The Mysterious Power of Big Baits and Giant Baits: There Are Things Only Big Baits and Giant Baits Can Do

For the past five years or so, I have been dedicated to casting nothing but big baits and giant baits.
"Can you really catch fish with such a huge lure?"
At first, I sometimes felt that way too. Anyone seeing a big bait or giant bait for the first time would likely think the same. The lure size ranges from around 20cm to over 40cm for the larger ones. They are the same size as the bass themselves, or in some cases, even bigger than the bass.
As an author with over 25 years of experience in lure fishing, I would like to write about what I have felt regarding these big baits and giant baits.
To put it simply, big baits and giant baits do catch fish, and there is definitely a mysterious power that only these lures possess.
In this article, I will talk about the lure power that only big baits and giant baits have, incorporating my own experiences from actual fishing.

[Table of Contents]
1. What are Big Baits and Giant Baits?
2. They can be both "prey" and "intruders"
3. Larger specimens are more likely to react
4. A presence that other lures cannot produce
5. There is a "moment that doesn't let them lose interest"
6. It is important to believe and keep casting

1. What are Big Baits and Giant Baits?
Big baits and giant baits are hard lures that are larger in size than typical lures.
Their features are as follows:
・Can appeal over a wide area with a large silhouette
・Have a natural swimming motion close to a real fish
・Easier to get larger bass to bite than smaller bass
・Have the power to "make them eat" and the power to "make them attack reflexively"
Big baits are particularly effective for bass that are preying on large baitfish such as bluegill, crucian carp, and gizzard shad.

2. They can be both "prey" and "intruders"
Typical lures entice bass to bite by mimicking "food" like small fish or shrimp.
On the other hand, big baits are a little different. Of course, when the bait is large, they may recognize it as food, but it changes a bit when it comes to the giant bait class.
・A large fish that has entered their territory
・An entity that steals their food
They can appear as these things.
In other words, they can stimulate not only the instinct to "want to eat" but also the instinct to "want to drive away."

3. Larger specimens are more likely to react
Small bass can be afraid of large lures. However, large black bass over 50cm are different.
The longer a specimen has survived, the more things like:
・Large baitfish
・Bluegill
・Crucian carp
・Young carp
become their prey.
Therefore, they are less likely to feel uncomfortable with a large silhouette and may even show interest.
That is precisely why,
"Even if the numbers are low, the one you catch is huge"
This is the greatest appeal of big baits and giant baits.

4. A presence that other lures cannot produce
Big baits and giant baits have an overwhelming presence in the water. The way the large body pushes water, the joint parts move smoothly, and it swims leisurely from side to side is very similar to a real fish. Its vibration and silhouette cannot be imitated by small lures. Another major strength is that it is hard to lose its presence even on cloudy or windy days.

5. There is a "moment that doesn't let them lose interest"
When using big baits and giant baits, I often see scenes where a bass is following from behind.
This is because the big bait swims slowly, which gives the bass more time to observe it.
At first glance, this might seem like a disadvantage, but by adding actions such as:
・Stop
・Turn
・Jerk
・Dead slow
you can create a timing that says "It's getting away!" and trigger a strike all at once. This tactical game is the unique fun of big baits.

6. It is important to believe and keep casting
Big baits and giant baits are not lures that get a reaction on every cast. It is a bit different from fishing where you enjoy catching many fish like with small lures.
However,
"Maybe there's nothing today..."
On the very last cast when you think that, you might suddenly get a thrilling bite that seems to break the water surface.
To catch this one valuable fish
To keep casting for this one moment
That is the world of big baits and giant baits.

Summary
There are many lures for bass fishing.
Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, worms, shads...
They are all wonderful lures, but there are certainly fish that "only react to big baits."
"Fish that only react to big baits"
That is why many anglers keep casting heavy and tiring big baits.
The appeal of big baits is not simply that they are "large lures."

・Can stimulate not only feeding habits but also aggressive instincts・Can be noticed by large bass with an overwhelming presence
・Can produce a sense of life that other lures do not have
・Possibility of encountering a personal record-class fish in one go

Of course, you won't catch fish every time.Even so, the excitement of the moment when the lure swims slowly on the water surface and a black shadow appears behind it is a special experience that can only be tasted with big baits.
If you have never used a big bait, please try it at least once.
That one cast might lead to an encounter with your personal best.
I will write about tackle another time.
That's all for today.
See you again 👋