100% Newbie To Bass

[JasonRE]

Ok, I have never fished for bass before.  I typically fish bottom feeders like cats here in Louisiana.  It's easy, cast, sink your bait and wait.  I want a challenge.  I want fun, and I think bass fishing could be it. 

 

I have NO clue what to get at the store for bass fishing.  Do I need a specific pole?  If so, does Walmart carry enough of a starter type pole to get me on board?  Lures.......wow I know there are a LOT of choices but what's a good lure to use for bass fishing?  Or at least, one of the best that you guys/gals use?  Lastly, I've heard live bait is pretty decent as well.  What live bait do you use?

 

Please forgive the lame questions but I am getting excited about the upcoming fishing trips in my new boat.  Used to have a small 14' alweld but now have a nice 17' Skeeter with troller. 

 

Any help would greatly be appreciated. 

 

Thanks all!

[dday07]

There is tons of info out there for beginners.Start here..then the rest of the internet...welcome to bass fishing..i can't recommend it enough!

http://www.bassresource.com/how-to-fish/

[Choporoz]

Unfortunately, it is going to be very easy to get overwhelmed by the info quite quickly.  To address just the Walmart question, I'll tell you that a couple of weeks ago I was out of state for a week without any of my gear, but lots of opportunity for shore bass fishing.  I went to Walmart and spent about $90 on a decent enough Mitchell spinning combo, line, plastics kit, jig, hooks, weights, jig heads, spinnerbait, $8 backback, nail clippers and the only other thing I needed was a $10 temp non-resident license.  I caught bass all week and the combo should hold up fine for a couple/few seasons in regular rotation.

[JasonRE]

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the information.  Heck, I don't care about being overwhelmed lol I just want to fish!   The water is calling my name.

[ClackerBuzz]

a slow dragged soft plastic of ur choice is hard to beat. some guys like senkos, some lizards.  just grab whats on sale

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/13845-guaranteed-to-catch-bass/

of course there are plenty of other exciting lures to become addicted too

[Darren.]

Welcome to the forums, Jason!

I like to start newbies out with simple setups, simple baits, simple rigging. The one that also happens to catch the most fish, IMO, is the wacky rig.

Spinning gear will work perfectly for this. Simply tie on a sharp hook (I like wacky-specific hooks) with a Palomar knot. Before you tighten the knot, wet it down like you probably do for cat fishing.

Next, rig a stick bait like a 4 or 5" Senko, or Stik-o (bass pro) in a common color like watermelon, green pumpkin, black, etc. bend the worm in half and hook it (perpendicular) in the bend.

Cast it out into downed trees, other structure and let it slowly sink. Be patient, and occasionally lift your rod, then let the worm fall again. If nothing, reel in and try again.

When you feel the tell tale hit, reel down and sweep your rod, don't do a big jerk hook set.

Plenty more advice to come from the folks here. Oh, and besides the articles on this site, Google is your best friend.

[bigbill]

Welcome to the bass fishing forum.

I would read everything here, all the articles from spring fishing to summertime bass fishing to fall fishing. But being down south your fishing seasons never end right? Watch the videos here over and over. Listen to what they say and watch there hands on how they work the rod and lure movement.

Cats (fish) are great eating. I love them gutted and turned over a wood fire right away as we catch them. That's another post.

Start out with topwater spooks and poppers early in the mornings and evenings. Crankbaits too. During the day I go deeper with plastics and Carolina rigs and split shot rigs.

Are you down in the delta area? I heard rumors about the spinnerbaits with the yellow skirts being hot there. That yellow color could be hot anywhere I guess. I pro down there gave me this tip.

My hottest spinnerbaits is the Mann's classic 1/4oz gold Colorado blades with a blue glimmer skirt with a mister twister 4" white split double tail grub as a trailer with a trailer hook. Add a shot of YUM shad scent and your good to go.

Bomber crankbaits size 05 model A or FAT A match the color of your craw's. Natural colors for clear to slightly stained water smaller lures fished faster. Brighter colors for stained water medium sized lures fished slowest. Brightest colors for muddy water the larger sized lures fished the slowest. Using a bass scent and the lure having a rattle is a plus. The lures with the Orange bottoms seem to be hotter here too.

Inline spinners like joesflys, mepps and panther Martin's dressed.

Rebel pop R in blue.

Rapala f7 in blue. I call this lure the "blue max" fish it with a slow even reel or a slow reel with a pause and a twitch.

Crankbait colors

Redapplecraw

Browncraw

Dark greencraw w/ Orange bottom

Baby bass w/Orange bottom

Firetiger

Firecraw

Silver shad

Get in the habit of throwing different colored lures and different lures. I throw a variety of colors and lures till I get action.

