Newbie setup questions

[luneyr]

Hey everyone,

 

I am totally new to Bass fishing, I have a spinning rod and reel, and want to probably setup a Texas rig using soft plastics or a Wacky worm setup. Also, I will primarily be fishing from the shore to start.

 

My questions are.

 

What line should I use for the above setups? and what test?

Should I use weightless or weighted? I see there are jig heads for a Wacky setup that look interesting.

 

Thank you very much, all suggestions are very much appreciated.

 

[Chance_Taker4]

8lb mono line I would keep in inexpensive and go to your local walmart and get a pack of 3/0 offset worm hooks and 1/8oz worm weigh and a pack of yum dingers in Green Pumpkin and have fun.

[Bass Turd]

Tell us what conditions you will be fishing. What color water? Rocks? Brush? Grass? Pads? How deep? Pond? Lake? River? Anything else you can think of....

[luneyr]

34 minutes ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

8lb mono line I would keep in inexpensive and go to your local walmart and get a pack of 3/0 offset worm hooks and 1/8oz worm weigh and a pack of yum dingers in Green Pumpkin and have fun.

Thank you, that's pretty much what I was thinking to start off, the hook size, type of hook and which line to use were confusing me. You see so much stuff online.

 

Thanks again

30 minutes ago, Bass Turd said:

Tell us what conditions you will be fishing. What color water? Rocks? Brush? Grass? Pads? How deep? Pond? Lake? River? Anything else you can think of....

Well, I live pretty close to Lake Ontario where I plan on starting off. The water form what I can tell is dark from the shoreline. Looks like rocks is different areas, and pads and weeds for sure in some spots. I'm not sure how deep at this point to be honest, but pretty shallow from the shore to where I would want to cast.

[livin2fish]

Chance_Taker4 has a good suggestion.  Keep it simple to start.  Soon you will become much more experienced, then you can become great friends with the "Bait Monkey".  

[luneyr]

6 minutes ago, livin2fish said:

Chance_Taker4 has a good suggestion.  Keep it simple to start.  Soon you will become much more experienced, then you can become great friends with the "Bait Monkey".  

lol ..."bait monkey" ?

[Glaucus]

Spinning Setup...

 

Get some 10lb or 15lb braid. 10lb has the diameter of 2lb mono, and 15lb has the diameter of 4lb mono. Get some 6lb or 8lb fluorocarbon and use it as a leader. 6lb leader for 10lb braid, and 8lb leader for 15lb braid.

 

Get some 4 inch Senkos. Get some 1/0 Gammy Octopus Circle Hooks for Wacky Rigging. Get some 2/0 Gammy EWG Hooks for Texas Rigging (rig Senkos weightless).

 

Get some ZMan Finesse TRD Ned Rig plastics. Get some 1/20oz, 1/15oz, or 1/10oz ZMan Shroom Jigheads for the plastics.

 

Throw Senkos in ponds, the Ned Rig in rivers and creeks, and both of them in lakes.

 

You're going to catch a ton of bass, have a blast, and boost your confidence in your abilities.

 

 

[luneyr]

31 minutes ago, Glaucus said:

Spinning Setup...

 

Get some 10lb or 15lb braid. 10lb has the diameter of 2lb mono, and 15lb has the diameter of 4lb mono. Get some 6lb or 8lb fluorocarbon and use it as a leader. 6lb leader for 10lb braid, and 8lb leader for 15lb braid.

 

Get some 4 inch Senkos. Get some 1/0 Gammy Octopus Circle Hooks for Wacky Rigging. Get some 2/0 Gammy EWG Hooks for Texas Rigging (rig Senkos weightless).

 

Get some ZMan Finesse TRD Ned Rig plastics. Get some 1/20oz, 1/15oz, or 1/10oz ZMan Shroom Jigheads for the plastics.

 

Throw Senkos in ponds, the Ned Rig in rivers and creeks, and both of them in lakes.

 

You're going to catch a ton of bass, have a blast, and boost your confidence in your abilities.

 

 

Thank you much appreciated!

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

41 minutes ago, luneyr said:

lol ..."bait monkey" ?

You'll know what he is when you walk thru the aisles at Bass Pro,

or browse the online tackle shops and have an irresistible urge to

click "add to cart" on more things than you can actually afford.

