The past , oh say, four outings I have been on in my favorite inlet, I have seen a biggie-sized bruiser of a fish jump and hit something really hard. Each time I have seen this guy, it's been within about 100-150 yards of the other sightings.

Now, its possible there may be more than one fish, but I'm banking that it's the same fish (correctly or not). Its pretty big and aggressive.

Last time out, I was throwing a crankbait it a cove of the inlet, so to speak, and I hooked what I initially thought was a stump until it bent my rod over, went under the boat and spat out my lure (drag not correctly set, I admit it). I'll bet you $20 it is this same fish.

I fished the same area today to see if he was still there, and I'm thinking he is. I saw him (I'm still assuming 1 fish) jump again this morning, probably 25 yards from where I hooked him 10 days ago. Sounded like a cinder block hit the water. If I'd been thinking clearly, I would have immediately lobbed a Senko right to the spot where he jumped.

This was the reason I started out the thread "Do bass have a home". For now at least, it would appear as though he's still around. Plenty of food, lots of cover in the area.

So now, it is my duty to catch this fish before someone else does and decides to hang it above their fireplace. I need to figure out how to dissect the area.

So, Is anyone else here on their own personal monster quest? How do you plan your 'hunt' in advance?

well i kinda am, but not really.  a few months ago i was out and i was sitting there yappin with my buddy while reeling in my lake fork live magic shad, not really paying attention to my fishing.  then i got bit, big!  fought the fish, right in front of me for a few seconds, it jumped, and came unbuttoned.  some think i am crazy but i bet that fish was all of ten pounds.  so now every outing, i always hit this spot for a bit.  i usually throw a jig or big worms, hoping for that one bite again, this time while i am in tune with what i am doing.

i will post the pics WHEN i catch it  ;D

Cliff

Have been, am and always will be.

Big O

I always fish for the larger ones. I am on a quest for the dollars though.

A very good question...

If I may, I'd like to take it a bit farther. My quest is always the next biggest fish. I have only been bass fishing for 1 year now, and I set some goals early on. First, learn how to use a baitcaster....check.

Catch a fish on a jig (was never fond of this lure).... check.

Compete in a few tournaments (club and money)...check.

Learn from those around me willing to teach....check.

Fill my live well with keepers, and then start culling...check.

And a few more. Not bad for the first year I think! Setting one goal and then making it and moving on to the next has really helped me out. It makes the whole "bass fishing thing" less overwhelming, and more enjoyable.

ajr

I used to think that I was looking for that one 8 lb bass (I have caught 5 lbrs, 7 lbs,  etc) but then I went to Kentucky Lake and now I want a large brownie,  bad! I had a decent one hooked but lost him at the boat.....drag.

I go to have fun and use mainly lures most of the time.  I'm happy when i'm bass fishing and i'm also looking for that record breaker if it happens thats great if not i'm enjoying myself with the hunt anyway.

Tip;

When the bite is on and it slows down just upsize the size of your bait and see what happens.

As evening approaches and we get less and less light and the bite slows down change to a brighter color lure.

I have been for a while. I lost an 8+ on a crankbait last spring at my favorite pond. She's still there, stealing every big bluegill we reel in. I'm gonna start throwing swimbaits after I save enough cash for the rod, I'm pretty sure I'll get her (eventually).

I believe most true bass fishermen/women are fishing for "THE ONE."

I am on the hunt for the elusive 25+ inch, 8 pound slob that has been coming to me in my dreams

Thats the next one to go on the wall....Well a fiberglass version of her anyway

Keep in mind....this is Wisconsin

First off it's probably a she, not a he.  

I lost a big momma one spring about 5 years ago. I go back to that spawning area every year to try her but it seems I've wasted my time.

What you may have found is a good area though. It may not be the same fish but, you may have found an area that is holding some quality fish. Lose the mindset that you are after just her and go fish the area like you would any other time. Sounds like a topwater might work? I think I would keep throwing that crankbait too and never forget the plastics.

I'm always in pursuit of my next Personal Best.

Try top water , definitely keep a senko tied on to throw if it happens again, and like people have said, chances are, there's probably more then one good sized fish in that area. Forget about that ONE fish, and just fish that area HARD.

I don't fish for that ONE fish.  If I have caught a nice fish in an area then I will work that area again. Other than that, I just fish the best I can and what happens happens.

I'm after one full grown brown fish, about 12-1 on the Tennessee River!

8-)

I'm always out for that ONE big. unfortunatley I have yet to find her this year.... :'( :'( But I'm always out to have fun. If you don't have fun when you're fishing then there is no point in going anymore. I try to set goals for myself on every fishing trip. I try to fish with my lures I have zero confidence in and throw them until I can't stand it anymore and then I will pick up another lure I have good confidence in. And once I get a bite and miss I will grab the other bait (Zero confidence bait) and throw it in the same spot I just got the bite and hope that I will finally get a strike.

I think you learn more on every trip if you set a goal for the day. If you do not succeed don't feel bad because I know I have been out many times and not reached my goals. But it is the times where I do reach my goals and that makes every trip worth it.

At least it works for me and I hope someone else can use what I do to help them.

My main problem is that I have yet to catch the "one" this year but..... the year ain't over yet!!!!

im on the quest to see my son or father catch that one fish, and have my camera ready.

I would say that everyone here is on that "quest" for the big fish. I doubt anyone goes fishing not hoping deep down they catch the monster you only read about it magazines..

Every time I fish at the place where I caught my PB I always think I'm going to catch her again... Until I get the dreadful thought that someone else has also caught her since then, and she is now hanging over their fireplace.

There is a very interesting article in this month's BASSMASTER magazine about Joe Everett and his quest to catch this ONE fish that his friend had caught in 2006 I believe.  She weighed 19.5 lbs then.  Sure enough Joe caught her this year, but unfortunately she had lost weight.

Here is a link to an audio interview with Joe.  It is very interesting.  

http://assets.espn.go.com/winnercomm/outdoors/bassmaster/audio/a_radio_JoeEverett_April22_08.wma

I think we are all on the quest for that one fish that will make us happy for the moment then we are looking fot the next one .Fishing the James River in Virginia I am looking for that 20 inch small mouth the  biggest so far is approx: 17 inches and 2+lbs but they use to grow much bigger .

Coming from California and fishing the California Delta for bass I want something that will compete with the bass out there ,especially the frog bass 10+ lbs. I think we are always on the quest for that one better fish than we caught before .

I am always on a quest for the big one.  I would much rather catch one hawg each time I go out than a bunch of smaller bass.

I have been there and done that. You will catch him!

In my case I spotted this nice on at a local lake that I fish and I went back a few different times and still saw him in the same general area. From then on it was me on the hunt... It was something like out of that movie "Grumpy old Men", where they hunt that big catfish for years.  ;D Every day I was back there and my husband and a few of the old timers that fish there would laugh  at me until one day I got him! I turned and said to them all "Who is laughing now guys!" ;D They were all shocked including the one old guy who told me there were no bass in this place. Guess what he was wrong..  ;D

Keep going back.. YOu will get him!! Good luck

Thats the spirit.....

Big O