Netting a trophy bass used to be looked at as a matter of simply putting more hours on the water than most other guys did. That philosophy of fishing will certainly eventually probably put some trophy bass in your net, but there are some simple steps you can take to consistently put trophy bass in the net. Just like with going after a trophy buck when hunting, it might be that in exchange for targeting a trophy bass, you will sacrifice numbers of fish caught, so it just kind of depends what you are trying to accomplish.
When considering fishing for trophy bass, you might think that you will be sacrificing putting fish on the stringer (or live-well or whatever way you keep fish), but in response to that, let me state that if you want to be a trophy bass fisherman, I suggest you begin to adopt a policy of using your fishing as a part of a management system that helps promote the development of larger numbers of trophy size bass. Within the parameters of fisheries regulations where you fish, this means keeping only when taking them out of the water will promote a better climate for trophy bass to mature in size and numbers. This can mean different things in different waters. Often it means that you will only be keeping fish under a certain slot size. It is very often contrary to the goal of promoting a viable trophy bass population to have anglers only keeping bass over a certain size. Usually, the most effective management tool for promoting trophy bass growth is to have a slot. For example, anglers may be allowed to keep fish below 12" in size, be required to release fish between for example 12" and 16", and then be allowed to keep fish over that slot. The slots vary, but the idea is similar. But, even with this method, some of the genetic pool that is promoting the nicer fish is removed. So what you can do to help, is to limit your keepers to the under slot size. These fish compete for the same feed as the larger fish, they have plenty of meat, and due to the fact that they are younger tend to have absorbed much less of any toxins that may affect the older fish. However, the main thrust of this article is to teach tips for catching trophy sized bass, so let us begin.
Research for Targeting Areas with Trophy Bass
For reasons related to the things we just discussed, there are plenty of waters that have good bass populations, but do not tend to produce trophy sized bass. This can be for many different reasons. Part of the reason can be that there is not adequate food supplies. Food supplies can be short because the things bass feed on just are not present in sufficient numbers due to poor habitat, or because their is too much competition for that food. Often, food is in short supply because there are too many smaller bass that are removing too much of the food. So, when you do your research, you are not looking for lakes or other bodies of water that hold lots of bass. Fewer bass may in fact be what you are looking for, if they run much larger in that water. For obvious reasons, this kind of research may not be fruitful simply with the internet.
To find out where there are big bass, you may have to go outside the boundaries of the way folks typically get their information. Examples of this might include hiring a guide on a lake where you suspect trophy bass probably are present, and you just need some assistance locating exact spots. Guides know this is why they are hired sometimes, and as long as you pay their fee and tip them appropriately for doing a good job, they do not mind one bit. Once you are onto some spots using a guide, you can fish these spots and use the techniques the guide taught you.
Fish a Little Different that Everyone Else
We don't mean here that you should use some lure that is completely different from anything anyone else uses in that area. What we mean, is that you are targeting bass that have grown to a large size because they are hard to catch. They typical lure everyone else was using did not fool them. Or, they might be in a a lake where people do practice catch-and-release consistently so they have been caught numerous times. Either way, of ten making some small adaptation will land you fish that no one else is landing. Trophy bass get that way for a reason, unless you just happen to have been invited to that often mythical pond on a farm where the guy never fishes it and it's full of monster bass.
Fish Bigger
Especially if you are in waters where there are significant numbers of smaller bass, and you are after that trophy sized bass, fish a bigger rig. This might mean Texas-rigging, or Carolina-rigging a bigger worm or other soft-plastic, or using a bigger topwater lure. At any rate, often (but not always) the key to eliciting bigger bass to strike is going big.
Use Heavy Tackle and Get in the Brush
Pros already know this, but we see too many fishermen who think they are targeting trophy bass skirting the lily pads, getting close to them but not in them. Get a rig, whether its a baitcaster or spinning rod, that you can load up with 17-20 pound line. Use weedless tackle like a texas-rigged worm or weedless jig or countless other options, and throw the darn thing right in the middle of the mess. Be ready to horse out that fish. That is often what is required.
Be Willing to Go Where No One Else Goes
This idea can get you off track if overdone. But keeping that in mind, you will do yourself a favor if you are willing to admit the regular places are not producing and to seek the newest successful spot. If you choose to go this route (and this is much easier when using electronics), try to note what kinds of places have been producing, and find a like place that people have not hit so hard. Usually, structures in a lake where trophy bass hold, will be relatively consistent. What is sometimes difficult to know is what element of the structure is what is attracting and holding the trophy sized bass. Is it a current? Is it a point that is structured a certain way? Try to keep records of your spots, and use these to hone in on new places.
Fishing for trophy sized bass is a lot of fun, but requires more patience. The fishermen who consistently net trophy bass are the ones who are meticulous in keeping track of all the variables in play. Intuition is usually more a matter of experience turning into intuition. Hard work and diligence will yield what you are after. These tips are but a beginning in this endeavor. Bring a camera and consider returning your trophy bass to the water and have a replica made.
For more bass fishing, as well as other types of fishing articles, visit Family-Outdoors Fishing. Family-Outdoors site also brings you great information on camping and hunting.
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