I don't know what I am doing

[Ec031299]

I have been  into bass fishing for years now but have always felt a little clueless as to what I am doing. While I have all the baits and a decent rod setup ( spinning) and have caught a few fish, I still feel lost. Where I fish there are several ponds near my local river and I see people down there dressed like a ninja with a backpack on, mask, 2 or 3 rods, and can't help but think they are successful. I'm not looking to go catch 8 fish in  day but rather feel confident in my method. I often fish with a jig and trailer, my favorite, or a Texas rigged senko or a crawfish. When fishing weightless especially, since I can't feel the bottom, I feel especially clueless as how to fish it. The ponds I go to have heavy cover ( about 10 feet away from shore made up of small trees) and I snag so much on them that I feel like quitting. d**n shame losing 5 bucks every time a jig gets hung up. While I do fish from a kayak, most of the time it is from the shore. When my rig is in he water , I always just slowly work it back to shore by dragging it with a raise of the rod tip. I often see people working much quicker to get their lure back to shore. 

Thanks for your help, just need advice to help feel confident fishing my setup and fishing a rig properly. 

[scaleface]

Heavy fishing pressure makes fishing tough .It might be hard to do but try fishing differently than everyone else .

 

 If youre snaging a lot then you need to get better at Texas rigs . I dont use wide gap hooks  nor do I skin hook much. I bury the hook and rig it perfectly straight .Line twist occurs easily and causes all sorts of problems .  VMC makes my favorite hook . The short section that locks the lure lies in a straight line with the point so  the worm can be rigged perfectly straight . No non else makes a standard  hook like that  .    I could take  picture and compare how it to a Gammy and you will see what I mean .

[Fishin' Fool]

Fishing can be all about timing. The spring and the fall of the year the fish come shallow to feed up heavily. In the spring they do it to spawn. In the fall they do it prior to winter. These two seasons represent your best chance to catch something close to shore. Now largemouth are different creatures all together, and all the of times the biggest fish will find the thickest, nastiest stuff to find protection. That type of fishing doesn't suit well for beginners. If you are seriously interested in learning look to join a bass club in your area as a non-boater. That will give you a good start to your education. For us fanatics it's a lifetime of learning. Best of luck.

[dam0007]

No one ever mentions this as a option, but if your free on weekends, join a local Bass Club as a co-angler. My area there's Dozens of clubs, most of which take on new members religiously. Even if you don't want to fish competitively. 

 

Say a club has 6 tourneys a year, look at it as a chance to get on the water from a boat and learn from guys who've been bass fishing for years or decades. There's a bunch of high school aged kids who fish Club tourneys just as a opportunity to get on the water and learn. 

 

Youll have a lot lot of fun! 

 

 

[RyneB]

3 hours ago, dam0007 said:

No one ever mentions this as a option, but if your free on weekends, join a local Bass Club as a co-angler. My area there's Dozens of clubs, most of which take on new members religiously. Even if you don't want to fish competitively. 

 

Say a club has 6 tourneys a year, look at it as a chance to get on the water from a boat and learn from guys who've been bass fishing for years or decades. There's a bunch of high school aged kids who fish Club tourneys just as a opportunity to get on the water and learn. 

 

Youll have a lot lot of fun! 

 

 

go this route. 3 years ago I figured I was a decent angler, then when I joined the club I realized how much I needed to learn. 3 years later and I can say I'm a much better angler. I can get put on any body of water and break it down much much easier than I used to. 

[fishindad]

We've all been in those noob shoes at one point. In fact, when I lived in the Bay Area I used to fish the Delta from shore all the time for stripers, catfish, and largemouth. There's tons of access points by foot. 

 

Second, don't assume that someone's catching fish or is a good angler because of how they dress, what boat they fish out of, what tackle they use, etc. Why not just go on over and watch what they are doing or strike up a conversation (assuming they are nice enough). Actually see if they're having luck and maybe how they are fishing. Bet they'll be happy to share some tips.

