Absolute Beginner. Need To Catch My First Fish. Where To Start?

[Fish711]

I live in Stockton, CA and will be fishing the Delta River ("14 mile slough" to be exact). Apparently this is a good spot for bass as I see plenty of bass fishing boats come through all the time.

 

I know absolutely nothing about this as I have only fished a few times in my life. So keep that in mind when offering suggestions as I won't know what many of the terms are. We just moved to the water so it's time to learn

 

I have tried a few times (early morning and evening), but haven't caught anything yet. Getting bites, just not catching them.

 

The local fishing place recommended lures one day I went in and a friend recomended Senko Worms so I have been trying both. I haven't had a nibble with the lures, but have had plenty of bites with the senko worms. I'm just thinking the worms I'm using are too big for the fish or something as it feels like they are bitting, but not getting hooked when I pull the line. it's almost like they have the back end of the work and when I pull, it just pulls the worm out of their mouth without hooking in. Is that possible?

 

I've attached pics of the lure and of the Senko worm (with my hand for size reference). I also attached two pics of the water I'm fishing ("14 mile slough" in the Delta CA River)

 

 

 

 

 

If there is any additional information that would be helpful in pointing me in the right direction, just ask.

 

Any suggestions on what to use and how to use it in these waters would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Thanks in advance for any tips!!!

[roadwarrior]

Our Bassresource Library is extensive. Start at the top in "Fishing Articles".

Every article has several links and the links have links! Read EVERYTHINNG

and you will be way ahead of the game. The Forum is fun, but the nuts and bolts

are in the Library. (This includes tons of videos, too.)

 

There is some great stuff here, too:  www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/60793-best-of-bassresourcecom/

[B@ssCrzy]

What he said.....read, read, read.  Also, I personally feel that a 7" ribbon tail worm is one of the best lures to start on.  That is what my 5 year old son started on and he loves it. 

[Mike L]

What he said.....read, read, read.  Also, I personally feel that a 7" ribbon tail worm is one of the best lures to start on.  That is what my 5 year old son started on and he loves it. 

 

I still fish it...You can start and finish with a ribbon tail and not regret it.

 

 

Mike

[anonbassman]

Walk up and down that shoreline and cast that senko around those docks and boats and let it sink to the bottom. If its a big enough fish you probably won't feel the "tap tap tap" of a little fish. The line will just feel heavy or start moving. Reel in the slack and do a strong sweeping hookset. That should get you a fish before long.

 

Or just cast that crankbait along those docks as well. Reel it in an bang it into the dock supports, or do an erratic stop and go retrieve.

[dday07]

Senko's are excellent to start with...i know frogs this time of year work good also...go to this site...he is a top guide on delta and is very helpful...good luck!

thefishinginstructor.com

p.s. leave alittle slack in your line and let fish take the senko...set the hook right before line fully tightens...senko's are loaded with salt and bass don't let go quickly so no need to set hook too fast

[Revival]

Not only read, but also watch a lot of videos on youtube.  There are a lot of informative videos.  Pay attention to how they fish a particular lure you might be interested in.  With access to so much valuable information these days, you will be catching a fish in no time.

[WRB]

The Delta system is a world class bass fishery, the difference it is tidal influenced.

If you want to save a lot of time and money my suggestion is contact Andy "Cooch" Cuccia. Cooch giudes on the delta and time with him would be priceless, give him a call.

Tom

Cooch has a Vedio on utube that should get you started.

[B@ssCrzy]

I still fish it...You can start and finish with a ribbon tail and not regret it.

Mike

So true...they have been around for a reason. They flat out work.

[Brian6428]

Walk up and down that shoreline and cast that senko around those docks and boats and let it sink to the bottom. If its a big enough fish you probably won't feel the "tap tap tap" of a little fish. The line will just feel heavy or start moving. Reel in the slack and do a strong sweeping hookset. That should get you a fish before long.

 

Or just cast that crankbait along those docks as well. Reel it in an bang it into the dock supports, or do an erratic stop and go retrieve.

x2, especially on the red part. If they are taking the lure but you can't hook them, I'd say this is your issue.

[Blues19]

I would also look at trying the 7" ribbontail worm or a baby brush hog

[bmlum415]

Those two are completely killer on the delta, wacky rig that senko and its the right color and bump the speed trap on the tules and there's a 99% chance you will catch something, let the senko fall weightless and twitch it a few times, then reel up and move to a new spot to cast

[bmlum415]

Btw that senko isn't too big on the delta, it's a bit small, the 6" and 7" ones will catch 1 1/2-6+ lbers all day long, also I recommend tnt baits Wadda jig in 1/2 oz in brown. It's unbeatable there

[Fish711]

Wow! Thank you guys so much for all the great tips!!!

