New To Bass Looking For Some Help

[FishingJunkie92]

I am a very avid fisherman, I am 20 years old I've been fishing since I was a kid. I do a lot of fishing for Steelhead, panfish, carp, and catfish. I try for bass and do okay. But bass fishing is by far my favorite next to Steelhead, but the problem is I don't know much about it.

I am from Ohio and fish Rivers, Streams and Inland lakes. I am seeking help on how to approach them, where they are at what times of year and best lures and baits and the best time to use them etc. I have rooster tails, tube jigs, spinner baits, and some other rubbers. I am just looking to get into more because I enjoy is so much, but I do not know much about it. Any info would be great.

If anyone could recommend me a good combo (I was think a St.Croix rod and a Revo reel) that would be great.

I am look forward to getting info and hopefully soon I will be one Bad A@# Bass Fisherman and slaying them where ever I go.

Thanks,

Jeremy

[Shane J]

Welcome! If you've got questions, you've come to the right place. I would recommend just doing some reading in the articles section, then read through the vast library of informative threads in the forums section. All the info you need (and more) to really get you going, is right here.

[Shewillbemine]

Yes, read ALL the articles in this forum and look for plenty more on the internet. I suggest picking up books and magazines on the subject (shoot, just borrow from the library to save you money).

My suggestion is to pick 1-2 types of lures so that you can focus on the necessary techniques to be successful. A crankbait can keep your interest and there's also active action with jigs and spinnerbaits. If you've got the patience, plastic worms are great lures for bass but you've got to fish them SLOWLY.

Good luck and have fun!

[roadwarrior]

Start here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_articles.html

[jignfule]

Read & watch as much as you can. Some T.V. shows can be very imformative, while others you may consider a waste of time. You will learn fast the ones that are worth watching.This forum is great with it's associated articles and videos. Only way to really learn is going out and doing it. Please note that it is probably not too late to "get out of it now" The best way to prevent ADDICTION is to get away from it in the early stages obviously too late for the "not even once" approach. Have fun!!!

[Curved]

Welcome to the forum!

Finding the bass is more difficult than catching them. After you find them, a 4" dropshot worm, 5" sinko, and a jig with a crawfish trailer will catch almost any bass with a mouth.

Finding them is difficult because of the changing seasons, differing climates, changing weather, and different types of water. In a deep lake around here, right now the bass will be on the bottom of the lake next to a tree, a rock, or a spring.

Without sonar finding bass is more difficult. Especially in cool weather when their ambush range is small. It just takes a lot of patience. Good luck!

[FishingJunkie92]

Thanks guys, I am going to pick up some books and do some reading and hopefully be doing good come spring.

Jeremy

[Curved]

Thanks guys, I am going to pick up some books and do some reading and hopefully be doing good come spring.

Jeremy

Just saw this in another thread and reading your post reminded me of it: Don't worry about the books unless you're stumped on a particular situation. Just go out there and put lures in as much real estate of water as you can until you start getting bites.

If you don't know where to start, the simplest tackle I know is a #1 dropshot/octopus hook, 8 lb mono, some splitshot, and a bag of green stickbaits like yum dingers. Fish them wacky, dropshot, or splitshot. Try with just a 1" chunk instead of the whole thing. I've caught some fish with all of the above configurations. Just pick one way and keep trying new spots all day until you've found them.

[FishingJunkie92]

Just saw this in another thread and reading your post reminded me of it: Don't worry about the books unless you're stumped on a particular situation. Just go out there and put lures in as much real estate of water as you can until you start getting bites.

If you don't know where to start, the simplest tackle I know is a #1 dropshot/octopus hook, 8 lb mono, some splitshot, and a bag of green stickbaits like yum dingers. Fish them wacky, dropshot, or splitshot. Try with just a 1" chunk instead of the whole thing. I've caught some fish with all of the above configurations. Just pick one way and keep trying new spots all day until you've found them.

Thanks, I have some bass gear, I just need to get out there and test it now. I see what you are saying about the books.

Jeremy

[FishingJunkie92]

I was also given this info.....

Spring - jerkbaits, lipless cranks, jigs and shakey head

Post-spawn - shallow cranks, jigs, frogs over the lily pads

Dead of summer - drop shot and jigs in the channel during the day, frogs over the pads morning and evening

Fall - jerkbaits, shallow cranking, swim jigs

What do y'all think?

Jeremy

[Christian M]

Don't over complicate your start in bass fishing. I remember wanting to start bass fishing after my buddy bought his first bass boat. I went to & bought a cheap bass kit, my buddy chuckled & said he'd help.

