10 POUND OR BETTER CLUB

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:38 pm

who's not in it. i know i can't be the only one without a 10 or better. my PB is 7.3 just caught this year. i've caught lots of fish in the 4,5, and 6 pound range but can't even crack 8lbs. is anyone with me in the under 10 club?

steve g · Post by **steve g** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:52 pm

sadly enough, i'm with you too.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:37 pm

LMAO at bones........I am in the under 10 lb. club - I can't get Cooch to show me his honey holes

7 lbs. 15 oz. is my best. Hope to beat it soon and often.

gt5bass · Post by **gt5bass** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:40 pm

Bassbones wrote:Thats because your not throwing a Hud on a Steve custom swim bait rod.......

Close, but I wasn't throwin' a Hud

Otay Michael · Post by **Otay Michael** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:40 pm

I barely beat you with a 8.40 on a topwater popper at Otay when I was quite young. I'd like to join that 10 pound club and was planning to and had to cancel my Clearlake trip for a little while. The lovely wife decided the drive/trip from San Diego was a bit too much for only four days, oh well.

Calistar · Post by **Calistar** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:22 pm

I lost a couple that I think were close to 10 about two years ago....

haven't been close since.

Slippy · Post by **Slippy** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:31 pm

mine is a 9.4 at Don Pedro.I took a newbie to bass fishing (6 months) to the Delta this past spring he caught a 11.14....damn.

FATGUY · Post by **FATGUY** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:31 pm

i have a pb of 9-14... weighed her on three scales and couldn't get any to say ten .. this was at el salto ..going back in january to try again .. bobg

bassindon69 · Post by **bassindon69** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:17 pm

I believe that bassbones is right. The few I had caught over ten before swimbaits were on jigs, hogs, big worms and all caught at night. But nothing I have ever used caught as many over 10 in one year as a Hudd. All that were over ten last year were on a hudd, it also was the bait used the most. If a guy or gal really wanted to beat his or her PB and get one over ten, he or she would if you used a hudd and other big baits and left the other stuff (temptation) home. Everyone in Calif has a lake or many lakes around them with BIG fish in them. It just depends on how bad you want it and how patient you can be. No matter what lake you fish use big baits and you will increase your chances for a new PB.
It is as simple as that.

Don.

MrSkeeter · Post by **MrSkeeter** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:33 pm

I've caught several over 7 a couple over 8, but nothing closer

Maybe soon ...

bassdude28 · Post by **bassdude28** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:42 am

I am with you guys as well. My personal best is 8 1/2 on a buzzbait fishing Lake MArtinez in Arizona. But plenty in the 5-7lb range.

Larry Douglas · Post by **Larry Douglas** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:46 am

I can't crack that 10 lb barrier either. My PB is a 9 lb 8 oz from the Delta.

Larry Douglas

Riplip · Post by **Riplip** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:25 am

Bones, you forgot to refer to the live bait thread!!!!

Sadly, still stuck below the 10lb meridian

...but proud!

macinckirk · Post by **macinckirk** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:32 am

I'm still looking also But it will happen its all about time on the water so I guess I'll just go fishing

have a good day all

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 8:06 am

Stuck on 8.5, have seen a few over ten, but none of them were mine..

mac

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:10 am

I hung around the 9 department for a loooong time then went fishing on the Delta in Late November and cought my PB 10 on a crank bait in the grass.

I would say from Mid November - Early April is your best window to catch these ellusive monsters. Delta, Clear Lake, Amador, Comanche, Pardee Jigs or Swimbaits.

I prefer late winter to early (feb-march) prespawn for toad fishing.

Good Luck this year

Calistar · Post by **Calistar** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:34 am

The thing that gets me is that I was net-boy when Curtis Sanchez caught his 16-lber (15.82). My jig was only about 15' from where he pitched his jig (at Berryessa).

<sigh>

JustinD · Post by **JustinD** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:12 am

Best thing for catching big fish is time on the water. Everything else will eventually fall into place. Big fish are not limited to plastics and swimbaits either, I promise you.

basstamer · Post by **basstamer** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:13 am

me neither

my PB is 9 13....close but not close enough!

Sacto John · Post by **Sacto John** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:34 am

I am still at 9.75, caught on a swimbait in 2002. Zippers' Delta fish could have been mine if she wanted a Spinnerbait instead of a Crank.

