Totally New To Bass Fishing, Help!

[CountBassula]

Well, I'm not exactly totally new, but it's been a looooong time since I fished, and just got back into it recently (though I've done some Ocean fishing in the last 6 years in FL). So I have some comments and questions about types of tackle I should get for bass fishing in Florida canals, lakes, ponds, etc.

Let me start by saying what I have and use right now: 2 rods, Hurricane 6'6" Light action 10lbs braided 8lbs leader. Hurricane 7' Medium Heavy 20lbs braided and leader. The baits I used before are Senkos, 4 inch black, TX rigged (though on weights on the line, just hook).

I picked up few baits the other day (see pic below); basically few funny colored fish, some that float, some that sink. 2 poppers, and that's it. I have no idea what else to use except Senko.

Now, I figured I should check out what kind of little critters live in my area (lizards, frogs, etc) and get bait that looks as much as what local bass can have for dinner, right? There's a reason why I say this: few months ago I was working on my pool screen, or what was left of it, and I took a part off. Underneath it were 20 or so little frogs. Being the nice guy that I am, I picked them up and decided to throw them in a canal behind my house... the first frog hit the water, swam maybe 5 inches, and immediately a fish came up and ate it. I let the rest just hop off on the grass... ANYWAYS, this gave me an idea that I should get some 1-2 inch long black/brown frogs as lures (fish in my canal sure like them ).

Also, are top water lures a good idea here? I used to fish in upstate NY on a lake back in HS and College and I remember catching 10-15 Bass in a matter of few hours on a dinky little jitter bug that was maybe 1.5 inches long; at the same lake Daredevil never failed me (a spook painted red and white).

I'm also thinking about a lizard looking bait for top water (?). But I think I test my theory first, that is I'll catch a few of those boogers around my backyard and throw them in the canal (I know they can swim well, tested that in my pool once, i know i'm cruel) and see if they last longer than the poor frog from 2 paragraphs above :-) I also hear that bass love Crawfish, so I'm thinking about few rubber ones rigged TX style just like my Senkos.

Sorry about a long post, but I'm really puzzled by what I should get. I know some of you will say to just try them all out, but I honestly don't have time to fish that often, maybe once a week on weekends, so I would really appreciate tips and/or links to tackle, so I can get it quickly and be ready for the next trip.

Thanks!

Martin

[Ratherbfishing]

Welcome to bass fishing (and may God have mercy on your soul)!

First thing: If your going to be a bass fisherman, you're going to have to get yourself a bigger tacklebox. jk (sort of).

Bass do not have to have seen a particular food item in order to want to eat it. So don't get hung up on that.

Find a selection of baits that covers the entire water column. That way, you are covered regardless of the locaton, depth, and mood of the fish.

As far as colors go, Buy some natural, brown, white or silver baits, some bright (chartreuse or otherwise) baits, and some dark blue, purple, and black baits.

If you are on a budget, stay away from the really cheapo baits that you'll end up replacing anyway, and stay away from baits you can't afford to fish (and lose).

This should be a good start.

[BassinLou]

Welcome back to bass fishing!! The best advice I can give you it to utilize this website for the articles and videos. I have been bass fishing for a while and I am still learning and getting ideas from the videos and articles. Not to mention from fellow anglers on this website. Sorry, i could not be more specific, but you will see once you see what I am talking about.

[LgMouthGambler]

OK, since you live by me I will give you some tips. Go to BPS in Dania and pick up a pack of 5/0 Magna EWG 25ct, a pack of 1/32 oz bullet weights, some Humpin toads, some Zoom lizards, Zoom baby brush hawgs, Zoom ultra vibe speed worms. I cant tell you how to fish them, but I can lead you to the ways.

[CountBassula]

OK, since you live by me I will give you some tips. Go to BPS in Dania and pick up a pack of 5/0 Magna EWG 25ct, a pack of 1/32 oz bullet weights, some Humpin toads, some Zoom lizards, Zoom baby brush hawgs, Zoom ultra vibe speed worms. I cant tell you how to fish them, but I can lead you to the ways.

Cool! I already have some of this stuff (mainly hooks, and senkos with tails and similar rubber goodies). Any particular colors I should stick with?

[LgMouthGambler]

Cool! I already have some of this stuff (mainly hooks, and senkos with tails and similar rubber goodies). Any particular colors I should stick with?

Watermelon chart., Watermelon red, junebug, black, and maybe some purple.

[roadwarrior]

You guys should get together for a day. I fish with a bunch of guys around here.

[LgMouthGambler]

You guys should get together for a day. I fish with a bunch of guys around here.

I offered in a prior post. Heck even Bass Ninja was nice enough to take me out when I was in SC on Lake Murray. We had a good ole time. Some good people on this site.

[CountBassula]

I offered in a prior post. Heck even Bass Ninja was nice enough to take me out when I was in SC on Lake Murray. We had a good ole time. Some good people on this site.

