are swimbaits always the choice? No. but they should be used every time your out unless you KNOW the big fish are on something else. Even then it wouldnt hurt to make a few well placed cast with them.The reason I started this thread is because "how do I catch bigger fish" or something similar is probably the #1 question I see asked on the boards. The answers are always the same. Guys will catch 1-10 good fish a year out of probably 1000 and since they caught that incredibly small % of good fish on a worm or spinner bait they beleive those are the best big bassbait for them. I dont always hunt big fish. sometimes I just go to catch numbers(not verry often though) but when I do hunt, I play the odds. I do every thing I can to get that bigger bite. I think to myself what bait gives me the best odds of a 10lber. This doesnt mean I always catch 10lbers. Actualy I catch a lot of fish between 4-8lbs. I think when Is the best time and spot and depth. I aproach each spot like I am stocking a big buck. and I make my presentation with as few mistakes as I can. proir knowledge helps me eliminate water and not waist as much time. You learn with more time on the water. For thsoe of you that think swimbaiting is 1 bite a day, that is almost always not true. In my experiance I either get no bites or I get a few. I actualy have had more days when I got 15 bites than 1. Swimbaits are not always the answer. they are not a silver bullet, however I dont believe there is another bait that gives me a better chance at  big fish consistantly. If I was in Florida I would probably use big shinners alot but I would still throw a swimbait. I do what gives me the best odds. I also know from the tons of guys who send me emails or pictures that swimbaits catch big bass in every state. But I honestly have not heard anything from Hawaii or Alaska. Maybe worms actualy do catch bigger fish there  

[Brian_Reeves]

my mistake Matt.  I could have sworn that I saw you talking about Texas somewhere  :-[  Opps ><  

Also..question for ya Matt.  When swimbaits are not producing, what is your other favorite go-to on tough bite days?

[Catt]

Here's a question for yall read my post on Extreme Close-up Angling and tell me how to apply swim baits?

[Mattlures]

Great question! Some times I will just stick to swimbaits especialy if my partner is thrwoing other baits and not getting good fish. My second choice would be live bait. Crawlers, dads, and shinners. If they dont work than I have fished most of the day and if I try something else I am not realy hunting big fish anymore. I will throw a worm or a jig. Once I get a couple fish though I usualy go back to my big fish baits. I dont like getting skunked either but I have caught 1000's,  probably 10,000  bass under 5lbs. they are still fun to catch but they just dont get me excited anymore. I spent 20 years learning how to catch small fish. I never broke 10. I did catch an ocasional 7-9lber and lots of 5-6lber but it wasnt untill I changed the way I thought that I started catching big bass. The results were almost emediate. I started catching many more big fish and a lot less small ones but it still took me 2 years to break 10. The single biggest adjustment I made was changing lakes. Out here we have smaller super clear lakes that produce BIG Bass, The problem is they are brutaly tough. A good worm guy could go all day from dark to dark and only catch 2-3 fish. But I go to these lakes because they give me the best odds. we have a few real nice numbers lakes that are loaded with decent bass however they only kick out about 2 or 3 fish a year over 10 and they are usualy are barely over 10. It was  tough to stop fishing the fun lakes where 20lb limits were common for me. But I knew I had to.

[Catt]

My point exactly Matt, while swim baits will catch big bass it aint the bait for all situations. On Toledo Bend during the summer the hydrilla will be matted to the surface in 15 to 18' of water, the only thing that will work on big bass is a pegged Texas Rig or a Jig-N-Craw.

The big bass mind set is exactly that a mind set not a lure, boat, or any thing else. What the swim bait did was change your mind set to the point where you're not after just any bass but that rare 2%. In order to catch these rare 2% of a bass population your mind set made you change locations.

To catch big bass the rare 1% or 2% of a population which have proven their superiority and attained weights of 10 pounds or more you must understand their basic environmental needs.

1. Reproduce effectively

2. Feed efficiently (maximize food intake and minimize energy output)

3. Prosper during extreme seasonal changes

People often respond to failure and frustration by over-complicating theory and technique. As much as it helps our egos to regard a difficult task as complex, this type of thinking is often the biggest obstacle between you and fishing success.

Big bass live in the same world as their smaller bothers, but they (big bass) are more dominant and aggressive. They also eat the most and are first to respond to feeding opportunities.

These characteristics are often classified by anglers as anti-survival or dumb. Too many anglers imagine lunkers to be cagey, reclusive, picky eaters which rarely feed. That just won't get it done when it comes to out-competing, out-eating and out-growing the rest of the fish.

