How often do you catch a big bass? 2024
Milos reply :
I feel like I'm doing something wrong, or where I am around doesn't have big fish. I've been fishing for a total of 2 years, and I have only caught a total of 4 carp (weight around 4-5 pound), 2 bass that were around 1-2 pounds, a huge snapping turtle once on accident, and almost caught a grass carp that's close to 3-4 ft.
The rest I've caught very small fish like chub, bluegill, baby bass, perch, small catfish. Maybe when I get my Ultra light rod it will be more fun to catch these fish.
I've fished in a total of 5 locations, creeks and lakes. Maybe should I go out more and find new places to fish? Do people usually catch a good size fish every fishing trip?
Bluebasser86 reply :
Really depends a lot on location for me. Some lakes in the area have big fish, some don't, and you can't catch them where they don't live. One of my favorite lakes, I'm disappointed if I don't catch something over 4 pounds every trip. Other lakes I fish, I've only caught a handful of fish over 4 pounds in all the years I've fished them. Baits will make a big difference too because some just tend to produce larger fish. If you fish a 5" finesse worm on a shakyhead all day every day, you'll catch a big one occasionally, but if you fish a 1/2 football jig with a 5" twin tail instead, chances are you'll see more big fish.
Raul reply :
My everyday lake has 10+ lbers, I know it because I have caught several throughout the 3+ decades I've fished it but between catching one and another it can take years, so to be honest, the regular, ordinary, everyday catch is about a pound in weight, which apparently is the most abundant weight since that's what you catch all day long.
BigAngus752 reply :
Do other people fish the same lakes? What are they catching? Tomorrow we are headed to a small lake that hosts a bass tournament EVERY Thursday. And every Thursday the stringers are 14lb plus with someone catching at least one upwards of 5lbs. So tomorrow if I am coming up completely empty then odds are I am doing something wrong. But it's our first time there so I have to give myself some extra cushion for mistakes. By our 5th or 6th time there we should be regularly catching good fish. Are you working hard on the same lake repeatedly? Are other people having success on the same lake?
I once had a good friend tell me, "Your first divorce might be someone else's fault. By the second or third divorce it's time to look in the mirror". That applies to a lot of things.
Dens228 reply :
Also, what are you using for lures/bait. Every summer I head up to northern Wisconsin with my family. My two youngest sons catch tons of little 1/2 pound bass. I catch several that are 3-5 pounds. They ask why I catch the big ones and they catch small ones. They are using small crappie lures, but it's because they like catching numbers. I use bigger lures because I like catching bigger fish.
the reel ess reply :
There are times when I've caught big bass on consecutive trips, but rare. I started fishing a place with a good many big bass in it about 4 years ago. Since then I've probably caught 10 or 12 fish over 5 lbs., including by PB last fall. But this year I have not been so fortunate. I've lost several fish that I know would have exceeded 4 lbs. I lost one just Wed evening.Those are the breaks. But I also have dealt with the passing of my dad this year and haven't been fishing nearly as much or I've fished other places. But I've made a conscious effort to use big bass lures everywhere I fish. I have one place that i caught a previous PB at that I have not caught a fish bigger than 2 pounds in the 12 years since.
I guess the moral of the story is: Fish where there are big, unpressured bass. Big ones will be the first to shut down if there's a lot of fishing pressure. They'll just feed at night. Fish big bass lures. Try mornings and evenings unless you can actually stay and fish nights. Fish where the dinks are not. Big bass are loners, not usually schoolers. Try live bait if you have to. Eventually the big one will bite.
Koz reply :
I agree - if you want to catch bigger fish try bigger bait. The first thing I'd try is a big ol' Senko type worm Texas rig and wacky rig. Both pumpkinseed or a dark black/blue with blue flakes work for me. Then I'd throw a jig with a craw trailer. Sure, there are other baits to throw, but these two are pretty universal to catch bigger bass.
What baits have you been using?
NYWayfarer reply :
Big is relative. For me a 3 pound Bass is big, to others it is a dink 
Big baits catch big fish but prepared to be skunked a lot. When my fishing partner and I are on the water I go for quantity over quality. Finesse fishing with smaller sized baits targets the most species of fish in my area. We will have days where I will catch 15-20 fish to his 0-3 as he is fishing with big 6" plus worms. Funny thing is most times my biggest fish of the day is only a few ounces short of his best catch.
