10 lb. or better

[Dr Pigg]

Congrats J-B.  How deep of water and what was you presentation?

Two things you never forget bass fishing  1) Camera 2) Toilet paper ;D

[etommy28]

my 4 biggest fish all over 9 pounds have come between 9 and 1, 2 came on a ragetail anaconda(including the 11 pounder), one came off a bed and the 3rd came using a 6 inch money minnow, with a weighted hook around stumps and hydrilla patches(I hooked a 2nd one on this that i never saw but if it was a bass it was 10 plus easy.)

[J-B]

Congrats J-B. How deep of water and what was you presentation?

Two things you never forget bass fishing 1) Camera 2) Toilet paper ;D

Thanks.  The water depth was 6 to 8 feet and it is the floating version of the swimbait.  I was fishing it sort of like a slow walk the dog presentaion.  I thought I was having a heart attack after the fish killed the bait from below.  The blowup was incredible to say the least.  X2 on the camera and toilet paper.

[WRB]

I have thought a swim bait would work---but, this lake has so much structure. They topped trees down 2 creeks that have 4 to 8 foot stumps in 10 to 12 foot of water. Some of the creeks are 15-18 foot deep. Very liitle dozer work took place on this lake except building a 600 yd. levee. Swim baits with the exposed hooks--won't you be hung up all the time. I fish a DD22 alot---Hang it alot-but have got good with the pocket rocket. Catching fish isn't a big problem----I'm greedy---I want PIGGS 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Throw a 6" weedless Hudd or for something bigger, an 8" 3:16 mission fish.

You could also throw big wake baits, no worries there about getting hung.

Agree the 6" weedless Huddleston should work depending on the type of baitfish the bass are targeting. Matt Lures soft Bluegill or Crappie is also a good choice. Hot wake bait today is the Lunker Punker.

Wood, including trees, is considered cover. During the cold water period the big bass should be located near the dam area or the lower 1/3 of the lake. Structure (the dam), major points, humps with saddles near deep water, etc.

Most giant bass are caught during pre spawn, spawn and summer nights. During late fall and winter cold water periods it is rare to catch record size bass.

Although the big bait big bass theory works sometimes, big bass are often caught on small lures like jigs for example.

If you are a serious trophy bass fisherman or want to be, then learning bass behavior is important. My recommendation is read; In Pursuit of Giant Bass by the late Bill Murphy. You may not agree with Bill on his techniques, however this is one of the best books written to date on big bass behavior and location in deep structured lakes.

WRB

[SoFl-native]

I have thought a swim bait would work---but, this lake has so much structure. They topped trees down 2 creeks that have 4 to 8 foot stumps in 10 to 12 foot of water. Some of the creeks are 15-18 foot deep. Very liitle dozer work took place on this lake except building a 600 yd. levee. Swim baits with the exposed hooks--won't you be hung up all the time. I fish a DD22 alot---Hang it alot-but have got good with the pocket rocket. Catching fish isn't a big problem----I'm greedy---I want PIGGS 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

from just what you said there i would be tempted to throw a 10 inch powerworm or a big jig if i was going after a big fish.

[David P]

You might just catch one when you least expect it, and when you're not searching for that big bite. I threw swimbaits a lot last  years, and my big fish on a swimbait was 9-11. I dropped a swibait, and got a 12 and 13 on small baits. Don't put all your marbles in one bag and assume you must throw a swimbait.

Structure is very important, and finding those spots where the big fish are. I'd worry about baits last.

[paul.]

gibson co. lake?  besides all the good ideas already suggested, i'd try a big willow leaf spinnerbait slow rolled through the timber close to prime structure.   i am also a fan of rattlebaits, jigs, and plastics.  

of course i might be able to tell ya more if you'd take me to said honey hole.

[Hook Set]

I agree with the structure theory.

My personal best (12.12lb) came off structure with a LC G-splash in September.

I might have twitched it 2 or 3 times before she engulfed it, My buddy lipped her at he shore and we threw her back to fight another day.

[Dr Pigg]

Paul--Gibson Co. Lake.  Opened April2003.  TWRA watershed lake.  Has never filled to summer pool--a No Wake lake!  560 acres.  All fishing -non-recreational.  Although TWRA--It's a Southern, Redneck Mafia Controlled Lake.  Anything even close to being a trophy can be photographed, weighed,  then must be released or your life will be in DANGER!! :-?  It's a government owned--Mafia controlled Big Bass Farm!!!  All welcome,  but please comply..  Replicas look too good to keep big Bass 8-) 8-) 8-)  

Paul,  Would love to fish with you here sometime.

Thanks,  PiGG Game Warden

[fishfordollars]

I just read all three pages and not one person mentioned fishing deeper. I firmly believe that the reason most don't catch larger fish is that they spend way too much time in 1-12' of water. Get out there, find some creeks, river ledges, humps, deeper grass lines,etc and get after it.

All but two of my fish over ten pounds(I have been lucky enough to catch seven) came in twenty foot or more of water. Fish larger lures, slow down, and make it a point to learn how to fish offshore.

