HUGE bass problem HELP!!!!!! 2024

bass86 reply :

i live in madera ca close to the san joaquin river. the river here is pretty shallow but i walked up river about a mile and found this huge lake/pond.i have not seen any old line or trash on the shores so i dont think it gets fished often but i see these HUGE bass. im talking like 15 + pounds no lie but they will not bite any lure and ive tried everything. they seem a little intrested on live crawdads but still nothing. the water is so clear and i can see all the fish. how do i catch the big stuburn ones??? please help!

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

Are you absolutley 100% sure they are bass?? Last spring I was sight fishing and off in the distance I see these HUGE bass, or so I think. They look to be about 10+ lbs a piece. So I break out all of my sight fishing tricks and I get absolutely no interest what so ever. So I try to get my boat a little closer, and .................................I see they are stupid CARP. > :( : : They can look pretty similar to a huge bass under water.

AM reply :

catch some local baitfish or buy some minnows. even if you aren't into the livebait thing i would not pass the opportunity on a 15 lber. just to see if it is indeed a bass.

roadwarrior reply :

I think you will find KU_Bassmaster has a pretty good handle on this situation. Whip up some doughballs and you might still have some fun.

Will reply :

If they are bass I would try a weightless tube. The tube will float above the fish before slowly falling leaving a bubble trail. Once the tube land on the bottom let it sit, and if the fish don't show interest fish the tube like a jerkbait back.

phisher_d reply :

15 pound bass... That's huge!! :o

I'm leaning towards the carp idea too. That would explain why they aren't taking any of your bass presentations. I fish a pond thats very shallow and has a lot of monster carp in it. Them things can look an awful like a world record bass underwater.

If they are carp, I would try doughballs (like RW said) or corn.

I've heard of people fly fishing for them too. that would be one heck of a fish to bring in on a fly rod though

Keepin_It_Reel reply :

Bass86 did you see them in the water or did they jump out. if they jumped they could be bass but if they were in the water carp is a good bet.

kayl. reply :

If you want to find out if they are carp toss in some frosted shredded mini wheats- the carp go crazy for them! They also make a good carp bait, get some in your hand and get them wet and then squeeze them into a ball and squeeze the water out of them!

bass86 reply :

thanks alot guys. i found the bass by looking for carp. i caught carp out of there before and i use the wheat bait.i am possitive they are bass. i cansee the black plotted stripe on there sides and i went back yesterday with minnows. those fish are smart. i through the minnow in weightless and the bass jumped right to it and stayed with it till it hit the botttom. they did pick at it but wouldnt take it. i think they can see the hook cause i through a minnow in there not on the line and they got him quick. these are trohy bass and i have even thought about bow fishing for them cause they are that close but i think it is illegal here. anyone want to join me and give it a try? oh and the carp there are even bigger than the bass. i catch them there all year long. any more suggestions?

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

Try and tick them off. Run baits into them once they get used to your bait being there. It works while they are guarding beds, maybe it will work now. If they won't bite out of hunger, try to get them to bite out of anger. Good luck!!! Be sure to bring your camera. I might have to make a trip out to Cali. ;D

And for sure don't bow hunt for them. Those bass are over 10 years old. Who knows how big they could get.

bass86 reply :

ku bassmaster your welcome to join me anytime and so is anyone else who thinks they can catch these monsters.ive tried to tick them off but every time i cast by them or bring it to them they swim away to the depths and then come back out in a few minutes. i might have to go very light line and fight them cause i think they can see the hook and line cause they will bite a minnow or crawdad if i throw it in by hand.

Madhouse27 reply :

Bass, what are you using for line? Also are you being stealthy as your approach them. You might have to go real light and be in absolute stalking mode. I've been in a similar situation while fishing for brown trout. You had to be somewhat camoflaged and blue heron slow in your approach to your casting spot. Low to the water, quiet baby steps. Be aware of where your shadow is falling on the water. Big bass in clear water, what an awesome challenge.

Keepin_It_Reel reply :

When you are casting, if possible stay way back from the bank and make extra long cast. if they swim away from everything then you could try to deadstick a senko or similar type bait.

flechero reply :

bass86

You might try marking the locations and coming back at night, in water that clear, line shy fish are very hard to catch.

phisher_d reply :

bass86

I have had a similar problem in a pond I fish up in southern ontario (the bass aren't 15 pounds up here, maybe 4 or 5 pounds).

