Dreaming of a double-digit bass

[Dervish]

Been signed up on these forums for a long long time and come back occasionally to read up.  Wanted to make a post and just speak of my dreams.  I'm 42 years old and have been bass fishing for probably 30 years.  I'm pretty good at it.  I know what to do given so many variables, etc.  Rarely get skunked, and constantly landing 3-4 pounders.  Can't complain about that.

Anyway, I decided way back when that my ultimate goal is to catch a double digit bass.  After all these years I haven't done it.  I'm a chef and my work hours are absolutely insane, leaving me basically brain dead when I have time off so even if I do fish it's pretty lazy and easy going.  I have a capable kayak setup which is always a blast to use when I actually take it out.  My PB was caught in New Jersey at 7lbs when I was a teenager.  I now live in Florida, and the crazy thing is, the best I got here is 6.2 pounds.  

Starting to feel life slip away from me.  All of the beautiful days that I could be on the water instead I'm working and I can't help but think that I'm missing every single opportunity to bring my dream into reality.  Too tired to go out when I actually have the time, but you have to be there to make it happen.  

So, I dont know...as a point of discussion, I was wondering if anybody feels the same?  Is it that hard?  I look at Instagram and see people catching double digit bass pretty regularly.  Christ, those tactical bassin guys make it sound easy.  I just want one.  Then I can die off in peace and leave a mount for somebody else to deal with.

 

[Susky River Rat]

Social media makes DD bass look like they jump in the boat. What you never see is the hours it takes behind that picture, story 20 minute video to get that DD. Lot’s of time on the “right” water. Even with FFS it comes down to time on the water. 
 

From what I gather a lot of the DD hunters that catch them on a some on regular basis are trying to catch just DD and will skunk themselves in hopes of a DD. It doesn’t mean fishing the most productive bodies of water. It means fishing the ones with the highest output of DD. You are trying to catch the lowest percentage of bass in a body of water. 
 

I will more than likely never see a DD. That doesn’t bother me. There are some on here that can really point you in the right direction as far as presentations for them. 
 

 

[Pat Brown]

Sounds like you're a prime candidate for a guided fishing trip in your new home state!

 

I betcha there's a lotta guides who could help you get past 7 lb and at least close to 10 lb in Fla.

 

Beyond that, in Florida, I'd be fishing for the DDs when most people aren't fishing because of how popular of a state for bass fishing it is.

 

Good state to master topwater and punching techniques.

[GPtimes2]

Seems what I read before was go to Texas or Mexico. I don't even entertain catching one in Ohio.

[Captain Phil]

I grew up in Florida.  Big fish were much more common back then.  For years my biggest bass was 6 1/4.  It wasn't until I started fishing differently, that I broke that curse. There are still many double digit bass in Florida, but the chances you will catch one are slim. Here's your plan.

 

Book an experienced guide in North Florida where there is less fishing pressure. Rodman is a good place to start.  Even better is a private lake with no fishing pressure. Tell him what you want.  Fish with large wild native shiners. Fish where and how he says.   Be patient.  It may take you a few trips, but you will easily exceed your current PB.  You can do the same thing in your local lake, but you will be competing with a hoard of anglers who are dreaming your same dream.  

[Catt]

Two choices 

Pay someone to do all the work for you 

Or learn how to do it yourself.

[GRiver]

Don’t know where you’re at in Fl, I too want a double digit bass, but I’m not obsessed with it. There are times I just big bass hunt, when conditions are right. I might just part of a day or all day, then I’ll back to fishing regular…. 
The way I look at it is, every cast could be a potential DD. 

 

[Mobasser]

I'm 66 and pretty much retired. I fish quite a bit also. From experience, my advice is to not become obsessed with catching a DD bass. At some point, you'll probably catch one. 

[A-Jay]

34 minutes ago, Catt said:

Two choices 

Pay someone to do all the work for you 

Or learn how to do it yourself.

Left out the third and most important choice.  Go fish water where DD Bass actually live and thrive. 

A-Jay

 

[roadwarrior]

Just now, A-Jay said:

Left out the third and most important choice.  Go fish water where DD Bass actually live and thrive. 

A-Jay

 

 

                                                              

[TnRiver46]

Florida? Golden shiners in the central part of the state 

[roadwarrior]

33 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Florida? Golden shiners in the central part of the state 

Lake ToHo

[Reel]

I'm from the North, but I have fished in Florida, mostly in the Everglades  For me, choosing the right time is critical.  There is a period of three ou four weeks when your chances of catching a big fish are way higher.  For me, in the everglades, it was March.  

You have to figure out what is the best period where you fish, and take time off during that period.

[Swamp Girl]

Quote

 I look at Instagram and see people catching double digit bass pretty regularly. 

 

I'm guessing that those are a lot of FFS bass caught at the lakes that produce DDs. 

 

@AlabamaSpothunter has been on the same quest. 

 

If I were you, I'd scrimp and save and fly to that lake in Mexico that produces so many big fish. Or OH Ivie. 

 

@Captain Phil gave great advice too. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Catt]

Just a dumb Coonass opinion 

 

You're a seasoned angler, who is strapped for time on the water. Personal I would select a body of water with a history of producing double digits but is within close proximity to home. Less time on the road equals more time on the water.

