What Happened To All The Big Bass? 2024
tcbass reply :
I've been fishing the same lake in MN for 6 years. Always caught good bass from about 1lbs-3lbs on average. Sometimes a few smaller ones. But the lake always seemed to put out nice fish.
This year I've gone out twice (sad, I know) and we've caught about 15 fish in 2 hours of fishing total. All the fish we caught were under 1lbs. Used the same lures I've always used and same locations.
What's going on? Where did all the 'average' sized fish for this lake go?
I'd think maybe they are in deeper water here in the summer months, but that's never stopped bigger fish from being near the shore and docks all year long the last 6 years.
J Francho reply :
You aren't fishing enough. You can get lucky, or you can put the work in.
Raul reply :
You are fishing history and not the current conditions.
tcbass reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 3:35 AM, J Francho said:You aren't fishing enough. You can get lucky, or you can put the work in.
Put work in. lol.
Works the reason I've only been able to fish twice this year.
A-Jay reply :
Some of them may be Sleep walking - or Swimming as it were . . . .
A-Jay
HoosierHawgs reply :
Are you fishing from shore? Work shouldn't mean you only fish twice in the last 7 months... Fishing can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, but if this place is close to where you work or live, you should get out on it at least weekly. Keep SOME (not all) gear in the car, go before work, after work, on your days off, rain, shine, any time! As long as conditions aren't dangerous you should be fishing. Period.
tcbass reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 5:08 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Are you fishing from shore? Work shouldn't mean you only fish twice in the last 7 months... Fishing can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, but if this place is close to where you work or live, you should get out on it at least weekly. Keep SOME (not all) gear in the car, go before work, after work, on your days off, rain, shine, any time! As long as conditions aren't dangerous you should be fishing. Period.
Spoken like a young man. And so judgemental too. lol.
I just bought a new house a few months ago am dealing with all that that entails including a huge lawn that needs constant maintenance, moles in my yard, rental properties and their issues including mowing their lawns and they are all 50 minutes away, a fiance, 2 jobs, family issues with sick parents who live 2 hours away round trip, and a host of other issues. I'd love to be able to fish more. And fishing is a priority for me but it takes a backseat to all of my actual responsibilities in life.
Everyday is planned to a T to get things that need to be done done. Plus, I just bought a truck last week, so I wasn't able to tow my boat before than anyway. Either way, I wouldn't have had time to fish.
HoosierHawgs reply :
I get the rigors of life. I'm a full time student and a swimmer, so I spend 13 hours daily at school. I also pull 2 jobs. But I've still gone fishing more than twice this year, that's for sure. It can be done. Not trying to offend, just saying that short notice trips can be made. I didn't realize you were from a big boy boat. I'm assuming those things are a lot more time consuming trying to make a trip. I apologize if I offended you.On 7/18/2015 at 6:18 AM, tcbass said:Spoken like a young man. And so judgemental too. lol.
I just bought a new house a few months ago am dealing with all that that entails including a huge lawn that needs constant maintenance, moles in my yard, rental properties and their issues including mowing their lawns and they are all 50 minutes away, a fiance, 2 jobs, family issues with sick parents who live 2 hours away round trip, and a host of other issues. I'd love to be able to fish more. And fishing is a priority for me but it takes a backseat to all of my actual responsibilities in life.
Everyday is planned to a T to get things that need to be done done. Plus, I just bought a truck last week, so I wasn't able to tow my boat before than anyway. Either way, I wouldn't have had time to fish.
J Francho reply :
So did you want advice or sympathy?
tcbass reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 6:29 AM, J Francho said:So did you want advice or sympathy?
Advice.
But 'put more work in' isn't the most insightful advice. lol
That's like saying, "What's the best technique for the fall" and the answer being, "Fish more". lol. Not too helpful.
tcbass reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 6:22 AM, HoosierHawgs said:I get the rigors of life. I'm a full time student and a swimmer, so I spend 13 hours daily at school. I also pull 2 jobs. But I've still gone fishing more than twice this year, that's for sure. It can be done. Not trying to offend, just saying that short notice trips can be made. I didn't realize you were from a big boy boat. I'm assuming those things are a lot more time consuming trying to make a trip. I apologize if I offended you.
None taken. And you didn't offend me.
I remember when I used to duck hunt all the time. I made my classes at noon so I could duck hunt every morning. Talking to my similar aged friend who hada wife and kids I couldn't believe he stopped duck hunting. I said, you've got to make time for it. I couldn't believe he couldn't squeeze one or two trips out. After seeing how busy he was now I understand why it was so hard for him to do it.
