Catching Big Fish Consistently

[Big-O]

4-6 pounders are pretty common around here. We catch several nearly every trip. I had 4 eights last summer in one evening.

It mostly has to do with where you go. There are over 500 lakes within an hour drive for me. If I'm taking my nephews and nieces, I will pick a lake with lots of dinks to make it fun for the kids. If I'm going after a big fish and not many bites, I will pick a trophy lake.

X2, I posted this some time back to help us understand "What we learn to target most often... we will learn to hit most often"

A fellow took his Grandson to a shooting facility to sight in the boys new hunting rifle. There were separate target ranges for shooters from 50 out to 1000 yards, and they chose the 100 yrd range as did the majority of the other shooters. Not only was this the busiest range, but it was very exciting with the hussle and bussle not to mention all the noise and fast paced shooting action. The young boy was excited and had a great time at this range! When they were leaving, they stopped for a short time at the 1000 yard range where there were a couple of lonely shooters. As they observed this range, Granddad noticed the boys impatience with this slower and more tedious process... There were longer time periods between shots while hesitating for cking their exact placement, only to pause again and adjust for the changing down range wind conditions etc. In the Grandsons opinion, this range lacked much of the excitement that the busy and more popular 100 yrd range provided, and the Boy said "BORING". -------------------

This displays and mirrors fishing experiences for many of us "IF" we in fact have a variety of fishing opportunities to consider. Some target "Catching Many Fish" and become very successful and happy doing exactly that through their repetitive actions, experience and persistance to do so. Others target "Catching A Certain Fish" and become very successful and happy doing exactly that through ...Blah Blah Blah

Sounds good to me!

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Randall]

I went back and looked and since April if I add all the trips and number of big fish over seven pounds together I get a fish over seven pounds for each trip caught by someone fishing in my boat with anywhere one to three people fishing at a time. Most times there are two people fishing. Of course some of those trips we didn't get any big fish and some of those trips we got two or three big fish. About half the trips were on known big bass lakes where a big fish is no big surprise unless is is over ten pounds. The other half were on lakes with very few big fish in comparison to the number of small fish. On most all the trips the main focus was to try to get big fish both by bait choice, technique and by location. All of the lakes except one were between 250 and 800 acres. The other lake was Lake Allatoona which is known to be tough for big fish and I got two big fish there in two trips one seven and one eight pounder.

I live on a small private lake full of small stunted fish and very few good ones. I didn't include those in the numbers above but I got four seven pounders out of ten short trips out on a boat. The rest of the trips were all fish under two pounds with most being about 3/4 of a pound.

Last summer/early fall I had nine trips out of ten with a seven pound or better fish all on the same lake which is a known big bass lake. The other trip I zeroed. Most of those trips we had an eight to ten pounder.

[Catt]

I believe it takes a rare breed of fisherman using simple techniques to perfection in the proper locations at proper times to consistently catch big bass. Having been around some of the top tournament Pros and best big bass anglers for 45+ years I know for a fact they never leave the dock tournament or not with the intention of catching small fish.

It is a frame of mind that the average angler does not understand, these anglers understand the relationship between the bass and their food source, they understand the importance of structure on a given body of water, and they understand how weather patterns affect the movements of both the bass and its prey.

What most anglers don’t understand is that 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

4. Achieve good growth rates by domination of the warmer areas of the lake during the colder seasons.

If you apply these 4 environmental factors to your fishing you will increase your odds of catching not just bass but big bass.

This breed of fisherman understand it’s not about the boat & motor, the lures & lines, or the rods & reels it’s about what I listed above.

[Brand0n]

I went back and looked and since April if I add all the trips and number of big fish over seven pounds together I get a fish over seven pounds for each trip caught by someone fishing in my boat with anywhere one to three people fishing at a time. Most times there are two people fishing. Of course some of those trips we didn't get any big fish and some of those trips we got two or three big fish. About half the trips were on known big bass lakes where a big fish is no big surprise unless is is over ten pounds. The other half were on lakes with very few big fish in comparison to the number of small fish. On most all the trips the main focus was to try to get big fish both by bait choice, technique and by location. All of the lakes except one were between 250 and 800 acres. The other lake was Lake Allatoona which is known to be tough for big fish and I got two big fish there in two trips one seven and one eight pounder.

