New to Bass fishing...Advice on Equipment

[LancoAngler]

Ok...so as the title says, I am new to Bass fishing. I did a little bit of fishing with my dad when I was younger but nothing serious. I am an avid hunter and love to be outdoors. I have decided (against my wifes wishes) to take up the hobby of fishing. I decided on targeting Bass because they seem like a fun fish to catch but I will be happy catching anything!

Here is the list of equipment I plan on purchasing to start out. (I have around $200 in Cabela's gift cards to spend, woohoo!):

 

Rod and Reel:

Pflueger President and Cabela's Tourney Trail Split Grip Spinning Combo - 7' Medium Power, Fast Action. Going to use 6# test.

Tackle:

GY Senko kit - I figured it would have all I need to get started.

Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG hooks

Some bullet style weights to possibly fish a weighted Texas Style rig

I am obviously going to purchase some tools and a tackle box to go along with all of this.

 

Let me know how my list looks so far!

 

-Mike

[Fishin' Fool]

You look like a seasoned veteran with those choices. They only thing I would suggest is bumping your 6# line up to 8# fluorocarbon. 

[fishnkamp]

Another great lure to add to your stuff is a Kalins Lunker Grubs in the 5 inch.   My wife and I fish in MD, PA, VA, TN, and KY and there is always a grub tied onto one of her rods.  We like the 5 inch size and I would start out with the bluegill. watermellon seed red flake and white are good colors.  And look at Bass Pro for their Perfect worm hook. We use these with the 1/8 to 1/4 weight and just match the size hook to the bait.  She has caught tons of panfish, large and smallmouth as well as stripers and catfish, so almost everything likes them.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[blckshirt98]

I'd grab a couple of KVD 1.5 squarebills too - you can throw those on spinning gear just fine.

[Fishin' Fool]

33 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Another great lure to add to your stuff is a Kalins Lunker Grubs in the 5 inch.   My wife and I fish in MD, PA, VA, TN, and KY and there is always a grub tied onto one of her rods.  We like the 5 inch size and I would start out with the bluegill. watermellon seed red flake and white are good colors.  And look at Bass Pro for their Perfect worm hook. We use these with the 1/8 to 1/4 weight and just match the size hook to the bait.  She has caught tons of panfish, large and smallmouth as well as stripers and catfish, so almost everything likes them.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll second the grub. Great bait. However, you can save a few bucks buying the Cabela's brand (BPS, Gander Mountain, etc.) over the Kalins, Yamamoto, etc., etc.. Just my experience fishnkamp I haven't seen the grub brand make as big of a difference as the senko brand because it's a moving bait. Well that's how I fish it, slow steady retrieve. I know it likely depends on the time of year and water temperature to which retrieve is best.

[fishindad]

Since you mentioned your wife doesn't approve of this, I'm not going to suggest you purchase any more tackle, yet, lol. Though those are all good suggestions. If you give more details about the waters you fish, this would be helpful. And from shore or do you have a boat/kayak/float tube?

The Senko kit is a great start and I agree to bump up your line strength, maybe even consider braid and change the leader depending on conditions. Good luck and consider taking your wife fishing!

[fishnkamp]

Fishin' fool the brand does not matter except I do like the bigger bodied grubs like the Zoom fat albert and the Kalins. Kalin made a smoke salt & peper with red flake that my wife kills them on. It was discontinued so I had to search high and low to fill her supply up while I could get them.  I now own almost 600 of the Kalins and an almost look alike from Yamamoto. They were scavenged from 9 different warehouses and online suppliers throughout the US including everything Uncle Josh could find for us. When we run out she is going to have me get them custom made.  The sacrifices I make for my wife LOL  Thanks to her we have owned 11 boats during our almost 40 years of fishing dating and marraige. I am a blessed man, thank god I got her addicted to smallies!!!  Here is the ultimate and it is a true story, we dated all through high school and college and we have been married over 28 years. For our 20th anniversary I asked her if she would rather have a diamond necklace or another G Loomis rod. She still fishes her G Loomis SJR 721 rod and guess what rod she throws her grubs on.

[LancoAngler]

18 hours ago, fishindad said:

Since you mentioned your wife doesn't approve of this, I'm not going to suggest you purchase any more tackle, yet, lol. Though those are all good suggestions. If you give more details about the waters you fish, this would be helpful. And from shore or do you have a boat/kayak/float tube?

The Senko kit is a great start and I agree to bump up your line strength, maybe even consider braid and change the leader depending on conditions. Good luck and consider taking your wife fishing!

 

I knew everyone would come through on here! Great community!

I will be fishing from the bank. Going to possibly fish some parts of the Susquehanna River and some local lakes and ponds.

 

I got 6# test to start, it was free at Cabela's because a bought a rod. I didn't see the recommendations for 8# until after I purchased the rod. I am going to see how the 6# goes at first and if I have to, I have not problem upping to 8#. Thanks for the recommendation!

I will add a few grubs to my tackle box as well.

Does anyone use snaps to switch between lures? Is it best to just clip the line and re-tie the next lure you want to use instead of using a snap type of tackle?

 

fishindad...she doesn't disapprove of the fact that I want to fish. I have a lot of hobbies, expensive hobbies to top it (aka hunting), and she just lets out a sigh that I want to start another one. I recommended she come along and she was open to that idea!

 

What does everyone think about November bass fishing? I don't want to have to wait until the spring!!

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

I use 6# line, especially when the bite is tough, and even
when it is not! I'll go anywhere from 4#-15# as a leader
on my setups.

I think you're on the right track with your gear. I personally
fish the wacky rig and drop shot more than the TX rig, but
TX is a proven fish catcher and AOK to start out with.

