Quantity or QUALITY… That is the Question

By: Will Whitehead – Professional Angler

Do you believe it is just LUCK that some anglers seem to catch the really BIG fish on a consistent basis? Do you believe that anytime any angler catches a really BIG fish that it is just LUCK? Well I believe that there is no such thing as LUCK when it comes to fishing… or anything else for that matter. In fishing “LUCK is when preparation meets opportunity”! When all of the factors for catching a really big fish are present and the angler is prepared for such a situation. I have discussed “preparation” in a previous “Fishin’ Tips” for this web site and it would behoove you to carefully read this article Sure… There ARE exceptions to all rules and situations, but these are far and few between, and remember, what we are talking about here is the angler who CONSISTENTLY catches really big fish. I currently hold 24 “Fresh Water Fishing Line Class World Records”, and NONE of them were by accident nor involved LUCK. I fish for BIG fish… Therefore I catch BIG fish. Let’s take a close look at the things which help me to achieve this goal.

TACKLE

Falling under the heading of “preparation”, my tackle is probably the most important factor in the “BIG FISH” equation. If you are using cheap tackle, line that has been on your reel for 3 years; reels that haven’t been serviced in years; cheap and/or dull hooks, etc., etc., etc., then there is little chance of boating a really large trophy fish, if you do manage to hook one. I use the BEST tackle I can afford, and keep it in tip-top, A-1, perfect condition. I use the finest line on the market today, copolymer “Silver Thread” monofilament line. I change my line several times a year, almost every time I go fishing. I keep my hooks sharp and use only top quality Mustad hooks. I tie good knots, I tie proper knots and I retie knots often. I service, clean, adjust and repair my reels several times a year, or whenever they need it. I use “brand name” lures like “Bomber”, “Rebel”, “Cotton Cordell”, “Smithwick”, “Heddon” or “Riverside”. And I fanatically adhere to all of the other points I elaborate on in the “Preparation” article for this web-site. “Expect the best, but prepare for the worst” and you won’t be disappointed. Why do you think most people use the expression “Once in a lifetime trophy fish”? You may only have that ONE chance to boat that fish!

KNOW YOUR QUARRY

You’re not going to catch many trophy Largemouth Bass fishing in clear, gravel bottomed, northern lakes, and you’re not going to catch many Musky in Florida. You have to have a good working knowledge of the fish you are pursuing, and the better knowledge you have, the better your chances of catching one, especially a really BIG one. Regardless of the species you are after, you will need to have the same knowledge for each. You will need to know the range of this species. Where it lives; the type of water it prefers; the habitat within that body of water it prefers; the temperature of the water in that habitat it prefers; the type of structure it prefers; the depth of water it prefers to live in, etc., etc., etc. The MORE detailed your knowledge is, the better your chance of catching a really BIG fish are. And remember, most, if not all of these factors can and will change with seasons of the year, water temperature, weather conditions, etc.

CHOOSE YOUR WATER

As I said… “You wouldn’t go to Florida to catch Musky”. If you want to catch a really BIG fish of a certain species, then you have to go where they are. Check the record books, magazine articles, experiences of friends, TV show (with extreme caution and belief) and other sources to determine WHERE you are going to search for that trophy of a lifetime. This is not to say that really BIG fish are not available in your hometown area, but the odds of catching one are greatly diminished. Hundreds, if not thousands, of really BIG fish die of old age each year, in water near where you live… and I don’t care WHERE you live. But maybe the species you are after does not live there at all.

KNOW YOUR WATER

I fish a small lake near my home with frequency. In fact, more than one of my “records” has come from this small 200 acre lake. But I hear a LOT of people talk about how there are “no fish in that lake”, while I catch lots of BIG fish from the same body of water. Why? Because I have taken the time and effort to map the lake, locating fish holding structure like creek channels, drop offs and rock piles and fish holding cover like weed beds, stumps, brush piles and old bridges. I have also taken the time and effort to construct and place some of my own fish holding cover. Study and learn the body of water you are going to fish.

UNDERSTANDING REALLY BIG FISH

Really BIG fish don’t act, or react, the same as smaller fish. Remember… Really BIG fish are older fish, and they didn’t get bigger and older by being stupid. They seek-out and command the VERY BEST cover, feeding areas and structure. When a really BIG fish is taken from an area, it is not long before another really BIG fish will move back in on that same area. Really BIG fish are very territorial and protective of their home. A fact that can be used against them with great success.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LURE

Really big fish, as I have said, are a lot like me… Old, fat and lazy! They are not going to chase a small or fast-moving lure. They are going to wait until a real “Meal” comes their way, and at a slow pace. Sure, there are exceptions to this rule, and there are some really BIG fish that have been caught on tiny flies or lures, I have caught a few of them myself, but we are talking here about the most consistent way of catching really BIG fish. Remember too, that there is only ONE hard-and-fast rule in fishing…. “There are NO hard-and-fast rules”! Therefore I normally choose lures of a larger size than most anglers would fish. I prefer a 5 inch tube over a 4 inch one. I prefer an 8 inch or 12 inch worm over a 6 inch one. I prefer the “Excalibur” size of Zara Spook over the “Puppy” size and I prefer the larger crankbaits over the smaller ones. A check of the record books, and from my personal experience and observation, slow moving, bottom hugging, large size lures account for MOST of the really BIG fish catches. Jig and Pig combos, large plastic worms and lizards, large tube lures, spinnerbaits, slow moving crankbaits, slow moving top water lures (over shallow water) and LIVE BAIT lead the list.

DEDICATION AND HARD WORK

If you think you are going to pick up your rod, reel and tackle box, and go out tomorrow and catch a really BIG fish… sell your tackle and take up needle point or some other hobby. To CONSISTENTLY catch really BIG fish take a lot of homework, dedication, preparation, planning and just plain hard work. I could have spent the same amount of money and exerted the same amount of effort and become a brain surgeon or space ship pilot. But, I am living proof that IT CAN BE DONE!!