Posted by Travis on 2002 AM:
Quality vs. Quantity
I was waiting for that
thread to peter out a bit to ask something of those that responded. I perused
the thread for the first time tonight. One thing I hear is that I would like
this size over that size etc etc. Explain to me if you would, how YOU not
anyone else but in your experience how YOU go about culling the water so to
speak if targeting bigger fish. What I am asking for here is some info beyond
the "well I use a 1/2 oz. blade as compared to my normal 3/8 oz. model"
. Because let's face it who here hasn't taken a 10 inch greenie on a bait that
was nearly as large as the fish. So how does one go about getting past dinks if
targeting "big" fish for the day ? I will assume because of our
locale we will be speaking of largemouths and yes I have fished in Fla. and Ca., how about in NY ?
T
Posted by postcard on 2002 AM:
Travis, I would change
locations because fish of a certain size, many times, school together. (one
year my son and I caught 15 12" bass in a school)
Of course, increase lure size, though very active dinks might still hit a
(i.e.) 10 worm.
Go deeper or only fish bottom. Smaller fish grouped in a specific depth near
the surface may be feeding as a pack, with lazy, larger fish below, eating easy
scraps.
Fish large soft plastics in heavy cover. Loner-lunkers don't like company and
prove it when they reaction-strike a flipped lure.
Posted by Bass Rat on 2002 AM:
Travis, Very good topic.
First off I am no expert on catching big fish, however one of my personal goals
in bass fishing is to learn how to locate, hook & land bigger fish. Here is
my limited findings on the subject.
All the times that I have set forth to target big fish have proved marginal at
best. However I have caught a substantial amount of fish over 4 pounds ( by
accident). So although I cannot provide a staple formula for targeting bigger
fish I can provide my data for when, where & how I accidentally caught my
bigger fish.
The common thread through 90% of my bigger fish is as follows:
The fish where holding on prime grade A cover or structure.(classic text book
spots, such as a point where weeds are present or weeds by a dock) Always 2 or
more transitions present
The fish where always caught with a slow moving bait. (teaxas worm, weightless
worm, wacky rig, tube or finese bait)
The fish where all caught on 4" baits or smaller
the fish where all caught in some sort of shade, either a direct shadow or in
the shade of the weeds.
90% of the fish I've tried to horse in were lost
Most fish where caught in 12 feet of less. ( this probably has more to do with
my adversion to deeper water fishing then the fact that big fish are usually
shallow)
I know this doesn't answer your question directly, But hopefully it may provide
another peice or 2 of the puzzle for someone else.
Nick
__________________
Is it Spring Yet?
Posted by Gregg on 2002 AM:
Luck vs Skill
Using all your fishing
knowledge you troll (row) your boat up to a perfect looking piece of cover or
structure with all your practice casting you make the perfect cast and sure
enough it gets hit.
At that monment in time luck has to play some part in weather a 2lb or 5lb bass
is holding there!
I think season plays a lot into it, but am unsure if one type of structure is
better then the next. Would think not because the genetic instincts of a bass
should be the same at 2lb as it is at 5lbs
__________________
Gregg
Posted by Mac on 2002 AM:
Slow moving soft plastics as Nick listed...here as well. Very slow for the most part, non-weighted.
Posted by bobn on 2002 AM:
i think the big guys will have the prime areas-they are the bullies and will take and defend the best spots for themselves--just my .02--bobn
Posted by Mark G on 2002 AM:
Gregg, I think less luck
than one would think. Bigger bass definitely get the best real estate. If you
were able to pick the BEST spot in a lake and used a solid presentation, I
would bet more often than not there will be a 5 pounder over a 2 pounder. Or
I'll at least say this...if a 5 pounder found a 2 pounder holding on that prime
spot, the 5 pounder would drive it away and take that spot itself. Of course
there is a certain amount of randomness involved, as there is in anything, but
you can certainly put the odds in your favor by seeking the best spots.
Learning how to find the best spots is another story altogether. Most of us
(certainly me included) are still figuring that part out.
Mark
Posted by Scott C on 2002 AM:
I just hope I catch fish.
But when I really focus on the larger variety I do the following. (taken from
what I know about striped bass fishing)
Locate the structure you want to target. All the ones Nick said.
My favorites are points mainly because of my success on them in the salt.
Target deeper water in the 6-15 ft range.
Get to the bottom quickly. Agreeing 100% with postcard
Work the presentation S-l-o-w-l-y
Pause at every bump and tick you feel and concentrate on the feeling itself.
Sometimes I even close my eyes. no joke.
Set the hook if there is any subsequent resistance.The big ones dont always hit
like freight trains.
Cover every inch and from all angles before moving on.
