If you want to catch big bass off-shore...

[jason]

...what do you throw (aside from shiners

)? On my last few times out, I've upgraded my bait size (3/4oz jig w/big trailer, 1oz SB w/size 5 willow, 6" swimbaits) and still continue to catch board fish with the occasional 17 or 18"er. These are from the same community holes that others (tx guys) consistently yank 4lb'ers from. Any thoughts

....

 

[SpurHunter]

Big fish....BIG baits. I am amazed every time a 13" bass inhale an 8" shad or large bluegill. If I bassed more often, I think I would concentrate on large swim-baits...it might bring less hits, but when it does work, whew! big fish on!!!

 

[Nickajack Angler]

Jason, I gotta say that we still have our best success on small plastics. Finesse tactics like shaky heads, texas rigged worms, and topwater. Still an occassional hit on a spinnerbait. Below the dam, swimbaits have been the ticket, but don't overlook the pluggin' and plastics. My .02

 

[fishinvol]

Jason you're on the right track. It's all about getting into the bigger schools of fish, you will probably have to pick through the smaller one, but the big girls will eat what you are throwing.

 

[Liveliner]

Slow it waaayy down and do not move on too quickly. The big gals will let it pass sometimes or swim at your bait to get a better look then just watch it go on by.  They are big enough to be "choosy". And just maybe a little on the lazy side.  Toss your bait in the same good looking spot several times.  If a big bass is watching, then after a couple slow passes she will move her lazy tail over and suck down an easy meal. 

</p>

I am sure that you have fished with someone using the exact rig where one of you are catching and the other is shunked. It's all in the presentation my friend.

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[Buoy-Master]

Liveliner - 6/2/2008 9:37 PM

Slow it waaayy down and do not move on too quickly. The big gals will let it pass sometimes or swim at your bait to get a better look then just watch it go on by.  They are big enough to be "choosy". And just maybe a little on the lazy side.  Toss your bait in the same good looking spot several times.  If a big bass is watching, then after a couple slow passes she will move her lazy tail over and suck down an easy meal. 

</p>

I am sure that you have fished with someone using the exact rig where one of you are catching and the other is shunked. It's all in the presentation my friend.

</p>

</p>

 I agree but...Jason has to be the slowest guy I know working the baits. BTW, That's not a bad thing Jason, even I have slowed down thanks to you! It works!</p>

I think its more on the lines of boat position and hitting those sweet spots <u>at</u> the right time. I'm as frustrated as he is. 3s are nice but a few 4s and 5s would make me feel allot better!</p>

 

[churly]

There are alot of shad in the 3-5" range in the lake right now. Many of the fish I have caught lately are spitting those shad up when You bring them to the boat. Thus, I'd say that your bigger baits that mimic the shad are key. Big cranks, swim baits, and even bulky worms. There are also alot of fish that are suspending over deeper water. They are a little tougher to catch but its doable. Last night I caught fish as deep as 35ft and as shallow as 10ft under the boat. Until the thermocline sets up, those fish are able to breath at pretty much any depth, but as the summer warms and the lower layer of water becomes oxygen depleted the fish should begin stacking right around that thermocline. The deep bite has been challenging for me as well over the last month but things seem to be coming together the last few days. I know there are alot of really big fish located on these deep holes. I think they are like big bucks (highly pressured and moderately smart) sometimes you have to fool them by throwing the ole curve ball!