Maybe Small But Big Payoffs? 2024
Squirmin Wormin reply :
The reason being that the bass i have as pb on my wall was caught on just one plain black and yellow spinner bait ,thats it nothing fancy.
A-Jay reply :
Nope.
Just like Smaller baits don't necessarily mean Smaller Bass.
A-Jay
Catch and Grease reply :
This 10lb bass didn't have a problem inhaling that black trick worm hanging out of his mouth...
From my experience a bigger bait will make you catch less fish but bigger fish on average, but don't be surprised when a dink gobbles your 12inch worm and don't expect to catch a trophy every trip.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Bass big and small will eat anything anytime.you hear a lot about crappie fisherman catching DD bass with 1/32 oz jigs
BassinLou reply :
You will be led to believe that, but that's not the case.
jderry reply :
I agree.
I caught this perch
and this bass on the same lure
I have nailed more 3+ lbers on small worms than I have on larger jigs or swim baits.
ColdSVT reply :
Sometimes...
Last week i was catching dinks on big stuff and fatties on small stuff...it all depends one what thier mood is
doyle8218 reply :
Not at all.
Gunnerntyler619 reply :
http://www.bassmaster.com/node/98650
havent tried out my 12" worms very much yet,I cant honestly say. Here is a cool article on fishing monster worms, the reason I even tried any.
The link is from bassmaster.com
Alonerankin2 reply :
I think it does give a edge, how much? I do not know, I have caught big fish on little baits, but larger cranks, and the salt baits, swimbaits,seem to give a edge, but one thing for sure, LMB...on what they will eat, just never can tell, spoons too, down on Kentucky lake, 2 oz. catch 5 to 8 pd. fish routinely , but I loose them, so I quit, not the loss of the bait, the constant aggravation of being hung up a lot... Gets old! That said, I now stick to average baits, Iam happy the most there!
You should try them yourself , it can be rewarding
geo g reply :
My personal best was caught on a 4" zoom fluke, and I have caught 8 pounders on a 4" zoom centipede. But for years I have heard throwing big black worms under low lite conditions and at night. Big bass will hit anything they think they can swallow, big or small.
Catt reply :
If bigger baits meant bigger bass I'd be throwing 4' worms!
Raul reply :
No, did I mention NO ?
BW208 reply :
I feel like you will catch less small fish on a bigger lure which leads people to believe that theory... My frined caught a 6 pound bass on a crappie jig like a week ago lol. So you just never know what they will hit.
tcbass reply :
I've had bites on bigger lures from small fish that they couldn't eat. That lure normally catches bigger fish. Because the smaller fish can't wat it and it only catches bigger fish you'd come the conclusion that that bigger bait only catches bigger fish when it's not necessarily true. Smaller fish were attempting to eat it and couldn't. If it had treble hooks they probably would be hooked.
JigMaster reply :
Yes its true if we're talking about trophy bass, Very rarely will you see bass in the 10-15 lb range go after a small bait,when they use there energy they will make it worth it that's for sure, Now if we're talking average size bass then it's not true at all imo, Iv caught many 4-7 pounders on small trick worms.
Bluebasser86 reply :
They increase the odds, but guarantee nothing.
einscodek reply :
ya know aside of the side debates and what ifs..
on average.. YES
Catt reply :
On 8/5/2014 at 1:54 PM, JigMaster said:Yes its true if we're talking about trophy bass, Very rarely will you see bass in the 10-15 lb range go after a small bait,when they use there energy they will make it worth it that's for sure, Now if we're talking average size bass then it's not true at all imo, Iv caught many 4-7 pounders on small trick worms.
Ever measure a jig-n-trailer?
3-4" maybe!
Not exactly humongous 
Raul reply :
Hey Blue, don't you know that swimbaits are for big bass only ?
Raul reply :
Oh no !!! Please don't tell me I'm big bass fishing with the "wrong" bait ! What should I use Catt ? Swimbaits ?On 8/5/2014 at 9:03 PM, Catt said:Ever measure a jig-n-trailer?
3-4" maybe!
Not exactly humongous
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Personally, I hope fewer and fewer guys throw swimbaits.
bigbill reply :
Ok here we go.
Big bait = big bass.