Doelman reply :
Where are you and what are you fishing with? Need more info.
If I go out for more than a few hours I usually get at least one at or over 2 lbs, one over 4lbs every 4 or 5 trips, I'll catch half a dozen around 5-6 every year, and I've only caught one that was 7 lbs.
clh121787 reply :
Pretty often. I feel any good angler that fishes where I fish would too.
Mosster47 reply :
It depends on the location, the pressure, the time of year, and ultimately my mood. Sometimes I just want to catch a ton of fish and sometimes I want to catch good fish.
WRB reply :
On 7/28/2017 at 1:31 PM, Milos said:I feel like I'm doing something wrong, or where I am around doesn't have big fish. I've been fishing for a total of 2 years, and I have only caught a total of 4 carp (weight around 4-5 pound), 2 bass that were around 1-2 pounds, a huge snapping turtle once on accident, and almost caught a grass carp that's close to 3-4 ft.
The rest I've caught very small fish like chub, bluegill, baby bass, perch, small catfish. Maybe when I get my Ultra light rod it will be more fun to catch these fish.
I've fished in a total of 5 locations, creeks and lakes. Maybe should I go out more and find new places to fish? Do people usually catch a good size fish every fishing trip?
2 years of bass fishing and caught 2 average size bass isn't bad if you only went fishing a few times. Your problem isn't catching big bass it's catching any size bass. Everyone crawls before they walk and walks before they can run....learn to walk first.
Where are you located, general region would help and what type of tackle do you bass fish with??
Tom
Milos reply :
I'm fishing in Illinois, the things I use is a crank bait, and a rooster tail. Only 1 lake I fish will have a couple fisherman, and the majority of the time either one catches a good size bass or nothing at all. There is walleye located around the middle of the lake, and I think I remember there is this guy that casts his rod way out there with a minnow and catches it.
Turtle135 reply :
question: How often do you catch a big bass?
answer: Not nearly often enough!
I fish frequently (at least 2-3 times per week in season) and I seem to get one to two "big" bass per month. Big in my area (Maryland) would be a largemouth bass 20" and larger.
WRB reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 1:46 AM, Milos said:I'm fishing in Illinois, the things I use is a crank bait, and a rooster tail. Only 1 lake I fish will have a couple fisherman, and the majority of the time either one catches a good size bass or nothing at all. There is walleye located around the middle of the lake, and I think I remember there is this guy that casts his rod way out there with a minnow and catches it.
OK, getting somewhere now. What rod are you using; type spinning or casting, brand and model number if possible and what reel and line?
Rooster tail is a inline spinner, what weight? Crankbait brand or model?
The reason for all the questions is I am trying to determine how to get you started using the basic rod, reel and line you now have.
Members tend to answer the title question without reading what your question is about " I need help catching bass".
Tom
Milos reply :
The rod I use is a Plusinno spinning rod, here is where I got it from https://www.amazon.com/PLUSINNO-Spinning-Telescopic-Saltwater-Freshwater/dp/B00YOW1TKK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1501268851&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=plusino+telescopic+fishing+rod Reel came with it.
I'm using 6 pound test for line, the rooster tail and crank bait I got from walmart and both are branded strike king.
scaleface reply :
It depends on the body of water . A small lake I fish a lot , I use to average a 5 lb bass about every trip . Thats was just a couple of years back . These days a five lb bass is rare .
WRB reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 3:12 AM, Milos said:The rod I use is a Plusinno spinning rod, here is where I got it from https://www.amazon.com/PLUSINNO-Spinning-Telescopic-Saltwater-Freshwater/dp/B00YOW1TKK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1501268851&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=plusino+telescopic+fishing+rod Reel came with it.
I'm using 6 pound test for line, the rooster tail and crank bait I got from walmart and both are branded strike king.
Now I know you have a light spinning outfit and use 6 lb monofilament line. Telescoping rods seem like a good idea but they don't do anything well except easy to store.
it is what it is as the saying goes.
Bass like to be around objects or under them, they are not out in open water very often.
Places they prefer are docks, weed beds, trees in the water, rocks or boulders etc. We call things that make up the lake bottom from the edge where the water starts to the deepest areas structure. Things that grow in the water or float on top we call cover.
