Hey folks,

Anyone have any tactics they like to use to go after bigger bass?  Largemouth to be more specific.

I'm from NJ and usually get some bass and a pickerel or two when I got out fishing.  The fish are usually small in size.  12 inches sometimes smaller.  I've tried using larger lures too but the fish aren't getting any bigger.  I'm not expecting lake fork sized trophy bass or anything but what are the average sizes you guys are catchin?  

The largest bass I've caught was out of Pompton Lake while I was out on a canoe.  About 3 1/2 pounds and I got it on an excalibur (heddon) spit'n image pumpkinseed color.  I used to fish a small pond near my house and the bass in there had a pretty good average size but since they built a housing development there all I have mostly gotten were smaller bass.

     

It is probably your New Jersey karma working against you.  Do many good deeds and you will see larger fish in the future.  That or go fish around power plant effluent sites and the like, longer growing season around those areas.  

Kidding, keep at it, you will find them, try new spots, new techniques it will happen.  

also make sure your fishing and trying different ponds. I notice ponds around nh tend to come in 2 types. Lots of bites and little fish, or fewer bites but larger fish, even when i'm using the same lures and techniques.

The first key to bigger fish is finding quality water. So if you only catch little fish you may need a new place to fish.

With that said, i will also tell you that my largest bass 7lbs 1oz, which i just caught recently was on a lake where i've had a hard time catching larger fish.....so basically i'm no help at all

good luck

-chuck

I have noticed that when I fish the ponds around my area (south of worcester) I usually get lots of hits (good sized pickerel but smallish bass for the most part) using hard plastic lures mostly...the 2 biggest bass I have caught up here so far have been a 3.5 lber on a top water popper late last summer (I was actually burning it back in at the time) and last week I was fishing a texas rigged 3.5" YUM Craw Papi and pulled out a lunker (19-20", probably 5-6#)...so I think I am going to stick with the soft baits for a while....Everyone I talk to that seem to be getting alot of big action are the guys using yamamoto worms (texas or wacky rigged), black or grape...so I might have to give 'em a shot....

patience young grasshopper...

think like a bass, where would you chill if you were a big fish.  Think weeds, think finesse lures, think cover, think lakes and rivers that don't have a lot of traffic and/or fishing pressure.

give it time, you'll catch some lunkers, theres more little fish than big fish in lakes around here, think how long it takes for a bass to grow to a pound (could take up to 4 years) and what the chances of survival are.

Also look into fishing Jigs...big bass producers   I use 1/4oz to 1/2oz jigs...skiping them under over hangs, to wood, docks, deep structure, any thing that looks like it will hold a fish pitch to it  

Also look into fishing Jigs...big bass producers I use 1/4oz to 1/2oz jigs...skiping them under over hangs, to wood, docks, deep structure, any thing that looks like it will hold a fish pitch to it

Very wise, Buckman is.

the apprentice becomes the master, one with the hookset buckman is

Also look into fishing Jigs...big bass producers I use 1/4oz to 1/2oz jigs...skiping them under over hangs, to wood, docks, deep structure, any thing that looks like it will hold a fish pitch to it

What color jigs are you using mostly?  I have mainly black and blue ones...Are you using some kind of trailer?  I have pork rinds but haven't used those or the jigs all that much.

I use black/blues, blacks, black/yellows and black/reds mostly. I use a jig called the BICO...made my Bill at Bills B&T in Seekonk MA. He currently does not have them in stock, but should in a month hopefully. Manns stone jigs are a good alternative. With these jigs i use an ugly otter trailer made by Gambler.

I never used the white BICO jig with the Yum trailer. Bills B&T also sells Black ugly otters.

Also look into fishing Jigs...big bass producers I use 1/4oz to 1/2oz jigs...skiping them under over hangs, to wood, docks, deep structure, any thing that looks like it will hold a fish pitch to it

Very wise, Buckman is.

Also try an M.S. slammer (rainbow trout ) pattern.........

Also look into fishing Jigs...big bass producers I use 1/4oz to 1/2oz jigs...skiping them under over hangs, to wood, docks, deep structure, any thing that looks like it will hold a fish pitch to it

Very wise, Buckman is.

Also try an M.S. slammer (rainbow trout ) pattern.........

Yeah...i have heard these "MS slammer" lures work