I was throwing a memos Anglia #3 and after a frenzy bite slowed down with smaller bass after bass action I put on a mepps #4 Anglia and caught a bigger bass. This told me the bigger bass can be lure size finicky.
Be flexible throw every size and color till you find a nitch. Don't give up when the bite shuts down. Make that change.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
On 8/5/2014 at 11:01 PM, bigbill said:Be flexible throw every size and color till you find a nitch.
I think this statement carries a TON of weight, even past the confines of a single day. (Sorry to be nitpicking Bill, but niche 
)
Catt has dedicated a great portion of his fishing to learning how to fish jigs effectively. It's his comfort zone or niche. He's found success with it so naturally, for him, the best option is likely to be a jig. I fish jigs. I really like fishing jigs. I have not had the success with big fish caught on jigs that Catt and many other guys have.
I've dedicated the better part of the last 8 years or so to fishing swimbaits. It has become my niche, my comfort zone. I feel confident with a swimbait in my hand and I believe that lends itself to fishing intently in high percentage areas for big fish. In my personal fishing, bigger baits have equated to bigger bass. The way I fish a lot of swimbaits, a jig is just not a viable tool for the job.
Fish your comfort zone. YOURS, not someone else's. A jig, swimbait, spinnerbait, drop shot....none are a magic bullet that work 100% of the time and they surely all require time and patience to master. In the right hands, I do believe bigger baits equal bigger fish. I also believe that in the right hands, MANY different baits can equal bigger fish.
Felix77 reply :
My personal best LMB (6 lbs) was caught on a #1 VMC Spinshot hook and a wacky Havoc Flat Dawg.
My personal best SMB (5.89 lbs) was caught on a 3/8oz VMC Rugby Jig and Zoom Shakey Worm.
Both are not large baits at all.
The way I tend to respond to this question is simple.
In general ....
... smaller baits attract more bass (large or small) to it in general.
... Larger baits tend to act as a deterrent to the smaller ones.
Time and a place for both.
J BASS reply :
Old wise tale
bigbill reply :
I fish from shore at a few hot spots for big bass. Some places aren't fished at all. It gives me a chance to try all different things. One is Dr. Loren Hill at OK university about his decade long tests about the basses limitations on seeing colors. The bass under certain light and water conditions are limited on what colors they can see. Other times they can see all the colors. There eyes aren't like ours. Let's say there limited like us in the thick fog.
Now if everyone reads the basic tips on bass fishing it's been posted many times it's here too;
Clear water conditions, sunny blueberry days. It's smaller natural colored lures fished fast so the bass can't get a good look at them.
Slightly stained water conditions; same as above but brighter colored smaller lures.
Stained water conditions, medium sized lures brighter colors fished slower.
Muddy water conditions, larger sized lures in brightest colors fished the slowest.
River bass fishing I find the smaller sized lures natural colors and inline spinners work the best in smaller rivers with shallow depths. We work the deeper pools behind the back washes of rocks.
Ok were fishing the 9am to 5pm Times for bass.
If your looking to find big bass at this time your percentages are very low.
If you want trophy size bass these bigger gals come out of there hiding spots in the dark. My best time to fish is in the dark at 4am till around 9am. Be very quiet and stealthy like your not even there. I use topwater till the sky starts to light up. At this time of twilight I use a rebel BIG CLAW crawfish crankbait in chartreuse. It dives 10' and I make the longest cast I can parallel to the weedlines in the open channel I can.
One it dives I reel slow and steady. This starts off my throwing of my ritual of baits sizes and colors till I get action. The smaller rebel craw lures work awesome in rivers.
Evening fishing from 5pm till dark(9pm). I find a range of bass sizes from 1lb to 6lb.
Nothing really big just average for my state. To get away from some crowded places with people crashing the water using saltwater setups I started fishing in the early morning darkness. I do find these larger bass are tuned into there surroundings and wired for sound. The least little noise we can make spooks them. So no noise at all will pay off. I use spinning reels and close the bail by hand so there is no click. Be very quiet.
Be flexible, with lure sizes.
As it becomes lighter in the early mornings and the bass start to move to deeper cover put on a split shot rigged worm or a light 1/8oz Carolina rigged senko. We need to stay with them in there zone.
