Any suggestions for decent sized bass?

[ral]

I have been fishing hard for bass since May using a variety of crankbaits, plastics and anything else I can think of. I have worked docks, weedbeds, lilypads and deeper water. Very few have been above 12" and I cannot recognize a pattern that works for them. Every lake and pond seems to have tons of small bass. Out of 24 bass I have landed only 4 have been above 12", is that ratio typical? I though with the 12 - 17" slot limit there would be more decent size bass available. Maybe I should fish big water like Lakes Sammamish and Washington?

[BrianM]

Just depends on technique and the body of water. I am sure the lakes and ponds you are fishing in have them it just takes time to recognize their patterns (like you said). If it is overcast and/or there is a cold front moving in the bass stop biting on senko type worms (for me anyways), so I have to switch to other methods. If you don't already have them, buy 5" senko type worms and texas rig them. You will still catch the small ones but the bigger fish love these too. Go out about 6 pm after the day has been hot and sunny and fish the typical cover and up by shore.

Alot of the bass go right by shore during the night to feed on little critters like frogs. I am definitely not a good big water fisherman, but I do normally catch some decent size bass. I average atleast one over 15" every time I am out and most are caught in less than 3' of water.

Fishing big water lakes like Samamish and Washington takes a lot more skill than some smaller ponds. Most of the small lakes or ponds don't get fished as much for bass, so you don't have to be as precise with your presentation. Also, there aren't as many areas for the bass to be in smaller lakes. Sorry for the long post, if you have any more questions feel free to ask

Brian

[fishnislife]

ral - The quantity of smaller bass is due to the recent spawn. Post pawn is a good time to "match the hatch". Try using lures that are similiar in look and size to the small bass you are catching. You can bet the big ones are gorging themselves with these little guys. Senkos and big jigs are great too if your looking for quality (bigger) not quantity.
I have found also, when you are hooking up with a school of smaller bass in an area (as hard as it is) move just outside that area or move to a different spot all together. A school of small bass won't just hang out in an area if larger predators are around. Look for good ambush points for bigger bass. Think like one, if you were the big boy in the water where would be a perfect spot to pluck off unsuspecting prey?
Hope this helps you. I can go on for days but getting out there and doing is the best way to find out where those big boys are.
If you are truely interested in hunting for monsters just send me a PM and I can point you in the right direction for baits. Of coarse this way of fishing won't catch you a ton of fish but when and if you do, they are big!



fishnislife

[Smalma]

I agree with fishnislife - the larger fish will be found in areas not being used by the smaller fish. It may be a simple as a different dock but generally the larger shallow water fish will be found in the best cover or in deeper water which will suggest some lure choices.

However the presences of lots of small fish has virtually nothing to do with the recent spawn. Here in western Washington it typically takes 5 years for a largemouth bass to reach 12 inches so it should not be surprising that there are lots of smaller fish. In many public waters the density of 12 inch as larger fish is quite low (often only a couple fish/acre).

The smaller fish (sub-adult fish) don't seem to become very active until the water temperatures warms up to the mid-60s (post spawn). So one way to get more larger fish is to fish the pre-spawn period and again in the fall as the water temps cool down into the 50s. During the summer I have had best luck on larger fish during low light periods (dawn, dusk, night or edge of a strom front) as the fish seem to be more apt to be curising feeding areas and during mid-day by concentrating on the best cover for the fish buried in the shadows.

Tight lines
Curt

[ral]

Guys:

I appreciate the advice and your perspective. I just need to keep trying. I think the advice to move to different water than where the small fish are concentrated is something for me to try. I am going to stay off big water for the time being and stick with smaller lakes and ponds.

[noclothes1]

Great thread. I have these same problems. thanks guys.

[Edgeran]

:thumright Nail on the head "fishnislife", nail on the frickin' head.