Lures that work well for bass need to be able to be retreived in cover or around structure without snagging. The 2 lures you are using are ok for open water areas with very little cover. The closer you retrieve your lure to both structure and cover the more likely you are going to catch bass.
You rod isn't very good for fishing bass lures, the reel is ok. Until you can change the rod to a medium fast action 1 piece bass spinning rod, your rod should be able to work for a few other lures. You may need to change the line to a premium 8 lb test mono like Berkley Trilene XL, 6 lb is ok you will lose more lures.
Soft plastics can be fished using what you now have. I would start with 6.5" Zoom Trick worms and 5" GYCB Senko in green pumpkin color. You will need size 2/0 and 3/0 off set worm hooks, Mustad Ultra point are inexpensive hooks and good quality. The 2/0 for worms, 3/0 for Senko. The worms I suggest using a split shot rig, the Senko unweighted. The split shot is round type without ears (ears snag weeds) in size #4 or 1/8 oz.
Tie on your hook using a good knot like a Uni or Trilene knot. The split shot is clamped on the line about 14" above the hook. The worm and Senko are hooked weedless..see Texas rig worm, vedio on this site.
Since you are new and shore fishing try to find an area with a point of land going out underwater or start at the dam. I want you to make a fan casting pattern, that means cast paralell to the shore about 3' to 5' out from the bank about 25 yards in front of you. Let the worm or Senko hit bottom, then lift the rod tip up about 2' and let the worm or Senko fall down to the bottom. Repeat this retrieve moving the work or Senko about 2' each time.
Repeat the cast out about 10' from the bank and retrieve. Continue casting until you make a full fan pattern all the around to your back side. Walk down the bank about 30 to 40 yards and repeat the fan casting pattern. This is slow but very effective method to cover water. Bites feel like something is pecking, tapping or tugging lightly in your worm or Senko or you see the line moving. Set the hook by reeling fast and sweeping your rod back hard.
Good luck and catch lots of bass.
Tom
soflabasser reply :
I catch several big bass every single month that I fish for bass.It helps that I live in South Florida where the fishing overall is spectacular and the fact that I often fish +8 hours at a time, rain or shine.
CybrSlydr reply :
I've never caught a big bass. 
Jeff H reply :
I don't catch many fish so no big bass either.
BuzzHudson19c reply :
Depends on the moods I'm in. Sometimes I want to catch big fish only. I will up the bait size and head to lakes where I know the monsters live. This increases the likelyhood that I will get skunked however. Other times I just want to catch fish consistently. There are those lakes that have a ton of bass but nothing over 3lb, sometimes they are fun.
LxVE Bassin reply :
3 pounds is a big fish where I am at. People catch them way bigger than that sometimes but it's not a constant thing around here. I'm in Indiana so fish don't grow as rapidly as they do in warmer places. If it makes you feel better a lot of people tell lies and guesstimate what a fish weighs.
CroakHunter reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 10:13 AM, LxVE Bassin said:3 pounds is a big fish where I am at. People catch them way bigger than that sometimes but it's not a constant thing around here. I'm in Indiana so fish don't grow as rapidly as they do in warmer places. If it makes you feel better a lot of people tell lies and guesstimate what a fish weighs.
Indiana here as well, 3lbs is a nice fish where I'm at as well. I would consider 4lb a big bass and anything over 6.5 a trophy for where I'm at. I've caught 3 over 6 the last few years. 1 Over 7. Keep plugging along and researching here at br and the bigger fish will come.
IndianaFinesse reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 10:20 AM, CroakHunter said:Indiana here as well, 3lbs is a nice fish where I'm at as well. I would consider 4lb a big bass and anything over 6.5 a trophy for where I'm at. I've caught 3 over 6 the last few years. 1 Over 7. Keep plugging along and researching here at br and the bigger fish will come.
Yep, we don't exactly live in the best state for bass fishing. My bar for big bass is also at four pounds (around here), and a 6.5 is definitely well into the trophy category. I fish more than anyone else I know, and I've only caught a few bass over six pounds.