 

Last, I agree with the two posts above though maybe not tourney fish just yet. But do fish with others who have more experience than you do. Learn a few new techniques but don't go hog wild with rods and reels until you are sure it's something you want to invest in. As a shore or kayak angler you really need one good spinning outfit and one good baitcaster - though you mentioned heavy cover so you might want to get a MH rod and a H rod (stronger line). GL!

[ww2farmer]

Can you run a green bean harvester or a dump truck? If so, buy a plane ticket, fly out here, and you have a job...................oh, and in your free time I'll show you everything you need to know. You'll be sick of catching bass by the end of the season.

[dam0007]

5 hours ago, fishindad said:

We've all been in those noob shoes at one point. In fact, when I lived in the Bay Area I used to fish the Delta from shore all the time for stripers, catfish, and largemouth. There's tons of access points by foot. 

 

Second, don't assume that someone's catching fish or is a good angler because of how they dress, what boat they fish out of, what tackle they use, etc. Why not just go on over and watch what they are doing or strike up a conversation (assuming they are nice enough). Actually see if they're having luck and maybe how they are fishing. Bet they'll be happy to share some tips.

 

Last, I agree with the two posts above though maybe not tourney fish just yet. But do fish with others who have more experience than you do. Learn a few new techniques but don't go hog wild with rods and reels until you are sure it's something you want to invest in. As a shore or kayak angler you really need one good spinning outfit and one good baitcaster - though you mentioned heavy cover so you might want to get a MH rod and a H rod (stronger line). GL!

I was leaning more towards a paper club but that's a lot of explanation for a quick post lol 

[fishindad]

1 hour ago, dam0007 said:

I was leaning more towards a paper club but that's a lot of explanation for a quick post lol 

I was piggybacking off your excellent suggestion. A paper club is definitely more low key and probably more willing to share and teach. 

[mixel]

I like the honesty of your thread title.

[Ec031299]

18 hours ago, dam0007 said:

I was leaning more towards a paper club but that's a lot of explanation for a quick post lol 

Hope I'm not criticized for this but what is a paper club?

[mixel]

I'm wondering the same thing. No idea what a paper club is. I do know what piper cub is though. 

[RyneB]

paper club is when you have a sheet with inches and weight. You measure the fish and immediately release. Then rite down the length of fish. Then see what the weight is for your length fish and write it down. The weight is already predetermined next to the length. 

[dam0007]

On 1/18/2017 at 7:05 PM, RyneB said:

paper club is when you have a sheet with inches and weight. You measure the fish and immediately release. Then rite down the length of fish. Then see what the weight is for your length fish and write it down. The weight is already predetermined next to the length. 

What he said or around here guys weigh and partner in the boat verifies weight and go by same 5 fish limit total weight as they would do in a regular tourney. At the ramp they'll all bring their sheets with each anglers weight and whoever places yadda yadda

[Paul Roberts]

Odd that this post is in the Fishing Tackle section. I've also noticed that almost all Youtube fishers present their day's fishing plan in terms of the lures they'll be trying. As if all they've ever read or watched in terms of fishing are infommercials. (Can't blame them entirely as that's what pays the bills in the fishing industry -media included). It's as if the answers are all tied to lure choice. Lure choice is one of the last and final decisions -after you've decided where and when to fish, and what the conditions and circumstances are (trends and immediate). Then we can talk about rigs, lures, and... colors.

 

Ditto on getting some on-the-water help.

 

In the meantime, it's time to do some reading. Good basic ones are the In-Fisherman Handbook of Strategies. All the editions are good and cheap on Amazon. The latest are the Critical Concept series, but don't overlook the earlier editions. Good place to start to ballpark bass across the seasons. Then read up on those seasons, about water bodies and how they respond to environmental conditions, and on bass behavior, which is the link between bass and their environment. There's a lot on this site in the articles library.

 

Confidence is earned. If this fact doesn't scare you away, you are on your way to gaining it.

[IndianaFinesse]

Like Paul said, do a ton of research on everything bass fishing, especially seasonal trends and locations. When I first started seriously bass fishing, I literally spent tens of thousands of hours researching and learning.  Even once you think you know what you're doing, you can never known it all. 