A carolina rigged senko or brushog, creature baits can be very successful too.

It's skill that catches fish not luck. Bigbill

When fishing block out all the outside problems we may have. Think about fishing and only fishing by getting into the zone.

Pay close attention on how you caught that first bass of the trip so we can repeat what we did. Read the water conditions. When all else fails use firetiger. Try every presentation with every lure to practice when it's slow a bass will let you know when you get it right.

Eat,sleep, read everything you can about bass fishing here, watch every video here too. Dream it, live it we never stop learning. Knowledge is increased skill.

[hoosierbass07]

Buy a pack of five inch Yum-Dingers in watermelon color and a pack of seven inch ribbon tail worms in a grape/bluish color. Then get some 2/0 or 3/0 hooks and bullet sinkers and go Texas rigging fishing. With you being down south I assume you will have little problem catching bass.

[Catt]

Ya aint gonna like it but in bass fishing slow is way to go!

We have a few Louisiana boys down on the Toledo Bend thread.

[JasonRE]

WOW!  Thanks for all of the great replies, and advice!  I will definitely be hitting up Academy or Walmart tonight! haha  Can't ever have TOO much gear, right?

 

The weather has been great here and since Spring just jumped on us, the water temps should be great for bass spawning.  It's been a LITTLE chillier than normal here in Louisiana though, with temps still dipping down in the 40s and 50s at night, which in April is VERY uncommon. 

 

I'll try most of, if not all of the suggestions above and see what happens this weekend!  Hopefully I'll have some pictures of some nice bass to put up! 

 

Thanks again everyone!  Appreciate the help!

[dpeels37354]

I'm pretty new to bass fishing as well. Crankbaits are in my opinion the easiest for me to catch fish on and they are pretty easy to learn how to fish. I recommend the KVD 1.5 in either sexy shad, bluegill, or TN shad. They usually run about $5.50

[einscodek]

Man u guys are boring.. 

If you really wanna get hooked on bass fishin' I mean like cocaine-hooked (im not a druggy)..

get yerself a topwater frog first and you aint lookin back after you nail yer first topwater bass!

[ClackerBuzz]

Man u guys are boring.. 

If you really wanna get hooked on bass fishin' I mean like cocaine-hooked (im not a druggy)..

get yerself a topwater frog first and you aint lookin back after you nail yer first topwater bass!

if we're talking high octane buy a black 1/4 oz buzzbait (clacker preferred  ) and burn that sucker parallel to shore during dusk or dawn!

[JasonRE]

I bought a couple of top water lures.  Got a frog, and a bomber lure crankbait almost like a crawfish red color.  Also picked up some spinners and a few 5" Senkos (Yamamoto).

 

Brought my brother-in-law, father and nephew (7 years old).  Needless to say, bass fishing didn't last long.  Kid got bored, didn't scout much before going out, but still could have given it more time.  Oh well, maybe this weekend I'll go out again and strictly stay on my troller.

 

Caught a couple of catfish but nothing worth writing home to mom about.  Went out about 7:30 am, and the wind was horrible.  Found a couple of cuts but again, 45 mins to an hour off fishing won't cut it. 

 

I loved the way the bomber lure moved in the water.  The side to side motion really was neat to see.  Really wish I would have thrown the frog in a few times to see what happened. 

[JasonRE]

The only problem I think is that bass are coming out of spawn   I think it's time for bream fishing now.  Weather is supposed to get down to 30 Wednesday evening.  That's pretty darn cold for South LA. 

 

Wonder if I should waste any more time fishing bass this year and try bream?

[roadwarrior]

Well, I'm sure you can catch a bucket load of bream right now and maybe that's all

you need. Bass fishing is going to take a little more commitment than 45 minutes

and entertaining a 7 year old.

 

The quickest way to "get on board" would be to hire a guide for a day. When you

talk with him on the phone you need to be clear on what you are looking for, not

every guide is a teacher.

 

For example, I would like him to show me the types of structure and cover I should

be fishing. Then, to keep it simple, I would want to just work with a couple of "moving'

lures and a couple of bottom contact. After catching a few bass your confidence will

soar!

 

 

 

[einscodek]

The only problem I think is that bass are coming out of spawn   I think it's time for bream fishing now.  Weather is supposed to get down to 30 Wednesday evening.  That's pretty darn cold for South LA. 

 

Wonder if I should waste any more time fishing bass this year and try bream?

You in LA meaning Louisiana?..  its Bass'in time .. I seen monster Florida strain LMB on their nests last week on vacation.. wanted to jump in and help protect the nest but my wife wouldnt let me 

If you are, the bass dont all spawn at once so you could still bed fish or hit the shallows hard and I've never had problems fishing post-spawn in the shallows.. the best and biggest fish i get are pre-spawn-post ..