I live on a small private lake full of small stunted fish and very few good ones. I didn't include those in the numbers above but I got four seven pounders out of ten short trips out on a boat. The rest of the trips were all fish under two pounds with most being about 3/4 of a pound.

Last summer/early fall I had nine trips out of ten with a seven pound or better fish all on the same lake which is a known big bass lake. The other trip I zeroed. Most of those trips we had an eight to ten pounder.

ive caught a 5lb and a 3.68lb bass on allatoona this spring i live in marietta

[Fat-G]

I believe it takes a rare breed of fisherman using simple techniques to perfection in the proper locations at proper times to consistently catch big bass. Having been around some of the top tournament Pros and best big bass anglers for 45+ years I know for a fact they never leave the dock tournament or not with the intention of catching small fish.

It is a frame of mind that the average angler does not understand, these anglers understand the relationship between the bass and their food source, they understand the importance of structure on a given body of water, and they understand how weather patterns affect the movements of both the bass and its prey.

What most anglers don’t understand is that 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

4. Achieve good growth rates by domination of the warmer areas of the lake during the colder seasons.

If you apply these 4 environmental factors to your fishing you will increase your odds of catching not just bass but big bass.

This breed of fisherman understand it’s not about the boat & motor, the lures & lines, or the rods & reels it’s about what I listed above.

Great stuff Catt. One thing I've learned is that an ambush point + structure close by + baitfish = a big bass is near. At that point it's just about making ONE good cast with the right bait and presenting it effectively.

[WRB]

Adult size bass vary with species; northern largemouth, Florida largemouth bass, smallmouth, spotted bass and 3 other isolated species. Combine all those diffierent bass and natural lake, reservoir, river, pond with a vastly different growing potential, size varies greatly.

Most common is LMB (northern); big adult female over 7 lbs., trophy over 10 lbs.

LMB (Florida strian); big adult female over 10 lbs., trophy over 14 lbs. (Florida, California and Texas)

Spotted and smallmouth; big adult female; 5 lbs., trophy over 7 lbs.

Where I fish FLMB are predominate and average 1 over 10 lbs for every 15 hours on the water for the past 30 years, until 3 years ago.

I can only fish 1 lake the past 3 years and the big bass population has crashed; 8 over 10 lbs during the past 3 years, over 40 hours per big bass and none over 14 lbs. The bass must be there to catch them.

[Big-O]

IMO, number ONE is only fishing lakes where big fish are known to roam. After that, it's being willing to leave the small or medium bite in order to locate the larger models. There are many other factors to consider but these two challenges should have high priority in your plan.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[jiggerpole]

I live on a small lake and manage it for quality bass fishing. It was a very bass crowded lake to start with and now it is making a good recovery. 8 and 10 oz. was the average per 100 in the beginning. So I mostly fish for numbers to get an overall average, but on occasion I fish for the bigguns. Now that we have them.

The numbers for 2011 are: 80, -2 lb. / 124, 2+ lb. / 20, 5+ lb. / 15, 4+ lb. / 6, 5+ lb. / 2, 6+ lb. / 1, 7+ lb. and the biggest 8.1 lb. I know of two bass almost touching the 10lb. mark that was caught this year but unfortunatly it wasn't me. Ha!

[piscicidal]

IMO, a "big" fish here is 5lbs. Looking thru my journal, I've caught 614 bass so far this year. 16 over five lbs. 4 of those were over six. No sevens yet, but thats gonna change here soon. 75 nights in China this year has had an adverse affect on my big fish tally.

Fat G, one of my fives came from Otsego Lake, Cooperstown. We have a couple properties up there (cherry valley, actually) and I was there for 4th of July. I caught that 5lber right in Sam Smiths marina on a frog. The staff there didnt seem all too happy about it, either.

[Naters]

Adult size bass vary with species; northern largemouth, Florida largemouth bass, smallmouth, spotted bass and 3 other isolated species. Combine all those diffierent bass and natural lake, reservoir, river, pond with a vastly different growing potential, size varies greatly.

Most common is LMB (northern); big adult female over 7 lbs., trophy over 10 lbs.

LMB (Florida strian); big adult female over 10 lbs., trophy over 14 lbs. (Florida, California and Texas)

Spotted and smallmouth; big adult female; 5 lbs., trophy over 7 lbs.

