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Fall 2026
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when he needs that one big bite during a tournament day. Sometimes a big bass won’t react to anything else, and by throwing that big bait, you can take an average day on the water and turn it into a great one.
This mentality isn’t Carl’s alone, as other top-level tournament anglers will throw a big bait to get the kicker bite they need. But one of the things that sets Carl apart from other anglers is that he’ll throw it when no one else is fishing it.
“If the water clarity and the lake set up right, I’ll throw my glide even if it is a little bit too cold, or too warm, or the bass may be deeper, I’m just giving them the something else to look at,” he said.
KNOW WHEN TO PUT IT DOWN
When fishing big baits, you don’t want to have a “sink or swim” mentality. Meaning, you don’t want to lock that glide bait or big swimbait in your hand and go with it all day, if you aren’t getting bites. Carl’s mentality is that if you aren’t getting bumps or follows on your bait, the bite is not going to happen, and it is time to put it down. But if he sees some reactions and activity on his glide bait, he’ll keep it in his hand and look for that big bite.
“A few years ago on Chick, the big females were setting up by laydowns getting ready to spawn, and on day one I caught 25-pounds on a glide bait and was leading the event, as the conditions were right,” he said. “Then that evening the temperatures dropped, and Day Two of the tournament, it was calm, and sunny, and the bites weren’t coming, I lost a five and seven. I dropped down after the second day, and looking back, that is 100 percent a time I should’ve put down the glide bait and gone with something else.”
CARL’S BIG BAIT GEAR SETUP
His most productive big bait is a Storm Arashi Swimmer.
“It is what I’ve caught the most bass on, yes I catch them on custom glides, but the biggest and most bass I have caught is on the Arashi,” he said.
For colors, Carl will use more transparent colors when the water is clearer, then more solid, high-viz colors when the water is stained. He opts for 22-pound-test Sunline Big Bait FC Fluorocarbon line.
“Every bait is different, so you need to play around and see if you are tying direct to the bait (preferred), or if you need to use a snap or snap and swivel,” he shared.
He throws his on a Millerods Dream Freak 7’10” rod and a Shimano Tranx 300 5.8:1 gear-ratio reel.
“No matter what glide bait, or big paddle tail swimbait I’m fishing, the gear I use is the same, this way I know exactly how to work my bait and then land the fish,” he said.
LEBRUN LOOKS FOR RISING WATER
Bass Pro Tour pro Nick LeBrun also likes throwing big baits for bass when the conditions dictate.
“One of my favorite times to throw the Bucca Baits Trick Shad is when I’m on a lake that has a lot of big bass in it, and when the water has recently jumped up six to twelve inches,” said Nick. “It really seems like those big bass seem to move
up with that rising water and they’ll chase down a big bait then.”
READING BIG-BAIT REACTIONS WITH FFS
In the past, anglers had to rely on just their eyes to see how bass would react to a big bait, but now, with forward- facing sonar (FFS), anglers can see how a bass reacts to their bait on their electronics screen.
“I’m always keeping an eye on my FFS to see what retrieve and speed the bass are liking, said. LeBrun. “I’ll cast my Trick Shad out to a high percentage spot (even without seeing one) then just watch it come back. The information derived from that fish’s reaction, helps me put together my game plan for that day of fishing.
“You need to commit to it, throw it for two hours with commitment. You’re not going to catch ten fish a day on it, but you might have three for 18-pounds.”
NICK’S BIG BAIT GEAR SETUP
An eight-inh Bucca Brand Trick Shad (8”) is Nick’s go-to big bait when going after big bass. As for color , he keeps it simple with a Matte Shad for clear water and Glimmer Bone for stained water. He ties to 25-pound Sunline Sniper FC Fluorocarbon and uses a 7’6” Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) Taction Bass Rod.
As you head out on the water this fall, be aware of the conditions you are facing and when fishing a big bait could help you put that big bass in your tournament limit. Or, if you are fun fishing, it could help you put together a monumental day of catching big bass on big baits. •
Photo: Nick LeBrun