ABW Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 You've got a lot of reading to do! It's all here on this website.. now go find it! I'd start here. http://www.bassresource.com/how-to-fish/ 1 Quote
OntarioFishingGuy Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Welcome to the forums! Go to the 'articles' section of the website and read all you can. Once you have read it all, read it again. Watch some of the Youtube videos from Bassresource. Read and watch as much as you can, and get out on the water as often as possible. Good luck! Quote
Smokinal Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Yep, definitely check out the "videos" tab on the top of the page. And welcome! Quote
Super User scaleface Posted April 26, 2015 Super User Posted April 26, 2015 If your not catching fish , change . Quote
lectricbassman Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Read everything on this site, 2 or 3 times if youve got the time! Quote
BrownBear Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Read, watch, practice, learn, fish, cuss and enjoy. Repeat as necessary. Welcome to the madness! lol 2 Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted April 26, 2015 Super User Posted April 26, 2015 I would start with a med hvy combo, 12-14 lb mono, assortment of 6" plastic worms in any color (purple), $5 crankbaits in shallow-med depths & maybe a spinnerbait with willow blades, Senko-type worms. Don't be afraid to try new things when the conventional won't work. Get a Beetle Spin, Roadrunners, Rooster Tails, small worms, etc for when they won't bite bigger lures. These can save the day. Don't accept everything you hear from other fishermen as Gospel. A lot of the guys giving advice are Monday morning QBs and just spout what they heard. Don't plan your fishing trips around perfect weather or the Solunar table. Go whenever YOU can. Buy the best quality tackle (esp line & hooks) your budget (or wife) will allow. If married, start a rat-hole slush fund and never tap it out completely. Then you won't have to justify the purchases to her. This is also a good secret to a happy marriage. If you see a method that looks like fun, try it. Most people have a lot of methods they refuse to try. They're missing out. To me it's fun to take a few fish for dinner, but put the biggest ones back and catch them again later. It makes me feel like a part of nature. It's nice to fish in private places or even creeks due to low pressure. Don't hesitate to ask permission of landowners. The worst they can say is no. Treat where you fish as if it was your own property. Most of all make it enjoyable. Don't sweat the one that got away. If you don't find it enjoyable, you might as well be playing golf. 1 Quote
Mccallister25 Posted April 26, 2015 Posted April 26, 2015 Def. Agree with the others. Read, watch videos, do your homework. Practice every chance you get. You can read and read and read but nothing compares to personal experience. Don't get overwhelmed with baits starting out. Pick a select few your interested in and get a confidence built up with them. Fish around any kind of cover/structure the bass could relate to. Trees, bushes, rocks, etc. Casting parralel to banks is also your friend. You'd be surprised at how many quality fish hug the banks you'd never think were there. Just go out, practice, and have fun. It can be discouraging at times but its all good. Its what keeps us coming back for more. Finding the fish and fooling them is where the fun comes from. Quote
Super User K_Mac Posted April 27, 2015 Super User Posted April 27, 2015 Bass fishing is both easy and complex. Most anyone can catch a bass or two under many conditions, but consistently catching fish, especially bigger ones in all conditions takes most of us a lifetime to figure out. Some of us never do! I completely agree with all who recommend reading everything you can find on bass fishing and taking advantage of this forum to ask questions. There are a couple of guys here who know a little about bass fishing! Time on the water with experienced bass fishermen is by far the best way to learn IMO. Good luck! Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted April 27, 2015 Super User Posted April 27, 2015 Buy the best quality tackle your budget (or wife) will allow. If married, start a rat-hole slush fund and never tap it out completely. Then you won't have to justify the purchases to her. This is also a good secret to a happy marriage. 1 Quote
Choosylobster Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 Welcome to the world of patience. Very rewarding once you catch your first bass on artificial lures or worms. Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted April 27, 2015 Super User Posted April 27, 2015 I recommend watching the bass fishing for beginners video series by Bassmaster. Here is a link to the first video. They are full of good tips for someone just starting out. My biggest tips are to stick with it because it's not always easy... That and to be versatile, adjust to the conditions. I'm not saying change lures a million times, but if your buddy is catching them on one lure and you're not catching anything, maybe its time to switch. Find a mentor if you can... My dad really helped me get into fishing. 1 Quote