Going up to Michigan every year reminds me of just how bad the bass fishing is in Indiana, a fifteen to twenty pound bag is easier than a 7 pound bag around here, at least on the terrible lakes my club fishes lol. And even with only about 25 hours on the water last time I was up there, I still caught one bass that weighed a hair over six even.
CTBassin860 reply :
I like to target the big girls. I'd personally rather catch one 4# fish than four 1# fish. A 2.5# bass is a quality fish in my book though. They can't all be bigguns.
Milos reply :
Thanks for the tips, I did also notice that my lures were getting a lot of weeds on them and I was spending quite some time getting it off the hooks almost every cast.
I hear there are weedless baits out there, what are your thoughts on those and do they really work?
Bucky205 reply :
How often depends on two things. Location and location. The location of the reservoir, then the location of the larger fish within that reservoir. What is average on one reservoir may be a trophy on another. Alabama is blessed with some great fishing, but even within the state there are large differences in quantity and quality of the bass. Alabama DCNR has a group called B.A.I.T. (Bass Anglers Information Team) that looks at all the data and compiles it annually for the different bodies of water within the state. http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/bait2015.pdf It's interesting to see the major differences on size within a relatively small area. On Guntersville this spring Casey Martin put 5 fish in the boat that weighed 40-11, at a lot of other lakes in the state that would be close to impossible.
NiX reply :
I fish Folsom Lake in California and it's a true finesse fishery... I fish from the bank and catch 1-2lbers frequently but lately I found a new spot and have been catching 2-3lbers. I never got a weight on my biggest fish just got length at 26". After that I got a scale and new PB is 5 lbs. I caught that this year
CroakHunter reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 10:48 AM, IndianaFinesse said:Yep, we don't exactly live in the best state for bass fishing. My bar for big bass is also at four pounds (around here), and a 6.5 is definitely well into the trophy category. I fish more than anyone else I know, and I've only caught a few bass over six pounds.
Going up to Michigan every year reminds me of just how bad the bass fishing is in Indiana, a fifteen to twenty pound bag is easier than a 7 pound bag around here, at least on the terrible lakes my club fishes lol. And even with only about 25 hours on the water last time I was up there, I still caught one bass that weighed a hair over six even.
I'm lucky enough to fish some private strip mine lakes. Spoiled rotten lol
Catt reply :
It aint your line, rod, reel, or lures!
It location. 
Y'all can change all the tackle ya want but it ain't gonna change the results!
Failing to understand what structure is, how to truly identify it, interpret it, and then fish it effectively.
Failing to understand what the predominate prey species in your lake and how that species relates to structure with each season...morning, noon, and night.
Failing to understand that next after location is timing; just because you don't get bite does not mean the bass aren't there or you tied on the wrong lure.
Failing to understand that to consistently catch bass is a process of elimination and duplication. Eliminate patterns and waters that are non-productive and duplicate patterns and waters that are productive.
GeeseMelvin reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 11:39 AM, Milos said:Thanks for the tips, I did also notice that my lures were getting a lot of weeds on them and I was spending quite some time getting it off the hooks almost every cast.
I hear there are weedless baits out there, what are your thoughts on those and do they really work?
Yes there are plenty of seedless baits. Everything Texas rigged is weedless. The methods WRB suggested to you, the Texas rigged worm and Texas rigged senko are weedless. My advice, would be to try those two things and to learn how to rig a drop shot with a Zoom finesse worm. If you've never caught a bass on a plastic worm it may take you a little more time to identify a fish since with a crankbait or rooster tail they just nail it mid reel. Just keep learning. Read a lot. Watch videos of how to Texas rig. Get a hook and a worm and do it along with the vid. Also, as @WRB mentioned, your gonna want a better rod. Once you've got a rod with some more backbone you'll be able to effectively throw a wider range of lures that will definitely increase your chances in ore fish fish definitely more big fish.
WRB reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 11:39 AM, Milos said:Thanks for the tips, I did also notice that my lures were getting a lot of weeds on them and I was spending quite some time getting it off the hooks almost every cast.
I hear there are weedless baits out there, what are your thoughts on those and do they really work?
You didn't read my long post on how to fish a weedless worm or Senko, so can't help you any further until you take a few minutes and watch Glenn's instructional video's how to rig Texas rig plastic worm. Video's are located at the top of the forum.
