It is hard to argue those numbers but I have had a different experience in my waters.
One instance I was fishing A gin clear rocky reservoir with lots of fishing pressure.UL rod #4 line,hence you tend to loose a few lures to the rocks.Anyway thought I had a hit,but ended up snagged in the rocks......or so I thought,line parted and I tied on a new rubber worm.Less then 10 min later,same senko style worm and color,same spot I get hit,set the hook and kept it out of the rocks to land it.Care to guess what else was in that fishes mouth...............a pumpkin colored senko,with a red gamagatsu hook and about 6 inches of #4 line.
In my personal pond we clipped fins on fish over 20" for over 3 years.I also took notes on where and what baits we used,water conditions etc.I have since re caught quite a few of these fish and at times I will fish only for them,going on my notes locations etc.Most times 1 or 2 will be tricked into taking a similar bait,just in a bigger size
I can drop a 5" worm in spots where I have caught these fish more then once for days with no luck.Switch to a 7-10" and chances are good I'll find one of our big guys.
What I have found is the bigger fish do get smarter,but in the sense that they dont like to waste energy on a small meal.I personally feel that they have a instinct that lets them know they will expend more energy then it is worth at times on small meals.
Granted none of this is by any means scientific,just stuff I've figured out to work for me on my pond over 20 years or so.
If I want to try for a big fish,I throw big baits,if I'm just fishing I throw normal baits.
I actually wonder how big feed trained bass will get solely on feed?and if there is a point where they prefer forage fish over feed etc.
Sorry for the long post but the short of it is dont worry and have fun fishing for them.