 

And then you click "check out".

 

And you get the stuff in the mail, have a good time using on the

water....

And the process begins again. Bait Monkey. He jumps on your 

back telling you you always need more stuff. 

[luneyr]

6 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard!

You'll know what he is when you walk thru the aisles at Bass Pro,

or browse the online tackle shops and have an irresistible urge to

click "add to cart" on more things than you can actually afford.

 

And then you click "check out".

 

And you get the stuff in the mail, have a good time using on the

water....

And the process begins again. Bait Monkey. He jumps on your 

back telling you you always need more stuff. 

haha, no doubt

[luneyr]

On 7/30/2018 at 4:21 PM, Chance_Taker4 said:

8lb mono line I would keep in inexpensive and go to your local walmart and get a pack of 3/0 offset worm hooks and 1/8oz worm weigh and a pack of yum dingers in Green Pumpkin and have fun.

I picked up some 8lb mono, some Gary Yamamoto senko's (Green Pumpkin) and some 3/0 Gamakatsu G-Lock hooks. Going to rig it wacky and weightless and give it a shot this weekend. Thanks for the advice, hopefully I bag a few

[new2BC4bass]

On 7/30/2018 at 5:10 PM, luneyr said:

lol ..."bait monkey" ?

 I wouldn't laugh if I were you.  It is definitely no laughing matter.  The Bait Monkey is the reason I have 60 plus baitcast reels.  As you can probably guess....I ain't laughin'. 

[Log Catcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I keep my bait monkey locked in a cage. That is why I don't have the problem of so many reels like new2BC4bass.

[TotalNoob]

Texas Rig, I believe, has to be the standard for bank anglers (like me). I mean, I can get multiple Bass just about every time I go out to my reservoir. The hotter it is, the more finesse I make my presentation. Most days anymore I'm just starting out with plastics and altogether skipping any faster presentations. It's just nice to be able to catch fish and the Texas Rig will get that done for you. 

 

I've never used a GY Senko, I haven't needed to. Strike King and Yum Dingers have caught me some nice fish. Just start with either of those imo and use them to catch fish/build confidence and also because your rigging will be awkward and crooked at first so why get the hang of rigging using expensive plastics? If you feel the need to upgrade to more expensive plastics do it after you've got the hang of the entire process, from rigging to thumb in fish's mouth. 

 

Only thing I'd say is to just spring for fluorocarbon line right off the bat. If you're totally new to Bass fishing I'd skip the braid for now until you've built some confidence. FC is strong and sensitive and abrasion resistant. You just can't go wrong with it. You'll appreciate it's sensitivity right off the bat. 

 

Good Luck and Have Fun!

[luneyr]

9 hours ago, TotalNoob said:

Texas Rig, I believe, has to be the standard for bank anglers (like me). I mean, I can get multiple Bass just about every time I go out to my reservoir. The hotter it is, the more finesse I make my presentation. Most days anymore I'm just starting out with plastics and altogether skipping any faster presentations. It's just nice to be able to catch fish and the Texas Rig will get that done for you. 

 

I've never used a GY Senko, I haven't needed to. Strike King and Yum Dingers have caught me some nice fish. Just start with either of those imo and use them to catch fish/build confidence and also because your rigging will be awkward and crooked at first so why get the hang of rigging using expensive plastics? If you feel the need to upgrade to more expensive plastics do it after you've got the hang of the entire process, from rigging to thumb in fish's mouth. 

 

Only thing I'd say is to just spring for fluorocarbon line right off the bat. If you're totally new to Bass fishing I'd skip the braid for now until you've built some confidence. FC is strong and sensitive and abrasion resistant. You just can't go wrong with it. You'll appreciate it's sensitivity right off the bat. 

 

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Thanks for the advice, going to hopefully get out tomorrow morning :)

9 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

 I wouldn't laugh if I were you.  It is definitely no laughing matter.  The Bait Monkey is the reason I have 60 plus baitcast reels.  As you can probably guess....I ain't laughin'. 