All my largest bass were caught on small offerings which still surprises me. From
a 2 inch curly tail on a 1/8th jig to a 4 inch worm. I have had a few on large
offerings but the small seems to prevail.
When I want quantity I usually hit the lillies with soft plastics and hope for
the occasional cow.
__________________
Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?
Spawn till you die
ESBA
Posted by Woody on 2002 AM:
That's Easy
Invite You , Pat , Mr Jig
, Mike Delv , or Earthy to fish on my boat for the day.
Anytime anywhere fellas....You hear that Dick???
Excellent responses...
Tight Lines,
Woody
Posted by Bigredfishing on 2002 AM:
well, based on this year alone, a 5" wacky rigged smoke senko, on deep weedline points. That right there has taken all but one of the of the bass over 5lbs i have seen this year. Worked slowly and thouroughly.
Posted by Jon Puhalski on 2002 AM:
Not bragging but my clients and I usually catch a bunch of big fish ever year. A lot of location depends on the particular lake. In my area the big fish tend to come from dense milfoil or pretty close to it. Baits used are generally a jig & pig with a jumbo trailer or a 6" Brush Hog with a heavy weight. An occasional big fish will come on a deep diving crankbait as well. The month of June around here was outstanding for big fish with the hogs holding in 8 to 17 feet of water.Now that August and late summer are here, we can find some true hogs suspended on top of the thermocline adjacent to cover. Depending on the water body this could be as deep as almost 35 feet. The one thing for sure that I feel is important to trigger the bigger bites is two fold. One, a very fast fall, and two, once it hits bottom, do totally nothing with the bait but let it sit. Most big fish bites on the bottom are the lightest strikes you'll get. Often not a bite at all but more a heavy sensation when you go to make the first small movememnt of the bait. Good luck in your search of big fish.
Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:
Trav, I think far too
many guys are like the ones on the In Fisherman commercial...you know "hey
that looks like a good spot" or the clown that pulls out those fused
together baits. A cast here and a cast there and then they move on if they
don't get a hook up. I feel that to consistently catch big fish, you must:
A-find out where they live. That may sound generic as most anglers will tell
you that Big fish live deep or in heavy cover, yet most of them fail to connect
at those areas.
B-You absolutely must find migration routes of these larger fish. I've seen big
pods of big bass in ultra clear water. I've watched them many times come from
the same areas up in to the shallows to feed for a bit and then disappear.
C-You have to have a serious big bass game plan. You must stick to it and not
be frustrated if you don't get bit. That can happen. You may fish all day
without a bite or you may only catch a squeaker or two. This in my opinion is
the reason that this type of angling is not conduscive to tournament fishing.
There you must get your weight and hope for a kicker. If you try to target big
fish specifically, it may not pan out.
D-Patience. It will not happen right away. I've had days when a partner and I
took 11 fish over 5lbs. I've also had days in the same areas where I couldn't
catch a cold. Get into a mental zone and try to learn form your actions each
time out.
It doesn't hurt to put your baits in places that other people won't either.
__________________
www.micromunchtackle.com
Posted by postcard on 2002 AM:
I've had similar
experiences as Scott when it comes to getting hot- water lunkers, in shallow
lakes, to hit. Small grubs, shads , Brush Hogs, fin S Fish, etc. get hit by
large and small fish more often than on much larger lures.
As the water cools below 80, the bigger and deeper baits Jon spoke of start
doing well for me. The waters I fish are less that 13' and a thermocline may
not exist so the choices are early or late, the deepest water or a few docks
close to deep water.
The bite is almost non-existant in the shallow pads.
Posted by Gregg on 2002 PM:
Bigger bass definitely get the best real estate.
That is ture if they are there!
quote:
Learning how to find the best spots is another story altogether
That can only be done by putting your time in on the water in every season
every type of weather etc. That will improve your chances. If there are
no definite's in fishing doesn't some luck have to play into it?
__________________
Gregg
Posted by postcard on 2002 PM:
You're right about that!
Two equally skilled anglers may do okay but one will usually do much better on
a single day due to dumb luck! I've seen guys with far less experience than the
bow guy, kick butt in the back of the boat. (It happens in our tournaments all
of the time.)
The better angler may also not be concentrating due to a personal problem or
distraction and can't even take advantage of good luck when it almost puts fish
in his lap!
Posted by Gregg on 2002 PM:
I do my homework and
spend time on the water to learn to catch bass more consistently. The more
consistently I can catch bass the better chance I have of catching a big
bass. That's how I feel right now maybe someday in the future that will change.
But for now I'm a happy relaxed recreational fisherman (who is catching bass
pretty consistently 
)
__________________
Gregg
Posted by bass 64 on 2002 PM:
Craig did those 11 bass over five come from Long Island?
