How to get reluctant bass to strike?

[Mykester]

Today I was out on the water at a small CA on a kayak. Below me (crystal clear water) I saw the biggest largemouth of my life, it looked like a decent sized carp. I was using a mepps and threw it at his face, but he didn't seem to notice and swam away. Fast forward about an hour and a half later, I see a smaller sized bass but still huge, and this time I'm using a chartreuse king spinner, and this guy is also reluctant to bite. I also saw lots of schools, one had 5 bass in the 2 - 3 pound range. It was about 4 feet of water, weedy, overcast with a bunch of on and off rain, albeit the water was really warm. How would I go on about forcing these guys to strike? I was thinking leeches.

 

[MikeyMikey]

down size lure, softbait and slow down. that is all.

 

[Mykester]

Downsizing a #2 mepps?

 

[openfire]

Senko.

 

[reefrunner]

Agreed. The baits you were using are more for active fish; they are fast moving and vibrant. Slow down your presentation. Sinking worms (senkos, yum dingers, etc.) is you best bet when the bite is slow. I like using a wide gap hook and rigging it texas so it's weedless. Just cast it out and it will SLOWLY sink to the bottom; most strikes happen on the drop.

Another technique is pitching a flipping jig, add a pork trailer, and casting it in front of the bass. Let it rest on bottom and shake it up a and down about 6inches, set the hook when you feel a little presure.

Finally, you can try drop-shotting a 3inch gulp minnnow if they are sitting a little off bottom.

Key here is all theses techniques are slower in their presentation.

 

[rcflores]

use a worm or a minnows thats the best bait ever and no plastic bait can beat that

 

[curious_hook]

Soft baits are your best bet, try the more natural looking colours in clear water. If its an extremely big bass, try an extremely big bait 8)