Don Moorman With Double Digit Bass #62
I have a friend who has 63 double digit largemouth (six of which are teeners) to his credit. 63! That's insane; most folks would be happy with one or two in their lifetime but 63. Just an insanely awesome accomplishment. Now this isn't about just pumping up Don and what he has accomplished (although the accolades are deserved) this is about you and I doing some things differently to have better results on the water.
For this discussion better results isn't about more fish in the boat but better quality fish i.e. bigger fish. Now let me say this before I say anything else catching big fish isn't an accident and it doesn't happen by chance or luck. Guys like Don do specific things that others don't or won't do.
First they fish where big fish live. Now that doesn't mean you have to pack your bags and move to Texas, Florida or California but it does mean you need to fish the waters in your area that are either known to hold bigger fish or you suspect hold bigger fish. It's all relative. It also means having realistic goals and expectations when you set out. Even in California it doesn't rain ten pounders.
Second they put time on the water. You can not catch fish and gain an intimate knowledge of your fishery watching tv. You MUST put the time in there is no way around it.
Third they throw proven big fish baits now that's not saying don't throw traditional baits if that's what's working but when specifically targeting big fish larger profiled baits rule. Some folks that know me think that when I say big baits I'm talking about swimbaits but that's not completely true, I refer to all above average baits as big baits. Swimbaits just happen to be something I enjoy fishing with. Swimbaits are a tool just like jigs or soft plastics.
Forth and quite possibly the most important is you have to be willing to fail and fail a lot especially if you plan on throwing swimbaits exclusively (which I don't do or necessarily recommend). Your willingness to fail repeatedly will separate you from the crowd. I'm not talking about blind ambition and not learning as you go along. I'm talking about learning from your failures while on this path. The most important lesson is perseverance.
Both fish in the pictures above were caught on larger profiled baits. The fish in the top photo was caught on a 7' swimbait while the one in the lower picture was caught on a 7'' stick bait (Big Senko) two completely different style baits but similar results. (Side note: they were caught in completely different parts of the country too). Another thing these fish have in common is I put in several hours each of the respective days before landing either fish and they were both the last fish of the day and not because I quit fishing after catching them.
Swinging for the fences isn't for everyone and to do it even kind of right is going to take a financial commitment too. For most of it you can get by with standard rods and reels but once you cross over to the Dark Side and start chunking Big Baits (I mean 4oz + baits) you're going to need some heavier job specific gear. There is too much info to cover on that subject to get into here just be prepared to drop a little cash on rods and reels if you choose to go down this path.
As for baits everybody has their confidence baits so I'm not going to get into specifics just too much to cover but I will touch on a few general types.
1. Jigs
2. Big Worms
3. Big Stick Baits (jumbo Senkos)
4. Swimbaits
5. Big Crankbaits
Fish the right waters. Fish!. Fish the proper baits and above all be willing to go home smelling like skunk.
Tight Lines
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