__________________
When in doubt, Texas rig........or fish the outgoing tide!
Posted by Travis on 2002 PM:
Good answers thus far.
I'm not looking for a right or wrong but am thinking of my own NY pigs and how
I happened upon them and what was going on.
things I see so far or don't:
1) I see that there is a preference in this lure that lure. When I see that I
say to myself....well how often are you throwing it ? Hard to take a fish of
any size on a lure that is laying idol on the deck. Throw a lure long enough
and you will be more likely to eventually take a big largemouth on it. Could
that time have been cut in half if throwing something else ? Historically there
have been lures that will up your odds.
2) haven't seen a thing about night fishing....
3) fishing pressure come into play ? (earthy you touched on it when stating
being able to cast where most are hoping to save their favorite lure)
4) not much mention of certain calender periods that may be good over
another...some but not much.
5) certain ages of lakes or res. ?
6) forage base ? matter or no
7) not much mention of fast moving baits
8) bodies of waters primarily made up of weeds, timber, rock. Any preference ?
9) big fish easier in clear, muddy, somewhere in between water clarity ?
10) no mention of an anchor
On the rare occasion that I chase largemouths(over smallmouths) anymore I try
and up those odds for big fish. If it seems like I am trying to get past the
norm in this thread , I am.
Trav
Woody...
Posted by Woody on 2002 AM:
Alright T
How about my night
fishing suggestion we discussed????
Gotcha,
Woody
Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 AM:
Joe, yes on LI.
1) Historically there have been several lures that I have relied on for bigger
fish 1-jig n pig, 2-8" Phenom worm 3-5" soft Jerkbait 4-big floating Rapala
minnow. I've taken big bass on cranks, spinnerbaits, topwater and buzzers but
if I was really attempting to locate a big fish, the above would be my first
choices
2) I'm not sold on night time for big bass. Most of my monsters have come from 10:00 am to 2 PM
3) I'm certainly not intimidated by fishing behind people or in heavy pressure
areas. I do feel that I put my baits into places other guys are scared of due
to the high risk of losing baits and not being able to control big fish. Here,
accurate casting and knowing how to play a big fish are paramount.
4) Calander periods are really not a factor for me.
5) certain ages of lakes or res. not a factor
6) forage base- I do like to use baits that mimic natural forage at times.
Golden shiner and perch are tops for LI
7)I utilize mostly slower presentations
8) weeds and wood are my favorite locations and I prefer hard sandy bottoms.
9) I target stained water
10)anchoring can be a serious tactical advantage at times.
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Posted by postcard on 2002 AM:
Travis, my take on upping
the percentages for larger bass:
1. Anchoring is necessary in a stiff wind, otherwise the trolling motor hold
position
2. No, I don't believe the trolling motor noise affect the fish that I usually
make 10-30yd casts to.
3. I concentrate better when not dehydrating or freezing, but will try to
concentrate at 95 or 32 degrees. Calendar month not a factor but prefer water
temp 45-80.
4. Afraid of bats - night fishing out
5. Water color not important - I always use a variety of visual/ sonic lure
characteristics as well a retrieves.
6. I never 'match the hatch' or prevailing forage. I go for the acceptible
sizes of lures the fish are biting.
7. I prefer targets : laps(tree lie downs), weed edges (cooler water or those
adjacent to a good drop), rocky flats and stone walls (submerged), points that
drop fast into 10', old docks (wood), mid lake humps surrounded by twice the
depth, in-flows,
flats with isolated cover (stumps). Give a body of water with all of the above
and I'm in lunker paradise.
8. I use a non-steady medium to dead-stick retrieve for larger fish.
I believe that older bass are like older people - conserve energy (or in bass talk,"why
break a fin", it will come to you sooner or later.)
9. I'm not fond of getting to a body of water, finding out that a large
tournament was held and that 4's and 5's were caught.
The larger the water (acreage and/or length), the less it matters, but smaller
lakes have less lunker-potential, good areas, that need to 'cool off' for hours
or maybe a day.
10. When the bite is slow, it's hard to pick up what you consider 'non-locator'
baits. I'm talking about mid water and deeper fish that are the only possible
targets. I have confidence in a few over the many that I bring for semi-active
fish and don't believe the magazine or tv pitches that this or that lure can
locate fish fast, allowing you to use slower lures for the rest.
11. Wind can suck, depending on velocity and temp., but more wind in warm air
and less in cold air, is my preference.
Posted by Jon Puhalski on 2002 AM:
Nght fishing does capture
some big fish but I also seem to get my better ones between 10AM and 2PM
March/April, June, and November are my best months for busting big fish. Early
ice out has big fish moving to fairly predictible locations. June is early
summer and fish again are in fairly predictable locations and willing to eat.