And I gladly accept the offer! Let me get the lures you mentioned and we can definitely come out some weekend soon! BTW, I'll be going fishing this Friday most likely, and possibly Sunday too :-)

[SirSnookalot]

Some great info, LMG is the most accurate. In South Florida canals and ponds we don't deal with much of a water column, many of my canals are but a few feet deep and they hold some nice fish. I fish these ponds and canals nearly everyday. I keep things real simple, if I can fish an area using exposed hooks, which is always my first choice, I'm using a shallow running jerkbait, if it's one of the main canals that are deeper, I'll use something that dives a bit deeper. I'll have 1 on my rod and a backup in my pocket, have a topwater with me too. Most likely I will encounter water that I must fish weedless, I have a pack of flukes in my pocket with a couple of extra hooks..........that's it, I have nothing else with me. Not to say there are days when I choose to fish only senkos, jigs and bottom baits, but those are pretty rare for me, great producers but I enjoy fishing moving baits more. Once you get a bit more adept at catching fish, that's a good time to expand your arsenal and try other things. Don't get ahead of yourself, your in Florida, we have great fish here, just let it happen, and it will.

[Sam]

Mvorbrodt, hands on fishing experiences are an excellent method to learn how to fish for those little green monsters.

You also need to educate your self.

Start by reading the articles on this site. Check out the New Bass Members Sites to Join in the Introduction section of the Forum.

Look for books and DVDs on bass fishing.

Suscribe to bass magazine publications.

Join B.A.S.S. and/or FLW and receive their magazines.

Check out the pros sites. Go to www.woodaves.com for some excellent beginner articles from a Bassmaster Classic Champion.

Consider joining a bass club.

Register at Bass Pro Shops and start receiving their catalogs. Do the same for Cabela's.

We can give you only so much information. You will have to decide which techniques you have confidence and the most productive baits you use.

As for your equipment, for spinning I suggest a 7-foot medium heavy fast action spinning rod with a 2500 size spinning reel. Do not go over 12 pound test. 8 pound flourocarbon is a good option for a spinning rod. Try YoZuri Ultra.

And one last suggestion: if the Bassmaters University has a seminar in your area please attend. Money well spent.

Good luck and post pics of those monsters you will be catching.

[CountBassula]

OK, since you live by me I will give you some tips. Go to BPS in Dania and pick up a pack of 5/0 Magna EWG 25ct, a pack of 1/32 oz bullet weights, some Humpin toads, some Zoom lizards, Zoom baby brush hawgs, Zoom ultra vibe speed worms. I cant tell you how to fish them, but I can lead you to the ways.

Very well! I ordered everything you mentioned as well as some jitter bugs, crawfish, and few other lures.

I'll be going fishing most likely Friday around noon, let me know if you want to meet up!

Martin

[LgMouthGambler]

Very well! I ordered everything you mentioned as well as some jitter bugs, crawfish, and few other lures.

I'll be going fishing most likely Friday around noon, let me know if you want to meet up!

Martin

Ordered? We have BPS here. I will be going tomorrow afternoon for the 5 day sale if you want to take a ride. Friday I am working, but Sunday morning I will be going to Church(Fishing) if interested.

[CountBassula]

Ordered? We have BPS here. I will be going tomorrow afternoon for the 5 day sale if you want to take a ride. Friday I am working, but Sunday morning I will be going to Church(Fishing) if interested.

yea ordered online. i hate going to big stores, plus it's ways off from where i live and work. it will probably not get here till next week but i have other lures to get me through the weekend.

i think sunday will work for me. let me know what time and where you're going and i'll let you know if i can join. btw do you have a boat or are you fishing from the banks?

[LgMouthGambler]

yea ordered online. i hate going to big stores, plus it's ways off from where i live and work. it will probably not get here till next week but i have other lures to get me through the weekend.

i think sunday will work for me. let me know what time and where you're going and i'll let you know if i can join. btw do you have a boat or are you fishing from the banks?

Just my walking shoes. Usually go out around 0700. Dont know where yet, depends on the weather.

[CountBassula]

Just my walking shoes. Usually go out around 0700. Dont know where yet, depends on the weather.

oh dear! 7am may be way too early for me :-) do you go fishing then church, or church then fishing? :-)

i have some guests coming over saturday night for some drinks so no way I can be up this early... perhaps some other time and day?

[LgMouthGambler]

oh dear! 7am may be way too early for me :-) do you go fishing then church, or church then fishing? :-)

i have some guests coming over saturday night for some drinks so no way I can be up this early... perhaps some other time and day?

Fishing is my Church, its my religion. Ill prob be up till midnight or later Sat night, but still going to fish in the AM. Catch up with me later on in the day.

[CountBassula]

Fishing is my Church, its my religion. Ill prob be up till midnight or later Sat night, but still going to fish in the AM. Catch up with me later on in the day.

LOL! I see! I'll PM you me contact and you can do the same. I'll contact you sunday when I'm ready to go out!

Martin

[BirdNestBen]

these are all good lures I've seen that have been posted... I fish down in Texas but I'm sure the stuff I use will work up there....

Sometimes you need to downsize and use like a small weight.. worm weight or split shot... w/ tx. rig worm... in high pressured situations or when a lot of moss is present.... Also, employ the drop shot rig in your arsenal... I also love lipless crankbaits... like the rapala rattlin rap.. and crankbaits KVD 1.5 and bomber fat free shad

As far as some soft plastics... I use Berkley powerworm.. blue fleck.... Gene Larew salt craw.. any color will work..... Shimmey Sticks... wal mart... watermelon... throw in a few spinnerbaits... booyah and terminator are great s.baits....

And my fav.. topwater.... Stanley Ribbit Frog.... Buzzbaits are often overlooked... but get A CAvitron buzzbait.. awesome in black red blade....

And maybe one of the top lures of all time.. right up there with senko...... zoom fluke watermelon seed....

If i had to choose only 3 lures to fish with the rest of my life.. would be powerworm, senko, fluke... cant catch em on this you just cant catch em