 

I have some reading and some videos to watch.

 

At least it sounds like I'm on the right track with the senko. In the videos by "Cooch" that I watched, he talks about he great the senko's are to use around here. Good news it's not what I'm using. So now I just have to learn to use them correctly.

 

It very well could be that I'm not setting the hook right. I will try and stronger sweeping motion to try and hook 'em.

 

Thanks again all!

[Fish711]

Man....no luck so far. I just received a suggestion from a well known angler around the Delta to use a drop shot since I will be tied to one location...or maybe just a couple. I'll be fishing from a dock so i won't be completely mobile.

 

I'm using a Zoom trick worm in junebug (5 inches), a gamakatsu size 2 mosquito hook. I tied a palomar knot to the hook and left one end long. i used that long end to tie the small ball weight about 16 inches away from the hook.

 

I'm dropping the line in different spots around my dock. I drop it down so the weight reaches the bottom and just wiggle the end of the rod to help the worm 's action (trying to make sure the weight stays on the bottom). I feel like I'm getting a few nibbles here and there, but when I try to set the hook, nothing is there. Either I'm mistaking something else for nibbles, or I'm not setting the hook properly.

 

Any idea what I total beginner could be doing wrong with this?

[wngan9447]

Like most people said... reading helps the most.

 

I caught my first few big boys after watching videos on how the softbaits move underwater.... learn how to fish your baits, presentation is key.

 

Get a quick read in on variables... wind, sun, time, bait color, etc.

[Fish711]

I did some reading and watched a bunch of videos. That's how I know the different methods and terms now

 

I've been trying to use the drop shot method with a Zoom trickworm in junebug color. I feel like I'm getting small nibbles, but when I set the hook, nothing is there so I'm not really sure if they are in fact nibbles or something else.

 

I've watched some videos to try and figure out when people set the hook while drop shotting, but from the videos I've watched, it seems it is very subtle. Pretty much unnoticeable in the video. Is it more of a feel thing that you can't see from watching a video?

 

What exactly do you feel for when determining when to try to set the hook?

[hooah212002]

 I feel like I'm getting a few nibbles here and there, but when I try to set the hook, nothing is there. Either I'm mistaking something else for nibbles, or I'm not setting the hook properly.

 

Any idea what I total beginner could be doing wrong with this?

 

It could just be small fish that aren't taking the bait. Drop something small down there like a small jig and grub or a crawler on a small hook to see if it's some bluegill (you say you're on a dock, so I will guess they are bluegill).

[hooah212002]

What exactly do you feel for when determining when to try to set the hook?

 

It comes with experience. the best sensation via words is like a "tap-tap" that eventually is distinguishable from the other crap you run into, provided you have quality gear (sensitive rod and line).

[WRB]

Being a shore fisherman makes it difficult. It sounds to me that you need either hire Ccoch for a day on the water and learn a lifetime worth of on hands experience or....plan to be more moble, if that is possible.

Hoping there is a bass around your dock with tidal effects is low % hope!

Bass on the delta like rocky transitions and any type of change is cover or structure. Look around for a culvert entering the slough, rocky areas between tullies, floating reed mat, abandoned docks in poor condition that indicate knowone is using them. Your highest % spots to fish are the slough ends where they outflow into the river. Fish the slough ends like it is a points, because it is! Fish the slough points when the tide is either flooding or dropping, both create current to activate the bass into feeding.

I would shorten up the drop shot leader to 12" and wacky hook your worm or Senko. When a bass grabs your drop shot worm you will know it!, feel the weight and firm lift and reel.

Tom

[florida_bass_assassin]

What I do is use a weightless texas rig for the senko or trick worm, then cast it along the edge of the dock. Let it sink to the bottom on the initial fall, then jig your rod slightly in random sets of 1-3 jigs with short pauses after each jig. try this in as many places as possible near and around your dock, and work down the shoreline if you can, casting in as many areas as possible. Once you get the motion right and cover more ground you should be getting more bites.

 

Also the bass will most likely be hitting it on the fall, so if you see your line start to tighten after the pauses, reel in the slack and give it a good hookset.

[bmlum415]

Went to the delta today and killed them on a drop shot roboworm in morning dawn and a fire tiger speed trap fishing in Mildred and lost isle

[wngan9447]

 

 

What exactly do you feel for when determining when to try to set the hook?

 

Comes with experience and time... I'm still learning this as well. I'm lucky enough to have someone that is proficient in bass fishing to help me out. my biggest problem is trying to set the hook before the fish takes it. Over anxious I guess on my part. But that's the best advice I can give you. The "tap-tap" has plenty of meanings. Some are real and some are not. You'll learn the feel soon enough.

 

Good luck and have fun!