There was a competition on a local lake here for a new corvette as the top prize. A guy launched his boat and sitting there he had those little snap peas or snap beans as they call it on his line sitting on the water. A big bass from under the dock grabbed it and he won the corvette it was that simple.
I go out there with a game plan, a starting point, I muster all my knowledge I learned here and stay flexible the bass will tell you what they want. But when the bass bite slows down in the daytime upsize. When it slows down in the evening as it goes from light to twilight from natural colored baits I go with the same size bait only brighter as it becomes twilight.
To me it's a challenge, it's a game were we all can win. When the game changes, change with it. Do not get upset when there is no action stay changing lures and colors till you get action. Remember chartreuse is your friend when nothing else works. This tells me we can have multiple water conditions at different depths.
I'm no pro or will ever be one I love bass fishing. I'm still learning. Do not be afraid to try different places. What you learned at one place will work at different places too.
Sorry for the long winded post. God bless bill
Remember to mentor a kid and take him or her fishing.
The only difference between shore fishing and boat fishing is its backwards.
My PB stands at 10lbs for lmb. I lost bigger bass three different times now. I'm 2lbs 14oz from the state record. My pb was caught 2' from shore as I casted parallel to shore at a drop off made by a man made dam. She was at my feet to the left of me but she never knew I was there.
bigbill reply :
This should be a wake up call for all bass fisherman in every state. If we have bigger bass in ct. There was a big bass caught in Maine posted here too. What does that tell us. You guys/gals in all the other states have bigger bass too. There not being caught.
It's these giant gals that are keeping up the bass population numbers.
Catt reply :
On 8/5/2014 at 11:33 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:I think this statement carries a TON of weight, even past the confines of a single day. (Sorry to be nitpicking Bill, but niche
Catt has dedicated a great portion of his fishing to learning how to fish jigs effectively. It's his comfort zone or niche. He's found success with it so naturally, for him, the best option is likely to be a jig. I fish jigs. I really like fishing jigs. I have not had the success with big fish caught on jigs that Catt and many other guys have.
I've dedicated the better part of the last 8 years or so to fishing swimbaits. It has become my niche, my comfort zone. I feel confident with a swimbait in my hand and I believe that lends itself to fishing intently in high percentage areas for big fish. In my personal fishing, bigger baits have equated to bigger bass. The way I fish a lot of swimbaits, a jig is just not a viable tool for the job.
Fish your comfort zone. YOURS, not someone else's. A jig, swimbait, spinnerbait, drop shot....none are a magic bullet that work 100% of the time and they surely all require time and patience to master. In the right hands, I do believe bigger baits equal bigger fish. I also believe that in the right hands, MANY different baits can equal bigger fish.
Exactly
I recall Fish Chris Wolfgram's 18.4 was caught on a Huddle Bug...length 2 3/4"!
bigbill reply :
Either way your presentations have to be Oscar winning perfect. On a slow day I settle down and take each bait and practice different presentations with it. Of course I'm watching my perfect presentation and a fish interrupts me.
Wash your hands before going fishing. Do not touch gas or oil before going fishing. If you do wash again.
Use a bass scent on your lures.
Your lure having a rattle, a scent is a plus.
Sorry to unload so much but it's all like a tooth on a gear. Skip one tooth and it's like we missed the boat.
rippin-lips reply :
Bass are predators and will eat anything. Big to small,it doesn't matter. Often what anglers might consider big really isn't all that 'big' to a fish. That being said my two biggest fish were on 'small' baits. 5" senko and a 4" dream shot.
gulfcaptain reply :
Having faith and fishing consitantly and knowing the conditions and where to fish the higher percentage areas with what the fish want produce bigger fish. Big or small, swimbait or jig, dropshot or 12" worm. Unless you are fishing high percentage areas where you may encounter the larger models it doesn't matter what you throw big or small. And with that said.....still like swimbaits. 
iceintheveins reply :
It can mean bigger bass in lakes where large bass eat BIG forage, like stocker trout. Big baits can work better and be easier to find in stained or murky water by nice bass too though. That being said, a 4" senko can catch a big one.
