Help Me Get Started Fishing...

[X-JaVeN-X]

Hey guys, I've decided to take up fishing.  Here is a link to my introduction post with more info on my situation/experience (or lack thereof).

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/139077-new-fishing-noobie-from-eastern-nc/

 

So, basically, I know very little about fishing.  I've been doing some reading trying to educate myself on some of the basic terminilogy but it's honestly a bit overwhelming. 

 

Anyway, at this point, I have picked up a rod and reel (a Fenwick HMG 6' 6" Medium Power, Fast Action Rod and a Mitchell 300Pro spinning reel) and that is all.  I need to know what kind of line and basic tackle that I will need to get me started.  The fishing I will likely start with will be some simple cork/hook fishing from brim and I'd like to try fishing for some large/small mouth bass.  I think there are also some catfish in a couple of the ponds that I plan to fish in. 

 

Is there some sort of "starter kit" that I can buy that has an assorment of hooks, weights, etc?  If there is, are they worth buying or am I better off buying individual pieces?  There are so many little bits and pieces that I'm really just kind of overwhelmed and would like if someone could give me a condensed list of what I need to start with.  Sorry for the really ignorant questions, but I have to start somewhere I guess, hehe.  Thanks everyone!

[OroBass]

I would choose one method your interested in and learn that. From there trust me you will branch out. For example learn jigs, soft plastic worms or spinner baits. Aquire the hooks and other tackle for that method of fishing. I learned to catch bass with a Texas rig. All you need is good hooks some bullet weights and plastic worms or creatures, from there I explored other techniques. Don't be afraid to talk to other fisherman. I learned about lots of baits by simply asking other guys what works. Any ways tight lines my friend.

[OroBass]

As far as a list

1 gamagatsu ewg hooks size 3/0

2 12 lb test mono

3 1/8 ounce bullet weight

4 your choice of plastic worm good brands like zoom, strike king, or yum

Also look into one word.... SENKO but don't go telling everyone.

[Catch and Grease]

There is so much to buy I wouldn't go to the store trying to get everything at once. Do what OroBass said and just get the tackle for a few techniques and just fish them until your ready for something new. Eventually you'll start to realize your getting a good bit of tackle!

[X-JaVeN-X]

I would choose one method your interested in and learn that. From there trust me you will branch out. For example learn jigs, soft plastic worms or spinner baits. Aquire the hooks and other tackle for that method of fishing. I learned to catch bass with a Texas rig. All you need is good hooks some bullet weights and plastic worms or creatures, from there I explored other techniques. Don't be afraid to talk to other fisherman. I learned about lots of baits by simply asking other guys what works. Any ways tight lines my friend.

That's the kind of direction I was looking for.  There being so much information out there, I don't really know the best way to start.  Learning it by technique sounds like a smart way to go.  That will definitely let me focus my research.

[OroBass]

Texas rigs are a great way to start for bass. Catfish are different. .. I use bobbers and circle hooks for them with chicken livers tied to the hook with string. Also I almost forgot go to animated knots .com and learn how to tie a good knot I recommend 5 he Palomar knot.

[X-JaVeN-X]

As far as a list

1 gamagatsu ewg hooks size 3/0

2 12 lb test mono

3 1/8 ounce bullet weight

4 your choice of plastic worm good brands like zoom, strike king, or yum

Also look into one word.... SENKO but don't go telling everyone.

 

Thanks for that list.  Now, I have another question in regards to a basic setup.  I've seen various connectors (I don't know the right word here) that go between the line and the hook/lure you're using.  Some look like just small rings or little clasps or swivels, etc.  Is there specific uses for these connectors with specific lures/baits?  Do I need them for plastic worms or do I just tie the line directly to the hook?  Is there a good source for what these pieces are called and what their uses are?

 

On the topic of learning specific techniques or lure types...In my reading, I commonly see a lot of terminology being used which I'm assuming are various techniques for catching things.  Do you happen to know of a resource that I can check out these terms.  When I say terms I mean things like "top water", "drop shot", "jigging", etc, etc.  I think I'm looking for something along the lines of a "fishing for dummies" lol.

 

Anyway, thanks for the replies.

[X-JaVeN-X]

Texas rigs are a great way to start for bass. Catfish are different. .. I use bobbers and circle hooks for them with chicken livers tied to the hook with string. Also I almost forgot go to animated knots .com and learn how to tie a good knot I recommend 5 he Palomar knot.