Where I fish FLMB are predominate and average 1 over 10 lbs for every 15 hours on the water for the past 30 years, until 3 years ago.

I can only fish 1 lake the past 3 years and the big bass population has crashed; 8 over 10 lbs during the past 3 years, over 40 hours per big bass and none over 14 lbs. The bass must be there to catch them.

I can't even imagine catching one over 10 lbs. I need to fish some other parts of the country lol

[Sam]

Hayden, I am thinking of catching some small bream and bluegills and transporting them in minnow buckets to the secret pond.

Also want to get some small bass from an over crowded pond and transplant them into the secret pond.

Went to the pond on Monday and caught three big ones, as usual. We need smaller size bass and more food for them to keep the pond in good condition for the bass.

We have to name the bass. Lets start with Aaron, then AJ followed by Myron. Just food for thought.

Do you want to help catch the bream and small bass and move them to the secret pond after the hurricane passes? Let me know.

[WRB]

I can't even imagine catching one over 10 lbs. I need to fish some other parts of the country lol

Texas is your best bet for numbers over 10 lbs., California would be 2nd....

[Ratherbfishing]

My regular fishing buddy and I have discussed this. We make a pretty good team (in terms of styles and temperments) and we rarely catch fewer than 20 fish per outing but we don't go after the big boys (or girls) either. Neither of us like to sit for hours off a deep point or ledge and dredge the bottom for hours for the one or two bites which might result in a big bass. We both need more immediate gratification than that. Therefore, while we usually catch a fair number, we aren't likely to win a tournament or win "big bass." But that's us and we're okay with it.

Addendum: This isn't to say we don't catch some quality fish. We've caught a 7 and a couple of 4 lbers this year and in central Illinois, that's nothing to sneeze at.

[WRB]

The best book written to date on how to catch big bass is Bill Murphy's "In Pursuit of Giant bass".

Like most bass anglers I do not like to live bait fish or camp out on a few spots for hours at a time.

I spend a lot my time searching by metering potential areas known to hold big bass and than target those areas that show evidence of bass and bait activity.

To catch big bass consistantly you must fish for them where they live and with lures or bait they prefer to eat. There isn't a panacea or magic lure, just a lot of time on the water and close attention to details.

Tom

[redboat]

Since none of our skills change overnight, the size of the fish caught is more a function of the body of water than the skill of any particular fisherman.

Truer words never spoken! Most of my fishing is on DFW area lakes, and on a really good day I may land a couple of one pounders. I csught a 4 pounder on a lake I've fished regularly for 20 years last year. I took a picture, for that lake it was a monster.

On the other hand, the wife and I fished Amistad spring before last, and the SMALLEST bass we landed went about 3 pounds. Caught a lot of 4 pounders and a couple of 5's.

[WRB]

There is an old saying that 10% of the fisherman catch 90% of the fish.

Lets refine that by saying 10% of the bass anglers catch 90% of the big bass.

The bottom line; it takes skill to consistently catch big bass.

Tom

[bradbass]

Up until two years ago all I caught was mostly 1-3lbs bass. Then I read a simple article" If you want to catch BIG BASS then you have to use BIG BAITS". Since I have started using big baits like 5-7" swimbaits,10" ribbon tail worm etc. I have just been killing them big bass after big bass. My biggest was this year 7lbs on a 10" worm. Over the past two years I have not caught much under 2-1/2lbs. If you want to catch big bass you have to use big baits.

[deep]

Up until two years ago all I caught was mostly 1-3lbs bass. Then I read a simple article" If you want to catch BIG BASS then you have to use BIG BAITS". Since I have started using big baits like 5-7" swimbaits,10" ribbon tail worm etc. I have just been killing them big bass after big bass. My biggest was this year 7lbs on a 10" worm. Over the past two years I have not caught much under 2-1/2lbs. If you want to catch big bass you have to use big baits.

Uhhh, idk if it's as simple as that. Big baits doesn't always equal a big fish. It's more about the location. Big fish get to choose the best location in the whole lake..

A 6" swimbait is not a very big bait, a 8" or a 10" is a more standard "big" bait. A 18" bass can eat a 10" bass, no problems. And a 10" worm is certainly not a big bait.

