where big bass live

[Fishhook12]

Ok I was wondering do big bass stay in the same places smaller bass do or do they go in deeper or shallower water?

[MichiganFisherman]

I think this is a pretty good question and could use some answers.  I would think big bass generally hang out in more cover and tighter spots...  possibly deeper because it makes them feel safer.  That's just my guess though.  I'm no pro.  yet  

[ValkyrieRider]

Excellent question. I've heard from some folks that you can fish out the dinks from a certain area till you start to get the bigger bass and others have told me that if your catchin a buncha dinks, you need to switch spots because bass tend to school with like size bass....

I'm interested to hear the pro advice on this as well...

VR

[JShrock07]

This same type of question was asked a few days ago I have attached the link so hopefully you can get your answer.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1216158756/all

Good luck to you!!!

[htfdfire911]

Not for anything but I was interested in the feedback here myself because I have always wondered the same thing...

I cant prove this on a prof. level but from my experience I tend to find that BASS big or small will follow the bait fish....And depending on the conditions ie: wind/sun/changing current the fish can be found in multiple places and any given time of the day...

The second thing I found when I have cought larger fish after finding them was how something as simple as one tiny branch sticking out of the water was where they decided to hold...

I agree with the comments that bass do like to feel safe and need a position that allows them a quick escape route to deeper water when threatened or spooked...

So I would suggest finding an area where the bait fish seem to be in abundance and looking for something that a fish could hold on and working it really well...Sometime 15-20 casts to the same twig or branch is needed to get that one strike!!

But last time I checked I wasnt weighting in at the Bass Master Classic so take this all with a grain of salt!!

Good Luck!!

[fretfishman]

i know some people think that bigger bass live in different areas just because all they catch are the dinks. it's simply not true. look at the obvious factor in the situation - you're catching the dinks because they're quicker to jump at the lure and the larger bass are 1) harder to convince, and 2) hang tight to a specific point on that bed because it offers them the best ambush point. if you're catching nothing but dinks my advice would be to try different points in range of the bed you've found. fish each section thoroughly and you'll weed out the others.

sometimes, yeah, you'll catch a school or bed of dinks...as with any species that aren't loners. more often than not, though, you can weed out the others - and, let's be honest, fishing the dinks out isn't that bad since you're still catching fish.  ;D

some of us did respond to this in another post the other day, but I chimed in here because I wanted to say a couple things I didn't touch on in that post.

[JShrock07]

i know some people think that bigger bass live in different areas just because all they catch are the dinks. it's simply not true. look at the obvious factor in the situation - you're catching the dinks because they're quicker to jump at the lure and the larger bass are 1) harder to convince, and 2) hang tight to a specific point on that bed because it offers them the best ambush point. if you're catching nothing but dinks my advice would be to try different points in range of the bed you've found. fish each section thoroughly and you'll weed out the others.

sometimes, yeah, you'll catch a school or bed of dinks...as with any species that aren't loners. more often than not, though, you can weed out the others - and, let's be honest, fishing the dinks out isn't that bad since you're still catching fish. ;D

Very informative!!!! 8-)

[WRB]

The saying is to catch big bass you must fish for big bass is true. Anyone can catch a big bass by mistake by being at the right place at the right time using something the big bass wants to eat.

To catch big bass consistantly, the adult bass about 5 years old or more, you need to learn where they live.

Each lake and impoundment is different and the bass locate according to availability of food, sancturary, prefered water temperatures and spawning area, depending on the seasonal periods.

Big bass like to locate near a deep water sancturary where food is abundant and easy to catch.

Where I fish the lakes are high land reservoirs with very deep clear water and sparse cover with a lot of structure elements. The bass in the high land resevoir use main lake major points as primary locations and isolated structure elements in the main lake zone for winter, pre spawn, summer and fall periods. The big bass move into wind protected flat areas with cover to spawn, then recoup during pre spawn and move back out into the main lake areas.

It is a misconception that big and small bass share the same areas. It is true that big bass occasionally can be using the same area to feed on prey that smaller bass also feed on. Keep in mind the animal kingdom is survival of the fittest and big bass will eat smaller bass, if the smaller bass are considered prey.

The other factor to considered is big bass are adult fish and prefer high protein prey sources like; abundant schools of baitfish, larger soft ray baitfish, if available and young of the year pan fish, frogs, crawdads, small water birds; like ducklings or whatever they considered a meal. Small bass can only affectively eat smaller prey that they can catch or disable, avoiding adult prey that can do them harm, like adult crawdads.

WRB

[fretfishman]

It is a misconception that big and small bass share the same areas. It is true that big bass occasionally can be using the same area to feed on prey that smaller bass also feed on. Keep in mind the animal kingdom is survival of the fittest and big bass will eat smaller bass, if the smaller bass are considered prey.

