Bass Fishing Tackle

[Seth12]

I am probably the most inexperenced bass fisher and maybe fisher all together someone knows of. I can catfish that is about it. I want to bass fish though. I just bought a new baitcaster and rod it was 160$ for the pair for not a cheap set up. Has 20lb braided on the reel.

 

What type of hooks, lure, bait or just tackle in general would I need to fish for bass? If someone would help me so I know what to buy that would be great. 

[lmbfisherman]

Hi Welcome to the site, first off you should probably introduce yourself in the Introduction section.

 

As for your question, if you can let us know what the power/action of your rod is it would be helpful to explain what type of tackle you should be using.  It would be easier to narrow down what we can recommend to you.

 

Right off the bat though, I learned that it would be better for you to at least use 30lb test for braid and above on a BC reel.  When I first started I used down to 15lb test since I didn't know.  For some reason for the whole (last) season I didn't have an issue with the line digging in, but when I started using them this year I started to notice they are digging into the line and my cast would go awry.  It took some time to iron it out and it worked eventually (by letting the line out with a few long casts), but I'm in the process of changing to higher diameter braided line now for the two I had 15lb braid on.  I found my 30 lb test and above don't have that issue. 

[Seth12]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/118364-hello-everyone/

 is my introduction

 

and this is my rod and reel set up right now for my baitcaster.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Baitcast-Reel-Left-Hand-Retrive-Model-PQX10SLD/product/102287/

the 5:2 gear one

and the rod is 

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-Ugly-Stik-Trigger-Rod-7-MH/product/21815/

 

yes I only use ugly stiks because I have had 2 other rod brands break on me why cat fishing and never have had a ugly stik break.

 

The rod I may buy a different one but it will still be a 7' ugly stik.

 

As for the line I can respool the baitcaster with 30lb thats no big deal.

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/115987-need-some-immediate-help-with-tacklelures/?hl=+what

[lmbfisherman]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/118364-hello-everyone/

 is my introduction

 

and this is my rod and reel set up right now for my baitcaster.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Pro-Qualifier-Baitcast-Reel-Left-Hand-Retrive-Model-PQX10SLD/product/102287/

the 5:2 gear one

and the rod is 

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-Ugly-Stik-Trigger-Rod-7-MH/product/21815/

 

yes I only use ugly stiks because I have had 2 other rod brands break on me why cat fishing and never have had a ugly stik break.

 

The rod I may buy a different one but it will still be a 7' ugly stik.

 

As for the line I can respool the baitcaster with 30lb thats no big deal.

That rod would be a good all around rod.  Might not be very sensitive when using plastics, but the braided line would help.  Normally for an all purpose setup I would use a 6 gear ratio BC, but you should be able to use that reel.  Just won't be the most "ideal", anyway. 

 

Roadwarrior has given you a good link. 

 

As far as I would start off with -

 

Spinnerbaits - (Do a search around the boards to find out what would work best for you), My favorite colors are white and chartreuse.  Actually anything Chart for me!  I use 3/8 to 1/2.

3/0-5/0 EWG Hooks (For Texas Rigs)

Bullet Weights - 3/8-1/2 oz

Plastics - Worms any one should work fine, but I use Powerbait, Havoc Bottom Hoppers..I would keep it simple by starting off with 1 natural color (clear water) and dark color (for stained/murky water)

Frog or Buzzbait - Easiest Top waters to learn imo.  I use Booyah Buzzbaits and as for frogs I just grab whatever is on sale.

 

I'd start with this first and learn from the boards to continue building up your tackle/arsenal once you get comfortable with the above techniques.  The above tackle will also cover top, middle and bottom water.

[Seth12]

That rod would be a good all around rod.  Might not be very sensitive when using plastics, but the braided line would help.  Normally for an all purpose setup I would use a 6 gear ratio BC, but you should be able to use that reel.  Just won't be the most "ideal", anyway. 

 

Roadwarrior has given you a good link. 

 

As far as I would start off with -

 

Spinnerbaits - (Do a search around the boards to find out what would work best for you), My favorite colors are white and chartreuse.  Actually anything Chart for me!  I use 3/8 to 1/2.

3/0-5/0 EWG Hooks (For Texas Rigs)

Bullet Weights - 3/8-1/2 oz

Plastics - Worms any one should work fine, but I use Powerbait, Havoc Bottom Hoppers..I would keep it simple by starting off with 1 natural color (clear water) and dark color (for stained/murky water)

Frog or Buzzbait - Easiest Top waters to learn imo.  I use Booyah Buzzbaits and as for frogs I just grab whatever is on sale.

 

I'd start with this first and learn from the boards to continue building up your tackle/arsenal once you get comfortable with the above techniques.  The above tackle will also cover top, middle and bottom water.

 

 

 

I can always order the 6 gear one, I have yet to fully purchase the reel, I am not going till wensday to pick it up so I can still change it when I get up there.

thanks for the post so far everyone, anyone else got tips, or could direct me to spots I could read up on the basics of bass fishing.

[5fishlimit]

Start reading the articles on the website. I learned so much from the information in those things.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

If your new to using baitcasters, watch a couple of videos on how to set them up properly and how to cast them.  I recently bought my first one and it took some getting used to coming from only using a spinning reel.  There are videos on this site on this subject as well as several other lures/techniques.

[Seth12]

Yeah I guess you can say im new to using them. The last baitcaster I owned was 5 years ago, sense then I have only used spinning reels.