["hamma"]

November bass fishing in your area? Id recommend a rapala jerkbait or 3. Not only should they still work this year, but the beginning of next they will shine, for a while til the bite picks up. Maybe a floating model, and a couple suspending models should do for now.

[fishnkamp]

I used to live near Duncannon Pa. I loved fishing in the fall. Since I shared my wife's so story I will give you a little idea for yours.

Go over to Gander Mountain in York. They have some of the best prices on combos ( I compared Dicks, Cabelas.  Bass Pro and a few online places as well )  I would recommend you pick out one of the Shakespeare Agility Spinning rod combos, either a  5 foot ultra light or a 6 foot medium.  I own two, but they are older models we bought while on vacation, so put them in your hand and play with them. That will run you about $40  You could also go with the tried and true Zebco 33 or 202 combo.;The most popular rod and reels ever sold I bet was the Zebco 33 followed the Zebco 202 Mithell 300.

.Make up a small tackle box that includes some bobbers, pinch on weights, a pack of small swivels and some decent hooks. Take her out to the closest ponds,small lake or river bank. Both of you try catching some good sized bluegill,crappie and bass. That is how you will get her interested in this hobby and maybe she will end up like my wife, addicted to it. The other thing that may happen is you may come home with dinner. Also do not be surprised if ole whiskers shows up. They are eating real good right now.

Man enjoy yourself this is a great hobby.

Oh yea,  halla is right!  The old standby, a Rapala gold with black back as well as a silver with black back floater/diver still catches a ton of fish.  They trow best on spinning gear.

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

You should be okay with 6#.  I've landed heavier fish than my biggest ever bass using 4# mono.  However, the trick

I've got a few hobbies the wife doesn't appreciate.  Photography.  Air guns.  Playing guitar.  All can cost as much as you want to spend.  Decent acoustic guitars...in particular...can run pretty high...for my pocket book.

[Megastink]

Here's some rules to live by:

-ALWAYS bring a pair of needle nose pliers with you.

-FOCUS on your mechanics, instead of your gear selection. Being able to cast a bait exactly where it needs to be is mich more important than the color of said bait. Practice your casting.

 

-PAT ATTENTION to details. If you're having more bites than usual (or less), what's different? Look at how you hooked a bass. How did he eat your bait? How is the lure sitting is hos mouth. Did he approach from the side, in ambush? From the back because he was following it? Did he engulf the bait, which means he liked it, or did you barely have him hooked on the back treble because he didn't want to commit. 

 

Spend your time learning bass behavior, not specific techniques, and you'll enjoy the sport a whole lot more.

 

Welcome to the Brotherhood!

[fishindad]

8 hours ago, LancoAngler said:

 

I knew everyone would come through on here! Great community!

I will be fishing from the bank. Going to possibly fish some parts of the Susquehanna River and some local lakes and ponds.

 

I got 6# test to start, it was free at Cabela's because a bought a rod. I didn't see the recommendations for 8# until after I purchased the rod. I am going to see how the 6# goes at first and if I have to, I have not problem upping to 8#. Thanks for the recommendation!

I will add a few grubs to my tackle box as well.

Does anyone use snaps to switch between lures? Is it best to just clip the line and re-tie the next lure you want to use instead of using a snap type of tackle?

 

fishindad...she doesn't disapprove of the fact that I want to fish. I have a lot of hobbies, expensive hobbies to top it (aka hunting), and she just lets out a sigh that I want to start another one. I recommended she come along and she was open to that idea!

 

What does everyone think about November bass fishing? I don't want to have to wait until the spring!!

Lanco,

I don't think the bank fishing will be very good from now until Spring since the bass typically head towards deeper holes/water. Though I have not had the good fortune to fish the Susquehanna River. I believe a local fellow by the name of Jeff Little is a well-known kayak angler and he fishes that river year-round. Check out some YouTube videos for more.

My suggestion is to book a Spring or Summer trip with a local guide for you and your wife and get her hooked on bass fishing! It's somewhat expensive but well worth it in the long run since you'll learn some new techniques and locations from one of the local experts. Just don't tell your wife the costs until after she hooks up with some hard-fighting brown bass... : )

[LancoAngler]

On Friday, October 28, 2016 at 5:14 PM, fishindad said:

Lanco,

I don't think the bank fishing will be very good from now until Spring since the bass typically head towards deeper holes/water. Though I have not had the good fortune to fish the Susquehanna River. I believe a local fellow by the name of Jeff Little is a well-known kayak angler and he fishes that river year-round. Check out some YouTube videos for more.

My suggestion is to book a Spring or Summer trip with a local guide for you and your wife and get her hooked on bass fishing! It's somewhat expensive but well worth it in the long run since you'll learn some new techniques and locations from one of the local experts. Just don't tell your wife the costs until after she hooks up with some hard-fighting brown bass... : )

Thanks for the advise, fishindad. Hunting has been taking up the large majority of my time on the weekends so I have decided to hold off on any fishing until the Spring.

[JustJames]

That is a great start and would last you for a long long time until you urge  to buy a new set up which might be sooner than you think lol.

One thing thou, what size is your reel 6930? That what I use for my bass fishing.

senko weight less is good start, you can cast as far as you want from that setup without any weight at all. If Im gonna add from what you have would be wacky hook and 4/0 worm hook for 5" senko. Check out wacky rig senko with shrink tube, that way you wont lost as many senko.

Another thing, what 6lb free line they give you? If it is garbage line just dump that and go with hybrid/copolymer line instead or go with 15-20lb braid line.

[cottny27]

I'd bump up your line test with a "M" powered rod.  You won't be fishing texas rigs with bullet weights on 6# line.