 

I usually throw my chicken liver in some seasoned flour and then into a fryer, but I guess I can save some for the fish too lol.  I remember my grandfather saying that he used hot dogs for catfish (I have no idea if this worked...I'm assuming it did), but I wouldn't know what kind of tackle setup he used.  I know what a bobber is...I'll have to go do a quick google search on what a circle hook is haha. 

[OroBass]

Well the connectors are called swivels and they have a few uses.

1 if you are fishing with a lure that spins through the water you would tie on a swivel to prevent your line from twisting.

2 you can use a swivel as a stopper for a weight that slides up and down your line. Drop shooting is a technique involving a weight that pulls your bait Down to a specific depth. Jigging is fishing with a jig

Top water lures stay on top of the water they include frog imitators or poppers.

With the Texas rig you first slide on your bullet weight then tie your hook directly to your line.

[OroBass]

Above all enjoy nature and have fun. Any day fishing is a great day!

[OroBass]

Above all enjoy nature and have fun. Any day fishing is a great day!

[Missourifishin]

I usually throw my chicken liver in some seasoned flour and then into a fryer, but I guess I can save some for the fish too lol.  I remember my grandfather saying that he used hot dogs for catfish (I have no idea if this worked...I'm assuming it did), but I wouldn't know what kind of tackle setup he used.  I know what a bobber is...I'll have to go do a quick google search on what a circle hook is haha. 

Catfish will eat all kinds of stuff, including hot dogs. I like chicken livers a lot better though. If you haven't already found out what a circle hook is, I'll try to explain it... It is a hook with the point pointing back in towards the shank of the hook. So there is a bit of a circle shape to it. The advantages of it are that you usually don't have to set the hook. It kind of slides out of the fishes mouth and hooks in the corner of the mouth. This also results in less gut-hooked fish, so the hook is easier to remove and less likely to harm the fish, which is great, especially for catch and release fishing.

 

That being said, most of us here fish for bass with artificial lures, such as the soft plastics, jigs and topwaters previously mentioned, which is a whole different ballgame. I agree with the others that Texas rigged soft plastics might be a good place to start if you're wanting to bass fish.

 

Oh, and I also have a Mitchell 300Pro. I've had it for almost a year, and it has served me well.

[Weld's Largemouth]

Buy yourself some 12lb monofilament, a pack of gamakatsu 4/o ewg worm hooks, a pack or two of Gary Yamamoto 5 inch senkos (any color works, I like pumpkin colors the best). Look on the internet how to put the line on your reel. Then once that is done, learn the improved clinch knot and use that to tie on the gamakatsu hook. Tie directly to the line. Then look up how to Texas rig a senko. That will teach you how to put the senko on the hook properly. Finally increase the drag on the reel but turning the dial on top of the reel until it requires a little force for you to pull the line of the reel while the bail is closed. Make sure it isn't too tight; always better for it to be loose than to tight. Go to a pond or lake with shore access. Cast the senko in open water or around the shore line. Let it sink for 4 or 5 seconds. Twitch your rod to the side until you feel the senko move. Wait 2 seconds while you reel in the slack line. Twitch again and repeat. When you feel odd weight on your line wait half a second then rear the rod upwards and back to set the hook. Don't wait to long or the fish may try to swallow( but this is rare ) and not to quick or you won't hook the fish. Begin to reel. Keep rod bend. You can hold it upwards or down to the side. If you reel starts losing line as fish pulls let him pull it out and swim around. Just make sure he doesn't swim into a fallen branch or something.. When you manage to get him near shore kneel to him and put your thumb in his mouth and grip tight on his lower jaw. Look up to hold a largemouth bass properly online. Be sure to bring pliers if u can't get the hook out easily.

Good luck!!!

[STPC]

I would start by reading the bass fishing for beginners section of the articles here at BR. I have read and learned so much from these articles as well as articles in several sections.

[SENKOSAM]

Fishing can be as simple or complex as you prefer and the question can't be answered completely because few techniques/presentations and lures are universal for all aspects of bass fishing. Orobass touched on what might produce depending on where you fish. Where meaning what body of water, which state (Fl, Tx, NY), river or lake and what climate, which season, what time of day?  Where meaning where fish locate themselves in a particular body of water different times of year, depth and cover type which dictate lure types and presentation.

 

Shoreline anglers that know nothing of the lake or river bottom they cast to are at a great disadvantage. So, owning a boat or other craft with sonar is number one before considering tackle choices.  Learn thy water.