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:41 am

First off, I have been fishing basically my whole life, and I am 42. Yet, I didn't catch my first DD bass until 1998. I still remember thinking, "WOW ! That was the coolest freakin fish I have ever seen" ! ......but then I thought, "But it took me 30 damn years to catch that fish..... So what's to say it won't take me 30 more years to catch another one" ???

Well, fortunately, that wasn't the case. Now, I don't want to minimalize the great time and effort I started pouring on, in the pursuit of trophy bass, in the following several years, but there is one key thing that I did....

If you care to catch a big bass, and if you read nothing else I have ever written, or will ever write, simply remember this;
"To catch big fish (with any regularity), you have to fish for big fish" !!!

Too many guys keep fishing the same way, in the same places, at the same times as they always have {even though this has never produced a DD bass for them before}. Then, every once in a while, they hear of somebody fishing that same 4" worm, on that same lake, at the same time of year, who caught a big one, and this only serves to reinforce their belief that, "if they just keep fishing long enough, and hard enough, this will eventually work for them too"...... and the fact is, they could be right ! They "might" eventually get "a" big one also.

But if you really want to stick a BUNCH of DD bass, and even have a good shot at a world class monster, I'd say it's usually best to just throw everything you have ever learned about bass fishing, out of the window, and start from scratch ! Try to follow the lead of guys who are catching all kinds of giants ! Where are they fishing ? What are they throwing ? When ? How ?
Of course, don't expect these guys to give up there secrets easily. These guys worked hard for what they know, and you will need to put in some serious time and effort too.
The Hud is certainly no secret anymore..... But it still won't catch big bass by itself.

Anyway, coming from a guy who can't even cast a baitcaster.... and who has AADD... I can flat guarantee you that if I could do it, ANYBODY can catch big bass regularly. They just need to set their mind in the right direction.

I hope this helps somebody,
Peace,
Fish

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:57 am

On top of what Chris said I want to add DEDICATTION and PERSISTENCE. Once I changed tactics (fished for big fish) and got stubborn, I went 3 months without a bite. My first bite was a DD. If your not dedicated and willing to put the time in (not only time on the right water but time going fishless) then you are just hoping for luck.

And just because you have the right bait on the end of your rod doesnt mean anything; you still have to know how to fish it.

buzzfish · Post by **buzzfish** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:05 pm

7.3 buzzbait fish is my personal best as well caught from a float tube on Clear Lake in 1996 or 97. We were fishing a small tournament and the club president told me at the time that this may be the biggest fish I'll ever catch. Ten years later it looks like he was right!

Buzzfish

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:36 pm

Hey Buzzfish, "only if you want that to be true".

Peace,
Fish

PS, and one more thing Buzzfish and all, if the advice that Steve, the other big bass guys, and I give, seems too daunting (mainly with the amount of time and effort we would like to recommend) understand that while time on the water is certainly important, it is "only one factor".

Personally speaking, I have spent a lot less time chasing trophy Largemouths, for the last couple years, than I did in the previous 6 (been swinging back to my multi-species roots). Yet, in only 30 or so days for bass, in each of the last couple years, I have still managed to get 15 DD's.

My point is, even if a guy can only swing 15 or 20 days a year, if he is able to follow most of the other big bass guidelines, he should still be able to stick a DD or two.

Sorry to sound like a broken record, but really, "anybody can stick a big bass, or several".

Go get em' !

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:32 pm

But hey Steve, since you mention it, I once went 3 days a week, 10 hours a day, for 5 weeks, without a fish ! Yes, 150 fishless hours ! (at San Pablo Res) (not to scare anybody, as this is certainly not the norm)

So, when I was just about to lose my mind, I decided to relax a bit, and soak some crawlers for catfish...... and I ended up sticking a 13.0 lb bass

Go figure.

.....that gave me renewed hope for more big bass, so I got right back out there, throwing my Castaic trout..... and I stuck.... drumroll please..... a 21.2 lb channel cat

DOH !

The best thing you can do, is to keep a line in the water !

