I think more of it comes down to putting a good bait in front of a fish than the size of the bait. If the bait triggers a fish's natural instinct to strike, it's going to strike, regardless of the size.

Why else would a 2" smallmouth hit a jerkbait that's three times longer than he is?

Why else would a bluegill attack a big D&L Spinnerbait that would tear its insides to pieces trying to digest?

Why else would that big muskie I caught back on Green go for such a puny little 5/8 ounce jig?

Why do monster smallies on Dale Hollow munch down on 1/32 oz float-n-fly jigs like a fat kid on halloween candy?

Natural instincts as a predator.

Let's say I go to Texas Roadhouse...and I'm hungry enough to eat the north end of a southbound skunk...I can get just as full by eating two six ounce sirloins as eating one big ole cowboy cut. But, whether it's a six ounce sirloin or a cowboy cut, they both look good to me, and either one could get eaten.

I have a good friend that makes a "musky" spinnerbait. It's no bigger than a normal bass spinnerbait...one that I'd throw in a creek even...it has a wire leader built into it. He methodically slings the fire out of it and catches major musky about as regular as anyone I know. The bonus: He also catches nice bass along the way. I don't know about you, but if the muskie is a "fish of a thousand casts" those bass in between would sure help break up the monotony!