Although I have a small fortune wrapped up in tackle and rods, I don't think you need expensive equipment to start. I would start by following some advice on here but don't be too hard on yourself. The thing that helped me most when I started
, is to stop reading how to fish and start reading about the fish. You will gain more about learning how the fish move and what there primary forage is on different lakes then you will watching videos on how they catch fish in other lakes. It could hurt you if nothing else, you will think your not doing something right or not using the right tackle and so on. Instead of going fishing one day. Walk as much of the lake you usually fish and see what kind of bait is swimming around, are there crawfish,? Is it primarily shad? Then go find a couple baits that resemble your lakes primary food. If they are spawning learn what they bed in. If it is post spawn go to the first drop off off the flat, summer go find some offshore structure, fall go to the backs of creeks. I kind of think they move shallow, deep, shallow, deep starting with spring, summer, fall, winter. If that makes any sense. I don't post on to many subjects but I remember how frustrating it was starting out. Hang in there you'll get it.