Everyone has responded to the title of your thread, not recognizing you are a novice angler asking the wrong question, should be "How do you catch bass?"
Tom
GeeseMelvin reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 11:49 PM, WRB said:You didn't read my long post on how to fish a weedless worm or Senko, so can't help you any further until you take a few minutes and watch Glenn's instructional vedio's how to a Texas rig plastic worm.
Everyone has responded to the title of your thread, not recognizing you are a novice angler asking the wrong question, should be "How do you catch bass?"
Tom
Yeup, reason why I tagged you in my post. Your posts have thoroughly answered his real question regarding the gear he has and regarding his fishing situation. @Milos refer back to his posts and don't go forth until you understand all the terminology of his posts. You gotta start back at square one and take the time to learn a lot if you ever wanna be a good bass angler.
Catt reply :
Ya can buy all the tackle ya want but until ya understand "where" you'll only be practicing casting!
My grandson caught those Zebco's 33 Authentic Platinum, proof it ain't tackle!
What happened? The icon for attachments disappeared!
sully420 reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 11:39 AM, Milos said:Thanks for the tips, I did also notice that my lures were getting a lot of weeds on them and I was spending quite some time getting it off the hooks almost every cast.
I hear there are weedless baits out there, what are your thoughts on those and do they really work?
The position you're in right now dictates that you spend a lot of time studying bassresourcecom and YouTube to learn some basic information on what rigs to use what bait and what equipment. Catching big fish is something that you're just not prepared to do yet there's a certain amount of studying and learning that you're going to have to do to put yourself in position to get big bites and you're in the right place to do that. You need to get yourself some experience and some understanding so that you know the right questions to ask. As far as catching big fish goes in my humble opinion you need to have yourself in the mindset to catch big fish. Yes you can go out there and drop shot and get a big basd but so many people get caught up with catching numbers that they will not sacrifice those numbers to Target big fish. In my neck of the woods I find so many people that go straight to finesse fishing even when it's not necessary.
WRB reply :
On 7/30/2017 at 1:05 AM, Catt said:Ya can buy all the tackle ya want but until ya understand "where" you'll only be practicing casting!
My grandson caught those Zebco's 33 Authentic Platinum, proof it ain't tackle!
What happened? The icon for attachments disappeared!
The Zebco is a lot better rod/reel combo then the OP is using and you are teaching your grandson where and how to fish. The OP doesn't have a clue where or how to catch bass and needs to start with the basics, like don't cast a treble hook lure into a weed bed, instead use a weedless rigged soft plastic. I fully agree "where" is essential.
Tom
Catt reply :
The first step in catching bigger bass or any bass for that matter is location!
For some reason the first thing out of most people's mouth is ya got the wrong rod, ya got the wrong reel, ya got the wrong line, ya using the wrong lure!
Does the OP wanna catch or just fish?
He can practice casting in the back yard
WRB reply :
Catt to prove your point my 1st trip to lake Guerreo MX we watch kids fishing form shore using a beer can with line wrapped around it and cast like a spinning reel and caught bass during my time watching them. Those kids knew how and where to fish to catch dinner.
Contary the OP doesn't know how to fish for bass and needs all the help we can give him.
Tom
Catt reply :
OK we talking extremes 
You go out in KVD's tournament winning Nitro with all his tackle & you will still get skunked!
soflabasser reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 1:46 AM, Milos said:I'm fishing in Illinois, the things I use is a crank bait, and a rooster tail. Only 1 lake I fish will have a couple fisherman, and the majority of the time either one catches a good size bass or nothing at all. There is walleye located around the middle of the lake, and I think I remember there is this guy that casts his rod way out there with a minnow and catches it.
Crank baits are excellent lures for both smallmouth and largemouth bass so you are fishing with a good lure. Have you tried fishing the Fox river? Its a amazing fishery.
pondbassin101 reply :
On 7/30/2017 at 1:47 AM, sully420 said:The position you're in right now dictates that you spend a lot of time studying bassresourcecom and YouTube to learn some basic information on what rigs to use what bait and what equipment.
