Locating Lunkers

Bassfishr · Post by **Bassfishr** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 3:13 am

I've been very successful catching 3-4 pounders in my usual fishing spot. The lake is fished a lot, but there is a great population, and I am able to pull out some 19 inchers out of the lily pads (where most anglers avoid).
I'm a shore fisher for now, so my question is how do I snag a bigger one? I've seen a few 6pounders taken out by other anglers, but they are usually in boats. Do I need a boat?

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:31 pm

Dustin,

A boat will definitely give you an advantage when stalking big bass, but it is not a necessity. The advantage that the boater has over the shore fisherman is they can make multiple casts to cover from many different angles. Big bass can be finicky and sometimes they just won’t hit a bait if it is not presented from the right angle. My first suggestion for you (fishing from shore) would be to cast parallel to the bank. Find cover that is right on the shoreline and try casting to that type of cover from further distances than you normally would. The shallower the water the more gently the bait needs to enter the water. Skipping baits parallel to the bank can also trigger strikes from big bass. Try to skipping weed-less soft plastics right into the middle of the heaviest shoreline cover you can find. The harder it is to get into a piece of cover, the bigger the potential you will have for a 5lb+ lunker.

Good luck…

johnnie crain outdoors · Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:55 am

Dustin,
As always that's good advice from Brendan. Please allow me to offer some suggestions. I would use over-size baits, ten to twelve inch worms-1 full ounce jigs tipped with a jumbo frog- Quad bladed spinnerbaits and even musky topwater baits. Granted, you won't get many strikes, but when you do hang on!! Big baits-heavy cover-bait fish= big bass. P.S., try fishing during midday when everyone else is napping, less fishing pressure and big bass know it. Good luck, Johnnie

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 2:45 pm

Dustin,

Johnnie is right on the money when talking about big baits catching big bass... Put it all together and you are going to get the results you are looking for...

BC

Bassfishr · Post by **Bassfishr** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 3:16 am

Thanks guys for your suggestions. I'll put them to use right away and let you know how I do.
Both of you have great points. "Angle" of cast has to make a difference, and the bigger the bait, the bigger the fish!

Good Fishing
Dustin