I have been fishing a local bass tournament for a while now, and I always seem to have the same problem. All my fish are about average size for the tournament, but I never seem to win because I lack that one big one. If I can catch a nice lunker i feel like I would have a good chance of winning. I was just wondering if bigger bass act differently or are located in different spots than the smaller/averaged sized ones.

Welcome to the forum.

So I'll start to answer your question with a question. After you've caught your limit, what do you change in your quest for that kicker?

I try to fish in different areas because the spots where I typically fish only produce averaged sized fish, but I don't really change which lures I use.

Go bigger baits and slower presentations.

Like Sam said.

10" t-rigged worm has produced bigger and quality fish for me recently ive learnt. i always wondered why i catch small fish all day and then i tried that out one time and continue to catch good fish every time i go out. the fish in my picture is a 4lb i caught on a 10" worm two weeks ago. caught a 3lber the other day with one. fish it with the smallest weight possible. upgrade the weight if they arent biting and want a faster presentation.

Thanks for the advice. In terms of location, do larger bass hang out in the same spots as the smaller ones or are they typically found in different depths/locations?

I've found this summer that my bigger bass have been in deeper water.

In my experience big bass may be close to where little bass are at, but they don't seem to school together at all. Big bass are going to pick the best spots to live, that's how the got big in the first place. You might try looking at a topo map if you can. This time of year something like a long mainlake point that drops off into deep water all around that has a channel swing nearby, or the edge of standing timber with a channel running through it. Baitfish are a big plus too. Most big bass seem to stay deeper this time of year. Upgrading lure size tends to help weed out the smaller ones, but you have to have the mindset that bites will be fewer and further between and that you have to stay focused because you may only get one chance. It seems like right when you start to lose your concentration and start daydreaming is when that big one thumps your bait and gets away because you weren't paying attention.

Bigger baits do not equate to bigger bass

One of the top 5 big bass lures is a Jig which is only 3-4” in length

An 8” bass will have no problem inhaling a 10” worm

“I was just wondering if bigger bass act differently”

Ask yourself, does an adolescent act like an adult?

“Are located in different spots than the smaller/averaged sized ones”

This can be a trick question because I know areas that produce above average bass consistently & I know areas that produce a mixture of sizes including double digit bass.

I believe it takes a rare breed of fisherman using simple techniques to perfection in the proper locations at proper time to consistently catch big bass. Having been around tournament Pros and big bass anglers for 45+ years I know for a fact they never leave the dock tournament or not with the intention of catching a limit of small fish.

It is a frame of mind that the average angler does not understand

After 50 yrs of bass fishing and hundreds of tournaments the quick answer is Yes they act differant, and yes they (most often)are in a differant area. Perhaps they may be close but not right with the smaller age class fish. For Bigger largemouth I typically fish a little deeper and a little slower than where I'm catching 2lb fish. A bigger bait oftens times helps also. For bigger smallies I try to find shallow water close to deep water. They live deep but feed shallow.

Catt nailed this topic as usual.

To catch big bass consistantly you must fish for them. Big bass are adult bass and have lived long enough to avoid making mistakes most of the time.

Location is very important, how you approach the fish and present your lure is important. I would say if you are not catching an occasional big bass ( a blind squirrel can a find a nut ) then you need to change where and how you fish; slow down and aviod making noise.

My suggestion to anglers looking for big bass success is study their habits. Bill Murphy's book "In Pursuit of Giant Bass" is a good resource to learn about adult size bass over 4 lbs. Bills tactics are different, his knowledge of big bass is well worth reading.

Tom