Expanding My Tackle Box

[rtwvumtneer6]

All,

 

New to this site, and hope that all who read this topic are doing well.

 

I have been fishing for about 12 years now, but over this past year I have started to fish bass heavily.  I am on a budget, and looking to expand my tackle.  My question is this:  What can I add to my tackle box to icrease the months of the year that I can catch bass, the number of bass I catch, and my skill set?

 

A little background on myself...  I live in western Pennsylvania, and typically fish shallow lakes and dams (3'-8').  ALL of my fishing is from the shore.  I'm using a 6'6 medium spinning rod with 10lb IronSilk.  Generally speaking, I fish soft plastics.  My go-to bait is a 5" Senko (or Yum Dinger, or whatever brand you prefer) on a 3/0 Gamakatsu, or a similar worm whacky rigged.  I am in search of baits that are appropriate for my rod/reel combo, and won't break the bank.  Any advice is appreciated, and I hope your answers can help others as well!

 

All the best,

 

RT

[Kidflex]

Welcome aboard. I would get some smaller 4-7" worms, good hooks and various bullet weights. 1/4 oz spinner baits. A few square bills like the 1.5 series. Tubes, trick worms, sluggos, hard jerkbaits, finesse jigs. There are endless baits to use but these should get you plenty of bites.

[jitterbug127]

Trickworm on a shakyhead is a must. Ned rig is also one I'd get

[Drew03cmc]

1/4oz lipless cranks.

[Fishes in trees]

A couple of things that have been mentioned in prior posts that bear repeating.  One - you could upgrade your line.   A mid-grade fluorocarbon would be a better choice fro tx rigged or wacky rigged senko style baits.  Secondly, a set of hip waders will get you off the bank a little bit and make paralleling the bank MUCH simpler.  You've been bank fishing for a while, so you probably know the line between carrying gear that you need and carrying too much gear.   Long ago, when I was a bank fishing hippie meat fisherman, I had to constantly remind myself that everything that I carried down to the pond when I was fresh I would have to carry back to the car when I was tired - plus a stringer of fish.

[BaitMonkey1984]

Spinnerbaits and curly tails are easy to use, and virtually snag free. I would be weary of using crank baits from shore because in my experience I get hung up too often and lose baits.

[RyneB]

Gambler EZ and Big Ez. Florida Five O is a good all around color that will catch fish anywhere. Very versatile bait. My favorite way to fish it is swimming it on top like a buzz frog. If you're fishing vegetation, I like to buzz it across the top. Then if I don't get any strikes, I'll buzz it across the top and let it drop in little pockets, it's an awesome bait.

[NorcalBassin]

4-5" Yamamoto grubs with 1/8 or 1/4 oz darterheads (or slider heads), smoke w/black flake in clear water, green pumpkin anytime