Mattlures reply :
One of the biggest reasons guys don't think big baits equal big bass is because......THE BAITS ARE NOT BIG. A long worm is not a big bait to the fish. Most baits that guys think are big, are not big to the fish. Small bass will eat anything they can chase down and fit in their mouths. Big bass preffer to eat big easy meals, but will still eat a small meal if it doesn't take a lot of energy to catch it. The size of the bait is not always what makes it attractive to big bass. Some baits consistently catch big bass and some don't. A Jig is not a really big bait but its not tiny either. It looks slow moving and easy to eat. If you want to target bigger bass, use baits that are know for consistently catching bigger bass. It means nothing when you hear somebody say "I caught this big bass on this little bait". Its the law of averages. There are millions of bass fisherman. There are millions of guys throwing small worms, and other small baits. There are going to be a few big bass caught on them. For ever big bass caught on a tiny bait there are thousands of dinks caught on them. I would say that probably close to half the fish caught on swimbaits (real swimbaits) are big or at least over 4lbs. Probably at least 1 out of every 10 fish caught on a jig are good quality fish. If you look at the guys who are consistantly catching big bass, they aren't using small baits. They are using swimbaits, jigs, live bait etc.
Raul reply :
On 8/5/2014 at 11:33 PM, SPEEDBEAD. said:I think this statement carries a TON of weight, even past the confines of a single day. (Sorry to be nitpicking Bill, but niche
Catt has dedicated a great portion of his fishing to learning how to fish jigs effectively. It's his comfort zone or niche. He's found success with it so naturally, for him, the best option is likely to be a jig. I fish jigs. I really like fishing jigs. I have not had the success with big fish caught on jigs that Catt and many other guys have.
I've dedicated the better part of the last 8 years or so to fishing swimbaits. It has become my niche, my comfort zone. I feel confident with a swimbait in my hand and I believe that lends itself to fishing intently in high percentage areas for big fish. In my personal fishing, bigger baits have equated to bigger bass. The way I fish a lot of swimbaits, a jig is just not a viable tool for the job.
Fish your comfort zone. YOURS, not someone else's. A jig, swimbait, spinnerbait, drop shot....none are a magic bullet that work 100% of the time and they surely all require time and patience to master. In the right hands, I do believe bigger baits equal bigger fish. I also believe that in the right hands, MANY different baits can equal bigger fish.
Now that was a good read.
bigbill reply :
We have to understand the whole thing to bass fishing. And consider what worked today might not work tomorrow when there mood changes.
Small or Big lure frenzy. Now factor in the moon phases along with the weather fronts.
Temperature changes.
Confused now, just fish and give everything in your arsenal a swim.
JigMaster reply :
On 8/6/2014 at 5:17 AM, Mattlures said:One of the biggest reasons guys don't think big baits equal big bass is because......THE BAITS ARE NOT BIG. A long worm is not a big bait to the fish. Most baits that guys think are big, are not big to the fish. Small bass will eat anything they can chase down and fit in their mouths. Big bass preffer to eat big easy meals, but will still eat a small meal if it doesn't take a lot of energy to catch it. The size of the bait is not always what makes it attractive to big bass. Some baits consistently catch big bass and some don't. A Jig is not a really big bait but its not tiny either. It looks slow moving and easy to eat. If you want to target bigger bass, use baits that are know for consistently catching bigger bass. It means nothing when you hear somebody say "I caught this big bass on this little bait". Its the law of averages. There are millions of bass fisherman. There are millions of guys throwing small worms, and other small baits. There are going to be a few big bass caught on them. For ever big bass caught on a tiny bait there are thousands of dinks caught on them. I would say that probably close to half the fish caught on swimbaits (real swimbaits) are big or at least over 4lbs. Probably at least 1 out of every 10 fish caught on a jig are good quality fish. If you look at the guys who are consistantly catching big bass, they aren't using small baits. They are using swimbaits, jigs, live bait etc.
Well said man totally agree.
JigMaster reply :
Yes small worms and jigs have caught big bass but it's not something you expect every trip out and I'm a big time jig fisherman,When I take a big trout swim bait and chunk it all day I know the chances of me catching a 10+ lb bass has GREATLY increased simple as that it's not uncommon at all.So yes clearly larger baits = larger fish majority of the time because fish do not waste energy if they don't have to.
greentrout reply :
Guido Hibdon used a Guido Bug to catch a few big bass...I remember those days...with spinning gear, too...
