Something I notice about this thread is that no one has said that they started off the old fashion way...nightcrawlers!!! Remember live bait???!! lol
Yes I know they are not "fish specific" and you catch about everything a lake has to offer on them (including the occasional snapper turtle) but it taught me how to cast with an assorment of reels, how to take it easy on your bait and not belly flop it and how to handle the different styles of fish there are (i.e. don't stick your fingers in a Catfishs mouth).
I think when a person is young nightcrawlers and shiners are a great way to learn, with or without a bobber. Let the young fishermen experiment and build their resume as they move along in their career.
Anyway now I fish with anything that will catch a fish. I am more confident in plastics like Senko and grubs with a spinner tail, but I have used cranks and poppers, as well as the occasional spinner to haul in bass.
EB