The pond is heavily pressured and those fish are smart. I see them all the time just cruising the shallows. When I cast to them they just swim off like you said.

The only time I have ever caught one is in spring when they were around their nests. I wasnt even fishing for bass. I casted a pretty big pike spinner and I guess it just annoyed her enough that she decided to eat it. That bass went just over 19 inches and almost 5 lbs.. released.

cletus___ reply :

Bass86,

I'll go try it with you!!! My parents still live in Sanger. I go visit about once a month or so.

Get back to me homie......

- cletus

Matt Fly reply :

My advice also, very low light conditions or dark.

bass86 reply :

i went back yesterday with shiners again during a cloudy day. i did not see 1 fish.today i went and it was sunny again and they were out and still stuborn. ive seen quite a few frogs there do you think they will hit a baby bull frog live since they already know what they are.?

guest reply :

bass86,

Quote
m talking like 15 + pounds no lie but they will not bite any lure and ive tried everything. they seem a little intrested on live crawdads but still nothing. the water is so clear and i can see all the fish.

I started my fishing career on the clear waters in San Deigo County, Poway (clear to 80'), El Capitan (clear to 60'), San Vicente (the same), etc....;D

One thing I learned sight fishing the giant Florida Strain bass there, was if you can see them, they can definitely see you, (you should be casting no shadows on the water, etc).

I had to scale down to lighter lines (6lb test) and as clear a line as I could find (then). I also scaled back to 4" split shot plastics in clear/silver fleck, clear/blue fleck, clear/red fleck, smoke/silver fleck, etc. and also had to change hook colors (nothing shinny). Also the presentation had to very soft....;D

My biggest out there was 14+ caught on Poway City Lake, and I watch that hog suck the lure in at 30'.

Good luck in your quest.....;D

Tight Lines!

Gatorbassman reply :

Quote
One thing I learned sight fishing the giant Florida Strain bass there, was if you can see them, they can definitely see you, (you should be casting no shadows on the water, etc).

You took the words right out of my mouth. This is the most important rule of sight fishing. You have got to stalk them just as if they were standing on the shore looking in your direction. Stay low and move slow and don't cast a shadow into the water. Don't wear bright colors. Keep your rod low when you cast.

guest reply :

I also have go along with the carp theary. But! Go in you tackle box find the biggest worm you can find, 10 inches if you have one. Load that bugger up and see if he will suck that thing in. Big bass go for big baits. Good luck

bass86 reply :

thanks alot . im goiong back tommorow an dif i catch one of them ill post the pic

smd70 reply :

Hey Bass, I live in hanford and fish lake eastman a ton. If you want someone to go with ya, well im game to give it a shot. What river and pond are you refering to. Is it private? Send me some details and Im good for just about any weekend.

guest reply :

Quote
these are trohy bass and i have even thought about bow fishing for them cause they are that close but i think it is illegal here. anyone want to join me and give it a try?

Ok. I know that your new, but you are waaaaaaaay off course here. First, if they are trophy bass then you have a wonderful opportunity to learn the skills and techniques required to properly catch these magnificent creatures. Second. Please do not engage in or encourage others to join you in illegally poaching bass. I hate to be preachy, but what you are suggesting is NOT GOOD SO DON'T DO IT!!! >

bass86 reply :

im not poaching. smd 70 i fish eastman alot also. im open to go back in a week if you want. keep me posted.

smd70 reply :

Avid, I think you are the one way off base here. He said he thought about bow fishing, "BUT I THINK IT IS ILLEGAL!" he goes on to say. What he's asking for is advice and if anyone wants to join him in trying to CATCH (with a POLE) these big fish. So settle down and take some time plz before you decide to get pissy with someone.

P.S. Also being new to the boards DOESNT MEAN SOMEONE IS STUPID, IRRESPONSIBLE or IGNORANT when it comes to fishing regulations. PLZ stop profiling. Thanks

kayl. reply :

Quote
Avid, I think you are the one way off base here. He said he thought about bow fishing, "BUT I THINK IT IS ILLEGAL!" he goes on to say. What he's asking for is advice and if anyone wants to join him in trying to CATCH (with a POLE) these big fish. So settle down and take some time plz before you decide to get pissy with someone.
P.S. Also being new to the boards DOESNT MEAN SOMEONE IS STUPID, IRRESPONSIBLE or IGNORANT when it comes to fishing regulations. PLZ stop profiling. Thanks

Way to overreact. The statement says,"I even thought about bow fishing for them, but I think it is illegal...anyone want to join me and try it?" (Note that this isn't a direct quotation)

Read that and tell me you don't get the idea that he's going to try and bow fish them...