Not trying to criticize you, I'm a huge believer in the big bait- big bass theory, and throw the tournament grade swimbaits (Matt's baits, 6" hudds, Ospreys, 316 softbaits, Spro BBZ, small slammers, punkers, hardgills) on a regular basis. But you gotta know where to throw them..

[bradbass]

Location is a key factor. But your probablly not going to catch 5lb bass on 7"worm I dont care what the location is. The baits I have listed are big baits for me and they work.

[Fat-G]

Location is a key factor. But your probablly not going to catch 5lb bass on 7"worm I dont care what the location is. The baits I have listed are big baits for me and they work.

Really? I've caught a seven, two sixes, and probably 20 four pounders this year on a Baby Thumper, which is closer to 6 inches than 7.

I've caught bass up to seven on a 1/16 oz beetlespin, and caught a five last year on a 1/64 oz crappie jig.

I throw big baits a lot, but most of the time they won't get bit nearly as much as a smaller version. Bass are opportunistic feeders. If you drop a 4" finesse worm right on their nose at the right time, bam.

[WRB]

To catch big bass you must use big lures isn't always true. Yes you can catch big bass on big lures, if the bass prefer that size lure under particlar circumstances.

The vast majority of big bass are caught on 3" to 4" live crawdads or jigs that represent crawdads. The exceptions are; areas where big bass are feeding on large bait fish like 6" to 8" golden shiners or plated small trout.

Bass, like most animals, can't judge size from a distance, it's a last moment choice to strike based on experience.

Tom

[gobig]

When I hear the term "catching big bass consistently" I think in relative terms to geographical location. In other words a big bass in California or Texas is going to be different than a big bass in a northern state. A 8lb fish in some areas is just as big a trophy as a 15lber is in others. For some reason we have these idealogical numbers of what a big fish is. It's all relative to where you fish. If a 5lber is the biggest fish in the pond is that not a toad?

This can be broken down even further. It all depends on the goals of an individual. If you were to ask KVD this question, I think he would answer it differently than someone like Butch Brown. Two totally different mindsets with different goals. KVD wants to catch bigger fish than his competitors and Butch wants to catch the biggest fish in the lake... or the world for that matter.

[Bluebasser86]

The lake record in the lake I fished growing up was a little over 10 pounds and was caught on an 1/8oz beetle spin. The guy was crappie fishing along the channel next to a spawning flat and over a brushpile. It was a spot on a spot next to a spot. With no shad in the lake the crappie he was fishing for were probably one of the main things that bass ate. I could take a 6" swimbait or 10" worm to my local lake and fish it all day, everyday, but I'd rarely catch anything and if I did it probably wouldn't be very noteworthy. Why? because there just isn't many big fish in the lake. We have Wednesday night tournaments every week from mid-spring until late fall, this year there has been 1 fish over 4lbs and 1 fish over 5lbs brought in. If you aren't fishing where the big fish are, you aren't catching big fish, simple as that. Big baits may help a lot in your quest for big fish, but they can't make big fish appear where they don't exist.

[Catt]

The geographic location or size of the “big” bass is not what’s important!

First and foremost if you cannot consistently catch bass of any size odds are you aint gonna be that good at catching big bass.

Every time the subject of catching “big” bass comes up we get the argument of trophy anglers verses tournament anglers. While Kevin VanDam’s goals maybe be different from Butch Brown’s the common denominator is they both know how to catch bass.

Knowing how to catch bass consistently is the first step to catching big bass consistently!

To me the size of the bass being caught does not matter either; I have just as much respect for roadwarrior and the giant smallies he catches as I do for FishChris and the monsters he catches or J Francho and the Yankee bass he catches.

[deep]

Catt, I believe I have figured out how to catch 5 twelve-inch keepers consistently, but big fish, even 3 pounders are few and far between for me when I fish my local lake. I know for a fact there are some nice fish in there.. I've even caught a few, including a 8+.

The trouble is I guess, I fish the lake the same way as always. And of course, I end up with the same results. That's still better than how I see others, who beat the banks, fare on that lake.

I am out of ideas. I keep trying to fish offshore, points, creeks, channels, ridges, humps; and still catch those 15-16 inchers. It's more fun than beating the shoreline cover, but honestly, I'm sick of catching those 1-2 pound bass.

I do believe that catching bigger bass consistently needs a different mindset. Do you have any tips for me?