Anglers assume big fish to be elusive and intelligent because they don't catch many of them. In most cases, big fish are elusive simply because they are so rare.

Big fish are actually the least intelligent fish in terms of surviving fishing pressure.

Doug Hannon's Big Bass Magic

[Mattlures]

Catt I must disagree with you. While some of what you say is correct one major part of your post is wrong. I have read Hannons's book and it was interesting. Some of it was right but a lot of it only applied to his situations. His theorys simply do not work in high pressured deep clear lakes. His book is simply out dated. 20 years ago when he wrote it, it was more relevant and so were your assessments. What I am talking about is bass intelegents. In a natural world with out fishing pressure the most aggressive bass will become the biggest bass in the lake. She will dominate the best feeding grounds and eat more than the other bass. In a natural world without fishing pressure this bass would be the easiest bass to catch. It would almost be considered stupid.

Ok jump ahead 20 years to the world of modern day bass fishing where catch and release is the norm. All our big bass out here in CA have been caught many times and have learned to avoid danger. The older and more times the fish has been hooked the more it learns to fear humans and they're boats and their lures. I don't care what expert says bass are stupid simple creatures that can't learn anything, they are simple wrong period! We have all seen it with our own eyes. I have hidden behind bushes wearing camo to catch big bass and watched as a bass boat got within 100yards, not feet but yards and the fish took off. The smaller fish stayed. The fish would return when the boat had passed. That fish knew to avoid that danger. That giant 25.1 lb bass from Dixon is a perfect example. It has been documented caught 3 times. Every single time it was on a bed. No other time as a huge bass has that fish been caught. Dixon is highly pressured. It is only about 80 acres. That fish sees lures every day but it wont bite them, why? Because it is too dang smart. The only time that fish is vonerable is when its reproductive urges overpower it. Like a big buck in rut. I can give you many more examples but I realy dont need to.

Hannon sought out areas that received little pressure. therefore the bass were uneducated. Modern day bass have to be smart to survive. Yes the biggest bass are the most aggressive but they are also the weariest. I have talked to our biologist many times and he has shocked all of our lakes. He has shocked up more big bass then any of us ever thought were in our lakes. There are more of them then you think. Yes there are less big ones then little ones but the reason they are rarely caught is not because they are so rare. Its because they are more difficult to catch. The swimbait is not a silver bullet but it does the absolute best job at imitating what big bass eat. They eat big bait fish be it trout, bluegill, baby bass, gizzard shad, Big shiners etc. They eat all the other things too but their main staple is a big baitfish meal. They don't get to be 15lbs by chasing little thredfin around. However they are opportunistic and if and easy little meal comes their way they will sometimes eat it. I have leaned this from time on the water and talking with guys who actually catch big bass consistently. They do everything they can to give them their best chance at fooling such a stupid fish; don't let their tiny brains fool you. There are in tune with there surroundings and the older they get the more they can recognize danger. I am not saying they are super intelligent but they are defiantly smarter then the little bass. Yes you don't have to use swimbaits to catch big bass and they are not always the best bait but compared to all other artificial baits they consistently give you the best chance to catch the biggest bass.

You guys should all do yourselves a big favor and read in pursuit of giant bass by the late Bill Murphy. It is the bible of big bass. His techniques will still work today and can be applied to almost everywhere. Bill wrote his book before swimbaits became popular. They were mostly crude back then and he doesn't mention them very much in his book but he did troll large plugs and he did use them before he died.

The big bass zone is another book about catching big bass. it tells you to change the way you think.

[biteme]

Just wanted to say thanks for startin this thread. Its going to MAKE me get into that mode of throwing my swimbaits.

[Catt]

Matt now your brain is slowly opening

Here's a little insight of who I was taught by & at 55 years old I've not only read their books but I've attended many of their seminars.

Elwood L. " Buck" Perry & Bill Murphy: Finding & understanding deep structure

Douglas Hannon & Shaw Grisby: Understanding bass behavior

Rick Clunn: Mental aspects of bass fishing

Bobby Murray: Big bass can be caught on light line

These guys understood that big bass are controlled by certain environmental factors and if you use these factors to your advantage you will be successful. We are comparing apples to oranges not all big bass are located in Lake Dixon, so we cannot compare how to fish Dixon to lets say Lake Fork or Lake Tohopekaliga. Too many people want to take what these legends wrote years ago and say you see they are wrong. One must take their basic thoughts and intents and apply them with what has since been confirmed.