And a boat makes it more work, yes. But in works out in the end.
HoosierHawgs reply :
Good that you like having the boat. Do you fish tourneys?On 7/18/2015 at 7:01 AM, tcbass said:None taken. And you didn't offend me.
I remember when I used to duck hunt all the time. I made my classes at noon so I could duck hunt every morning. Talking to my similar aged friend who hada wife and kids I couldn't believe he stopped duck hunting. I said, you've got to make time for it. I couldn't believe he couldn't squeeze one or two trips out. After seeing how busy he was now I understand why it was so hard for him to do it.
And a boat makes it more work, yes. But in works out in the end.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Well.. 2 hours for a whole season thus far = 15 smaller bass, @ under a pound. I don't see a problem. Your catching fish..
Advice? Fish more often, spend the time looking for better fish... But I think a couple folks already suggested that. Hey, there's always next season.
tcbass reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 7:10 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Good that you like having the boat. Do you fish tourneys?
No. I'm a horrible fisherman. lol.
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 7:36 AM, tcbass said:No. I'm a horrible fisherman. lol.
Haha, I've never fished tournaments either. I've been looking for somewhere I could join up as a Co-Angler for a not so big fee... We shall see. Wonder if I'd even be good in a tourney...
papajoe222 reply :
Blame the weather. You won't catch bigger or more fish, but you'll have someone else to blame.
It works for me. I, of course, am never faced with such a sad situation. If I were, I'd have to do something about it. Don't ask me what, but I'm on great medications and I don't let things bother me like before. I can't remember yesterday, but it don't bother me. What was the question?
tcbass reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 7:40 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Haha, I've never fished tournaments either. I've been looking for somewhere I could join up as a Co-Angler for a not so big fee... We shall see. Wonder if I'd even be good in a tourney...
Don't know if you don't try.
Plus, it could be a fun experience win or lose. You could also meet people who you could learn a lot from. Always something to learn.
HoosierHawgs reply :
Very trueOn 7/18/2015 at 8:29 AM, tcbass said:Don't know if you don't try.
Plus, it could be a fun experience win or lose. You could also meet people who you could learn a lot from. Always something to learn.
cgolf reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 8:28 AM, papajoe222 said:Blame the weather. You won't catch bigger or more fish, but you'll have someone else to blame.
It works for me. I, of course, am never faced with such a sad situation. If I were, I'd have to do something about it. Don't ask me what, but I'm on great medications and I don't let things bother me like before. I can't remember yesterday, but it don't bother me. What was the question?
Actually the weather could be the culprit this year. The weather up here has been really inconsistent. In southern Wisconsin, I have seen multiple days where I have seen 15 to 20 degree temperature shifts in the morning. In northern WI I saw 38 degrees in early July in the morning. With the wild temp swings and storms this year throw out your memories from previous years and run and gun to search for the fish, especially since you have limited time on the water. Go with search baits, spinnerbaits, square bills up shallow and deep divers for the weed lines.
Slipknot_Fan666 reply :
Don't feel bad. I've been fishing the past three days straight out of my new kayak and haven't caught a thing. Got a lot of baits today, so maybe it'll help having more variety.
tcbass reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 9:36 AM, cgolf said:Actually the weather could be the culprit this year. The weather up here has been really inconsistent. In southern Wisconsin, I have seen multiple days where I have seen 15 to 20 degree temperature shifts in the morning. In northern WI I saw 38 degrees in early July in the morning. With the wild temp swings and storms this year throw out your memories from previous years and run and gun to search for the fish, especially since you have limited time on the water. Go with search baits, spinnerbaits, square bills up shallow and deep divers for the weed lines.
Thanks for the advice! I'll try it out.
WRB reply :
1-3 lb LMB are either young adult females or could be any age male bass. When LMB get to be 4 lb+ they are adult females a majority of the bass population. Why bother stating this? Because you asked where are the big bass, so I am identifying them before trying to explain where they are located.On 7/18/2015 at 3:16 AM, tcbass said:I've been fishing the same lake in MN for 6 years. Always caught good bass from about 1lbs-3lbs on average. Sometimes a few smaller ones. But the lake always seemed to put out nice fish.
This year I've gone out twice (sad, I know) and we've caught about 15 fish in 2 hours of fishing total. All the fish we caught were under 1lbs. Used the same lures I've always used and same locations.
What's going on? Where did all the 'average' sized fish for this lake go?
I'd think maybe they are in deeper water here in the summer months, but that's never stopped bigger fish from being near the shore and docks all year long the last 6 years.
