Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

ok you pro's here is what i need help with. i was catching tons of shorts and a few keepers(just around 12ins). but the 2 were far inbetween. anyway my ? is, how come i didn't get any of good size, they were there i nailed them on some plastic in the 3lb+ size. i did try slowing and speeding up my retrieve. i realy don't crank much, that's one part of my fishing i have to get better at. so if the shorts hit the bait why din't ther bigger one hit to?
thanks in advance.

Ray,
Did you try different sizes, and colors? Often the larger fish will respond differently to a color or size of crankbait.

There have been times when I've caught smaller fish on a Deep Baby N, but when switching to a DD14 (bigger and deeper diver) the bigger fish have hit. I've also found it true on fishing a lipless, rattling crankbait as opposed to a diving lure.

Hopefully Johnnie Crain will pop in on this one. He isn't called "Crankin' Crain" for nothing.

Best of fishing,
Dan

dan, no i didn't try a different color. it did cross my mind. and didn't try a different size. when i go back there if they are still hitting the bait i will try a different color. as per the size i don't have one bigger. maybe the takcle store might. if so i will pick one up. thanks. and were is "crakin crain" when you need him.LOL

Ray,


It sounds like the bigger ones just did not want to hit a crankbait at that time. Because the bigger bass wanted something just moving along the bottom. It is always a good idea to switch to a different color, size, or retrieve when you are just catching small fish. Do whatever it takes to upgrade you catch.

Ray C,
Dan and Mark have given good advice as always. There are times that you will need to use really large carnkbaits for quality bass. In most cases, the smaller bass which are much faster get to the bait before the big ones react. Big fish don't get big by being stupid. In situations like you described, I use a large four to six inch crankbait designed to run at least twelve feet deep. Often the smaller bass sense that they may not be able to swallow a bait this large and may not take it as readily. Bass have built in sensors that transmit the size of the object and how far away it is and even if it's worth expending energy to catch. By up-sizing, you will eliminate most of the smaller fish and give the larger ones a better shot at catching your lure. When the larger fish are a little finicky I go to a non-rattling crankbait, one made of wood. Big bass that have been caught and released may become timid about striking anything that rattles. Rattling lures catch a lot of fish, but lets face it, minnows and shad don't rattle. Keep in mind, big baits catch big bass, and they also catch small ones. Bigger can be better. I have an article in the June issue of Fishing Facts, "Bigger Is Better" that might help you out. Good luck, keep in touch. Johnnie "Crankin' Crain". Thanks for the title, Dan. Johnnie