Bass fishing is relatively beginner-friendly, and an excellent method to get newcomers hooked on the sports. You should be proud of yourself for wanting to catch a bigger party since you were tired of fooling around in the kiddie pool. Learning to catch big bass is difficult as it needs a lot of knowledge and is always a gamble every time you cast your line. Thankfully, several tactics and ideas can help you attract the right fish and keep the ones you don’t want out of the water. It’s one thing to sometimes come across a large bass, but the goal is to constantly and strategically locate larger fish.
The best technique that I have learned after years of experience is to utilize large lurs for big bass and then present them slowly that usual. Baits that I normally suggest and found them beneficial to catch largemouth bass are topwater frogs, worms, crankbaits, and jigs. However, using spinnerbaits and swinbaits didin’t provide me a good experince. The basic rule that anglers find to catch largemouth bass is to utilize larger baits and present them slowly.
Knowing where to look, what equipment to use, and how to locate giant bass are necessary to catch them in any water. I’ll cover everything from location, lures, and bass fishing advice in this guide on catching huge bass so you can take every precaution to capture the fish you desire!
Equipment You can Use to catch Big Bass
It is a great point to start selecting the appropriate equipment. If you’re used to catching two-pound bass all day, you’ll need to invest in heavy-duty rods, reels, and lines to see anything more significant.
Choose the best Reels and Rods
Your rod and reel are one of the most vital tips for catching colossal bass. It’s not necessary to immediately go out and purchase a brand-new, expensive combo, but I advise learning the distinctions between a spinning reel and a casting reel. You’ll have a challenging time catching large fish with a spinning reel because you will not be able to size the lineup properly.
A casting rod and reel set is mandatory if you’re trying to catch anything that weighs more than 5 pounds. This rig will permit a longer line, and you’ll also have a better pull.
Although the rod and reel you use to catch giant bass are important, I would strongly advise understanding that snapped lines or damaged rods result from human error and anxiety. Also, don’t get too excited if you see a big fish at the end of your rope; ensure that your drag is appropriately adjusted.
Also the anglers can have the best rods to choose if they are interested in catching some other fish like trout.
Select your Line is Important for Bass
In this situation, I believe, “go as light as you can handle.” You don’t want to size up your line randomly because you think you’ll catch a 10-pound bass today. That method will result in a day full of disappointment and failure.
Alternatively, concentrate on the line quality and maintenance. Whatever the situation is, I would recommend never to use anything heavier than a 10lb test. I think you should use a monofilament line because it has a slight elasticity and can help you get a better hookset. When fishing for more prominent bass, ensure the hook is positioned correctly, so it doesn’t fly out of their mouth during the jerks.
If you choose braided lines, be aware of the main difference in diameter. If you contrast a 10lb braided line to a 10lb monofilament line, you will notice a much thicker line with monofilament. It may seem to be beneficial, but it is not. The braided cable is denser, making it easier to cast and lasting longer.
The main reason I don’t prefer braided lines is their visibility in the water. It would help if you examined both options’ benefits and drawbacks before deciding for yourself. I feel straightforward with monofilament lines because it does magic and makes the catch easier.
Equipment Hacks - Modify your Gears
There are a few things you can do to modify your gears, specifically catching a big fish. I never recommend going any heavier on line, rod, reel, or lure than required. Meanwhile, you should prepare your smaller gear to catch a big fish.
The first thing I recommend is prepare your line correctly. Store the bar away from direct sunlight, apply lubricant to the line properly, and learn how to tie excellent knots. If you have the proper knowledge to tie the knot correctly, you would not have to overcompensate by choosing a more significant line that won’t break as readily. At the knot, your line will nearly always snap or split apart.
Another significant thing that you should ponder is your drag. I won’t go into too much detail because this content isn’t focused on that directly, but you should learn and comprehend how to adjust the drag appropriately based on the fish you’re catching. That is why I think using baitcaster while targeting big fish is essential. Your success will depend on how much slack you give these fish because you’ll have considerably greater control over your drag.
Where to Search out and Catch Bigger Fish
Determining where to find the giant fish is one of the most difficult aspects of fishing. We all had those when we were hoping to catch a big fish, but all we get is a one-pounder or less from each cast, and we wish they’d leave us alone. If you also feel the same situation, you may seek in the wrong locations or utilize inadequate equipment.