X2
When I first started bass fishing about 2 years ago I probably spent more time on BR and YouTube doing research then fishing for some time. Reading up will result in a much smaller learning curve, a 5 minute video on Texas rigging will save you half an hour of frustration on the water. Yes, some things come with time and experience, but for now, research research research. Trust me it helps
scaleface reply :
I hate to say it but you have a pretty poor rod and reel but you will have to make due with it . Your also fishing weeds so you need a good weedless bait .Get some thin wire 1.0 offset worm hooks not the extra wide gap hooks . Then get some soft , thin 4 or 6 inch plastic worms . 6 inch worms could always be bitten off to make them smaller .Pick up some 1/8th bullet sinkers then watch the videos about Texas rigs on this site . The Lucke Strike Twirl Tail worms at Wal Mart will work . I use them .
You will need the small worms and hooks to get penetration with your gear. I like to run the hook all the way through the worm then pull it back in That gives the hook a channel to go through . That will get you some bites if you throw it in the right spots . You might miss a few especially at first so thats why you should watch the how-to videos .
WRB reply :
On 7/30/2017 at 4:49 AM, Catt said:OK we talking extremes
You go out in KVD's tournament winning Nitro with all his tackle & you will still get skunked!
You or I wouldn't get skunked, Milos would.
Tom
Catt reply :
On 7/30/2017 at 11:48 PM, WRB said:You or I wouldn't get skunked, Milos would.
Tom
Tom ya make it to easy
You & I would not get skunked...Why?
Because we know where to fish!
Milos even with all KVD's tackle would get skunked...Why?
He does not know where to use all this tackle!
Zebico 33 or Shimano Antares doesn't matter if you're where the fish are!
WRB reply :
On 7/31/2017 at 1:00 AM, Catt said:
Tom ya make it to easy
You & I would not get skunked...Why?
Because we know where to fish!
Milos even with all KVD's tackle would get skunked...Why?
He does not know where to use all this tackle!
Zebico 33 or Shimano Antares doesn't matter if you're where the fish are!
OK, teach Milos where and how to catch bass using his telescoping spinning outfit he posted. I have done my part.
Tom
Catt reply :
OK!
@Milos where ya live, what bodies of water ya fishing?
Milos reply :
I live in Illinois, Homewood to be exact. I fish at lakes with lots of weeds, open creeks, ponds. I've never been near a river before.
soflabasser reply :
@Milos I highly recommend you give river/creek fishing a try, its definitely worth it. Right know the water is high in the Fox river/ surrounding rivers so it might be a little more difficult , but sooner or later the water level will drop. Good lures to use in rivers/creeks are shallow running crankbaits, small swimbaits, 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits, inline spinners,jerkbaits, crawfish imitation soft plastics, texas rigged soft plastics, and topwaters. Fishing around the dams on the river can be very productive, so consider fishing these areas as well. Try to find a experienced fisherman who is willing to teach you in person, it will greatly speed up your learning curve. Most importantly, put in your time on the water and don't be discouraged if you don't catch fish on your fishing trips, it happens to the best of us.
Bucky205 reply :
A better question might be. How often do you get skunked? Most do, some less than others. I try to learn from it and move on. It is almost an exercise in what not to do. Even on a fishing trip where you caught absolutely nothing, you gained knowledge. Over time the should do, outweighs the what not to do. After 40+ years I still get skunked, but I learn from it.
Catt reply :
@Milos your tackle is what it is
You're gonna have to adjust your style of fishing to fit your tackle. It's called finesse fishing & is highly productive for those who learn its limitations.
You will have to avoid big heavy bulky lures & heavy cover opting for smaller lures & waters that have sparse cover.
@scaleface & @soflabasser offer some excellent lure choices!
Google Bobby Murray, Charlie Brewer, or Roger Moore. Bobby Murray qualified for eight consecutive Classics and won two using lighter tackle. Roger Moore started a streak in 1974 on the St. Johns River," Moore recalls. "I never got skunked my first four years of fishing B.A.S.S., including four BASS Master Classics. Charlie Brewer's Do-Nothing Slider Fishing is legendary.
Edited by CattOperator error
DogBone_384 reply :
... not often enough ....
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
Not as often as I hook a big bass. Happened to me today, a 5lber which is a great fish here in MA hit my flipping set up. I rolled and kept her down for as long as I could, then she jumped and did what she needed to do to survive. Seems like the bigger they are, the easier they come off.