Old school basser...
missouribigbass reply :
On 8/5/2014 at 6:46 AM, Gunnerntyler619 said:http://www.bassmaster.com/node/98650
havent tried out my 12" worms very much yet,I cant honestly say. Here is a cool article on fishing monster worms, the reason I even tried any.
The link is from bassmaster.com
Love the link. And obviously I agree with it. I fish yum 10inch ribbon tails religiously and have great success with them.
Catt reply :
On 8/6/2014 at 10:44 AM, JigMaster said:Yes small worms and jigs have caught big bass but it's not something you expect every trip out and I'm a big time jig fisherman,When I take a big trout swim bait and chunk it all day I know the chances of me catching a 10+ lb bass has GREATLY increased simple as that it's not uncommon at all.So yes clearly larger baits = larger fish majority of the time because fish do not waste energy if they don't have to.
The chances of me catching a 10# plus is GREATLY increased by simply choosing the right lake not the lure!
JigMaster reply :
On 8/6/2014 at 11:04 AM, Catt said:The chances of me catching a 10# plus is GREATLY increased by simply choosing the right lake not the lure!
Well I guess there's many variables to the original question,Certain lakes like Toledo and a couple in Mexico it's hard NOT to catch a 10+ lol, But average/more common lakes where it takes more skill to get the biggins to bite anything, lakes that aren't plumb full of 10 plus bass, Bigger baits give you a better chance no doubt.
Catt reply :
Yelp just tie on a 4' worm & go catch a world record!
Bankbeater reply :
I can't tell if bigger baits mean bigger bass or not. The green sunfish won't leave the lure alone.
Jmann17 reply :
Well, obviously bigger bait will catch bigger bass at times because a larger bass has a larger mouth to eat their "meal". But this doesn't necessarily mean you will catch big bass at all times. Even little bass will go for big baits a lot of times. I've experienced that little bass will go for larger crankbaits on good days.
Jmann17 reply :
I've caught a good 6lb bass on a little swimbait with tiny treble hooks.
Squirmin Wormin reply :
i started a topic a while ago,does bigger baits mean bigger fish ? well i'm curious to find out in your op if you think small lures do just as well producing big fish as well as big lures do ? or is it just the same? or depends on certain factors as well . your thought's on this.
Catch and Grease reply :
This has been asked multiple times, search alittle you should find some good threads on it.
Munkin reply :
4" senko
3.5" Smallie beaver
5/16oz finesse jig
These have caught a few on my top ten big bass over the years.
Allen
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
2 inch curly grub will catch anything anysize on this planet
Catch and Grease reply :
http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/142511-do-bigger-bass-baits-mean-bigger-bass/?fromsearch=1
Uhhh you already asked this question squirmin...
EDIT: sorry I noticed in the OP you do mention the fact you have already asked this.
Heron reply :
I typically use a 3 inch grub to catch Goliath Grouper
RSM789 reply :
On 9/19/2014 at 9:36 AM, Heron said:I typically use a 3 inch grub to catch Goliath Grouper
I've found that Whale Sharks are fond of Zoom 4" Dead Ringers, best color is plankton pink.
kikstand454 reply :
My pb Lm. - around 10lbs- came on a 1/16oz beetle spin. Wading through a farm pond catching bream and small bass.
Surprise!
J Francho reply :
Merged with previous topic started by OP.
5fishlimit reply :
On 8/6/2014 at 7:10 AM, bigbill said:We have to understand the whole thing to bass fishing. And consider what worked today might not work tomorrow when there mood changes.
Small or Big lure frenzy. Now factor in the moon phases along with the weather fronts.
Temperature changes.
Confused now, just fish and give everything in your arsenal a swim.
So, how do you explain that I can go out any day, and at any time of the month with a junebug zoom finesse worm and catch fish?
I don't buy into the stealthy, moon phase, changing your lure every 5 minutes theory you've explained in the posts on this thread.
The fish are feeding, or they are not. If you are in an area and they are not feeling then move on to the next spot. Since taking this approach I very rarely meet up with the "skunk".