[derekxec]

rod and reel are ok and ugly sticks are hard to break thats for sure lol i bought one just to see if it could actually touch tip to butt and it did and even more till it broke

 

get a kvd crank bait in sexy shad or gizzard shad and reel it in just fast enough to make it swim should get you some fish

 

just dont do like my brothers friend did and you should be ok...his friend gave him a rattle trap and he casted it out and set the rod down for 2 1/2 hours and didnt catch anything so he gave it back saying he didnt like it cause he didnt catch anything lol

[Bair]

4/0 EWG Hook + Senko = Fish

[Seth12]

Yeah the statement about ugly stiks being hell to break is true, for a inexpensive rod brand they are some of the toughest out there.

[bleedingshrimp]

I did alot of research before buying my pro qualifier and for $80 on sale, i don't believe a better reel can be had.

Take it for what its worth, but i feel like pairing it with an ugly stick and braided line is like mixing a nice single malt scotch with coke and drinking it out of a sippy cup. Not to diminish the durability of the ugly stick....or the sippy cup.

As far as tackle, you can get alot of mileage from spinnerbaits, swim jigs, chatterbaits, and buzzbaits as well as soft plastics. Casted to cover and structure, utilizing the same type of straightforward retrieve.

Simplicity, single hooks, and good hookup rates will allow you to focus on learning your baitcaster. White, chartreuse, black and blue, and pumpkin or craw colors.

[Seth12]

Yeah minnow I can always purchase another rod down the road if I feel the ugly stik is not good enough. But I will check out some of the tackle you mentioned.

[Seth12]

Back to the orginal question read some of the links you guys left. How do I know what weight of a lure to buy. I found a list of a few things to buy to start up for bass fishing like

 

this list I saw on that link 

 

1. Lipless Crankbaits (XPS Rattle Shad or Strike King Redeye shad are my two favorite brands) get a white colored one, a flashy one, and a redish one

 

2. Spinnerbaits (white is usually an all around good color)

 

3. Black Blue jig paired with a black trailer (any brand)

 

4. XPS Slim Dog

 

5. 2x Pack of Berkley Powerbait worms in red shad color (ive caught more fish on these than any other bait on the market)

 

6. Square bill crankbait 1.5-2.5 diving depth (luck-e-strike or strike king KVD are both good models)

 

7. Buzzbait (any brand)

 

8. Hollow Body frog (any brand)

 

9. Rage tail Shad (if you live near any type of lilly pads or vegetation these are a must) This lure is pure deadly during the warmer months...reel it in like a buzzbait and kill the action and let it float down if needed..run it across the pads..let it sink in the hole and it gets smashed..get these

 

10. X-Rap Jerkbait or a Lucky Craft pointer

 

 

were some thing I went and look at, as well as some spinner baits and worms.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

The weight of the lure should depend on your rod.  Often the lure weights your rod is rated for are printed on the rod itself but I have an old Ugly Stick and I don't think this is the case with them.  If its not on the rod, I'd try and look up your rod on the Shakespeare website and see if it has lure weights listed for it.  Or possibly others could tell you another way to figure it out but this is what I would do.

[Fishing Rhino]

If you are comfortable with spinning rods, why not use one for bass fishing?

 

There is nothing wrong with baitcasters or spinning outfits.  I fail to understand why some pooh pooh the use of spinning combos.  Each has its advantages and disadvantages.  A fish does not know what kind of a boat you are in, or what type of rod is attached to the business end of the line.

[Seth12]

I just want to give baitcasters a try is all. May as well go ahead and learn how to bass fish at the same time with one too.

[Seth12]

 

 

is stuff I was thinking of getting to start up, any input?

[derekxec]

i would dump the first jig and replace it with a pack of small bullet weights other than that its good but once you start catching you will be buying more and more stuff haha 

[Seth12]

I already have a few packs of bullet weights bought that why they are not on there. I know once I start I will buy more which is fine with me lol. But it is close to summer time in AL so it is already getting hot from what I read in some article Jigs, worms, and lizards work best in the summer time.

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Not a bad list.  The only tip I have is in regards to the blade configuration on your spinnerbait.  Consider the time of day your usually going to be fishing and the clarity of the water.  Of the different blade types, Colorado blades give off the most vibration and as such are more suited towards murkier water and low light situations (i.e. before sunrise/after sunset).  It helps the fish find the bait by using its lateral line rather than finding it by sight.  If your fishing clearer water, you may be better off with Willow blades.  Willow blades catch the sunlight better and provide more flash.  The fish sees a glint that looks like a baitfish swimming by and slams it.  Or you could compromise and use a large Willow blade with a smaller Colorado one.  And remember, silver blades when its bright out and gold ones when its overcast.  Just a few things to think about.  Eventually, your best bet will be to have at least a few spinnerbaits with different blade configurations to cover any situation you may come across.

[Seth12]

Sense a lot of people said the ugly stik would not be the best rod to buy, what rod should I buy to put with the reel.

[bleedingshrimp]

I would look at the bps carbonlite, abu vendetta or veritas, Fenwick, all in the 80-100 range

[HuskyKMA]

Add a pack of Strike King Rage Chunks to your wishlist, in either Blue Bug or Black Blue Flake. That will be a good jig trailer for that 3/8 oz jig.

 

I would look at the bps carbonlite, abu vendetta or veritas, Fenwick, all in the 80-100 range

 

I will second the Carbonlite or Veritas as my top choices in this price range.