 

Up here in the NE, I think topwater is a bit early and they're not hitting them for me.. and theyre not in spawn yet almost like they just came outa hibernation..

[reb67]

JasonRE welcome to the wonderful world of bass fishing I hope you are a patient person you will need to be but it is well worth it.

 

With that said you should take the time to check out Bassresource videos on you tube they have great videos for beginners.

 

Also check out local fishing forums see if you can hook up with someone in your area that is willing to help you out.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

[JasonRE]

You in LA meaning Louisiana?..  its Bass'in time .. I seen monster Florida strain LMB on their nests last week on vacation.. wanted to jump in and help protect the nest but my wife wouldnt let me 

If you are, the bass dont all spawn at once so you could still bed fish or hit the shallows hard and I've never had problems fishing post-spawn in the shallows.. the best and biggest fish i get are pre-spawn-post ..

 

Up here in the NE, I think topwater is a bit early and they're not hitting them for me.. and theyre not in spawn yet almost like they just came outa hibernation..

Yes sir.  Good ole Louisiana.  I tried hitting up some bass last weekend and lost 2 crankbaits and my top water frog.  Ugh, but being a newbie I'll learn how to fix my issues as I go. 

 

I hit a couple of cuts off the main water and fished the banks and grassy areas.  Nothing touched my bait.  All I had was a crankbait tied on the end of my line and that's it.  I loved the movement, but not sure if I was rigged up right. 

 

I just need to have the right set up. Fish were ALL around me breaking the surface, but not one touched my lures.

[JasonRE]

Reb67, thanks.  I love fishing.  I dont' care about sitting in my boat because to me, that's the relaxing part.  So I have plenty of patience.  It's just not knowing how to rig my line, what to try and not to try and where to hit the fish at. 

[FrankW]

Hi JasonRe,

You have a lot to learn and while Walmart will have some gear you won't get a lot of information. Your best bet is to find a local bass shop that is established. Tell the owner you are new and want to learn about Bass Fishing. If you pick the right shop you will get a treasure trove of information and they won't try to sell you everything in the shop. They can give you a balance outfit that fits your budget. If they try to sell you the most expensive outfit in the store then find another shop. Visit often and make friends with the owner and staff. Try to buy something every time you visit the shop. It doesn't have to be much but it shows you appreciate the help. Especially buy something if the owner or staff spends some time with you explaining a technique or giving information.

Next join a local bass club that is not too involved with tournaments. Some clubs may have classes for new members.

If you want to learn a lot in a short time follow roadwarrior's advise. You will learn so much fishing with a guide if you get one that wants to help you. If you hire a guide don't make it a fishing trip, make it a learning trip. Ask the guide if he minds if you keep notes. Try to hire a guide through the local shop if you found one.

Frank

[einscodek]

Yes sir.  Good ole Louisiana.  I tried hitting up some bass last weekend and lost 2 crankbaits and my top water frog.  Ugh, but being a newbie I'll learn how to fix my issues as I go. 

 

I hit a couple of cuts off the main water and fished the banks and grassy areas.  Nothing touched my bait.  All I had was a crankbait tied on the end of my line and that's it.  I loved the movement, but not sure if I was rigged up right. 

 

I just need to have the right set up. Fish were ALL around me breaking the surface, but not one touched my lures.

Bank fishin with cranks is a bit frustrating esp if there are weeds and I assume there is cause theres bass all over u said..

I'd replace that lost topwater frog, learn to walk it and work it, and work the area meticulously in the early AM.

Also try a texas-rigged brushhog subsurface as a backup

Both are friendly in the weeds.. happy hoggin'

[JasonRE]

Bank fishin with cranks is a bit frustrating esp if there are weeds and I assume there is cause theres bass all over u said..

I'd replace that lost topwater frog, learn to walk it and work it, and work the area meticulously in the early AM.

Also try a texas-rigged brushhog subsurface as a backup

Both are friendly in the weeds.. happy hoggin'

Yeah it's tough sometimes.  I'm gonna run to academy tonight.  Any specifics I should pick up? 

 

I tried fishing the banks and under overhanging trees in the shade. It's going to be in the 80s this weekend so hopefully the water is a tad bit warmer.  I honestly don't care about landing a huge bass or a ton of them.  Just a few and some bites would be nice to make me feel more secure in what I'm doing. 

 

I just don't think my rigging is right.  I'd love a bunch of pictures that show me how my setup should be.

Same for crappie......

[Larry C.]

And another one goes down with Bass fever! Do lots of reading and research here you'll find many different techniques and applications. Bass can be picky stubborn SOB's. Good luck.