Peace,
Fish

g-man · Post by **g-man** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:11 pm

wow fish chris, that cat must of been quite a let down. i did the same thing a few years back. i was fishing amador and had this fish on that i thought would be my first DD. it also turned out to be a big cat. 15 pounds!!

oh well it was still a good fight at least.

macinckirk · Post by **macinckirk** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:09 pm

Fish Chris,

This is a ?? for you and I guest anyone that has this DD fishing down. I'm New to the idea of doing this I tryed last yrs some but I have to say I really didn't put the time in that I should. So this year I went to really put in some time on a lake that I fish alot on the week days.
Now if you were to go to a lake that you don't know like the back of your hand, What would you do to start looking for big Fish??

Were would you start??? and how would you spend your day??

I guest what I'm asking is more what area's would you go to first, what area's will hold the bigger fish?? and etc. If you would not mind Helping someone out with were to start beside reading a book on this.

What should I be looking for to begin

Any Help would be Great

Kirk

Eric Thoss · Post by **Eric Thoss** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:14 pm

9.7 here on the Delta.

Rod Martin · Post by **Rod Martin** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:52 pm

There's Chris & Bassindon, then there's dumb luck and me. My 3 biggest fish did not come on swimbaits, at the time i was more into eating a PB&J on the back of the boat and dumb luck. Now I do throw SB's and can say with a swimbait and time on the water in the right places[ the back of Rick Hoovers boat ] anyone can catch a DD.

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:17 pm

Well Kirk, I would start out by fishing every main lake point, and although harder to find, any underwater humps. Islands can be good too, but because they are easy to find, they get fished a lot harder.
Make sure you have a good pair of polarized glasses, and always watch closely behind your lure on every retrieve. Slow roll a swimbait on, or just under the surface (not to catch them, but rather, just to find them). Everybody probably knows I love the Hud.... But I might fish something more loud and obnoxious, like an MSSlammer for a search lure. Even if I used the Hud, I'd fish it shallower, and probably faster, for a search lure, than I would to actually catch the fish.
Every time you sight a big follower, mark that spot on the map in your head.... Or, actually on paper, to add it to your big fish rout. You can be 95% sure that the big fish you saw, uses that spot at least on regular occasion, if not specifically. No since camping out there though. If it doesn't eat your bait the first time it sees it, there is a 99% chance it wouldn't eat it if you threw it 9000 more times..... However, it might eat it the first time it sees it, 3 hours from then, or 8 hours later, right before you get off of the water... or 3 days later, or 3 weeks later. But the point is, if you keep going back and hitting that spot, there is a VERY strong chance that eventually, on one of those times, that fish will be fired up, and totally ready to inhale your lure !

Again, build a big fish rout. Fish every big fish spot on it, 2, 3, or even more times each trip, if time allows, and don't bother camping on a spot.

Oh, and if you pull up on a spot and immediately stick a small fish...... You can pretty much right that spot off, at least for the time being. A big fish will rarely "share" a good feeding spot with smaller fish...... Not to say you might not stick a pig on this same spot, an hour, or 3, or 8 hours later. But when big momma decides she's hungry, and moves up on a spot, the little ones know to get the heck out of Dodge !

Finding them is 3/4's of the battle, and of course, their is nothing better than seeing them with your own eyes. Clear water certainly helps with this.

Peace,
Fish

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:26 pm

both yes, and no. Yes, it's a big disapointment if you are expecting the WR Largemouth Bass

However, I actually love to stick big catfish as well.... Plus, it's kind of extra cool to get one on a swimbait, since this doesn't happen too often. Even with all the hours I have spent throwing a swimbait, I have only caught two big cats on them.

Peace,
Fish

aNNieNsaLTIE · Post by **aNNieNsaLTIE** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:31 pm

9.15 on a spinnerbait. we needed that fish that day too

..and i got it 10/15/2006

saLTIE-

Otay Michael · Post by **Otay Michael** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:36 pm

Oh, and I had one over 25 'look seriously' at my lure on her bed at Dixon last April, just two weeks after she had been caught and released!

Now THAT was exciting!!!!

I would start my own 25 or better club.

BigJeff · Post by **BigJeff** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:09 am

I haven't caught one over 10 in about 6 years.

The biggest fish I ever hooked, 15+ got away. I had her hooked on a 6" lizard texas rigged. She made a major power run, jumped once, made another run, jumped again and spit the lizard in slow motion.

About 6 weeks prior to that I caught an 11.15 lber out of Lake Hodges on a crankbait. The fish I lost dwarfed the 11 lber.

My previous best was a 10.0 lb even on a crankbait.