My advice to you would be go get a decent spinning rod & reel combo, some 10lb flourocarbon, a couple bags of 4-5" senko (stick style) baits, & some 3/0 size EWG HOOKS. After that learn how to texas rig a worm & just go get that bait in the water. I wouldn't use any weights until you learn how to detect a strike without the weight. I would say forget the books and read as many articles on this site as possible. Welcome & good luck!

[FishingJunkie92]

Don't over complicate your start in bass fishing. I remember wanting to start bass fishing after my buddy bought his first bass boat. I went to & bought a cheap bass kit, my buddy chuckled & said he'd help.

My advice to you would be go get a decent spinning rod & reel combo, some 10lb flourocarbon, a couple bags of 4-5" senko (stick style) baits, & some 3/0 size EWG HOOKS. After that learn how to texas rig a worm & just go get that bait in the water. I wouldn't use any weights until you learn how to detect a strike without the weight. I would say forget the books and read as many articles on this site as possible. Welcome & good luck!

I have 2 spinning set ups now. a Guide Series 7 foot MH Rod with a Shimano Sedona 2500 with 2 spools of 6 and 8 pound, and a Berkeley Ugly Stick UL with a Shimano Sedona 1500 and a bunch of gear.

I have some top water and divers, a bunch of soft baits like works and craw fish, about 8 spinner baits and like 2 crankbaits. I need some more cranks and shallow divers and top waters. I am going to read up on how and where to use them. I am also going to get a Shimano Codura and 2 rods for it so I can use one rod for strictly bass and one for muskie until I can afford another bait reel for just muskie.

And ya I agree forget books, I can get everything I need of this forum:) I just needed a push and guidance I guess lol

Jeremy

[CoBass]

My suggestion is to pick 1-2 types of lures so that you can focus on the necessary techniques to be successful. A crankbait can keep your interest and there's also active action with jigs and spinnerbaits. If you've got the patience, plastic worms are great lures for bass but you've got to fish them SLOWLY.

Good luck and have fun!

This is some great advice. When I first started bass fishing I started off throwing two different baits, lipless cranks and spinnerbaits. I could cover a lot of water and they were easy to fish. They also taught me where fish were more likely to be holding so that when I moved onto other presentations I was able to eliminate the less productive areas. Concentrating on a few baits at a time also forced me to put in the time to get better at each one instead of just throwing a bunch of different baits that I didn't have confidence in and hoping for the best. I'm sure others have had different experiences but this is what worked for me.

[SirSnookalot]

The more time spent fishing the more you will be acquainted with your waters and learn the nuances of different species and what is needed to catch them. Fishing for fun I use only rods, reels and a few artificial lures that give me pleasure, anything else I may use is just for a change of pace. There is a plethora of good info regarding various baits and how to rig and work them, an excellent starting point, but nothing replaces personal experience.

[FishingJunkie92]

That is the one thing that I do not know is where they like to hang out and what times of year the are in what type of areas.

Jeremy

[roadwarrior]

You should probably stick with steelhead or other species you have had success with this

time of year. Winter is probably not the best time to target bass in your part of the country.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

You should probably stick with steelhead or other species you have had success with this

time of year. Winter is probably not the best time to target bass in your part of the country.

X's 2. Sounds like good advice. I haven't caught a bass in the last 3 or 4 times Ive been out. Been catching some nice trout though.

[FishingJunkie92]

You should probably stick with steelhead or other species you have had success with this

time of year. Winter is probably not the best time to target bass in your part of the country.

I am just getting info so I am ready for spring I love Steelhead in the late fall, winter, and early spring. But I want to fish Bass and Muskie in the Rivers and Inland Lakes the rest of the year. I know Muskie Can be fished all year round, and bass would be great to go after in fall and spring and summer.

Jeremy

[wademaster1]

read and watch everything you can; also, go with anyone you can to learn by hands on experiences; good luck and keep us posted on your success

[retiredbosn]

Inn the articles section of this site you will find a wealth of info, including how to get stated in bass fishing. You live in smallmouth heaven, although most articles you read are about largemouth, the same technique will work on the smallies as well. Besides no largemouth will fight as much as a smallie. Pound to pound one of the best freshwater fighters out there

[jhoffman]

I dont see a jig on your list or techniques. I would hide everything till you learn to fish jigs. In my mind it is the number one lure in the bass world. As evidence, look how many jig companies their are, look at all the baits that revolve around jigging... jigs are the biggest staple to learn.

I have a buddy I fish with, says he never fishes jigs because he doesnt catch anything on them in this specific lake. He also claims that finding big fish in the same lake is really tough. In that same lake I weekly put fish in my boat near the 5lb mark but I have confidence in jigs. I dont just throw it once and decide it doesnt work and pick up a frog cause frogn is fun.

Jigs are boring most of the time, theres nothing to see, you get hung up... but when its on, its on.