WRB

what you're saying is only half true - don't spread this due to misinformation. it's completely subjective to what someone considers a "large" bass. I've caught several 5-7 pounders on the same bed as bass that weigh 1 pound or less. sure, you're not likely to catch a 15 pounder back to back with 1 pounders, but I think we all understand why that is. what you're saying about survival of the fittest and bass cannibalizing is true, though. what we have to remember, though, is that it's completely situational.

you can't rule out catching "big" bass next to smaller ones based on predator/prey logic alone.

[Catt]

I have caught 10 lb+ bass on one cast & 2 lb bass on the next so you go figure  

[fretfishman]

"you're not likely to catch a 15 pounder back to back with 1 pounders"

"I have caught 10 lb+ bass on one cast & 2 lb bass on the next so you go figure"

big difference!  ;D

so, so some of us have caught "large" bass next to dinks - yet some would say the smaller bass would be gobbled up if they're in the same vicinity. I've always thought, especially after conversations with a marine biologist friend, that bass will only cannibalize if they think they won't get a different meal soon and/or the dink bass is exceptionally small and presents a really easy meal. the type of discussion going on here only solidifies that in my mind.

conclusion? we worry too much.  :

[Matt Fly]

You could break down a bass' travels throughout the year to help determine the most likely area they will be in.

  What do bass do in the fall when water temps start falling?  

School on migrating shad.

On most of our lakes in Texas, they have alot of feeder creeks.   Note, not all lakes have creeks for shad to migrate to the backs of, thus, as I always mention, learn thy baitfish and its habits and travels.

What do 90% of the guides or articles concerning schooling bass mention?

  They all say, for the larger bass, try to get your bait down deeper under the smaller schoolies.  

In winter, our shad suspends out in deep water and will stay primarily in a small radius, they don't migrate very far at this time, you can bet that bigger bass are setting up house near the huge schools of shad, this is a time where I find that you may have to catch a few dinks to get to the better fish.   Although we catch some nice junks from time to time on Fork, the grass and a jig are your best ticket for DD bass.  You'lll catch nice ones on spoons and such, but the jig is a top producer, and to narrow that down, normally after the 3rd consecutive day after major fronts have produce are excellant days to work a jig for monster.

As WRB mentioned, protein in the winter is to help develope those eggs they are now carrying.  grass and crawdads in the winter are like spagetti and meatballs, they just go together.

AS winter progresses and spring nears, as temps warms, the bass move to holding or staging areas, so do the shad, they seek the warmest water possible.    

 Spring is no brainer, bass go shallow to spawn.

 Bass have been fending off preditors trying to get to their roe and fry, ie.....perch and brim.

Bass know that as soon as they are done with their business, that those egg robbing perch will do they're business next.    Bass will stay in those same shallow areas feeding on easy targets for a month or so.   Thus, the bluegill colored cranks/spinnerbaits and such are great baits during the ealry post spawn phase of a bass.    Check out most guides reports during that period.    I find fishing those perch and brim beds areas at night are best for big girls that are seeking a very easy meal.

EArly summer is a period of transition, and this can be hit and miss.   Bass are setting up for summer pattern.

I know in the summer, shad seek shelter shallow in the evenings prior to darkness, grass or any cover they can use, why do you think the topwater bite is so good early and late?    becasue bait has moved into the shallows?   EArly morning, as soon as the sun peaks up, the shad go deep and the topwater bite dies.    Notice a guide will tell you as the sun rises and the top water bites dies, gradually back out to deep water.   Why?   cause the shad are heading deep as the sun rises.    

As summer progress, we have a thermocline that sets up.    Shad will  be on the theromocline.  What does the thermocline offer?   the most oxygen content and cooliest water.

If that thermocline is set up at 20ft, you can take a map, find points, humps or anything that intersects at 20ft and fish it, you'll find bass on the same levels as the shad.

The common demonator for finding bass is food.    Learn thy food sources and you'll find bass, all sizes of bass.

We have a ton of guides reports on a bunch of lakes, they all seem generic, it seems as they write one and all use it for that month.   Why?    My lakes all share the same food sources.

I personally think more trophy bass feed at night when the lake is free of noise than in the day time.      You may see a trophy buck early fall in daylight hours, but when the shots ring out, the only time you'll see him in daylight hours is if he's on a doe, other than that, he goes nocturnal.   Moves at night.

   I think big, huge bass feed primarily at night on highly pressured lakes.

And the easiest way I have found better bass is watching my electronics.    I look in the normal haunts, when I find the size of arches I'm looking for, I set up shop.  

     Learn your electronics and food sources, the rest will fall into place.

[roadwarrior]

Interesting observations Mr. Fly, but have you also noticed that some

of the biggest bucks are harvested around noon? It's probably not a

coincidence that big bass are often caught midday, too!

8-)

[Jig Man]

I don't profess to be a big bass fisherman but have caught a few.  I find them in all kinds of water from 18" to 30' deep.