Bass anglers know to look for a fishing site with structure, shelter, vegetation, and baitfish, all of which are important to bass. The same concept applies to the largemouth bass in the fishery, except that their finding spots are deeper or in a difficult-to-reach location. As a result, the fundamental difference between getting giant bass and catching little bass is the water depth or method.
There is no true or false option here; this is only the way I have a look at things. If you ought to catch bigger fish, you’ll need the correct lure, line size, and bass fishing reel. I am trying to say that you shouldn’t put too much emphasis on the position because you still want to fish near vegetation, banks, and dams.
Fish the Difficult Places – Dangerous but Super Tip
Here is a dangerous tip for driving you crazy when you attempt it for the first time. When we are talking about catching big bass, most of us think we have to fish in the open water, which is not exactly what I mean. It would help if you went to the muckiest, filthy, and grimiest parts of the water to discover bigger fish especially at night.
Another simple way you can try is to fish in hard-to-reach areas. Whether on land or in a boat, slide beneath trees, through bushes, and anything else in your way to reaching places likely to retain a large bass. As I explained earlier, they prefer to hang out in the dirtiest parts rather than in open water.
Large fish will hide right in the mid of the action. They won’t be near the edge of a weed line or around a dock’s corners; rather, they will be as far under there as they can go, where the cover is heaviest. As these bass control the ecosystem, they go where they want, so if you want to get them, discover these challenging spots.
Many anglers get crazy while catching big bass because they prefer to hide in the heart of deep cover. Don’t be hesitant to cast deep into the vegetation and shelter, but if you are going to do so, make sure you are using slow-motion lures.
Water Depth and Location
Although big bass is most commonly found in deep water, they are frequently caught in the shallow water of your pond. A dumpy, stinky pond in the middle of nowhere may have some quality largemouth bass. Underfished places have enough time for fish to grow more prominent throughout the year, so the exact water depth is not always crucial. If you are trying to catch big bass in your backyard, the last option is to change your location. First, make your strategy and adjust your gears to get a bass bite. However, some fisheries contain the necessary ingredients for largemouth bass to grow in large numbers, making them ideal fishing holiday destinations.
Way to Catch Bigger Bass in Ponds
Understanding where big bass hide and how to find them is crucial to catching them in ponds. I fully believe in giving it your all while making a concerted effort to keep your boat out of the weeds. Sharing my experience, it has happened to me many times.
But it is where you will discover the big bass- what you were looking for. They’re hiding in the dense vegetation along the pond’s edge, where no one dares to venture. If you’re fishing from the shoreline, you’ll have an even greater opportunity because you can cast and recover through the slop.
If you are fishing in deep cover, you’ll want to go with a Texas rigged worm or topwater frog, which I will discuss later in this article. As these lures are weedless, you will not get stuck or drag too much with you. This layout helps you navigate the deep cover, where you’ll find the large bass you’re looking for.
Tips for Catching Bigger Bass
Now is the time to get the best stuff; here are some tips I have gathered from the experience of generations and expert anglers, and I hope they will help you a lot while fishing largemouth bass.
Deeper is not always better
The first thing that comes to people’s minds when they catch a large fish is that they have to find a new spot. They want to discover how to get enormous bass in ponds, but they believe their serene pond lacks the desired fish. Nothing is more false than it is. Think about this for a second.
You have the best chance of catching the finest bass of your life; if you can find the most underfished, overgrown, muddy, weedy, and trashy pond in the heart of nowhere, you have the best chance to catch the most refined bass of your life. So what is the reason for this?
No one is eating these creatures at the top of the food chain. If no one is eating them, they will grow throughout the year, having plenty of time to develop. If you aren’t catching enormous fish, the location has nothing to do with it.
To be polite, I don’t believe the size of the fish you catch has anything to do with the depth of the water. If you change your strategy and your need for equipment, you can find 10lb fish in the same place instead of a two-pound fish.
Take a Look – Something Important to Observe
One thing is self-evident: if you catch big bass, you need large lures. Using a crankbait or dragging a big fat jig is ideal for catching large fish. It would help if you used larger baits because the bigger ones are lazy. They oughtn’t to lose time with small meals when they can get right to the larger ones.
Instead of spending all the time biting small bait fish, they prefer to have their meal all in one shot. You can meet that meal requirement by using lures of the appropriate size.
It would help if you reversed the strategy you are using for fishing. For instance, when fishing, you would use little lures so as not to spook the fish, but when seeking massive fish, you would use giant lures to scare the fish.