Avid's just looking out for those amazing fish that bass86 is lucky to have a chance to catch!

bassindude reply :

Bass_86 when you say you walked up river did you mean that you waded or stayed on the bank? I heard about a study they did on trout wherein they took the paw of a bear and simply put it in the water upriver in one of two forks and looked at the reaction of the fish that were at the junction. With the paw in the water the fish immediatly switched to the other fork the second the paw was removed the fish resumed swimming down that fork. Moral of the story: If your in the water they probably smell you or at least sense you. Don't underestimate the senses of a Bass. Especailly a BIG one.

Glenn reply :

smd70 - chill. Avid's just giving some friendly advice and trying to help out. I don't see any judgement in his comments whatsoever.

It seems there's a little confusion over what bass86 meant, so here's a thought... let's ask him to clarify, shall we?

bass86 - it's in your court.

guest reply :

Bass86! You have a perfect opportunity to catch a hawg of a life time, you have seen him and you are begening to understand his habits. My advice to you is just be patient and keep throwing baits that you think he might like. Keep some good line and tackle and be ready for him when he decides to give you a fight. You have a chance to get you a large trothy bass that you can release. A good fight is what it is all about. Nothing more. You walk away with a trophy, he swims away to be caught again. Good luck in catching this extra large hawg. I hope you get him soon. When you do, I know we all will know about it. So good luck.

Madhouse27 reply :

Man, I wan't to go try for one of these wily brutes. I'm thinking light line with an 1/8 oz jig in a natural color. Bass86 hurry up and catch one so we can see a pic. Keep in mind if they turn out to not be bass we are changing your name to Carp86 lol.

bass86 reply :

ok when i said that i was thinking about bow fishing for them i didnt meanit as i was actually going to go out and do it i meant that as a joke cause nothing else was catching these magnificant creatures.i think that we all got confused on this and thanks smd for backing me up. if i couldnt catch a bass fairly on line, i would say the bass won the battle, i would never bow fish for a bass or try to trap them. i walked in the water the first time but now i got permission from the land owner to drive my car to the exact spot. yesterday there were dozens between 3-12 lb average that i saw. they dont seem interested. i catch the little ones like nothing but the big ones are smart.

bass86 reply :

also the bass are in the shallows but when i cast in the water they swim to the depths. they are not on the top of the water but not near the bottom. so i tried to cast way over them and bring in the bait but they still wont hit.its like the bait isnt even there.these are the conditions. between 78-88 degree outside the water, sunny with some clouds, clear water, with trunks and lots of weeds. i am not kidding when i said i have tried everything.

cletus___ reply :

bass86,

I'll be in Sanger visiting my parents during the Thanksgiving weekend. I wouldn't mind trying to get one of these LUNKERS!!!

Let me know

- Cletus

kayl. reply :

How quickly are you retrieving? If you're going quick, slow down- if you're going slow, go slower...I've caught a couple of my biggest bass on retrieves that I let my bait set for a while (while talking to someone or doing something in the boat, etc).

Just a thought!

Good luck!

roadwarrior reply :

As a follow-up to kayl's post:

Try a Gitzit (tube) on light fluorocarbon or fluoro leader. Cast as far as you can past where you see the fish or where you think they are. Slowly retrieve the lure back to the target, a few inches at a time. Don't hop it or jerk it, just move it on the bottom and pause occasionally. When you reach your target area, stop and let the lure sit: DO NOTHING. I would leave it there for ten minutes or more. If you scared the fish away, that would be ten minutes after they return.

After ten minutes or so, move it an inch or two and repeat until you are out of the area or bored out of your mind. If you really want to catch one of those monsters, it's going to take some patience.