I haven't sniffed a double digit fish since.

allbelac · Post by **allbelac** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:22 am

7.9 on six lb test. Was using a rip bait fishing out of a float tube on Pedro. Felt like 10 on that trout rod I was using.

buzzfish · Post by **buzzfish** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:13 am

After I caught the 7.3 I did have hopes of catching more and bigger fish. I was learning a lot from the other club members (and still am) and figured it was just a matter of time.

My biggest problem is getting enough time on the water. Between my home life and my business I only get out once every two to four weeks. I have not given up though! When I do get out I am often on the delta which I think is my best chance to catch a pig. I'd go to Clear Lake more but it is pretty far away...

Buzzfish

Steve45 · Post by **Steve45** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:14 am

Berryessa is where I caught all my over 10 pounders. 13.1, 12.3, 11.8 and 5, 10 pounders all ecept 2 where caught on 7'' Berkley Power worms. 1 of the 10's was caught with a Castaic Trout and the other on a big spinnerbait. Steve

leachman90 · Post by **leachman90** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:44 pm

My PB right now is a 7.9 largie which is not to bad considering I live way up here in the Tri-Cities Wash.Caught losts of high 6's on buzzbaits which is one of my favorite big bass baits.Now when it comes to smallmouths I have a PB of 6.9which was in july/aug issue of the lunker club.I do know where some 10's live but getting them to bite and keep them buttoned is another thing.I would be a nut case if I were around water like the Delta or Clear,don't think my family would ever see me.lol God Bless...Jim

By the way ask Gary D about the smallies we have up here.He put me on a smallie just 1 once under 5lb during a BASS OPEN,Thanks again Gary.

fisherboy · Post by **fisherboy** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:37 pm

mines only 6........but im working on it i just started to fish more

not4un · Post by **not4un** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:15 pm

My best is 15.70 at don pedro on 6 inch keeper worm

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:12 pm

8.3 is my PB. But I stuck a 22lb cat at Clearlake during the WON Pro Am, my pro wasnet to happy

Dont know why he got upset, I didnt tell it to SLAM my Wacky rigged reaper, ya see the bobber go down you set the hook....NOW

macinckirk · Post by **macinckirk** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:00 am

Thanks Fish Chris for the Info and some Help

Kirk

lucas boden · Post by **lucas boden** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:26 am

i barely eaked over at 10.5
but i think DAN O's biggest fish is a 3 pound spot or somethin like that... i told him to cast to the rockpile too

Rod Martin · Post by **Rod Martin** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:18 am

So Chris how does someone get to go fishig with you. I'll pay for the day. just to watch the master at work

. Does not have to be for Bass. any fish anywhere, but timing does matter, I do have to work to support my bad habits

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 9:11 pm

although I try to help people out just about any way that I can (articles, e-mails, phone talks, dock talks, etc) (just short of pin pointing my hot spots

) I fish by myself 99% of the time, totally by choice. You might have heard me mention this before, but I am basically positive that I have AADD, and I get so easily distracted, that if I have somebody in the boat with me, I might as well have left the poles at home. This is yet another reason I don't fish tournies. Just too much going on, and this does not allow me to get totally into the zone...... Or into what I would call "my fishing tunnel vision"

Let me just put it this way.... I got my new boat in March of this year (brand new) and it has yet to ever have another person set foot on it.

All this said, on rare occasions, when I'm not hard-core trophy hunting..... like say for Clear Lk. Crappie, or the Clear Lk. cats, back when they were thicker than $#$%, it is fun to fish with other people..... just so long as it takes no focus on my part, because the fish are so thick they are basically catching themselves

Peace,
Fish

leachman90 · Post by **leachman90** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:36 pm

Hey Chris,My name is Jim and I do enjoy reading your posts,thanks.Living way up here in Washington I mostly fish for smallies.Now days I don't care to fish for small fish at all.If you were to ask most people up here that know me would tell you the same thing.I know you fish for largemouth but is there any book or articals you can sugjest that would help me target bigger smallies?In my mind I believe in the "big baits=big fish theary.Also do you believe that your style of fishing for big fish is releitive to the area you are in.What I mean by that is can I use your advice if my big fish are in the 8-11lb class(I do fish forlargemouth as well),a fish is a fish?Thanks and God Bless....Jim

By the way I do feel it is only a matter of time before I catch the next"monster smallmouth"up here.Thats just the confidence I have.

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