The Finest Time to Fish is in the Center of the Day
Some seasoned bass fishermen advise fishing more in the afternoon. You’ve found a winning combo if you’re using massive bass lures and hitting the water hard in the late morning or early afternoon. The majority of big catches occur in the middle of the day.
Many hypotheses explain this fact, but no convincing proof or evidence exists. I believe it is due to their routines and the fact that lesser bass feed first thing in the morning, leaving the water open for the bigger fish later in the day.
Discover which flavor suits you the best by trying them all. By fishing earlier in the day or later in the evening, you might be able to land multiple five-pound basses. If that is the case, keep going. Because, in my opinion, fishing is far more “complex,” and it is black and white.
If you are going for saltwater fishing I recommend you to choose the best fishing reels for saltwater.
Slow Down your Pace
Another best big bass fishing tip is your presentation that you will ever get. Consider the following scenario. Because the bass is giant, they are slower and have more control over the water. As a result, they don’t need to take advantage of every feeding chance.
If you remember that big bass is strategic, you’ll know they’ll wait patiently for the appropriate opportunity.
So, as an angler, you must keep this in your mind. Opt for slower, more “in control” options like frogs, crankbaits, and heavier jigs instead of fast-moving baits like spinners.
It would help if you spoke more slowly, so they have more time to consider the situation. If you follow the instructions in this guide, don’t worry about small bass and panfish nibbling on your lure because it will be too big for them. Doing so prepares the scene for largemouth fish to emerge from their hiding place and offer a strike.
Best Spots for Catching Large Bass
The best places for catching bigger bass are:
Lake Fork
Lake Fork is the most famous lake in Texas, and for a legitimate reason. According to records, most of Texas’ top 50 large basses derive from this lake. In addition, it is an excellent reservoir providing a thriving environment for largemouth bass to grow.
Lake Okeechobee
The Big O is the most popular large bass water body, and it offers top-notch fishing year-round to anglers worldwide. For those unfamiliar with the lake, its enormity can be intimidating, yet it is one of those places that every bass angler should visit. The quality and quantity of the fish produced in this area are remarkable.
Lake Toho
One of the nation’s top locations for trophy bass fishing is Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Florida. This lake is renowned for producing more largemouth bass than any other lake and being incredibly resilient. Lake Toho is “the most reliable lake in the country for producing both quantity and size of largemouths,” according to Bassmaster magazine.
Lures for Catching Big Bass
Let’s finish up with some particular lures for beginners especially. First, note that we’re avoiding spinnerbaits and swimbaits since we want to move more slowly and bigger than usual. Here, I’ll talk about a few of my favorites lures:
Topwater Frogs
Topwater frogs are one of my go-to lures for bass fishing. The common misconception that largemouth fish dislike topwater lures is unfounded. They despise how you fish with top waters while moving quickly alongside them. Follow the frog and present it carefully since large bass are still concealed in the murkiest and muddiest areas of the pond.
Plastic / Rubber Worms
I am a huge lover of plastic worms, and I think that no matter what size you are searching for, a worm is always an excellent option for bass fishing. Always use a color representing something that has been harmed and select a worm resembling a large, fat nightcrawler. While it might just be me, I like to add a little red on my lures since I think it helps the cause. Of course, you can also test different ones.
Crankbaits
Get a 6-8 inch bass crankbait and make a solid hook. Use a lipless option to help you navigate the weeds and slow the presentation as much as possible. Keep in mind that these methods won’t be effective in dense vegetation. You might do better if you can find a single treble hook alternative, but setting the hook won’t be as simple.
Jigs
Professional fishermen will tell you that a large one with a large trailer is what they prefer to use if you ask them. With this approach, you can’t go wrong, and it’s also a great way to fish the slop. An adequately rigged jig will help you navigate through dense cover while fending off smaller fish if you’re looking for big fish.
More guideline you can get about choosing the best bass fishing lures to have more fun.
Conclusion
It’s exciting to consider venturing out on the water to capture larger fish. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the basics, but there are a few things I want you to remember. First, small bass fishing is similar to large bass fishing. The manner you fish, your attitude, and your strategy are essentially the same.
The only things you’re modifying are:
You can still fish your favorite place and search for the bass lurking there. However, I’ve tried kayak fishing throughout the years and have discovered one key thing…
Kayak helps you reach the spots where big bass congregate. They don’t usually swim in the water but prefer to hide in deep covers.
I hope this has clarified any misunderstandings or suspicions you may have had. Best of luck, and have fun fishing!