I need some advise.....

[mikemac10]

Lately the last few seasons ive had the problem of catching a lot of decent sized bass, I know its a good problem to have, but fishing tournaments it has become extremely frustrating. For example I'll bring in a limit of bass on a particular lake that will place me in the middle of the field to just out of the money. This has been the case in nearly every single tournament Ive fished in the last 2-3 years. It seems as though I normally dont have a problem finding and getting a limit of fish, its just catching that next class up of fish, or just one big one that is the problem. I'm not sure if it is the lures I am using or not, it seems like I used to catch a lot more big fish in the years past with basically the same lures. From what I can tell, I used to be a bank beater but in the last few seasons ive become more of an offshore fisherman, Ive started catching a lot more fish but bigger fish seem to be non existant. It seems as though I am on a backslide the last few seasons. I dont know if I should change my entire fishing approach to try and catch bigger fish or what, anyone have some advise??

[shawn706]

Get your limit first, then try upsizing your baits, or changing to a different style. If your catching solid keepers on T rig, catch your limit then switch to a larger plastic or a big jig. Just remember that when you switch, you'll probably get alot fewer bites, but when you do get bit it'll probably be that kicker your looking for. Hardest part for me is to put down something thats catching alot of fish.

[Bass Hawk 87]

Shawn is right. You have to use big fish baits, and figure out the areas that hold bigger fish on the waters you fish. It is hard to put down something that you are getting a lot of bites with, but after a limit, and you can't cull because all of the bites are the same size, then there is no point. You should go to a larger bait and fish the same area first. If there is a larger fish in the area, this should get them. If that doesn't work then move out to the first drop off close to the area you are fishing and work that. Chances are good that the bigger fish are out there.

Another choice would be to flip to the heaviest cover you can find.

Targeting big fish means looking for only one or two bites most times, so be alert.

[rb]

The three best big fish baits going
1 Balsa Wood square lip crankbait 3 inches Chart/Black
2 Spinnerbait
3 Jig on a flip stick

Rick Clunn,Hank Parker,Denny Brauer if you need proof.
Throw all three in the nastiest stuff you can find.

4 This is a secret
A BIG Senko weight-less in a stump field with 6 to 8 foot deep. It's slow but deadly on Big fish.