Good luck,

Jack

[roadwarrior]

I just read all three pages and not one person mentioned fishing deeper. I firmly believe that the reason most don't catch larger fish is that they spend way too much time in 1-12' of water. Get out there, find some creeks, river ledges, humps, deeper grass lines,etc and get after it.

All but two of my fish over ten pounds(I have been lucky enough to catch seven) came in twenty foot or more of water. Fish larger lures, slow down, and make it a point to learn how to fish offshore.

Good luck,

Jack

Great point!

I would just add, it doesn't hurt to fish in Texas, Florida,

Georgia and Kalifornia, too!

[WRB]

I'm fishing a watershed lake -known for big bass( many caught over 10 lbs) and believed to contain the next state record. Give me some ideas on zeroing in on big bass. Bigger baits? Slower presentation?

OR just percentage of cast,patience, and persistance?

I get the idea you are fishing for more than a few helpful hints.

Each lake has it's own potential for growing record size bass depending on several factors. The strain of largemouth bass, the quantity and quality of the prey, fishing pressure, length of the warm water period, quality of the water, deep water sanctuary, other competing predator fish are just a few to consider.

If the lake is producing catches of NLMB over 10 lbs, the potential for a 14 to 15 lb NLMB is possible.

There isn't any panacea's to catching trophy bass, no magic lure or presentation. Learn big bass habits, what they eat, where they live and spend a lot of time on the water and you may be rewarded with a catch of a life time.

WRB

[fishfordollars]

I just read all three pages and not one person mentioned fishing deeper. I firmly believe that the reason most don't catch larger fish is that they spend way too much time in 1-12' of water. Get out there, find some creeks, river ledges, humps, deeper grass lines,etc and get after it.

All but two of my fish over ten pounds(I have been lucky enough to catch seven) came in twenty foot or more of water. Fish larger lures, slow down, and make it a point to learn how to fish offshore.

Good luck,

Jack

Great point!

I would just add, it doesn't hurt to fish in Texas, Florida,

Georgia and Kalifornia, too!

Yes it does. At the Toyota Bass Classic weigh in on Lake Conroe Saturday Kevin Vandam mentioned while on stage how lucky we (Texas Anglers) were to have our parks and wildlife department working for us the way they have been for the last many years. They are bound and determined to produce 20 lb. fish. They have even gone as far as changing slots to larger lengths and force feeding lakes oversize offspring. Two lakes (lake Nacogdoches and Town Lake), you are now required to release fish over 24". Only allowed to keep one to see if it qualifies for the state Share a Lunker program (Over 13 lbs.), and if not it must be immediately released back in the lake. Fish under 16" may be kept for consumption. State limit laws must be followed on these undersize fish except for the spotted bass. They may not get it done, but they are giving it one heck of a shot. It cost a lot of money, but thanks to Toyota, it's going all out.

[Raul]

I would just add, it doesn't hurt to fish in Texas, Florida,

Georgia and Kalifornia, too!

It don 't hurt to fish in Mexico either.  

Now back again on the subject, most of my big fish have been caught during the warmest time of the day ( 12 - 4 PM ) during the hottest time of the year for us ( spring ) under clear bluebird cloudless skies.

Now that I come to think about it .... no wonder why my wife says I 'm crazy, all that sun and heat have melted my brains.  

[Dr Pigg]

WRB-what else could I be fishing for besides a few helpful hints?  Fished all my life and still learn something nearly every trip out.  This forum is the closest thing to fishing while on dry land.  My wife and co workers could care less about a lunker.  

Sorry to take up your time

[WRB]

WRB-what else could I be fishing for besides a few helpful hints? Fished all my life and still learn something nearly every trip out. This forum is the closest thing to fishing while on dry land. My wife and co workers could care less about a lunker.

Sorry to take up your time

The Gibson Co. lake thread lead me to believe you just might be promoting a fishery and nothing wrong with that.

The reason I posted Murphy's book is his detailed illustrations of how big bass relate to structure and bass behavior from 40 years of remarkable catches of big bass. I fished with Bill back in the early 70's and he was very secretive back then and it surprised me how much detailed information he shared in his book. Murphy passed away from skin cancer a few years ago.

Fishing sun up to sun down or longer and not bringing anything home to eat gets a remark from the wife occasionally.

Please feel free to ask a specific question regarding catching potential record class bass; how would you fish in lake X to catch a record bass? Just need some info on lake X to answer properly.

WRB

[Mattlures]

A lot of good advise and I agree with most of it. I have caught many over 10lbs (around 30 I think). I have caught them at different times durring the day. Mid day has not been the only good time for me. Morning, mid day and night time. Summer nights and big plastics and wakebaits are my most consistant patern. These fish are caught shallow. As WRB has said summer nights, pre spawn and spawn are the most productive times. I think summer nights because the fish are predictable and they are ususly up shallow and actively hunting.

