Calling spotted bass guys- tips on catching large spots

[SissySticks]

In my (new) home state the spotted bass state record is about 4.4 pounds, which seems like a very vulnerable number to me, compared to the 6.9lb. state record smallmouth and the 11+ pound state record lm.  There are 3 lakes about an hour south of my home that are known for their large populations of spotted bass, though none is particularly known for producing huge size (though with a state record that low, my guess if folks aren't trying too hard).  I am planning to spend some considerable fishing time on these lakes this summer (teacher) attempting to break said record, but my only spotted bass experience has been a couple trips to Ouachita in Arkansas.  Spotted bass affecionados: recommendations on targeting above average spotted bass?  Lures?  Location?  Thanks.

[Mottfia]

Hey buddy, What type of lake is it? water clarity? depth ranges?

[BaitMS]

Read this article.

http://tackletour.com/reviewintervieanother sitekebucca.html

[lknbassman]

Read this article.

http://tackletour.com/reviewintervieanother sitekebucca.html

That's an awesome article.  He seems like a real good guy.  Definately a teacher and steward of the sport.  Good to see a guy like that share some of his wisdom.  Makes me rethink swimbaits altogether.  I've been avoiding them for the clear water/bait is too big reasons.  Guess that's why I have not caught any spots over 2 lbs...

[SissySticks]

Hey buddy, What type of lake is it? water clarity? depth ranges?

OK, there are 3 lakes, 110, 450, and 3500 acres.  Depths less than 50 feet, middling water clarity (4-10 feet of visibility).  Bass population primarily spots with some largemouths.  Rocky substrate.

Also, I have read the Bucci article about swimbaiting.  Certainly worth looking into- perhaps some 4-5" swimbaits would be in order. I'm not going to be catching any 6-7 pounders, I think 5-5.5 is probably a hopeful mark.  Anybody used the Berkley power swim shad for spots?

[Gatorbassman]

Read this article.

http://tackletour.com/reviewintervieanother sitekebucca.html

Mike is one of the great guys. I have been friends with him for longer than I've been on BR. Click on the WWW at the bottom of my post and it will take you to his website. He has several articles in there but if you want to ask him a question check out his local forum. The guys on there talk spotted bass all the time.

His trick for big ones........ Large swimbaits.

[bocraw]

I by no means remotely belong in Triton Mike's league as far as fishing in general, much less catching humongo magnum spots.  But I will give you my two cents none-the-less.   Without knowing much about the fisheries, I agree that 4-4 sounds obtainable.  One would think at least one 4-5 is swimming around a body of water in your state somewhere.  Here are three general strategies to use:

1. GO STRIPE FISHING.  Magnum Spots are caught all the time by stripe fisherman.  Large Bucktail jigs, Long As, Redfins...all will catch mag spots.  And as much as I hate to say it...if you really want to break the state record...get yourself a cast net and fish with gizard shad.

2. JIG FISH CURRENT.  Do these lakes have dams like the Coosa River impoundments?  Or are they like Lanier / Altoona in that they do not have dams to fish up stream.  If you have a tailrace I would buy some jigs and put them in current a la Jay Yelas 2003 / 2004.  My personal best was a 5-13 spot caught doing this.

3. FINESSE EM.  Can you cay Charlie Brewer?  I have had my arse kicked many a time by guys fishing with 6 lb test who bring in 5 lb spots.  The shakey head is all that you hear talked about now, but the old schoolers still stick with the original finesse technique.  I caught a 4-05 two weeks ago using htis method.  But generally I do not have the patience to do this.  But the basic idea here is if you catch 1000 spots one of them is bound to be large.

There is my two cents.  Good luck with your quest and please keep us updated.  As you learn more about the lakes and can give us names, are they highland or lowland, forage, etc... then we will be able to offer more helpful suggestions.  But this should get you started.  Basically you need to step outside the box and go BIG or go SMALL, but either way you are doing something different.  

Tight Lines.

[Todd]

Don't forget the Lucky Craft "Pointer" and "Sammy".  I caught a spot that went 4lbs 14oz a couple of weeks ago on a pointer.  

[jongreve]

Some of the smaller lakes in the state might produce that fish that you are seeking.

Those records sound awefully familiar to the records of my own state.

There is a lake in the southeast coener of the state that is stocked with spots, two pound fish are not too uncommon in that lake. I have also seen a few 5lbs+ largemouth taken from said lake.

This would be a good time of year to attack.

[fishinfiend]

I have had good luck with spots in places with a lot of current  or shelfs that extend from the shore underwater.  I have found that zoom's ol' monster (10.5") work great. I caught one today on a jig with a paca craw as a trailer. Look for drop offs too!!

What do you teach?  Hopefully I will have a job as a social studies teacher by this fall.

[SissySticks]

Yeah, I tend toward the extreme ends of the bait spectrum anyway- I'm either throwing a 3" senko, and 1/8 oz. spinnerbait, finesse worm, or a huge swimbait or 10" worm.  I went out and bought some interesting lake fork swimbaits in a shad color yesterday.  They're about 5 inches long, bulky, and fished on a big jighead.  We'll see if a big spot will eat one.  Probably catch some nice wipers anyway, as a biproduct.  Thanks for the advice.

[WRB]

First determine if the lakes you fish have northern ( Kentucy) spots or Alabama spots, big difference in the size potential. Aviod the Kentucy spots as they rarely grow over 3 lbs., and target the bigger Alabama spots.

Spots are very similar to smallmouth bass and like the same type of water, deep with granite rock, slides with broken rock and ledges with rock piles and isolated stumps. Forget about the shoreline, you will be fishing main lake deep outside structure. In the spring the spots follow the baitfish into the river arms, so look for inflows of running water occurring that draw schools of baitfish.

Spots also are crawdad eaters and love smaller size spider jig; 3/8 oz. football (green) head with plan green Yamamoto twintail hula grub is a good choice. Iovino 6" straight #111 smallmouth killer worm, split the tail about 1" and rig on a 1/4 ozshaky head jig is also a good choice. Good luck.

WRB

note; there are some newer "triple" fish type 4" & 5" shad swimbaits and Huddlestons 6" swimbait is ideal for big spots under the right conditions; light wind to break up the surafce and early or late in the day when the shad are moving toward cover.