Newer Bass Fisherman Needing Tips.

[KSLargemouth]

So first time on the forums and I have a few questions. First, I am going to cabelas have about 70$ or so to spend already have a rod & reel so just needing baits. The Lakes i fish in are Shawnee lake in Shawnee Kansas, the other is Wyandotte Lake in Kansas city, kansas. So for shawnee the water is fairly clear with about 3-4ft visibility. Ive gone fishing there only 2-4 times this year and have only thrown a dark buzzbait and a blue/silver rooster tail. I have not had even one bit yet with either fishing along rocky banks around grass/trees. So I just want to know some good baits or things you guys have used in those conditions that work.

 

Second, Wyandotte county lake is not as clear with about 1-2ft visibility but has a lot of brush, trees, rocks etc... Ive used the same baits at both lakes and have more luck here than at shawnee with them. Really im just wanting to know what kind of baits and what colors to use in these conditions.

 

Thanks

     -KSlargemouth

[OntarioFishingGuy]

Are we all thinking the same thing? (Senkos)

[CDobber]

I would spend about $20, give or take, on soft plastics.  A couple packs should be straight worms of differing lengths and colors.  Others could be creatures or curly tails, etc.  A variety gives you options.

 

I would highly recommend looking at a squarebill or two...I have a KVD 1.5 that I really like and should provide with those two areas you describe, and I've seen plenty of positive reviews of the crankbait on here.  

 

Pick up some jigs as they are a versatile (and cheap) tool to have....gumball, skirted, etc.  They pair nicely with the plastics already suggested.

 

Think about the differing areas of water you want to cover....your buzzbait is top water, the rooster tail is top to mid depending on retrieval speed, the squarebill is probably top 1' or so....pick out some things that can get you the mid distances and the other suggestions can easily cover the ground.  

[geo g]

The first one I would get is:

1).Gama EWG #3 hooks thin wire

2(.1/32 & 1/16 Bullet weights

3). Senko 4" bait in Watermelon / red

4). Zoom trick worms in watermelon / red

5). Zoom super flukes in watermelon / red

You could spend another $1000 dollars but that's all I would need to catch bass.

[Darren.]

First, welcome to the forums!

 

Second, I always like to get "new" to "new-ish" bass fisherfolk set up with soft plastic worms like Senkos (or off brand).

 

My number one suggestion is to fish wacky style. For one, it is about the easiest way to rig a plastic worm there is. Bend the worm in half, hook it perpendicularly through the middle, fish slowly.

 

I recommend Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse in size 1 or 1/0; Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot hooks in sizes 1 - 1/0. Owner Mosquito hooks are also good, as are Owner wacky hooks, but I personally prefer Gamakatsu's offerings.

 

Then I'll suggest getting some 2/0 and 3/0 worm hooks, O'shaughnessy bend worm hooks for Texas rigging. Some ⅛ oz bullet weights, too.

 

Look up how to rig the worm if you don't already know how. Both TX and Wacky rigging can be done in and around cover, weedy areas, around fallen trees, docks, etc. If you have a lot of that, grab some weedless varieties of wacky hooks mentioned. But for TX rigging, just rig the hook weedless (inside the bait).

 

Colors: I suggest "standard" colors like Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, Black, and variants of those colors. Perhaps some with a bright chartreuse tail, etc.

 

The other thing is to ask some old timers around the lake, at bait shops, etc., what works, what doesn't. Sometimes they're willing to share some good info.

[KSLargemouth]

Thanks a lot guys, I  think I have a pretty good list written down and will be back with hopefully positive review saturday morning.

[Yeti]

Also, look at Dick's Sporting Goods if you have one in your area. They are having a clearance event at a lot of their stores, especially on their fishing gear. The one by me had a bin full of Senkos, Roboworms, Zoom worms, and others all for half off as well as a good selection of Strike King and Rapala crankbaits.

[Bassin4Fun2]

Welcome to the forum. I am from S. KC area as we'll and recently joined this forum. There is great info on here and I have learned a lot. I hadn't fished with plastics very much until this year and I have to agree with the others that these are great for all different presentations and techniques. You can find great deals online if you look around. Also if you haven't found it, there is a topic for all us in the Kansas City area for fishing reports etc. Best of luck

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/41660-for-us-kc-area-guys-fishing-reports/page-230?hl=kansas

[KSLargemouth]

Well a few hours later and I have 1 black/silver buzz bait, a 20pkg of Trick worms (watermelon see), a 20pkg of U-tale (pumpkin), 15pkg Ultravibe speed worm (watermelon red), a 10pkg of Pit boss Jr's (watermelon red), and a Baitcaster that was marked down quite a bit so I thought it wouldnt be to bad to learn on. My first team actually running plastic baits because in the future they kinda scared me and I didnt really have any confidence in them because they were just little "rubber" things. But all in all I feel like I did pretty good and got all of it under 75$ at my local cabela's. I would put a picture of the items but im not exactly sure how to if you can.

[geo g]

You did a good job on your choices.  I would get some 4" senko type baits when you get a chance.  Now if the bite is tough, slow down!  Jerk and let it sit still for 30 seconds and jerk again.  Watch your line the bite often comes while its sitting still.  Good luck Buddy.

[Balshy Fishing]

If you're looking for more information on specific types of lures - head over to the "Fishing Tackle" section and look up the [suggest] threads.

 

I started one on top waters and it has some good information on there provided by some veterans on the site. The crankbait one is getting underway today. They'll receive many more answers soon! 

[BW208]

Honestly try senkos also. Seems like I always catch them on senkos if nothing else works. The off brands don't seem to have as much action so spend the extra 2 bucks and get the quality. Just my 2 cents.

[Bluebasser86]

You are fishing two of the toughest lakes in the KC area for starters. Both get pounded every day and there's lots of people that keep everything they catch regardless of if it's a keeper or not. The south side of Shawnee Mission along with the dam are going to be your best bets. The trick worms you bought are going to be a good option out there. Fish them along the edges of the weeds where there are weeds, around any cover, and along the rocks on the dam.

 

As for Wyandotte, there isn't a much tougher lake around here and this time of year it's as tough as it gets, especially if you're bank fishing. Here's 26 pages of info you can read through about the lake, but that probably still won't help much.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/41651-re-wyandotte-county-lake/

[NDH Fishing]

You need a par of pliers, must have. You need to be able to get the hook out if its in there good.  But you can never go wrong with a bomber. I caught my first bass on a bomber.

[THE_Vue's]

FAT IKA'S is a must for bank fishing.  Cast far like a frog and more effective then a senko.  Your welcome

[frogflogger]

You need to read Ned Kehde's blog in In-Fisherman - he fishes those lakes regularly -