How To Deal With Complete Beginners?

[aavery2]

I taught myself. I disliked getting skunked so I did research on how to catch fish.

Cool, I respect that.  So what your saying is that it would be better to just blow him off and tell him to do a little research?

[CPBassFishing]

Cool, I respect that.  So what your saying is that it would be better to just blow him off and tell him to do a little research?

not at all! I was just saying that I could not relate because nobody taught me

[flyfisher]

I taught myself. I disliked getting skunked so I did research on how to catch fish.

 

Nobody teaches themselves or i should say very few.....you may not have had a person out there with you but you read articles and read posts on here all of which are written by somebody else.

 

I can also relate to not wanting people to use up your gear, especially when you can't just go out and buy gear whenever you want.  To me even the most expensive soft plastic bait is less than a dollar, except maybe frogs or swimbatis, so it is worth it to get someone into the sport.  I try and help out others as much as possible and have been on a few float trips with my dad and older brother where i gave them the crankbaits that seemed to be working while i tried to figure out another pattern which helped me to become a more versatile angler in the process.

[aavery2]

not at all! I was just saying that I could not relate because nobody taught me

Sure they did, who do you think put all the time into providing that information that  you  researched?  They shared it with you and anyone else who was interested.  

You did take the action to find out for yourself, but why make a friend go through the same thing, share with him what you were able to learn.

[CPBassFishing]

Point taken. I will do that. I just got a text from him saying he got all the stuff I wrote on the list. Hopefully he can catch his first bass next weekend.

[aavery2]

Point taken. I will do that. I just got a text from him saying he got all the stuff I wrote on the list. Hopefully he can catch his first bass next weekend.

 

There you go!    I bet you will be as excited as him when he hooks that first nice one.

[BassAddict1911]

just be patient with him and try to teach him slowly ... you were a beginner once too, try to remember how you were taught, and do the same with him.

[coryn h. fishowl]

The Walmarts around here have nifty $20 matzuo M action spinning combos, or some 2 ball bearing reel and 6'6" ugly stik would be great. After a few particularly conductive trips, provided you have taught him more about tackle so this won't be so overwhelming, plan a "trip" to your nearest cabelas. I've turned a cou[le friends onto fishing and it never fails to amuse me, the look when their eyes glaze over after that first step into cabelas or BP. No, the other BP.  BTW 12 pound test low vis trilene and some Texas rigs will be good nuff for now. Most importantly, if he is having a bad day with bass, just to keep him from souring over with fishing, go after some bluegill, and teach him how to fillet them. After some fried blue's he might want not to catch bass on the next trip.

[SirSnookalot]

I taught myself. I disliked getting skunked so I did research on how to catch fish.

Very few people teach themselves how to fish, many of us old timers learned from our dad's and grandfathers.  We had no internet, Walmarts and BPS and much of our tackle was purchased at the little tackle shop at the boat ramp or livery, as well as getting some local knowledge.  The wealth of information in just couple of hours of on line surfing is incredible.  That said, all the research in the world doesn't beat time on the water.

[SissySticks]

I am a prep-school teacher, and as a white-collar worker with a boat, I take a lot of fishing newbies (and their sons/daughters) fishing. When there is a kid in the boat with me, I don't fish at all except to use their rod (usually one of mine, but the one they are using) to show them how to do something. I drive the boat, run the trolling motor, and instruct. I'm the guide. As others have said, I'm paying back the countless hours that my father, grandfather, uncles, older bass club members, tackle shop owners, and countless other adults that had no relation to me nor any real reason to help me paid forward for me in my first 15 years of bass fishing. Teach a kid to fish-- you'll be glad you did.

[Lil'skeeter]

CP, Package is on it's way. There should be enough to share with your friend.   The packaged hard baits were purchased in the late 60's or early 70's.....    you may want to put them on the shelf. Enjoy!