Finding the big(ger) bass

[fishinchicks]

We have had some success catching really small lm this summer, but how can you find the bigger bass from fishing docks or shore fishing? We like to go to a small lake (20 some acres) nearby, but so far have only found fish 9" and smaller. Any hints?

[SluggoMaster]

It has been my experience when the water is 80+ then you need to go WAY back in the docks or in deeper water to find bigger fish, and fish MUCH slower.

[ZOKU]

I've had a lot of success just using a Texas style rig *without* the weight... and a plastic worm (I really like to use a senko design or Gulp's 6-inch nightcrawler)

[Ray Esboldt]

I know all the bass purists will cringe at this, but I don't mind persecution. If you're shore bound and have a limited area to cast to, I would use live bait like small/medium suckers or medium shiners.

I don't use live bait bass fishing because it's just too much of a hassle, and I can be equally effective with artificials. But if you're isolated to one small casting area, I would say it would up your odds at a bigger fish.

With that being said, maybe the lake you're fishing just doesn't have many bigger fish. There's lots of lakes like that. I'd switch bodies of water.

[Juan Grande]

fishinchics,

Try going out really early in the morning and fishing those same spots.

I don't get the chance to fish a lot of lakes, but on the one I do fish a lot, the biggies are in shallow in the morning and move out to the deeper weedlines by 9 AM or so. The dinks stay in shallow and on the docks all day.

[cheektowaga]

Juan read my mind, but I'll also add dusk as well. Caught an 18.5 last night that was easily catchable from shore and cruising in about 2 foot water. Also caught a 21 inch just on the outside of a patch of lillies in about 4-5 foot of water right at dusk on Tues night. Mid-day is tough for the piggies.

[ZOKU]

I third that notion.

I caught my 4lb. 3oz.'er at dusk last week.

[ikeslayer]

i would suggest getting up early real early. In my experience if you can get out there and fish when there is no one fishing and throw some big lures (my favorite the buzzer) on a glass surface it is a blast. I also read an article about a guy on a lake who doesn't start fishing until 11:00 and he uses big spinner baits that have smooth blades so the fish can hone in on them because of the crisp vibration he also said that black is his favorite color because bass can silo it better against the night sky. He said with this technique it is common to catch a 4lber a night. WOW One other guy i read an article on said he fishes Tonka and throws big jig worm combos and bangs them down the rocks at night. Again the fish honing in on the sound and it sounds like a big crawfish clicking it leggs on the rocks. He says he has pulled in some hogs that way.

It is funny that i have known these tricks and never tried them myself so if you do try them let me know if they work. Good luck chancing ole line sides. ike