November, the fish have moved into their wintering homes pretty much and can be
tempted with a jig.
Big fish like a slow crawfish imitator. They'll eat other fish when activily
hunting but day in and day out, I BELIVE, they prefer a fat crawfish. Big bass
appear to be lazy bass.
Locations, Many fisherman just are not comfortable moving away from visible
cover. There are a bunch of good fish behind you in "open" water.
Many do not take the time to search for deep humps, drops, isolated weed
patches, or bottom transition areas.
Posted by mr jig on 2002 PM:
Selecting for large bass is not easy .
Smallmouth are easier to
select for than lm.
Having said that, selecting for larger fish is all but impossible for most
anglers.
Jon made some good points.
Here is a thought for consideration.
It is not possible to select for big smallmouths.
It IS possible to select for adults among which will be some big smallmouths.
It has been many years since i have tallied smallmouth under 3 lbs, so i have
the selecting pretty well worked out in northern Oli and Meso lakes.
dick.
Posted by bass 64 on 2002 PM:
MR.JIG
Was that a misquote? Did I read it wrong? You have not caught a smallmouth under three pounds in many years??????!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
When in doubt, Texas rig........or fish the outgoing
tide!
Posted by postcard on 2002 PM:
You took the question
right out of my mouth!
Do you live near a nuclear plant or something? 
Posted by mr jig on 2002 PM:
My apologies.
I do occasionally catch
them but i don't tally (count) them as part of the days catch.
I expressed myself poorly.
dick.
Posted by earthworm77 on 2002 PM:
Dick, I knew that you were trying to convey that you have not tallied up the number of smaller SMB's in years.
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Posted by "Wild Bill" on 2002 PM:
Controlling the boat in wind...
can often distract the far more experienced angler that's operating the trolling motor, allowing the less experienced angler to get ahead of him in fish. To some though, it comes automatically with minimal distarction, gained no doubt, from experience again. And surely we must all admit, to some degree, there is a percentage of chance, or shall we actually call it luck, to actually catching fish. Heck, I feel lucky every time I get to go fishing! I feel lucky to catch fish! And finally, I am lucky and proud to be an American!
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Posted by Travis on 2002 AM:
"can often distract
the far more experienced angler that's operating the trolling motor, allowing
the less experienced angler to get ahead of him in fish."
The more experienced would have two anchors on his boat. I suspect the above to
be an issue if running a bank ....for some.
Trav
Posted by JPBass on 2002 AM:
I'm no expert
I think it depends a lot
on the lake you're fishing but somebody should mention topwater. Spooks over
submerged weeds and rats or floating worms in the thicker stuff can draw some
explosive strikes from some very big fish..........They're not always so lazy.
I find weeds (deeper ones if your lake has um) to be the #1 cover for big
largemouth. Especially in the heat of the summer.
When they are in a lazy mood jigs in the pockets and edges can sometimes entice
them.
I believe as many do that the bigger fish live deep during the summer, below
the thermocline. But I think they do occasionally come up for a quick meal.
Hopefully you'll be there when they do.
__________________
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Posted by postcard on 2002 AM:
I recently confirmed, JP,
what you just said. (Read 'magic lure confimation' post.) Weeds were'nt a
factor, just deeper pools and underwater springs in a small river.
I have to agree with Travis. Many, many times I've had the boat positioned
either paralell to the drop off (which may be a point perpendicular to shore)
or over a large mid-lake hump with fish schooled to the side and over deeper
water. Once the sidefinder id's the direction we should be casting, my partner
has a 50/50 chance of catching the largest fish.
Waves and a cold wind, though, is a definite distraction and makes feeling the
strike much more difficult. The back seater is not bobbing up and down on a bow
facing into the wind! Good point. (And do you think my partner would offer to
take the trolling motor for a few hours ..... N-O-O-O way. He's to busy
catching fish and drinking my frefreshments!)
Posted by joe pido on 2002 AM:
the big fish was just there
Never put any thought
about going ONLY for the big fish. But in recollecting my big fish strikes (5
lbs and over), all except one fell to slow moving baits, t-rigged worms and
jig/pig. A 6 lber at Blydenburgh hammered a fast, ripping spinnerbait which
literally froze the reel handle, stopping it.
EArly spring and late fall seems to offer bigger bass (per trip) than any other
time of the year. Fewer strikes, but 3lbers are common.
And all my big fish came off isolated cover, one piece of stickup, a little off
from a large weedbed. A piece of lillypad sitting a few yards from a row of laydowns.
Good thread, very good points by everyone...
joe