Rebuilding Tacklebox

[Dogman65]

Hi all,

 

I'm a new member, although I've been reading the articles, viewing the films and reading the boards for some time.  I just bought a new bassboat after having been out of the game since 2003.  Since I'm now semi-retired I have more time and decided to jump back in.   I had a pretty nice collection of tackle and rods but sold much of it when I sold my boat.  I have a few rods with some older reels much of which are serviceable.  However I need to buy a new worm rod and reel and I have zero tackle.  I am armed and ready with a $500.00 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops and some cash to back it up if needed.  What I'm asking (and I know it's alot) is for some suggestions for getting started on tackle.  There are a number of new things on the market I've no experience with and I've forgotton much of the stuff I did have experience with.  This site has been incredibly helpful and has much of the info I need but it's pretty spread out and I have trouble keeping track, even with reviewing films and posts and making a list.   Anyway, I know this could turn into a huge list and I'm asking alot.  I would just like to get as much info as I can in one place before trying to start from zero again.   

 

If it helps I live in Central Kentucky and the lakes here are a mixed bag.  I live 5 miles from a deep narrow rocky lake (Herrington Lake) and 30 minutes from a shallow lake with alot of standing timber and man-made structure (Cedar Creek Lake).  Herrington is the oldest man-made lake in Ky (impounded in 20's) and used for power generation.  Cedar Creek is the newest lake in Ky (or second newest at 10 years), fairly shallow and purpose built for trophy bass (lots of standing timber and man-made structure).

 

I completely understand if this is too overwhelming for one post or one person to try and list...I expect it could turn into a very long job to list it.  Any info regarding this even in the most general of lists would be fantastic.

 

Thanks in advance

[Felix77]

Pm me. I have something that might help.

[roadwarrior]

Rods

 

For enthusiasts, technique specific gear is fun
to collect. However, three rigs cover all the
basics:

#1 6 1/2' or 7' MH baitcaster for jigs, some 
soft plastics and spinnerbaits

#2 6 1/2' or 7' MM baitcaster for treble hook 
lures

#3 7' MF spinning rod for lighter lures and a 
variety of techniques

 

Reels

Baitcaster:  Shimano Curado 50E

Spinning: Shimano CI4

 

Lures

water

Zara Spook

Sammy

PopMax

Rage Tail Menace

Rage Shad

MegaStrike Cavitron

 

Frog

Booyah Pad Crasher

Rage Tail Toad

 

Jerkbait

Smithwick Rogue

LC Pointer

 

Spinnerbait

MegaStrike Strike Back

Cosmic Spinnerbait  (Siebert Outdoors)

NorthStar Custom Baits Hidden Weight

 

Shallow

Norman Fat Boy

LC RC 2.5

Lazy Ike

GYCB Kreature

 

4'-8'

KVD Red Eye Shad

Bomber Fat Free Shad

Cotton Cordell G ay Blade

 

8'-16'

Rapala DT

DD22

Sworming Hornet/ LFT Live Magic Shad

 

Jigs

MegaStrike Evolution

Siebert Outdoors Big O & Storm Series

NorthStar Custom Baits Original Swim Jig & Hairy Jig

 

Trailers

Rage Tail Menace

Rage Single Tail Grub

Rage Baby Craw, Craw & Lobster

MegaStrike MegaBug

 

Soft Plastics

Rage Tail: Space Monkey, Smokin' Rooster, Hawg, Eeliminator, Ananconda & Thumper

GYCB: Senko & Fat Ika

MegaStrike MegaBug

 

Soft Swimbaits

MegaStrike Fat Shad

Yum Money Minnow

LFT Live Magic Shad

Shadalicious

Berkley Hollow Belly

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[Dogman65]

Thanks guys,

 

That list should help quite a bit.  It's literally been 10 years and I've forgotton alot plus there is so much new stuff.

[Sundance]

The spring classic sale is going on at bass pro through march 10th so you should be able to get alot of tackle for $500. BPS also has a rod and reel trade in where you trade old rods and get money of of a new one.

[Dogman65]

Ya that sale will be nice if I can get to the store in time....still waiting for the gift cert. in the mail.  Either way it's still money I didn't have before and should get me a good start.  I had no idea of the rod trade in deal....nice.

[bassh8er]

For plastics a great start would be the below baits:

Zoom Finesse worm

Zoom Trick worm

Zoom fluke

Zoom Baby Brush hog

Berkeley 7"owner worm

1/4 - 3/4 oz. jigs (Northstar and Siebert)

These are only suggestions, and although I prefer Zoom baits, you can find a lot of knockoffs of these style baits from various manufacturers. Of all these baits, I feel like the Trick Worm is the most versatile and can be fished a variety of depths and speeds to match various water charities, depths and temperatures.

The power worm is a classic and still performs as well as any other curl tail worm on the market.

I've fished a variety of mass produced jigs, but since using Northstar and Siebert, I was too impressed with their quality and colors to try any other jigs.

*****HINT******. Don't go crazy on colors when you're starting out and start with old standbys that work in a variety if water colors; I prefer black and green pumpkin.

I'd rather have 2 different colors of 5 different baits versus 5 different colors of 2 different baits.q

[Blues19]

I agree with bassh8er I would stick with a few colors. I would go Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Red, and Black with red glitter. Roadwarrior had a nice list of things. I would make sure to get some shakey head stuff. I  like the Spot Remover jig heads, but I would also get some shakey head jig heads with a wide gap.  For plastics I would get Brush Hogs, Baby Brush hogs, FInesse Worms and Trick worms.

[jhoffman]

The spring classic sale is going on at bass pro through march 10th so you should be able to get alot of tackle for $500. BPS also has a rod and reel trade in where you trade old rods and get money of of a new one.

 

Not true on the rods and reels. The reels were a three day event as are the rods.

[Dogman65]

Thanks again...this stuff is a big help.

[roadwarrior]

One more thought...Don't spend all your money all at once, get a few items and build your collection over time.

Unless you are set on a baitcasting rig already, I recommend starting with spinning tackle, it's easier to use when

you are starting out.

 

For baits and lures, right now the Red Eye Shad and Smithwick Rogue are red hot!  Your soft plastics might be

a bag of GYCB 5" Senko, Fat Ika, Rage Tail Grubs & Menace. I think a Zara Spook and Pop'R for topwater, a

couple of spinnerbaits and a Norman Fat Boy should do it for now.

 

 

[Dogman65]

Pm me. I have something that might help.

Got it and thank you!