One must not take the term dumb to literal because if we re-read what Doug said he first says anti-survival then adds dumb. Any anti-survival characteristics by any animal are considered by human standards as dumb. I've fished Toledo Bend for 35 years now and know for a fact that you will catch more bass during the week as opposed weekends. Why one would ask? Simple, the weekend warriors are out in full force!

It has been a pleasure and an honor to discuss this topic with all of ya'll, I must add that within the deep bowels of my tackle boxes are found select few swim baits, and when under the correct conditions will find their way to the end of my rod.

Always remember When in doubt, Set the hook

Tommy Thibodeaux

[Fish Chris]

I have just been reading along with this thread for a few days, and not really sure how to answer.....

It seems to me that fishing specifically for big bass in Cali is just so much more clear cut. Pretty much all of our big bass eat trout. So, if you want to catch the big ones, throw nothing but a trout patterned swimbait. Sure, you will catch fewer fish, but the ones you catch will have a very large average size, and you will be solidly in the running for a world class monster. Fish with any other lure (and the largest % of Cali anglers still do), and you might as well be fishing in another state.

As for fishing with swimbaits in other states, I don't doubt that this will produce a larger average size fish, but still it "might hurt somebodies chances"..... Hmmm... How can I explain this ?

Okay, lets say a guy throws nothing but a swimbait in Texas, and he catches 5 fish (total), in 8 trips, which weigh 5.5, 6, 6.5, 8, and 9 lbs (35 lb total, with a 7 lb average). Now, lets say the same guy fishes jigs, and catches 42 fish in 8 trips. Granted, most of these fish might be well below the guys 7 lb average on swimbaits (in fact, even including his biggest fish, his average might still be below 7 lbs)..... but what if his top 5 fish from these 8 trips are 5, 5.5, 7, 9.5, and 11 lbs ?

Now, if this were the case, I'd say jigs were the better option for big fish, even if the guy did have to wade through a bunch of 2 to 4 lb dinks to get to the big ones.

However, all of this said, of course I believe a guy should still give swimbaits a solid try, regardless of where he lives...... plus maybe, consider moving to Cali ;-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Of my last 15 DD bass, 14 were caught on a swimbait. The one that wasn't (which would not even look at my swimbait) bit a fly lined crawler.

Peace,

Fish

[Brian_Reeves]

I guess the 'big bass mindset' is really for a different breed of angler than I am.  Yeah, I'd like to catch the World Record Bass but not nearly as much as I would like to be the World Champion by winning the Classic.  In tournaments, unless someone has a stringer full of decent fish, most professionals look for a big quantity of decent quality as opposed to one huge kicker fish first.  Once they get 10 or 15lbs, then they MIGHT start switching to big bass tactics.

Big bassin' definitely has its place both in tournaments and in the recreational areas of the sport, but a good tournament stringer (20lbs) is a lot easier to catch than two 10lb fish.  

I guess for practicality, you really need to know how to do both for tournaments to either learn a pattern and load up on 4, 5, and 6lb fish, or to try to find that kicker fish to give you a prayer at some winnings.  

Like Matt said, swimbaits...even his as spectacular looking and performing that they are...are not silver bullets or magical baits.  I can fully understand why bigger fish would hit the swimbaits more often as opposed to other lures.  I don't think anyone is saying, "Thou shalt not fish anything other than thy swimbait."  I think that instead, people like Matt are trying to raise awareness on the big fish potential of that style of bait.  You still have to know how to fish worms, jigs, spinners, and crankbaits to be a well rounded and successful angler.

I am excited about fishing some swimbaits, especially Matt's, when I get back from the desert.  But even if I catch a 17lb bass on one, jigs and soft plastics will always be the main weapon for me in tournaments unless I'm looking for a kicker fish or I see a pattern forming on that particular day.  And if I am looking for a kicker fish, I will be throwing big swimmers, big spinners, and jigs accordingly because one bait can, and never will, do it all.

Learning to blend powerfishing, flipping and pitching, and finesse fishing into one deadly style is almost like learning a martial art.  Swimbaits, just like topwaters, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and soft plastics, are just another tool.  On some days it may be a haymaker punch...but like a haymaker, sometimes it misses and leaves you in the open.  That's my shot at philosophy today and I think I blew it but it was fun trying lol

[Captain Cali]

I love these topics! Some great replies. It makes me wonder what the responses will be in 10 years.

I think the reason a lot of anglers are stuck on numbers is because of tournament coverage. When we watch pros catching 5 fish per day it makes us want to do the same thing. But I bet more people would target big fish if we saw more videos of people like Fish Chris, Mike Long, Butch Brown, etc., etc. sticking trophy bass.

The Butch Brown videos are what opened my eyes and started the "fire".