1. Do it different than everyone else

2. Be creative

3. Study what your quarry eats

4. Never carry a camera or a scale and always fish alone

_{Be patient, give your bait a chance to do its job}

 

_{Be diverse, if what your doing isn't working change it up and be familiar with and try new techniques}

 

_{Don't be a jerk, some people don't have as many chances to get on the water, be patient and helpful.  If your one that doesn't get out much, be mindful of others and aware of them.} 

I'm in the 'location' camp, rather than the 'presentation' camp

 

WATERBODY

You can't get blood from a stone.

Perform in-depth statistical research based on DNR stats, Internet searches, citations issued, tourney results ~ ~

 

TIMING

Concentrate your efforts on the 'pre-spawn' season

 

LOCATION

No lure presentation ever caught a trophy where there was no trophy.

With respect to trophy fish, I believe the 'rifle approach' far outperforms the shotgun approach.

That is not to say a slow retrieve, but to concentrate your game on high-percentage sweet spots.

Finding sweet spots isn't a cakewalk, but it is possible using 'contour analysis' well in advance

of your outing, then fine-tune your location on-the-water based on 'cover analysis'.

 

Roger

Everyone's got great advice so far!

 

I'll add one more that I've not seen, or maybe I skipped over it:

 

1) think outside the box (i.e., big does not always catch big bass; why not rig that thing backwards, or change orientation of the bait; etc.)

 

2) be patient

 

3) goes with 2, slow down

1. Research the body of water your going to be fishing.  Find forum posts on various forums, maps, ask locals, find out what natural things the bass feed on in that location, ect.

2. Slow down you presentation and stay on the water for as long as possible

3. Keep on trying, some days you just cant win.

1 flip a big jig into the nasty stuff that you know you'll get hung up in.

2 actually take those big expensive swimbaits out of the tacklebox and fish with them!

3 upgrade your electronics and learn how to make them work for you!

I'm guessing on #3 I haven't got to use mine yet, but I just dumped over $2500 on them

1. Don't fish with me.

2. Don't listen to my advice.

3. Review my first two tips. 

1) patience , you should know that patience leads to confidence .

 

2) Structure , the fish know it and how to use it , you should too .

 

3) learn to open your mind , if you want to fish the banks , then leave your boat at home , explore , spend as much time learning while your out there fishing , being open minded simplifies your experince . 

1.) You want to catch big fish, follow the big fish.  They move in the water collumn in a deliberate fashion, go where they do.

 

2.) Match the hatch.

 

3.) Not that anyone wants to hear it but...Use live bait.

Try new spots.

Diversify your tackle.

Get more 'on the water' experience with lures/techniques.

1. Go S-L-O-W

 

2. Go small

 

3. get away from the shore and off the shore

1. Understand what structure is, how to truly identify it, interpret it, & then fish it effectively.

2. Understand what the predominate prey species in your lake is & how that species relates to structure morning, noon, & night...with each passing season.

3. Understand that after location comes timing; just because you didn't get bite does not mean the bass aint there or you tied on the wrong lure.

It takes a rare breed of fishermen using simple techniques to perfection to consistently catch big bass!

1) Fish the bigger fish locations (off shore ledges, humps, points)

 

2) Fish with bigger offerings (large jigs with bulky, water-moving plastic trailers)

 

3) Fish an area thoroughly (often many casts, and many different angles)  

 

If I could offer a fourth, it would be, don't give up. It can be frustrating targeting the biggest bass in a body of water, but only those who do it, will catch them.

What are your top three suggestions for catching bigger bass?

 

1. Fish the lakes or rivers in your area that are know for better fish.

 

2. Get off the bank and find structure and/ or cover. 

 

3. Slow down.

 

 

 

I hardly feel qualified to answer this, but you asked for every member so here it goes:

 

1. Spend more time on the water

2. Fish lakes where there is a better chance of having big fish

3. Know where big fish like to live in your lake. Big fish get to do whatever they want, so they get prime locations. In some lakes this is deep water structure and in some it is a few feet from the shore.

1... Pray...your in the right place at the right time ...

 

2...Hope...the big one see's your bait...

 

3...Enjoy yourself regardless if you get one or not...  

1. Get the green light from the wife.

2. Put the plug in the boat.

3. Get off the banks and all the other stuff above and below me.

1. Find the guy that works the hardest finding the big fish.

 

2. Steal said big catches.

 

3. Photo for proof and brag.

Ill go with this post, novice here mind you. Any bass for me puts a smile on my face, but this upcoming year top 3 suggestions...

 

1. Learn and fish the cover better

 

2. Watch the barometer, best of my luck has been pre storm fronts, including my PB.

 

3. Read, read and read some more, never know the littlest piece of info could put your PB on the hook.

 

and though all of that, have a little luck on your side doesnt hurt

1. Fish in areas that are known to have big bass.

2. Slow down the bait and work cover, and structure from all sides.

3. Get more time on the water. More time on the water increases your chances of a hawg.

1) find big fish water

2) learn and understand structure on said lake.

3) know bass/prey cycle on said lake and implement that on correct structure.  

1. Specifically target bigger fish

2. Fish isolated off shore structure

3. Have confidence in what your doing, be patient, prepare your self, give yourself the opportunity.

Catching big bass, buying real estate and disposing of Mafia whacked wise guys bodies all involve one thing to be successful:

 

Location, location, location

.

1] Improvise...Change up what you "think" you should be doing because thats what you've allways done etc.

 

2] Overcome...Temptation to move too often, stay too long etc.

 

3] Adapt...To the conditions you're in..current, birds, stucture, wind, cover, bait etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

1) Save alot of money.

2) Book a trip to one of the best lakes for bigger bass (Mexico?)

3) Fish my butt off till I get a pig.

Maybe I'll get invited on the next scounga trip Pres. Dwight.

1. Patience (aka slow down)

2. Accuracy (aka practice)

3. Study (aka knowledge)

Honorable mention:

Have fun

Know the difference between fishin' and catchin'

Have fun

Russ