Anyone have advice for a newbie?

[Austin11C]

Like the title says I need some advice. I've been fishing my whole life but for mostly trout and catfish. I've recently really gotten the itch for some bass. I've caught bass before usually using a Carolina rig chartreuse lizard,(my bass tackle is very limited). That's why I'm asking for help. My few bass lures consist of chartreuse lizards, a couple topwater frogs, a few different sizes and colors of worms, a couple Walmart 1$ spinnerbaits,and a few crankbaits. And any technique tips y'all have.  

Conditions:

East TN. Mostly fish large lakes, and a couple rivers/creeks. Bank fish mostly (at least until I buy a boat) and also I do not have a bait caster. I don't even know how to properly use one, don't laugh guys like I said I've always been a trout guy lol. So basically any need to know info for a newbie bass fisherman is much appreciated. I've already learned so much from this forum. Thanks guys. 

[Austin11C]

I may also add that I'm on somewhat of a budget. Not where I can only afford one crankbait at a time but where I don't have the extra cash to be paying 4-5$ a lure. So any cheap lures are a plus. 

[Turkey sandwich]

My suggestion is to really learn to fish basics like Texas/light Carolina rigs, jigs, grubs, etc.  I grew up pretty broke and it was a while before I was able to afford to stock up on the expensive stuff.  Ironically, being broke paid off because it forced me to really learn how to feel changes in the bottom and gauge depth without having sonar.  I credit being a decent jig and t-rig fisherman to spending a lot of hours as a teenager dragging worms and learning to flip jigs in grass mats and pads.  My suggestion is to invest the time learning to fish what you have well and then purchasing better gear and a Jon boat or kayak as you can afford it.  Money definitely helps, but gear on it's own doesn't catch fish.  

[Austin11C]

I do like fishing soft plastics, My little brother and I are the only ones in my family who fish so I don't really have anyone to ask advice from or to get pointers, that's why I love this site. Does it matter the brand of soft plastics. I notice some are 6-7$ and there's always knock offs for a lot cheaper. I always buy the cheaper ones but is it worth the extra? For example I have some off brand senko worms that I'm trying to learn how to fish as I've seen those are a big hit here. But would it be worth it to buy the name brand stuff? 

[Turkey sandwich]

That's awesome that you guys got into fishing on your own.  Most folks either grow up with the outdoors or don't ever really get into it seriously. 

 

So, there are a ton of threads on knock off baits on here, but here's my two cents...

 

Right now, it's important to really enjoy fishing, but also to learn as much as you can.  Learning on the water now while you have the time to spend is HUGE.  I wish I could get out as often as I could when I was younger.  The more you learn techniques now, the more it pays off. So, my suggestion is to buy inexpensive baits that will cover your basics because you'll be able to fish more conditions well.  Right now, get on the water, learn how to feel things, but also learn how to fish basic conditions with what you have.  As for Senkos in particular, I don't throw them nearly enough to have the opinions some on here might, but there are other options for stick worms that are still excellent baits.  Still, like all other baits, Senkos are great in some conditions and less than ideal in others.  

 

 

 

[Austin11C]

i grew up living on a river, my father never cared much for fishing, he maybe took us all of 5 times, he's really big into hunting which so am I but that still leaves 8 months of the year with nothing to do haha. I made the most of the river and have definitely caught my fair share of trout and carp. But I'd love to get more into bass fishing. I'll definitely take you advice on just focusing on learning because in all honesty I have no clue what I'm doing most of the time. Half the things I read on here make no sense because idk the terminology and I guess the basics of bass fishing. But thanks for the advice. Maybe someone else has some insight as well. Hopefully one day I'll be the one giving the advice. 

[roadwarrior]

"Just Getting Started"
Guaranteed To Catch Bass
I just cant catch bass
Learning to fish on your own

 

[ww2farmer]

My advise for a new bass fisherman.............K.I.S.S. Even after 25+ years of bass fishing I still try to subscribe to that, and I do just fine. 

 

Don't get overwhelmed by the vast array of stuff, very little of it is a need. Learn the basics and expand from there.

 

My list of stuff for a new comer is the same if you fish ponds and from the shore, or off the deck of the fanciest bass boat.