Bucky205 reply :
On 7/31/2017 at 10:06 AM, Catt said:@Milos your tackle is what it is
You're gonna have to adjust your style of fishing to fit your tackle. It's called finesse fishing & is highly productive for those who learn its limitations.
You will have to avoid big heavy bulky lures & heavy cover opting for smaller lures & waters that have sparse cover.
@scaleface & @soflabasser offer some excellent lure choices!
Google Bobby Murray, Charlie Brewer, or Roger Moore. Bobby Murray qualified for eight consecutive Classics and won two using lighter tackle. Roger Moore started a streak in 1974 on the St. Johns River," Moore recalls. "I never got skunked my first four years of fishing B.A.S.S., including four BASS Masters Classics. Charlie Brewer's Do-Nothing Finesse Slider Worm is legendary!
@Milos your tackle is what it is
You're gonna have to adjust your style of fishing to fit your tackle. It's called finesse fishing & is highly productive for those who learn its limitations.
You will have to avoid big heavy bulky lures & heavy cover opting for smaller lures & waters that have sparse cover.
@scaleface & @soflabasser offer some excellent lure choices!
Google Bobby Murray, Charlie Brewer, or Roger Moore. Bobby Murray qualified for eight consecutive Classics and won two using lighter tackle. Roger Moore started a streak in 1974 on the St. Johns River," Moore recalls. "I never got skunked my first four years of fishing B.A.S.S., including four BASS Masters Classics. Charlie Brewer's Do-Nothing Finesse Slider Worm is legendary!
@Milos your tackle is what it is
You're gonna have to adjust your style of fishing to fit your tackle. It's called finesse fishing & is highly productive for those who learn its limitations.
You will have to avoid big heavy bulky lures & heavy cover opting for smaller lures & waters that have sparse cover.
@scaleface & @soflabasser offer some excellent lure choices!
Google Bobby Murray, Charlie Brewer, or Roger Moore. Bobby Murray qualified for eight consecutive Classics and won two using lighter tackle. Roger Moore started a streak in 1974 on the St. Johns River," Moore recalls. "I never got skunked my first four years of fishing B.A.S.S., including four BASS Masters Classics. Charlie Brewer's Do-Nothing Finesse Slider Worm is legendary!
Their talking tournaments, not practice days.
Burke reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 2:02 AM, Turtle135 said:question: How often do you catch a big bass?
answer: Not nearly often enough!
I fish frequently (at least 2-3 times per week in season) and I seem to get one to two "big" bass per month. Big in my area (Maryland) would be a largemouth bass 20" and larger.
@Turtle135
What a HAWG ! I would love to kidnap that !
El Cheapo reply :
Caught my personal best fish on a buzzbait tonight! I was fishing a small local private pond and noticed the fish feeding on top. Went with a white buzzer and caught a few. Then I missed a couple and switched to a spook. Nothing. Went back to the buzzbait and within a few casts had a fish on. He didn't really nail it, just sort of sucked it under but I felt the weight and set the hook. The smaller fish are usually pulled toward me when I do this. This fish didn't move. He made a couple beautiful jumps and ran around a bit, but eventually he tired and I was able to land him. Nice, thick fish 20 inches long and I'm gonna say 5 pounds. Could easily put my whole fist in his mouth. Quite a hog for the little pond! Main hook was in the jaw and the trailer was in the gills. I was real careful getting the hooks out, but still there was some blood. Not too bad though. I carefully revived him and after a few seconds he took off. Fished for another 45 minutes and no sign of him so I think we're good. Just bummed I didn't have my phone with me so no pic. Gotta start carrying my scale too!
Montanaro reply :
Big bass monkey is riding my back.
Caught a couple nice ones early in the year...but every week since I cant land any over 3 pounds which are not common fish in the places i fish in wv.
I do everything right but random luck of where/how they are hooked or getting stuck against lilypads comes in the way.
scaleface reply :
On 7/31/2017 at 7:53 PM, Montanaro said:Big bass monkey is riding my back.
Caught a couple nice ones early in the year...but every week since I cant land any over 3 pounds which are not common fish in the places i fish in wv.
I do everything right but random luck of where/how they are hooked or getting stuck against lilypads comes in the way.