When I am strictly fishing for big bass I use big baits (3/4 oz jig/7" craw trailer) and I fish deep.  Some places hold big fish.  There is one spot where we have caught smallmouth to 4# and largemouth to 7#14oz.  All of them have been on a ledge off a secondary point 40 yds long.

[Matt Fly]

I do believe by using large profiled baits, you can elimate some smaller bass.   Even though I catch 1.5 lb bass on 14-18 inch placstics.

  On that note, my 14+ came on an older Shad rap, tiny bait compared to other cranks with small trebles.   TEXAS state record of 18.18 was caught while crappie fishing, so how big a bait do you think that was?

Don't disagree about large girls being caught mid day.    Great time period, but do the majority of big girls feed at that time?  Or just a small percentage?   I've caught my share at night and day.   I have done farless night fishing than daylight hours, and based on the percentage, I'd say my chance are way better at night.

RW, most of the time the trophy buck gets shot during daylight hours, it was because of the rutt and he's visible.

  Most big bass caught in the spring is because of the same ritual, reproduction.

Learn to fish big arches over little ones and I'll bet your gonna increase you size of bass.    

    Summer and bridges.   Bridges tell me that most of the time, there are channels, deep water, possible old road beds and old sunken bridges that parallel the new bridge.

  What else does a bridge offer?     first off, shade 100% of the day.  

  Bridge pilings also have algae growth on them that all bait fish feed on.    Sure is nice to have boat waves continueing to knock that growth off and see bait around the pilings all day.

  Crappie fishermen place brush along the sides of the pilings for added attraction.

   Bass eat crappie, rephrase,   Big bass love easy meals and crappie and all the other food sources down there seeking shade and depth.

I haven't been fishing Cali in along time, but can offer this.    What is the food of choice in most resorvoirs in Cali?    Trout!!  

 

       San V. and other lakes are connected by aqua ducts,  ducts that pump in water, which is current when pumping, trout like current, bass know trout will be in that current.     I caught the majority of my big  bass on San V at the Aqua duct.  and other similar lakes.    So, If  I was heading out to Cali and wanted to fish for some big girls now, i'd do some checking to see if they have been pumping and when and where they will be next.  

   Know thy habits and hangouts of thy food source.  Know what lakes are pumping by getting online.   Why fish San V if they aren't pumping when another lake is pumping?      

CAtching big fish consistently is not luck, its having done "ALL" your homework.

  Know thy food sources!!    

 

 

[WRB]

It is a misconception that big and small bass share the same areas. It is true that big bass occasionally can be using the same area to feed on prey that smaller bass also feed on. Keep in mind the animal kingdom is survival of the fittest and big bass will eat smaller bass, if the smaller bass are considered prey.

WRB

what you're saying is only half true - don't spread this due to misinformation. it's completely subjective to what someone considers a "large" bass. I've caught several 5-7 pounders on the same bed as bass that weigh 1 pound or less. sure, you're not likely to catch a 15 pounder back to back with 1 pounders, but I think we all understand why that is. what you're saying about survival of the fittest and bass cannibalizing is true, though. what we have to remember, though, is that it's completely situational.

you can't rule out catching "big" bass next to smaller ones based on predator/prey logic alone.

Bass stop feeding when they move up and spawn. During the spawn you will have smaller adult males spawning with big females. The balance of the year the larger bass tend to avoid small juvenile. bass.

Big bass will move into an area with smaller bass and feed, the classic example is schooling bass working baitfish and the larger bass picking off the wounded below the school.  This activity is a feeding opportunity that has come within the big basses location, usually an area of structure that creates a compression zone.

WRB

[WRB]

Ok I was wondering do big bass stay in the same places smaller bass do or do they go in deeper or shallower water?

During summer period when the surface water is usually very warm and could be above 80 degrees, the big bass tend to go deeper to find cooler water around 70 degrees. The smaller bass and pan fish tend to stay nearer to shore to find sancturary in the cover availble along the shallower shoreline areas. Big bass will move under the cover on occasions during the daytime to feed on the smaller baitfish that may be along the cover edges or go deeper into the cover at times to search out prey. The green weed beds produce DO during the day light and provide shade, however the big bass usually move back out into deeper water during the day light hours. As the sun goes down the big bass move up into the shallow water zones near deep water to feed on the baitfish and crawdads that use the cover for protection. Night fishing during the summer period is usually better then day time fishing for big bass. However the truely giant bass are rarely caught at night. One reason for this may be the larger prey fish are difficult for the giant bass to locate and catch during the darkness in open water. Big bass tend to avoid moving into large weed beds at night do to the low DO levels caused by the weeds comsumming DO during darkness. I have caught a lot of bass to 14 lbs at night on jigs and worms, no giants over 15 lbs at night.

During the cold water periods the big bass stay out in deeper water to find the warmest water available and locate near prey sources.

WRB

[roadwarrior]

I have caught a lot of bass to 14 lbs at night on jigs and worms, no giants over 15 lbs at night.