Secrets To Catching Big Bass

What are some of my secrets to catch big bass.

I've been lucky through the years and have caught many big bass in the 8, 9, 10, and 11 pound range. That beauty in my pic went 10.66 pounds and was caught on one of my favorite baits, a led head jig. There is really no real secret to catching big bass, you just need to fish where they are likely hiding and use a lure that will entice them to strike.

One secret to catching big bass I use is the use of mostly plastics and jigs while fishing for bass. Yes I do use other type lures like crank baits and spinners, but your chances of catching that big hawg are more increased by using slow moving baits like soft plastics and jigs. I've caught plenty of 5-7 pound fish on spinners and cranks but every bass I've caught 8 pounds and up came on jigs or plastics. Plastics and jigs just stay in the strike zone longer giving a big ole bass more opportunity to take your bait.

One of my top producers for catching big bass a lead head jig. I keep one tied on year round and fish it frequently. It's no secret that big bass love crawfish, and a jig is the perfect lure to go after one. A jig is really simple to fish so don't complicate it. Toss it out to likely cover, let it set a moment and slowly work it back toward you. Here is another tip that may help you catch a big bass. After you have made your cast and worked the lure a little don't suddenly just reel in to ready your next cast. Instead slowly reel the lure in with a small up and down motion to your rod. This is called swimming a jig and is exactly how I caught that nice one in my pic.

Best rig to use for fishing a jig is a medium heavy rod and good reel. You will also want to use braided line in the 50-70 pound range. You will be fishing a jig in heavy cover so a strong line and a rod with good backbone is a must. You may not catch as many fish with a jig but the quality of fish you catch will be bigger.

Another secret to catching big bass is the use of plastics. There are so many variations it will be hard to list them all but they will all fish the same as I described to fish a jig, including swimming it back to the boat. No real secret but I don't fish plastics as much in the colder seasons. As soon as the water starts to warm to 60 degrees and up I'll then start using soft plastics more. Fish soft plastics slow and don't get in a hurry to make that next cast. You may be pulling your lure away from a good fish that was fixing to take your bait.

Another secret to catching big bass is look for cover or something out of the ordinary in the area you are fishing. Perhaps this is a tree line with a single tree out from the others. It may even be 30 to 50 yards away but is an excellent spot to catch one. I've caught many of my bigger fish on just such a tree. Look for trees or other cover that is also near deeper water. I've no proof but just from experience the bigger fish seem to be loners and just seem to stay in areas more to themselves.

The best time to catch a big hawg is during the spring spawn. Your chances to catching a big bass are greatly increased during this time. As the water temperature begins to warm to 60 degrees or more get ready for some awesome bass fishing. Those big girls leave their deep water hidy-holes and move into the shallows to spawn. The spawn seems to peak around a full moon period so plan your spring fishing trips around it. Looks for good areas that will provide good hiding places for the fingerlings to hide once they hatch. This includes heavy brush, weeds, and any other type structure. This is likely where you will find those big ones during the spawn.

Fishing at night can also increase your chances to catch a big bass. Those big ones tend to feed at night more in my opinion. Use dark, mostly black lures when you are night fishing. Buzzbaits, large dark plastics, and black spinners work well at night. If it is during a full moon then all the better.

One more secret for catching big bass is the use of a good fish attractant. They do attract fish or otherwise lure manufactures wouldn't go to such expense to test them. I personally like to use a garlic scent as many of the soft plastic baits are impregnated with that scent. I also firmly believe that when using a scent one of those lunker bass will hold on to the lure longer giving you a better chance to set the hook.

I wish you the best of luck and tight lines.