Catching trophy bass with swimbaits is an exciting challenge, and selecting the right locations can significantly increase your chances of landing a big one. Based on the video insights and general bass fishing strategies, here are some prime locations to target trophy bass using swimbaits:
Underwater Structures: As mentioned in the "Swimbait 101: Where to Fish" video by TacticalBassin, underwater humps and big points are excellent spots. These structures act as natural pathways or barriers for baitfish, and trophy bass often position themselves nearby to ambush prey. Look for areas where the contour of the lake changes, such as drops offs or underwater hills.
Near Trout Stocking Areas: In lakes stocked with trout, fishing near launch ramps can be particularly effective, especially on stocking days. Trophy bass learn these areas as high-traffic zones for easy meals. This tactic was highlighted as a straightforward strategy in the same TacticalBassin video.
Grass Lines and Weed Edges: In lakes with less dramatic underwater topography but abundant vegetation, the edges of grass lines are key spots. Bass use these areas for cover and to ambush passing baitfish. Fishing swimbaits along these edges can mimic a fleeing baitfish or injured prey.
Main Lake and Secondary Points: As discussed in the video "3 Tricks To Catching Bass With BIG Swimbaits" by Intuitive Angling With Randy Blaukat, main lake points and secondary points are hotspots for big bass. These points often have deeper water nearby, providing bass with a comfort zone where they can easily access shallow feeding areas.
Areas with Varied Cover: Combining different types of structure and cover—like submerged timber, steep banks, or deep docks—can be particularly effective. These areas offer bass a variety of ambush points and attract different prey species, making them ideal for throwing big swimbaits.
When using swimbaits, match the size and type of the local forage fish. In waters with big baitfish like gizzard shad, use larger swimbaits. In clearer waters or where smaller baitfish are prevalent, scale down your swimbait size to increase your bites.
Always remember, the key with swimbaits is to mimic natural prey movements, so focus on a retrieval speed and style that makes your swimbait look as lifelike as possible. Whether you're targeting shaded banks in the summer or deep points in the cooler months, a well-placed swimbait can be irresistible to a trophy bass.