[F14A-B]

On 1/17/2017 at 8:48 PM, ww2farmer said:

Can you run a green bean harvester or a dump truck? If so, buy a plane ticket, fly out here, and you have a job...................oh, and in your free time I'll show you everything you need to know. You'll be sick of catching bass by the end of the season.

 

I can. Whats it pay? I am ready to farm...

I can also operate a backhoe, a earthscraper, a 18 wheeler with 15 wheels and a Tri-axle with one axle..

Anyways..

 

What? Can't grow Soybeans or Corn? Lol..

[Angry John]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say hire a guide.  You have some of the best fishermen in the country right in your area.  They will teach you where to fish the techniques that work and put you on some nice fish.  Some guides will focus on areas that you want/need to improve on.  I have always wanted to hire Mat Allen for a month to cruise around and nail a ten pounder.  On another note the website tacticalbassen.com is great to learn on and they fish the lakes and delta in your area.  I have no connection to them other than the hundreds of hours i spend watching his video's.

[ww2farmer]

49 minutes ago, Alonerankin2 said:

 

 

 

What? Can't grow Soybeans or Corn? Lol..

There's no money in soybeans or corn unless you do it by the 10's of thousands of acres. We grind from mid July to early October harvesting green beans and play the rest of the year.

["hamma"]

On 1/17/2017 at 10:52 AM, Ec031299 said:

I'm not looking to go catch 8 fish in  day but rather feel confident in my method. I often fish with a jig and trailer, my favorite, or a Texas rigged senko or a crawfish. When fishing weightless especially, since I can't feel the bottom, I feel especially clueless as how to fish it.

To fish weightless you must, MUST, be watching your line. Otherwise you can miss any hits you get. Same goes for any bottom bouncing lure, for that matter. Any movement in the line, even the slightest "tick" could just be the fish of a lifetime.

[lonnie g]

I agree don't be afraid to try different things. as for hang ups when you feel like your against something  give slack bait weight might get you back off of it , then instead of dragging bait over it ,bump or lightly jiggle bait over structure. keep reading, don't be afraid to ask questions. these guys have great knowlage, and are very willing to help. also agree with fishing with some one that's experienced. kind of like a golf swing. some one else may see or notice something that you are doing and not aware of it. good luck hang in there next thing you know you will be showing us big ones 

[Beckie Gaskill]

I agree with those here who say to join a club. I've fished with several different clubs over the past few years and I've learned a ton from all of them.  I've found that, in most clubs, a lot of the guys fish the same kind of style, but there are a few differences in presentations, etc., which is great to learn. If there are a couple clubs near you, it might be a good idea to fish with a few of them. There are some guys who are not going to part with their knowledge for some reason, but if you're in their boat and you ask a question, they will probably answer you. There are other guys who will fill your head so full of info. it will almost make your crazy.  lol.  

A guide might help, too, but I much prefer to go the club route. Look around and find a bunch of anglers you think you'd like to hang out with. Not all clubs are the same, for sure.

[Sam]

Your post reminds me of the tourist that asked a New Yorker how do you get to the Radio City Music Hall? The New Yorker replied "practice, practice, practice."

 

Same with bass fishing. Read, read and read some more. Study your adversary. Know baits and techniques.

 

And know your body of water and how the bass are "supposed" to move around each season.

 

If you are losing baits try wake baits, topwaters, spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits and shaky heads. You will then be able to fish all three levels of the water column while reducing the probability of getting hung up.

 

Picture your bait in the pond and if you picture there is a high probability that it will get snagged. If so, use a presentation that reduces the possibility of getting snagged.

 

Bass fishing is a challenge but very rewarding. Your job is to learn all you can about the different aspects of the sport and you need to know the body of waters you fish.

 

Good luck and keep on fishing.

[dan94]

You will only get better at fishing by fishing more. Being a beginner angler is confusing and tough at times you really just need to be on the water and different waters to gain your experience. Fishing heavy cover requires experience in fishing heavy cover. Its pretty straight forward what im saying is the more you do something the better you will get at it so dont give up !