4 lb plus LMB have transitioned from juvenile, young adult to adults and can choose to live where they want and eat what they prefer. The adult size bass goes where they food it likes or prefers is easily available and abundant.
The first thing you need to do is determine what these bass are eating, that will determine where they are located. When you know what they eat and where they are located, catching them becomes a lot easier.
Lure choices are selected to be effective where the bass are located and should be something similar to what the bass are looking for, not necessarily your favorite lure to use or where you like to fish.
It's common to repeat what we had success with and if that isn't working you need to change to something that is working at the moment. It's your lake and you need to determine what to use and where.
Post a map and we can point out some likely locations where big bass tend to be located based on the lake type and prey source.
Tom
deep reply :
Is there a thermocline there yet?
JOBU1967 reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 3:16 AM, tcbass said:I've been fishing the same lake in MN for 6 years. Always caught good bass from about 1lbs-3lbs on average. Sometimes a few smaller ones. But the lake always seemed to put out nice fish.
This year I've gone out twice (sad, I know) and we've caught about 15 fish in 2 hours of fishing total. All the fish we caught were under 1lbs. Used the same lures I've always used and same locations.
What's going on? Where did all the 'average' sized fish for this lake go?
I'd think maybe they are in deeper water here in the summer months, but that's never stopped bigger fish from being near the shore and docks all year long the last 6 years.
I would fish a different area and fish more often.
bigbill reply :
I been fishing the same places now for a longtime. I notice what the hot bait last year isn't so hot this year.
I change lure types, scents and colors till I get the bite back.
They actually learn our lures, the smell of our scents too.
I was fishing on a slow day I know this spot has good sized bass and plenty of them. I'm using a inline spinner silver blade black skirt.
Spraying regular bass scent like I always use, nothing, nada. I switch to a garlic scent and the bite frenzy is on.
So we're the baseball pitcher it's change up time. I love the challenge to get them to bite. I know they are there.
Change lure sizes, types and colors.
Change your presentations, don't go too fast, fish slow.
Change scents.
Wear darker clothes, wash your hands. Wash your tackle boxes, lures.
J Francho reply :
On 7/18/2015 at 6:58 AM, tcbass said:Advice.
But 'put more work in' isn't the most insightful advice. lol
That's like saying, "What's the best technique for the fall" and the answer being, "Fish more". lol. Not too helpful.
NOTHING in this thread will help you put fish in the boat. In fact, if you try everything, chances are you'll spend more time trying to figure it out. You've fished this leaked for a long time, get on the water and own that place. Don't get fancy, throw what you know, works from top to bottom, shallow to deep. This is basic stuff, really. If I told you to fish a whatchimallit on this thingy rod, and you caught something, would that have been better advice than get on the water? Pattern fishing for bass is a use it or lose it game. Or you can be lucky. That's my take on it, it's not meant to offend, but unless there's a specific problem that can solved, guys that aren't on your lake regularly are grasping at straws for the solution you seek. Big fish take time on the water. The only shortcut is getting lucky.
einscodek reply :
Gotta agree with Francho above
if you wanna consistently catch fish and bigger fish all-season all-condition, you gotta own yer home lakes.. know it like the back of your hand.. pay attention to whats going on.. figure out whats going on.. experiment some based on knowledge.. make note
not just realy on getting lucky and throwin this or that bait here or there.. that is luck
thats why its tough to outfish a good fisherman on his home waters
Catt reply :
J Francho gave you the only viable answer!
2 hours of fishing in 7 months is your problem!
Your answer is fish more 
Jaderose reply :
Fish more and don't fish "angry". What the hell does that mean? It means have some dedicated time to actually do some quality fishing. I've noticed that for the first hour or so when I'm on the water, I rarely catch much. I'm fishing "angry". I'm tense, I'm fiddling with my gear, I'm paying attention to the other "idiots" on the water, etc. I'm NOT focused on fishing. And then the magic happens..the reason we all do this. I focus. My breathing slows down...I'm FISHING. I'm paying attention to patterns, dialing in my tackle, tuning out the troubles of the outside world. I'm not thinking about jobs, or mortgages, or rental properties. THAT is when I start catching quality fish. I'm lucky that I have a wife that knows I MUST have this time. It is not optional. Fishing to me is as important as oxygen. It keeps me sane and grounded. Without it, I get pretty twitchy pretty fast.
Allow yourself the time to spend some quality time on the water. All that other stuff will still be there. those long summer days on the water are fleeting. Cherish them. I almost guarantee that if you do this, you will catch quality fish...unless you just suck. 
RoLo reply :
"What Happened To All The Big Bass?"
Just filleted the last batch this evening.....I'm exhausted 
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