J Francho reply :
Some may have moved past the "not skunking" phase, and into catching the bigger fish. Consistently finding bigger fish that are biting is a little more tricky. The trick is weeding through what you read, hear, and experience to build a "big bass instinct" that is hard to put on paper. If it doesn't matter that I go out on the same days as you, and always catch bigger fish, then keep on keepin' on - we're both having fun. You have to weed through the info, and decide if the question is about cathcing at all, or catching bigger and better. Same goes for the advice offered. The two are OFTEN mixed together in threads.
Heron reply :
On 9/19/2014 at 12:27 PM, RSM789 said:I've found that Whale Sharks are fond of Zoom 4" Dead Ringers, best color is plankton pink.
NICE!...Im gonna have to try that. My neighbor has some of those in his pond
Mainebass1984 reply :
A speedbead said earlier, fish your comfort zone. Fish lures you have confidence in.
Big bass can be caught on just about any lure. Some lures when used effectively by skilled anglers tend to catch bigger bass.
I like to target bigger bass. That being said given time of year, weather condition available forage, etc, I have caught big bass over 7 lbs weighed on a verified scale with an assortment of lures.
3/8 ounce white spinnerbait
1/2 ounce chompers brush jig in brown and orange with a crawdad pork trailer
1/2 ounce chompers brush jig with a bama craw rage crae
Kvd 2.5 chartreuse black back
Kvd 1.5 chartreuse black back
live target craw squarebill
5 inch black senko
5 inch # 297 senko
5/16 ounce black Stanley jig with a black pork trailer
The fish over 8 lbs I have caught :
8-1, 8-3 on crankbaits
8-9, 8-10 on senkos
8-5 on a jig
Biggest fish I have caught was a 9-1 on a jig
Jigs have accounted for more bass for me over 5 lbs then any other bait and catch them as long as the ice isn't too thick for my boat to break through.
I recently invested in some swimbaits. Working on getting confidence in them.
primetime reply :
tIf you are fishing a body of water or area that contains large forrage like bluegill, large shad and big shiners, Perch, Crappie etc...Then throwing a big bait or large swimbait will catch larger fish for the most part. If a Hatch takes place and the lake is full of small 1-2" fry and is a lake that does not have shad, shiners or any of the main baitfish sources, then you probably do not want to be throwing a large swimbait 8-10" long as it will look odd unless you are catching a ton of smaller bass in that size range then I will always go to a large bass pattern super spook, or Swimbait as bass colored swimbaits and topwaters are great post spawn to run through schools of Bass Fry.
If you are feeling rocks and hard bottom then you know that crawfish are present and I am a believer that catching big bass comes down to getting the size of the pattern they are on correct, and also mimic the action of how a crawfish flees, or how small baitfish dart, so throwing a tiny jerkbait like a 3" rip bait or smaller Rapala can be deadly if you work it exactly how the baitfish are moving that day and at the ramp I always look in the water to see if the schools of minnows etc. are swimming fast, suspending and darting, color of craws if under rocks, and I also spend some time at all new lakes catching panfish, shiners, anything that will hit a powerbait maggot on #12 hook, and that gives me color and many lakes have bluegill or shellcrackers that are stunted and all 3-4"...
I guess the point is, it pays to spend time on the water and watch how a baitfish dies, how it acts when it is wounded, and how cold and warm water effect movement so then you can choose a wide wobble or tight crank, and if you know the shad have a chartruese tint, then you will no doubt catch more fish with a bait in the same size and color and at right depth....Blindly casting without a strategy rarely works, and when in doubt, I would say slow down, all the big fish I have caught have come when I pick apart an area and fish it slowly and carefully, rarely will my first cast at a target result in a good fish, but if it looks like an area a good fish would use to ambush baitfish, then I will hit it form many angles, and several presentations from a jig on bottom, fast and slow fall, swimbaits at various depths, and then a topwater.....After a while you learn a lake and can feel a big fish coming and almost know it before making your cast. If you think that you are in an area holding fish but can't catch anything, try throwing shiners one day and you will be amazed how many big fish you catch and how fast, and then you realize that the amount of fish we pass in a day is insane, where a few of those shiner fish could of been caught if you landed the lure close or on top of the fish as inactive bass will not chase anything if not feeding, only strike out of instinct.
I.rar reply :
Excellent posts.
All of my personal bests were caught on my #1 confidence bait... A super fluke Jr.
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