Big Bait = Big Fish ?

[Pegasus]

I guess sometimes that is a true statement. On Sat afternoon, Luke and I both had our personal best for the year. His went 3lbs -5 oz and mine came in at 5lbs -7oz. I saw my fish just cruise out slowly from behind the log and turn and inhale a big tilapia and head for the deep ! Luke's crushed his bait as he pulled it out of the grass.Luke was really excited ! All of the fish for the day were caught within 45 min window. It was slow untill then. Didn't even see a fish before these came up. Never give up. All it takes is one. Great day for both of us !

[Stan Wright]

Your right... all it takes is one...
It's really nice when that "one", is a "big one".


When it comes to live bait... the big baits catch big fish.
I've had big peacock bass grab 12 inch peacock bass I was trying to land.
A 6 or 7 inch tilipia struggling to get into the grass attracts some nice size preditors.
And all that action happens just a rod length away... right on the surface.
Just takes time and patience... It's hard to stick with a big live tilipia when those 2 pound peacock bass just swim up and look at your offering, asy: "that's to big for me." and turn away.

You might not catch as many fish using big baits,
But the ones ytou do catch will be BIG.

[roadwarriorsvt]

Congratulations to both of you on your new PB!!! Very nice looking fish indeed!

[fish4fun]

Nice PBs! I ran into u by BSI before Luke got his, glad to see he got his too!

[fish4fun]

Nice PBs! I ran into u by BSI before Luke got his, glad to see he got his too!

[Pegasus]

Thanks ! Did you have any luck ? I talked to those guys in that double-kayak thing and they didn't have much luck with their feeder goldfish bait.
The bigger baits were working for me for sure ! We picked up a total of 5 nice fish and I lost another whopper trying to keep it from getting back to the trees. SNAP ! Even caught one 4lber with a red hook deep in his throat. Funny, my friend fishes that spot and he uses those little red hooks too. Maybe........you never know.

[roadwarriorsvt]

What pound test line you using?

[Ca_Bass]

Nice fish!! I think I might have to break out the 5 inch tilapia swim bait.

[Pegasus]

I had 30 lb power pro with a 12lb J-line floro leader. The fish was pulling harder than the 5-7 that I had just caught , so I tightened down on the drag a little to stop him from getting back to the trees, and it broke at the hook knot. Palomar knot. Maybe my drag was just a little too tight ? Live and learn.

[Stan Wright]

If your using live bait that big why don't you forget the leader and tie the hook direct to the braid?

[Boatless]

"big bait= BIG FISH"

The motto of the Godfather or should I say Kahuna of live bait........

[fish4fun]

Not a good day for me. Didn't catch a single PB. In the cove I saw u at I caught dinky lmb on a plasic. Then tried the feeders in the cove by miki flats. By the logs. Caught a 1# cat and then broke my 4# line on something. Funny i was using the red circle type hooks with a 12# Pline leader. That's not where you caught the one with the red hook was it?

Anyhow After Tried bbp and never got a nibble. Ive had a bad run. Maybe I need to go and collect some tilaps. Anyone know a good spot for bait?

[fisher dude]

Very nice fish! Must have been a big boy that broke your leader! Seen some action on my side! Was about to launch my boat then I see hpd flying past my point then hfd then nothing bustin after that maybe this weekend ill get out there!

[skunked]

nice tucs! Congratulations to you both!

[Pegasus]

I had the leader tied on as my usual set up. I throw everything from little mosquito fish and small tilapias with it. Sometimes I use a little split shot to take them down deeper. I usually put on a larger hook on with the bigger baits, but this time I just used my set up as it was . Lazy. I guess I had good luck, because he gulped down the bait and headed to the deeper water. The hook set was perfect, top corner of his mouth. It would have worked without the leader and the second big fish that I lost might have stayed on with just the 30 lb power pro. Hindsight is 20/20. Luke and I took a ride up past the bridge on Sat afternoon. Glad we weren't there on Sunday to see the dead body they pulled out of the lake by the bridge. Yikes !