Mr Q Posted April 27, 2015 Posted April 27, 2015 Long ago, I studied bass fishing in general in books/magazines. The most important and useful topic was "structure reading" the water you are fishing. Being familiar with any pond/lake structure will tell you where 90% of the fish are 90% of the time. Each fish species has their own "structure" habitats for both resting and feeding. Its a big subject to cover but reading a pond's bottom, middle, top and surface structure (I think) is one of the most important parts of any fishing success. Once you get the hang of reading structure types, it will become fun "reading" any pond when seeing it for the first time. Quote
OK Bass Hunter Posted April 28, 2015 Posted April 28, 2015 Like the man said. Go when you can. On the water experience cannot be replaced by anything else. Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted April 28, 2015 Super User Posted April 28, 2015 Find you a buddy that's a good fisherman. Go fishing, watch, learn, ask questions. Read and watch everything on here. Start a new account for all the fishing equipment you will end up buying because you think you need it or just want it. It's okay, we will all take your side and direct you to the Bait Monkey support thread. Fish as much as you can. Try and learn new techniques, but not all at the same time. And did I mention you're welcome to ask lots of questions on here as most here are willing to share. 1 Quote
Mr Q Posted April 28, 2015 Posted April 28, 2015 But learning some important tools on how to locate the majority of fish in any given water is an important tool. Sure, any time you are fishing is a good time even if learning how to in the process. And the skill of learning to "structure" fish can not be laughed at. Since the OPer asked for tips, I gave him one that can be extremely helpful in becoming a successful bass fisherman. Quote
Super User Sam Posted April 28, 2015 Super User Posted April 28, 2015 Read, read and read some more. 1 Quote
Global Moderator Mike L Posted April 28, 2015 Global Moderator Posted April 28, 2015 Want a tip... Don't over think it. Fishin can be the most aggrivating, frustrating and mind boggling thing you'll ever do. But at the same time it can be the most rewarding, satisfying and exciting experience you'll ever have. Do what everyone previously just said. Don't be surprised that the more you learn, the more you'll want to learn. Mike 1 Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted April 29, 2015 Super User Posted April 29, 2015 Very good article on this very site regarding "must-have" lures. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass-lures.html Quote
Mr Q Posted April 29, 2015 Posted April 29, 2015 Basskicker44 - The link the reel ess posted is an excellent one! For my fishing needs and ponds I go to, I primarily use a "jitterbug" for surface fishing at night mostly along with a generous supply of plastic "jelly worms" (purple, black and red) that are 9" lengths for the size bass I fish for. Shorter ones work well with bass under 3 lbs. I also stock a couple of minnow plugs (jointed bodies) for medium depth fishing and the most productive lure for me is the jelly worm fished along the bottom in slow, intermittent retrieves as well as across the tops of pad beds with the same retrieve and letting the tail dangle into the water. For both cases, I use a large hook with a weeder guard that virtually eliminates any snagging on objects. Of coarse your fishing pond conditions will dictate variations of each lure type listed above - you have to try each to see what works best in your ponds. The above lure selection I use are in ponds with depths of 3-15 feet with lots of pad and bottom weeds - typical for my area. Quote
gr8outdoorz Posted April 30, 2015 Posted April 30, 2015 If you really want to become a better angler, in the beginning, spend a large amount of your 'study' time on learning the behaviors of your prey. Bass can be caught on MANY different lures, lines, rods, and reels. However, you can't catch what you can't find. Learn how to find your prey...then learn how to catch your prey. 1 Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted April 30, 2015 Super User Posted April 30, 2015 Watch every Youtube video BassResource has ever made. Then watch them again. And yes, I have done that. Quote
Super User the reel ess Posted April 30, 2015 Super User Posted April 30, 2015 This is the best advice I have to offer. Gamakatsu hooks for plastics. There's a reason they cost more. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted April 30, 2015 Super User Posted April 30, 2015 Top left, click articals, and look for the beginner section. There's a few days worth of info there. Quote
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