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We know why you’re here.
You want to level up.
You want bragging rights.
You want to know how to catch bigger bass.
While there may sometimes be some luck involved, there are some tricks and skills required for landing the big bass.
But to help you hook that trophy size catch, we’ve put together a quick guide with advice and tips that you can try out the next time you find yourself at a big bass lake.
Ok, let’s go!
What Defines “Bigger Bass”?
Bass will tend to be considered big if they weigh anything above 5 pounds (that’s what we reckon anyways! Don’t judge!), at least that is often the case for largemouth bass in the northern regions.
In southern regions, where bass will tend to grow larger, a bass may be considered big if it’s over 10 pounds (yeah baby!). The world record for a caught largemouth is just under 25 pounds.
Video: Huge Spring Bass Catch (almost 8 pounds)
Smallmouth bass don’t grow as large as largemouth, with a 5 pound smallmouth often being considered a prize fish. The world record smallmouth catch was almost 12 pounds.
Striped bass, on the other hand, can grow much larger, with average weights of around 55 to 77 pounds, and the record striper weighing 125 pounds.
125 pounds?!?!! #timetohitthegym
What About Lunkers?
Lunkers are generally considered to be the biggest of their kind; the trophy fish. This can vary between different bodies of water because what may be a lunker in one lake might be closer to an average fish in another.
But the lunkers will often be the biggest fish in the lake, so technically all bodies of water will likely have one bass that’s bigger than all the others. But catching these oversized fish can be rare.
5 Ways To Land Big Bass
1: Fish At The Right Time
The time of day that you choose to fish can have an effect on how successful you are at catching anything. When it comes to big bass, the time of day can be even more important. This can be because the large bass will often hide away during the middle of the day, especially when there’s a lot of activity on the water.
In the summer, the early morning and late evening can be ideal times to hook large bass, as this will often be the quietest time on the water. It will also likely be when light levels are low and water temperatures start to cool off, which can be when bass move closer to the shallows to feed.
Fishing just before a spell of bad weather hits can also work, as bass will often feed more and be more active as the pressure changes.
2: Know Where To Look
Big bass will usually require the same essentials as smaller bass; cover, structure and baitfish. This means that both small and large size bass can often be found in the same area, but the bigger ones may often be holding out a little deeper than the small ones.
Large bass can usually be found in water that’s around 8 to 15 feet deep. However, this can vary depending on the body of water. A good place to look is in or around cover, such as weedbeds or grasses, especially if there is deeper water nearby.
Bass will often prefer calm water where they can easily move shallow to feed and deeper for improved comfort levels. If you can find areas of cover that are more isolated, then this could be your golden ticket to a large bass.
Migratory channels can also be ideal for targeting big bass. Bass will often use these channels several times a day during their more active periods when they are likely to be feeding.
3: Use Bigger Lures
While bigger lures don’t always mean bigger bass, it can certainly help. Big lures that are around 8 inches can be a lucrative choice when it comes to catching trophy size bass. Smaller bass may pass on the large bait but it may appear to be a worthwhile meal for those heavier bass, which can mean you’re targeting only the largest bass.
You may find that slowing down your presentation with the large lures can entice more big bass to strike, as the lure can then appear like an easier target for the bass.
Why not try out this River2Sea Whopper Plopper lure:
4: Seasonal Fishing
Spring can be a great time for bass fishing and that also means it can be a great time to catch those trophy size bass.
Spring is usually when the bass spawn begins and in the period before this, the pre-spawn, bass will often be migrating into the shallow spawning zones and actively feeding in preparation.
Video: Best Time To Fish Bass In Spring
Sunny afternoons can be the best time for catching bass in the spring as this is usually when the water has had a chance to warm up, meaning bass can be more active.
Summer can also be a prime time to catch big bass, as this is often when the baitfish will spawn, meaning bass will usually be close by to take advantage of the extra food. The baitfish spawning areas will often be the same as where the bass spawned earlier in the year.
5: Know Your Gear
Having the right gear for the job will likely help you to catch and land those large fish. This means that you should be using a suitable rod, reel and line that is designed for heavier fish. It can also help if you know how to tie fishing knots correctly and use sharp hooks so that you don’t lose your monster fish.
Baitcasting gear may be preferable when fishing for big bass because of the bigger lures and heavier line.
Let’s Finish Off…
Hopefully you can use some of these tips to catch bigger bass on your next fishing trip.
Remember, it can be helpful to slow down your presentation, use bigger lures and target isolated areas. While you may not break any records for the number of bass caught, with a little patience you could end up hooking the biggest one in the lake.
Leave us a comment below to tell us about the biggest bass you’ve caught. And if you want to help out your buddies, share these tips with them.