 

The truism of only 10% of a body water holding active fish is as true today as it was 70 years ago. Active meaning fish that can be provoked into striking an artificial creature it doesn't have a clue of what it is or represents. Your lure is not used to convince a fish of anything but to provoke it into striking. Even less active fish via reflex strikes are prone to striking because the trespasser (your lure) just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. Thinking of lures in this way doesn't clutter your choices with trying to guess what their eating and more about a specific selection of lure actions that simply provoke a fish into striking,

 

As you've already seen, over a thousand lures are on the market but not all have properties for specific scenarios. Lure provoking properties I speak of involve fish senses of sight and sound. Hearing a lure is a small part of lure detection; feeling a lure is totally different and probably the most used physical sense a fish uses to detect a lure's location, speed, mass, motion and size (even in pitch black water at night). Vision adds to lure location perception and visual qualities such as color and flash, shape and minute motions. These qualities determine how irritable a fish is and prone to attacking by trying different lure types out.

 

You put fish location together with the proper lure selection to catch fish and you will eventually master lures that can provoke the strike at different times of day.

 

My suggestion would be to go light at first. Light lures and tackle force you to fish slower and shallower. Too many anglers don't know when to slow down or use lures that finesse a strike vs. provoking only a reflexive strike to cover more water faster. Sure, there will be some days when faster is useful, but there will be more days when slower produces the most strikes.

 

By light I mean 8 lb test braid with an 8 lb test  leader. Braid cast light lures easily and sets the hook more effectively than mono at a longer distance and fluorocarbon line has properties that excel when it comes to abrasion resistance and lure action. The simple jig-rigged grub can catch almost any predator species in any body of water.  The jig can be swam, jigged off bottom, pitched to target areas and worked in and near cover as well as fan cast over large flats. Once you get the jig/ grub bite down, you may have another rod rigged with a heavier skirted jig with action trailer. Again, different jig presentations work and in different waters and locations.

 

If possible fish with others. There is no better or faster way to be convinced of a lure's use and presentation than seeing it and knowing when and where it caught fish!

 

There will always be a combination to unlock any day's mystery of where fish are located and how to catch them. Only those that diversify properly and effectively catch more fish consistently. Opinions vary (and there are always opinions on any fishing forum that try to refute other opinions), but experience is key and confirmation of what works, when and where. You will be surprised at the consistencies you can count on in future outings as well as surprises from doing things out of the box from the norm. We play by their rules and not the other way around.

[X-JaVeN-X]

Thanks for all the replies!  I didn't realize there were articles here.  I will definitely take a look at them.  Those videos sound good too.  Hopefully I can pick up some basic tackle this week and give it a try.  I think I'm going to try the texas rigged senko setup mentioned by a couple of you.  That seems simple enough and seems to be a good working combination.

 

One more quick question...is there a proper way to set the drag?  It seems like I've heard people mention before that they set their drag to about 25% of their line weight.  Does that sound about right or is there a better "rule of thumb" for setting your drag? I'm assuming I could just hook the line to a spring scale and use that to adjust the weight?

[frogflogger]

Check out Ned Kehde's blog at Infisherman - he has technique that will enable you to catch lots of bass on a spinning rod without succumbing to the bait monkey that plagues most of us.

[roadwarrior]

One more quick question...is there a proper way to set the drag?  It seems like I've heard people mention before that they set their drag to about 25% of their line weight.  Does that sound about right or is there a better "rule of thumb" for setting your drag? I'm assuming I could just hook the line to a spring scale and use that to adjust the weight?

 

25%-30% is the rule of thumb, but I think you will find that +/- 2 lbs on spinni8ng tackle and +/- 3 lbs on baitcasting gear

is about where you want to be.

 

 

 

[WVbassin87]

First of all welcome to our world lol. As several others have mentioned, Texas Rig is a good place to start. there are also two other very simple baits i recommend. the first is the spinnerbait. i prefer one with a single Colorado blade (the fat, round blade with all the dimples in it). the second is grub jigs. get a pack of white Mister Twister grubs, and a pack of 1/8 ounce white jigheads. thread the hook through the top, down into the body so that the straight part of the hook is lined up in the middle of the grub, and the bend is pointing up like the tail of the grub. push it all the way up the jighead so it's snug. both of these lures are fished the same way: cast and reel, experiment with slow and fast retrieves to see what the fish want. best of luck to you