 

Florida Is like Texas in that there's plenty body of water that are less pressured than big name ones.

 

[Team9nine]

Agree with scheduling in-state guide trips with ‘trophy potential’ during any known time off. Sounds like the ideal option in your case to maximize your odds, time, efforts and money expended.

[A-Jay]

@Dervish

If you have a passport as well as 

the time, means and inclination to travel a bit,

perhaps Mexico could be an option.

Has certainly work well for me and few others on this forum.

                                 

 

A-Jay

 

[WRB]

Most of the DD bass caught on utube weigh 7 lbs😎.

Guide using shiners is one way to achieve the goal if that is what you want.

I would do as much research as possible, offer Roland & Scott Martens a free chef table meal would hard to pass up!

Agree with Catt, look close to home 1st, got to on the water at the right time and to these rare DD bass.

I would use 2 lures, Rick Clunns large gold willow leaf blade spinnerbait and 10” to 12” June bug T-rigged ribbon tail worm w/sliding sinker 3/16 oz. The spinnerbait keeps you busy, the worm slows you down helps you concentrate both work in Florida.

Tom

[gim]

As already has been stated, Texas or Mexico would provide the best chance to tangle with a double digit bucket mouth these days.  Part of Florida seem possible too, just not as likely.

 

Even a 7 pounder here in MN would be a giant.  It's all relative.

[MediumMouthBass]

Do what i did, research as many lakes/ponds within a certain radius (mine was i think 15 miles) yours may be 20 or 2000. My state (PA) almost always has some sort of fishing report where they shock or net alot of fish in various parts of a body of water, they do all sorts of measurements and weighing. They then type up a very long and detailed report of the bait fish, and bass-crappie-bluegill-trout ratio. And then i found the states depth chart they made of the lakes, now keep in mind most of the places i fish are very small, between 4-90 acres and the deepest ones might be 10' or 20'.

The maps usually show where there are trees or rocks on the bottom too, not sure if its only my state that does this.

 

Then theres the fishing apps where people post catches, that helped me narrow down what places would give me a better chance.

Prespawn or sometime in the later winter-spring depending on if you are fishing Florida or somewhere else. Adds an even higher possibility of bigger bass catches, but they can be caught year round. It just might be more difficult.

 

Florida has alot of big bass but from what ive heard the lakes can be very large, well atleast to me.

Your best bet would be just to hire a guide, if that doesnt work i guess you can go to Texas or Mexico.

I caught mine in Pennsylvania (10lbs) if i can do it here where a 4lb bass is considered a lifetime achievement you should have no problem doing it in Florida. I no longer believe the "big bass are only down south" motto ive been hearing daily on youtube, they can be in any state or climate.

 

Btw I caught mine on a red translucent lipless crankbait (1/2oz Warpig) but i actually caught all my PB bass on it soooo.

But it took me countless hours of research, deciding what lures to use, colors, weight etc....

Then months on the water to learn the place, and sorting through the 1-3lb bass for while to find where the big ones like to roam and the conditions they need to be there, but now i know the lake better than anywhere else i ever fished. I dont even need a fish finder when im fishing it, but i dont think you have that kind of spare time.

 

[crypt]

you want a big fish....you have to fish for a big fish. big baits, shiners...you fish a little differently than just "fishing".  are you able to fish at night? right now it's starting to hotter during the day. going at night is where I'm gonna be this summer.  I can sleep when I'm dead and gone........

[Swamp Girl]

Quote

Florida Is like Texas in that there's plenty body of water that are less pressured than big name ones.

 

^This is my approach." China Lake is right down the road, but I've never fished it and never will fish it because it's such a popular lake. Anglers come to Maine to fish China Lake. I fish the puddles that they whiz past on their way to China Lake. 

 

As always, I'd do EXACTLY what @WRB said. Tom has one of the greatest lmb cvs of all time. When I look at the 17, 18, and 19-pounders that Tom has caught, I remember that fish weights look like a pyramid. I assume that there are even more 14, 15, and 16-pounders that Tom has caught. IF I caught one 10-pounder, I'd be giddy. So, listen to Tom.

[GreenPig]

I'd quit buying stuff, sell stuff, so you can work less and fish more on smaller bodies of water with less pressure. Really just depends on how important a DD is to you as to how far you go. 

 

I used to catch more big fish when I fished 5 - 6 days a week. Caught several of my biggest on trips under an hour from the bank.

[crypt]

was wondering also where in Fl. are you...it can make a difference...some areas are better than others.

[Woody B]

I suppose the "shortcut" is using a guide.  If you only concern is a DD Bass then that might be the way to go.  I fished with a guide once.   (in Florida BTW)  I caught some nice Bass, including an 8 pounder and a couple 7 pounders.  It just wasn't for me.   

 

I recommend spending as much time as possible on whatever water you can fish.  Concentrate on catching the biggest Bass in the waters you're fishing.   If you can do that you'll eventually catch a DD.  Also, stop looking at the "look at me" stuff on social media.   I saw a local "hero" a while back pulling a decent size Bass out of his livewell taking pictures at different areas of the lake he was fishing.  His social media post that day was bragging about how many he caught.   It was different views and angles of the same fish.