Prespawn because the fish are just bigger. A fish that might be 8lbs throughout the rest of the year could be pushing 10lbs when its fattening up for spawn combined with the cool water and slow motabalism. And of course the actual spawn because you can choos which fish to fish for. Those are the main times I fish for LMB. because I can find and catch the big ones. The rest of they year I am having too much fun playinhg with the saltwater fish to work hard for LMB

[Mattlures]

I also recomend

"in pursuit of trophy bass" by the late Bill Murphy. He is the original trophy hunter.

Also "tracking trophies" by John Hope has some good info.

I have the BBZ book but I never finished it. It just wasnt exciting to read. Good info but it semmed long. Now the BBZ video is a different story. I liked that one alot

As for weedless swimbaits. The mission fish and 6in huds are good choices. There are a nuber of good floating hardbaits out there.

J_B  congrats on the toad, I wish you had a camera too!  :'(

[J-B]

J_B congrats on the toad, I wish you had a camera too! :'(

Thanks Matt. My wife said that she wished she had the camcorder with her so she could have posted the vid here to blackmail me with.

Dr Pigg, I think that all the above information is great advice for finding bigger fish. I have just begun my journey into that world myself. I wish you luck on your catching the bigguns there.

[RoLo]

If nothing else, I think we've learned from this thread that neither "time-of-day" nor "water depth" hold the key.

Fourbizz and Catt are accomplished moonlighters that do big business after dark.

Raul and myself are sun-worshippers who not only live in the skin-cancer belt,

but embrace the midday hours (my favorite is 11am to 3 pm for both large and smallmouth bass).

I love deepwater fishing and find it easier than shallow-water fishing for pinpointing location,

which is sharply limited by bottom contour. My best pike and walleyes have come from deep, offshore holding sites,

along with a slew of saltwater species (pike in my avatar was 18 ft deep off the outer weed-line).

Although we've taken lots of smallies from deepwater haunts, it's never been the ticket for trophy largemouth bass.

I've spent a lot of time fishing for bigmouth bass in deep water (too much time),

but most of our heaviest bigmouths have come from water less than six-feet deep (Hannon style).

Roger

[Bass Junkie]

Ok, here ya go. This isn't coming form a guy who's caught tens of tens, but heres the lures I've had the biggest bass of my life strike:

                                   

            1. Watermelon/Pearl lamanite Yum! Dinger, fished like a fluke

            2. Baby Bass Stanley Ribbit Frog, Buzzed

            3. Spro Bronzeye Frog, Leopard, Walked

            4. Berkley Hollow Belly swimbait, Hitch

These are lures, just like what are in your box. I personally don't beleive in one, or four, magic baits. You need to understand how the bass function in your lake, where they are, and what mood they're in, then fish accordingly. Have patience, maybe use a larger lure. One great point that has been pointed out on this forum is that finesse is relative. A 12 inch bass will eat a 4'' finesse worm, but what about a twenty incher? His needs a greater, and his pray larger, so downsizing for a twelve incher may mean 4" worms, but for a twenty incher, larger lures are in order, even in finesse. Also, have confidence in your tackle, make sure its in the best possible condition, i.e. no line nicks, strong knot, properly running bait, properly set drag, ect. And have patience. Trophy hunting can lead to single fish days, or no fish, but its worth it when that giant bites.

[WRB]

It is nearly impossible to predict accurately what a record size bass in a Tennesse water shed lake or anywhere else may strike. Each trophy bass fisherman has there own lures or baits they have confidence using, the odds favor the lure or bait they fish with most often.

Sometime back I posted board topics regarding my opinion about giant bass (topics 1243873480 & 1244073579) based on my own experiences. Catt believes in and uses soft plastics, good choice. However I have never caught a bass 15 lbs+ on a plastic worm or creature; 14.2 lbs is my best plastic worm bass. Just because my preferred lure are jigs and swimbaits doesn't mean plastic worms and creatures won't work, they do. The best lure can't work unless it's fished in the right place at the right time.

How deep big bass are located is dependant on both seasonal periods and the type of lake. I have caught a lot of 10 lb+ bass and the average depth where I fish is about 15' deep. I caught them spawning in 2" of water and 60' deep during the winter, that is why it is important to determine where the big bass are located and what they are feeding on.

Jigs and swimbaits work extremely well during the pre spawn where I fish. Soft plastic worms and creature work well during the spawn and high overhead sun light is the best time to sight fish spawning bass. If you don't bed fish, then mid day sight fishing may not be a good time.

I also love to night fish, however have never caught a giant bass over 15 lbs at night, lots of 10 lb to 12 lb bass and that doesn't mean a giant size bass can't be caught at night.

WRB

PS; Don Iovino, the father of finesse fishing, caught a 18.5 lb bass doodling a 5" plastic worm. Don spends 95% of his time finesse fishing, so the odds were his PB would a finesse fish. For me it's jigs.

[zach t]

While I can't boast to having caught alot DD fish , I can say that every single one that was 5+(including my 2 10s) was caught with a frog. And that ranges from Guntersville to private ponds.

But, then again, I throw frogs. Alot.