Am I limiting my fish size by using small lures? I'm new to fishing and I'm mostly using small crankbaits or top water lures. I'm wondering if bigger fish just ignore these small lures...

FS Digest

I'm new to fishing and I'm mostly using small crankbaits or top water lures.

I'm wondering if bigger fish just ignore these small lures because it's not worth their energy going after it, and do I need bigger lures?

Will small fish go after bigger lures?

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by DilD1

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Big fish will hit smaller lures. Know it for a fact. Not sure about Bigger lures. How Big? Think of the size of the mouth of the fish versus the size of the lure.

DC Loc: Washington state

audigger53 wrote:

Big fish will hit smaller lures. Know it for a fact. Not sure about Bigger lures. How Big? Think of the size of the mouth of the fish versus the size of the lure.

I have found the same thing I have caught big fish on really small lures but few small fish on large lures. Depending on what I am fishing for and where I am fishing I have purposely changed to larger lures just to keep the small fish from grabbing it

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

I have been told to catch a large fish you need a large lure I for one do not believe this is true. A couple of years ago I caught my largest bass of the year on the smallest spinner I own. The same year I caught a bluegill on a popper that there was now way he could have got in his mouth. I’m posting a picture of a buddy of mine catching a shiner on a crank bait from last September. Just a little of my experience. There are far more knowledgeable people on here than I

bpicinc Loc: Zwolle, LA. Toledo Bend

FS Digest wrote:

I'm new to fishing and I'm mostly using small crankbaits or top water lures.

I'm wondering if bigger fish just ignore these small lures because it's not worth their energy going after it, and do I need bigger lures?

Will small fish go after bigger lures?

--
by DilD1

I've caught big bass on a small lure and small bass on a large lure

DC Loc: Washington state

Papa Jack wrote:

I have been told to catch a large fish you need a large lure I for one do not believe this is true. A couple of years ago I caught my largest bass of the year on the smallest spinner I own. The same year I caught a bluegill on a popper that there was now way he could have got in his mouth. I’m posting a picture of a buddy of mine catching a shiner on a crank bait from last September. Just a little of my experience. There are far more knowledgeable people on here than I

wow nice picture. Did you mount that fish for your Den

DoryMan Loc: Southern Maine

Was trolling for landlocked salmon with a salmon streamer, about the size of my pinkie, on East Grand Lake in Maine. It was taken by a bass the size of my index finger.

Harris T. Fudpucker Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Poppa J, you have me beat! I have taken a blue gill on a bait that was as large as it was. He hit is so hard, all three treble hooks were inside his mouth.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Match the hatch. If the hatch is 12 inch perch, go for it. if the hatch is 1 inch bass fry, go for it.

J.P. Backlash Loc: Portage Wisconsin

I have caught Northern Pike on baits 1/3rd the size of the fish. So, they will take big baits. I have caught nice Bass on tiny crank-baits too... I prefer to mix it up. When I'm exploring, I have several very small crank baits that I use. When I am targeting, I use a bait that has caught those species previously...

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

FS Digest wrote:

I'm new to fishing and I'm mostly using small crankbaits or top water lures.

I'm wondering if bigger fish just ignore these small lures because it's not worth their energy going after it, and do I need bigger lures?

Will small fish go after bigger lures?

--
by DilD1

I’m a bass fisherman. I can answer about with lures / bass. Seems to be a 3 part question. First part answer is no. Bigger fish will not ignore small lures . Since you mentioned crankbaits I will tell you my personal best bass (10-1) was caught with a 5/8 ounce squarebill. My second biggest bass ( 9-4) was caught with a 1/2 ounce rat -l - trap . Not big lures at all.....Second part answer is no. You do not NEED bigger lures.....Third part answer is yes. Small fish will go after bigger lures. I know a lot of guys , including my self , that have caught fish with big lures, like a 10” bass using a 12”” worm. Bass have a tiny brain . They don’t over think it when it’s time to eat. If they see something they feel they can fit in their mouth , they go after it...My 2cents.

Proud2b

Elephants eat peanuts

Ugly fish Loc: W Penn

Season and weather have bearing also. Prespawn big bait=big fish, pre-freeze same. Easy big meal without much effort. Fish are instinctual so think about needs and season. Big and injured equals easy dinner and calories. Also big and crusing triggers territorial response in spring. Memorial Day thru Labor Day throw whatever matches the water conditions.

My opinion

Billycrap2 Loc: Mason county,W(BY GOD) Virginia, 🇺🇸🦅

Chuck56 wrote:

I’m a bass fisherman. I can answer about with lure... (show quote)

Grandpa Knows How Loc: OC, California

I've caught 10 lb. fish on 1/8 and 1/4 oz beetle spinner lures and tiny fish on 3 3/4 inch Rapala's on several occasions
Depends more on fish's appetite and voracity.