I had a period of about two years where every big bass I hooked came off . I was trying to horse them in like the pros do . Now unless i have to pressure them out of heavy cover , I let them tire themselves out . Since I been landing most of my big fish .The only decent one I can recall losing in the last several years came at night on a plastic worm . I dont think I got the hook penetration on that one .
Montanaro reply :
All i fish is heavy cover lol.
Yesterday had a 5 or 6 which would have helped me back into BBWC contention. She kept diving for the thick submerged grass and got her head turned and popped hook. Turns out I let rod load up on my big ez and didnt get a good hook in as I was in more open water. When I get a hit in the spatterdock fields I whack on em and rarely lose them.
The main pond I fish has a few over 6 if not over 8...but it gets a lot of pressure and isnt big so when they do decide to bite I need to land them.
GreenGhostMan reply :
On 7/29/2017 at 6:24 AM, WRB said:Now I know you have a light spinning outfit and use 6 lb monofilament line. Telescoping rods seem like a good idea but they don't do anything well except easy to store.
it is what it is as the saying goes.
Bass like to be around objects or under them, they are not out in open water very often.
Places they prefer are docks, weed beds, trees in the water, rocks or boulders etc. We call things that make up the lake bottom from the edge where the water starts to the deepest areas structure. Things that grow in the water or float on top we call cover.
Lures that work well for bass need to be able to be retreived in cover or around structure without snagging. The 2 lures you are using are ok for open water areas with very little cover. The closer you retrieve your lure to both structure and cover the more likely you are going to catch bass.
You rod isn't very good for fishing bass lures, the reel is ok. Until you can change the rod to a medium fast action 1 piece bass spinning rod, your rod should be able to work for a few other lures. You may need to change the line to a premium 8 lb test mono like Berkley Trilene XL, 6 lb is ok you will lose more lures.
Soft plastics can be fished using what you now have. I would start with 6.5" Zoom Trick worms and 5" GYCB Senko in green pumpkin color. You will need size 2/0 and 3/0 off set worm hooks, Mustad Ultra point are inexpensive hooks and good quality. The 2/0 for worms, 3/0 for Senko. The worms I suggest using a split shot rig, the Senko unweighted. The split shot is round type without ears (ears snag weeds) in size #4 or 1/8 oz.
Tie on your hook using a good knot like a Uni or Trilene knot. The split shot is clamped on the line about 14" above the hook. The worm and Senko are hooked weedless..see Texas rig worm, vedio on this site.
Since you are new and shore fishing try to find an area with a point of land going out underwater or start at the dam. I want you to make a fan casting pattern, that means cast paralell to the shore about 3' to 5' out from the bank about 25 yards in front of you. Let the worm or Senko hit bottom, then lift the rod tip up about 2' and let the worm or Senko fall down to the bottom. Repeat this retrieve moving the work or Senko about 2' each time.
Repeat the cast out about 10' from the bank and retrieve. Continue casting until you make a full fan pattern all the around to your back side. Walk down the bank about 30 to 40 yards and repeat the fan casting pattern. This is slow but very effective method to cover water. Bites feel like something is pecking, tapping or tugging lightly in your worm or Senko or you see the line moving. Set the hook by reeling fast and sweeping your rod back hard.
Good luck and catch lots of bass.
Tom
This is why I love this forum... Experienced anglers willing to help us less experienced beginners and willing to simplify it for us. I've been fishing for about 2 years and I've learned so much from this site.
Bankbeater reply :
For me it's all about location, type of bait, and fishing pressure. Locally, I have been catching one or two bass over four pounds each year, and that's because I use baits that the bass don't see very often. On a fishing trip to a large reservoir, I might catch a four of five pounder once a day.
kiteman reply :
i feel like the place i fish i used to catch 3+lbs all the time. years later and 3+ is rare, once every 10 fishing outings. it has gotten a little pressure but i don't think it's that bad. there used to be so many perch there you could throw out beef jerky and catch them (no joke, i did this), but now i don't ever see perch, so i suppose something is going on.
i live in the city and the fact that i can fish a clean pond and catch anything at ALL is amazing, much less 3+lb. i'd say if you are in a city and found a place that has fish you can catch, size does not matter. if you live on lake fork or something and you only catch a 3+lb every month and you're fishing daily, you probably need to find a fishing buddy who can give you tips lol. as others have said, size is so incredibly relative.
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