Many anglers will overlook the usefulness of using a big lure and the effect that it will have on bass that a smaller lure just won’t have on the same fish. Bigger baits also don’t have to always mean swimbaits either. By using larger crankbaits and lures, you can usually enjoy catching a lot of bigger bass! But why is this? Many pro anglers will tell you to size up your lures to trigger the fish, and there are actually a few good reasons as to why this is a great idea.
Why Bigger is Better
There is no denying the fact that bigger bass are opportunistic eaters. When something that is big is seen struggling or acting in a suspicious manner, it looks like an easy meal for a fish that needs a lot of food in order to sustain its healthy lifestyle during warmer months. Larger lures will also have a much larger profile, which means that they can draw in bass from much greater distances because they can see and feel them from afar. The bigger the lure, the bigger the presence it will have in the water. The bigger the presence, the more attention it will attract. The more attention it attracts, the bigger the fish that will come to investigate.
Real Examples of Big Baits
Even with all of the presence and attention in the world, what also convinces a big bass to chase and eat a lure? Let’s use an example to illustrate it. Let’s say that a 10-pound bass sees a small 4-inch worm that is only a few yards away from it. The odds of the fish going after that small worm is pretty slim since it knows that the calories it will take to swim and chase the worm and eat it will not be made up by doing so. Now if it is a 10 or 12-inch worm, the effort it takes to chase down and eat it becomes more worth it. Big fish will not bother with something if it is not worth their time, so a bigger lure always will be more enticing than a smaller one.
For instance, jointed swimbaits are measured against Roman Made lures because of their popularity and track record of success. The mid-size Negotiator and the massive Mother, both measuring 12 inches and weighing almost 11 ounces, are the most common. There’s also a bluegill-shaped South, named after South Lake Biwa, which is home to a plethora of bluegills. The 9-inch Mudai is Takeyama’s newest model, featuring a taller, almost carplike profile and brilliant scale finishes.
The Slide Swimmer was launched in 7- and 10-inch models by the Japanese company deps shortly after Roman Made lures gained popularity. Big-bait fans, such as swimbait guru Butch Brown, who fishes the San Diego area and catches a lot of giants, prefer the larger 250 model.
Final Thoughts
Using bigger baits might not always seem like the best idea, especially if you are not being picky about the size of the fish that you are after. But by sizing up your lures, you will be surprised at just how much more strikes you start to get on your bass fishing trips.
For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
