New to Bassin

[leavinc]

Hello everyone - first post. Let me introduce myself - I'm 18 and although i have done a lot of Walleye fishing I'm still new to the world of Bass fishing believe it or not.

To be honest I have very little experience when it comes to bass fishing but since I just moved to Florida I thought I'd give it a shot.

I'm also new to using plastics. I've always been a "lazy" fisherman by just throwing live bait with a bobber and waiting for bites.

After reading many articles I have decided to start with plastics because they seem to be effective.

Here's some of the stuff I just bought.

Red Shad U-tail Zoom Worms

Natural Blue U-tail Zoom Worms

Watermelon Seed U-tail Zoom Worms

I got some Gamakatsu 2/0 EWG Worm hooks to use with these (is this the right size?)

I also picked up a pack of Culprit 7.5" Fire and Ice Worms and I had some red Eagle Claw 2/0 wide worm hooks so i plan to use them with the culprits (i also noticed they are bigger than the Gamakatsu maybe equal to their 3/0)

Since I plan to fish in water less than 6-7 feet I also picked up some 1/16 oz bullet weights and in case I need some more weight I got some of the water gremlin easy peg split shots.

I figured I'd keep it simple with worms for now and save the other plastics for later.

I rigged them Texas style but I'm concerned whether or not the hook will be able to penetrate the worm before hooking the fish's mouth, I tried to put the hook point as close to the surface of the worm as possible.

Well that's my plan and I'm sticking to it for my next day off of work.

I know catching the fish is alot more than having the right tackle so please let me in on some tips you guys may have.

Thanks again and I cant wait to go fishing

[Red]

i too have done alot of "lazy" walleye fishing..and now recently moved to texas...so i am new to bassin as well...all i can say is keep reading this site!!  there is an endless amount of great info here...i read here everyday and learn new stuff all the time...keep readin, and try different things

and by the way...weclome to the site!

Cliff

[leavinc]

Thanks for the reply, looks like you're in the same boat as me.

I only caught several bass in my life (and thats when I wasn't even trying to) but after seeing one jump out of the water as I was fighting him got me hooked.

But as for Walleye, my Aunt and Uncle and I would fish them often and usually come back with our bag limit every time.

We would then clean them and eat em. I'm practically drooling right now thinking about it, In my opinion walleye is one of the best tasting fish in the world.

[slarose20]

Hey first of all welcome to the site, and im very happy that your joining in on the adventure to make bass fishing a larger sport than it already is:).

Now with that said ... as far as getting a hook set on the texas rig.  Don't worry about bedding the hook into the worm.  It is better to inbed it so it becomes more weedless than anything.  I had this same concern when i first used the T-Rig.  Trust me when i say they hook will catch in the bass' mouth.  If you notice that your missing a lot right of the beginning then bring it out a bit.  

You have picked up some basics.  ill just list some things i like and somethings you cant go wrong with in the world of bass fishing....

-Rat L Trap

-Buzz Bait

-Spinner Bait

-Crank Baits.... im a Rapala guy myself.  Ive also used some Bangos around the 300 series.  

as for plastics im a powerbait (motoroil color) guy ... i use some finesse worms also... mostly purple shad color.  Anyways i hope this helps and once again welcome to the site.

SteveL

[BassFishingMachine]

You should look into buying a pack of senkos particularly in Green Pumpkin or Cinnamon Brown. Great bait.

[NEBassMan]

Welcome to the site!  

I would say that you got a good start on bass fishing.  The only thing i'm concerned about with that size of plastics is that your hooks may be a hair small.  If you're having trouble getting good hooksets, try upsizing your hooks.  I usually use 4/0 for 6" and 7" worms.  Good Luck!!!

Jason

[leavinc]

wow,  I wasn't expecting so many replies so fast!!

I guess I'll have to pick some bigger hooks as well as some buzz baits and crank baits. I was just never really a fan of these because it seemed I would always weed the lake with those treble hooks.

Right now I'm not so worried about the size of my fish. Instead I'm going for quantity, then when i got my techniques down I'll go for the lunkers

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[slarose20]

On another note ... where will you be fishing ?  

oh and yes i should of mentioned i dont use anything smaller than a 3/0 or 4/0 hook for my plastics.  Ive even been known to use 5/0 on my 10''.  Hope this helps

SteveL

[NEBassMan]

I'll use 7/0 on most 10" worms

[wickyman]

Welcome to the world of the addicting, bass fishing game!    Next up, if you are concerned with the hook not going through the worm on a set, maybe try pushing the hook all the way through, up to the barb, and push it back down in until the tip isn't showing.  This works best for me!  Also, don't be afraid to set the worm up on a drop shot (finesse worms work best, they float sort of) wacky (putting the worm onto a hook with a small o-ring, or hooking it in the direct center, when folded) or even Carolina rigging it (putting the hook through the frontal portion, or nose of the worm, with a slip sinker, or bullet sinker).  