BTW, I still like KU_Bassmaster's suggestion: Make 'em mad. Even when bass won't bite, they will still defend their territory. If you haven't tried burning a Rat-L-Trap through them, that's another idea you might try.

smd70 reply :

Bass, let me know when you wanna go. Ill go any given weekend. That was smart to find out who owned it and got permission. Gimme some details exactly if you can about when you wanna do this. I'll bring my digital and take some shots and post them so everyone can see what we are looking at.

bassindude reply :

Here's a wacky idea, try throuing a wacky worm out into the deep area where they are swimming to when you throw at them in the shallows. let that sit a few minutes in case you spooked them. then take a second rig of any kind and throw at them in the shallows. If they spook and move deep pick up the wacky rig ever so slowly and make it slow dance. If they are used to only seeing the lures in the shallows you might catch them off guard.

senko_77 reply :

heres somethin i have learned when sight fishing or when i see a monster. my heart flutters, and even though i think im making my best presentation, im not. im so anxious i do not fish it like i ussualy would. heres what i would do. i would tie on my favorite baits. ones i know will catch fish. i would walk down to the pond, sit down in a fold out chair, i would not even dare to glance for the fish, i would cast out in unliikely places, and relax and have fun. go there with no intention of catchin fish, but the intention of doin what you love. ive noticed that when i see the big bass, i never catch them, but my monsters all have came when i set down my rod for a second to laugh with my freinds. pretend you dont even know that bass are there. and when you do catch them

go IKE!!!!!!!!!

bass86 reply :

this river must be full of these big fish cause i walked up river the other way and seen about a dozen between the 2 lb range up to about 10 lbs. one about 3 lbs bit it and when i set the hook all of the huge ones were following it around. when i went down to the water i spooked all the bigger fish. they came back out but then wouldnt bite like normal cause they saw me. i think keeping a low profile is the key to these fish.

Phishn_Phool reply :

Seems like pretty clear water...LIVE BAIT at NIGHT,,,try it

CPR ;D

bass86 reply :

hey smd, i caught like a 3 lbr out of there yesterday and when i was reeling him in dozens of huge bass were swiming right by his side swiming very fast.ill post the pick today. i caught him on a jig w/ pork trailer, off the bottom.lets shoot for the weekend of the12th.

smd70 reply :

Ok, that sounds great. Get with me later for contact info so we can set up a meeting place. Don't catch them all, save some for me ;D

cletus___ reply :

Hey.... I want to go!!!

- cletus

kayl. reply :

You have tons of ideas here, but here's another one-

If you have a gander mountain by you, go there and pick up a pack or two of "Worm Rivals". They are small (2-3" pre-rigged worms). Try Black or purple. You have to tie on a swivel and then clip the worm to it- use a small black swivel (not one of the 10-for-a-dollar swivels). Pinch a small splitshot or 2 about 18" up the line. Literally drag it along the bottom slowly...12"-24" @ a time.

Give it a try if all else fails!

bass86 reply :

hey, i went back again yesterday and the same original situation. NOTHING. i seen them but not the original huge ones just some around 8 lbs.the only difference that i noticed was thatthe day i caught the fish the sun was beaming on the entire part of water and i realized all the other times i went, including yesterday, the sun was mostly covered by trees making the water have shade on it. could that make a difference?

guest reply :

The shade probably caused a temp change and they moved off some, I'll bet they are still there just deeper......

bassindude reply :

I would say that the bright sun would make it difficult for them to see you.

bass86 reply :

thats what im thinkin. its been pretty cold and cloudy here and there is absolutly no fishi being caught so next sunny day, im there. thanks alot for all your guys help.one more question, out of all the 8+ pounders there, how come i caught the only 3 pounder when they were all interested? i guess thats just my luck. do any of you guys pig hunt in ca?

bass86 reply :

Greasemonkey reply :

Big Fish like Big Bait.

How about some Rat L-Trap? have you try though?

Take some good pictures for us to see.. ;D

sodaksker reply :

Hey guys,

Did you catch them yet? I think this would be an ideal testing ground for the biosonix. Does anyone have a biosonix unit they could borrow?

Peter E. reply :

Hey i am new but i may be able to help, I live in alabama and i like to fish ultra clear fast moving creeks one thing that I would tell you to try would be florocarbon lines and a spin cast reel like a cardnal. Also i would say try using small "finese" (me no spell) lures like terminator finese jigs with a tiny pork rind and like the boys told you keep it natural. be pateint and keep the jig in the water and kind of shake it. The boys said to go for a reaction strike and i agree but keep a small profile, remeber the smaller the bait the harder it is for a bass to tell it isn't real. Good luck and getchu sum!!!!

peter

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HUGE bass problem HELP!!!!!! 2024

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