 

Two rod and reel combos will cover everything, a 7' M spinning out fit with 8-10lb line, and a 7' MH bait casting rig w/ a 6:1 reel, and 15lb test line. 

 

Get yourself a selection of 4" and 5" senko style stick baits, Yum dingers are very effective, durable, and not expensive. Black/blue flake and green pumpkin will work anytime, anywhere, in all water conditions. Get some 1/16th oz wacky jig heads to fish them wacky rigged, and some 3/0 EWG hooks to fish them texas rigged. Watch some youtube videos on rigging/fishng these, and it will all make sense.

 

I don't often recommend jigs to a newby, as a texas rigged worm or craw/creature bait can be fished in the same places, work just as well, and is a good, simple way to fish. Expand into jigs after you learn the texas rig.

 

As for baits/hooks/weight to use on your texas rig............Berkley power bait 7" Power Worms, and 4" chigger craws are tough to beat. The fish will hold a power bait infused plastic a long time helping you learn to detect bites and set hooks in a timely manner.

Your 3/0 EWG that work with the Yum Dingers work great here two, so two birds killed with one stone. Then get your self some 1/4 oz. bullet sinkers for fishing shallow , and some 1/2 oz ones for fishing deeper. Color choice.......... black/blue, and green pumpkin. And again...watch some you tube videos for rigging/fishing tips.

 

Keep the moving baits simple. Deep cranks will not be a great option from the bank. You will catch lots of fish on Stike King KVD 1.5 squarebill crankbaits. The are $5-$6, and the Sexy Shad color and Chart./Black back are all you need to get started. These are great baits and will catch fish just chucking and winding until you learn more.

[Austin11C]

I have a bag of strike king watermelon chart w/black flake senkos 5". I have some other worms and lizards but I'm very interested in senkos, I've read a lot of articles on them and they at least sound like an easy thing to start off with. I went out the other day and used chart&watermelon lizards and caught 2 decent sized perch. Not what I was looking for but any fish is still fun to catch. I've never Texas rigged anything, I've always used a Carolina rig so I'll have to try that. Thank you for the advice.

[NHBull]

Great advise from some knowledgeable guys.

new guys get all wrapped up in bait/lures.

Many moons ago, when learning to play golf, my father would make me play with using 1 or 2 clubs and a putter.  I guickly learned what every iron and wood could do.

it too me a summer, but at the end of the summer, I had a great grasp of the equipment.

the same can be said for fishing.  Learn the teqniques, hook sets, difference in rigs, knots.

Then the tools will come to you and you won have bait that you will never learned.

Last summer, my daughter fished senkos, wacky and Texas.....and a couple top waters ( rats).

she got good d**n fast and set a hook better than her peers who have been at it for yrs.

have fun......it's the journey

[Fisher-O-men]

Get off the bank as soon as you can!  Unless you live in Gator country, a float tube is great.  Not only will it get you into better places, you will lose far less tackle! 

 

Other than that my advice would be,  GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN, FISHING IS LIKE CRACK, ON STEROIDS!!!

[ClackerBuzz]

2 hours ago, Fisher-O-men said:

Get off the bank as soon as you can!  Unless you live in Gator country, a float tube is great.  Not only will it get you into better places, you will lose far less tackle! 

 

Other than that my advice would be,  GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN, FISHING IS LIKE CRACK, ON STEROIDS!!!

x10 on this.  forget the next 100+ lures, half dozen techniques and 3-4 rod combos and buy a kayak. it will change your fishing life and pays for itself within a 2-3 seasons saving money by being able to unsnag lures.

 

the easiest way to catch bass is to stop fishing i.e.  we are usually overworking lures.  make 400-500 casts till ur tired, take a break to check ur text messages....bam fish on.  this is what is meant by 'listen to what the fish are telling you'.

[Brayberry]

I just got back from the Pigeon Forge Area, and I had no issue catching smallmouth in the Pigeon River in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.  Yum Dingers, Zoom Critter Craws, 1/8 and 1/4 oz jigs all worked well.  I imagine swimming a small grub on a jighead would work well too.  None of those options are expensive.  I bought all my Dingers at $2 per bag at the BPS Spring Fishing Classic, Critter Craws are about $3 a bag.  

[HOG727]

Ask someone with a boat to take you fishing, chip in for some gas  if he'll take it and get a line wet.  Nothing beats time on the water.