These ways all work great, but from what I have heard on the pro circuit, they are running worms wacky lately...  Seems to cause more strikes with the erratic motions, and twirls.  Just make sure you use a swivel.  The swivel will keep your line from twisting!  Hope some of this is informative to you!

[skillet]

WELCOME to the forums!! Like almost everything (well, everything) in bass fishing hook size is personal opinion. I have caught really nice size fish on #2 EWG Gammi hooks but usually stay with #3 or #4. Maybe it's the timing of your hook set rather than size of hook...

                                              As Ever,

                                               Skillet

[wickyman]

I agree.  I also use just a 1/0, 2/0 hook usually, and lately just an eagle claw...  Only because I have had them forever, and rather than leave them sit, I will use them!    I have caught some pretty nice fish off them.  Personal preference is the only factor in buying hooks!  I do plan on getting 2/0, 3/0, and/or 4/0 gamakatsu EWG hooks...

[Avalonjohn44]

Whenever I'm down in FL, I buy as many Charlies Worms as I can afford.  A great local manufacturer.  The worms are pretty bouyant, come in a few different styles, and have a berry scent.  Great baits.  

[Gorgebassman]

Welcome Aboard!!!!!!! Keep an eye over your shoulder cause the bait monkey will be attaching himself soon.

[leavinc]

Thanks for all the info.

I think the bait monkey has already attacked because tomorrow's pay day and I'm going to the bait shop.

I plan to pick up some Power Pro line. Is this any good? I've heard it can eat away at your guides but I checked out their website and it says the new stuff isn't supposed to be as abrasive as the older stuff.

BTW, I'm going to be fishing at Alligator Lake outside of Saint Cloud in FL. From what I hear it's got some nice bass.

The guy at the bait shop said that people here have alot of luck with Zoom's Super Salty Fluke in watermelon seed rigged weightless or with a 1/16 oz weight or less so I might pick up a pack of those

[wickyman]

Alls I can say, is look out for alligators!  They don't call it alligator lake for nothing!  lol  I know a guy who fishes down there, it's a great lake, and he catches some really nice bass!  He says that the alligators will pretty much leave you alone, unless they are hungry and want your fish on the way in...  lol  Have fun though, it's a very nice lake!

[leavinc]

Well actually I was talking to a friend at work and he said that it's impossible to do any shore fishing because it's like a marsh on the outside. He told me to go to West Toho because I don't have a boat  :'(

[David P]

I use Size 1 and 1/0 hooks with all my 4 inch plastics =) I also use 2/0 on SuperFlukes ,

I should probably up the sizes eh?

[leavinc]

well i just got back from fishing and I got skunked.  :'(

I went to East Toho, I'm not too bent outta shape, from what I hear it's a very tough lake to fish and people don't catch many fish there.

I did meet a kid there, he was using a texas rig just like me. He said he caught a 3 pounder earlier but when I was fishing with him for about 4 hours we got nothing.

It was hard to tell bites from my worm running into lilypads and stuff,(I loved that power pro, it was soooo sensitive, totally different from mono) but I did have several sure bites and once I had a fish on my lure but when he jumped out of the water he spit it out - guess I didn't set the hook right.

We were fishing in shallow water and went in to our knees, so I'm guess the deepest we fished was 4 feet.

Now onto technique. since it was so shallow I was using a 1/32 bullet splitshot at the head of my worm. They are those bullet shaped splitshots from Water Gremlin.

I tried letting it sink to the bottom on a fairly slack line, waited then twitched my rod then reeled in the slack, then waited again - I did this all the way back to me.

I also tried a slow steady retrieve while twitching my rod if I felt a possible bite I would stop and wait to see if he would take it again.

In both examples the fish would never hang on long enough for me to point my rod down while reeling in the slack then set the hook. They seemed to be very fussy.

I tried several colors and I had the most action on a motoroil shad culprit. I let my new friend borrow one and he had some bites as well.

Tomorrow I plan to take my little brother to Alligator Lake where I hear the fishing is much better.

[New Bass Man]

When I first started bass fishing, one of the things that helped me those most was Woo Daves video, "Wormin with Woo".  You can get it Bass Pro Shop.  

I also agree with those who advise you to use 3/0 or 4/0 hooks.

[Red]

i have been using the t-rig almsot exclusively for a week or two now and am having the same problem....lots of bites but i cant get a hook set....here is the advice i was given by avid..he challenged me to catch a bass on a t-rig for the members challenge deal

"Remember - don't get into a feeling game with the bass.  You will lose everytime.

Be a line watcher.  After the worm hits the water  strip out several feet of line and watch the line.

when it twithces - then that's your hit.  let the bass straighten out the line.  When 99% of the slack is out use a quick, sharp straight hook set from 9 o'clock straight up to 12. "

i will keep at it....i gotta get a 2 lber for the challenge!

Cliff