Oh, I believe you. Just bought a little tackle to get me started the other day and I already want to get back to the store :)

[luneyr]

On 8/1/2018 at 3:39 PM, luneyr said:

I picked up some 8lb mono, some Gary Yamamoto senko's (Green Pumpkin) and some 3/0 Gamakatsu G-Lock hooks. Going to rig it wacky and weightless and give it a shot this weekend. Thanks for the advice, hopefully I bag a few

Thought id give you guys a little update. Been out to the same spot 3 or 4 times now, started early 6am or so and fished each time for 2-3 hours. Haven't caught a thing haha, moved all up and down the bank in spots I have access to. Had a bite on my second time out but missed it. Been fishing a weightless wacky rig with a  GY green pumpkin (red flakes) nothing. Picked up some Yum Dingers in Junebuug and also in Watermelon (still nothing)

 

The water is quite murky everywhere, and varies in depth, rock bottoms and lots of weeds in spots for sure (lost a few worms/hooks getting hung up) I've read online there are supposed to be bass there, but so far no luck at all for me.

 

It's also been super hot lately where I am 40C so maybe the Bass are out in the deeper water that I don't have access to? (I'm shore fishing)

 

Thoughts? do I just keep trying?

 

 

[luneyr]

22 hours ago, luneyr said:

Thought id give you guys a little update. Been out to the same spot 3 or 4 times now, started early 6am or so and fished each time for 2-3 hours. Haven't caught a thing haha, moved all up and down the bank in spots I have access to. Had a bite on my second time out but missed it. Been fishing a weightless wacky rig with a  GY green pumpkin (red flakes) nothing. Picked up some Yum Dingers in Junebuug and also in Watermelon (still nothing)

 

The water is quite murky everywhere, and varies in depth, rock bottoms and lots of weeds in spots for sure (lost a few worms/hooks getting hung up) I've read online there are supposed to be bass there, but so far no luck at all for me.

 

It's also been super hot lately where I am 40C so maybe the Bass are out in the deeper water that I don't have access to? (I'm shore fishing)

 

Thoughts? do I just keep trying?

 

 

I have another question for you guys actually, from what I've been reading using a snap to be able to change baits out quickly vs directly tied on the line seems to be frowned upon. I only have one rod at the moment, so using a snap seems like a good idea so I can switch out what I am using to see what the fish want. Does it really matter much if you have a snap tied onto your line vs having it tied directly? I don't see how it could make much difference personally, but again what do I know.

[LionHeart]

On 8/21/2018 at 2:34 PM, luneyr said:

Thought id give you guys a little update. Been out to the same spot 3 or 4 times now, started early 6am or so and fished each time for 2-3 hours. Haven't caught a thing haha, moved all up and down the bank in spots I have access to. Had a bite on my second time out but missed it. Been fishing a weightless wacky rig with a  GY green pumpkin (red flakes) nothing. Picked up some Yum Dingers in Junebuug and also in Watermelon (still nothing)

 

The water is quite murky everywhere, and varies in depth, rock bottoms and lots of weeds in spots for sure (lost a few worms/hooks getting hung up) I've read online there are supposed to be bass there, but so far no luck at all for me.

 

It's also been super hot lately where I am 40C so maybe the Bass are out in the deeper water that I don't have access to? (I'm shore fishing)

 

Thoughts? do I just keep trying?

 

 

Hate to hear that, but have definitely been there many times.  The Senko wacky rig will certainly get hung up a lot in my experience.  I find that technique best when fished painfully slow.  Each cast takes about 3-5 minutes to retrieve.

 

Oddly enough, many of my strikes have come when I'm just letting that silly, do-nothing rig sit on the bottom.

 

I hear ya about the heat.  Pretty tough here in Texas right now.  Most of the bass I catch shallow are tucked up in the weeds.  If I were you I'd Trig your Senko weightless or even use a 3/16 or so bullet weight, and target those areas.  

 

I have also been doing good with black trick worms, baby brush hogs, and zoom 6" lizards.  Slooowly dragging, then pausing.

 

Tried the G-locks for the first time this weekend and may be my new favorite Texas rig hook.

[luneyr]

15 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Hate to hear that, but have definitely been there many times.  The Senko wacky rig will certainly get hung up a lot in my experience.  I find that technique best when fished painfully slow.  Each cast takes about 3-5 minutes to retrieve.

 

Oddly enough, many of my strikes have come when I'm just letting that silly, do-nothing rig sit on the bottom.

 

I hear ya about the heat.  Pretty tough here in Texas right now.  Most of the bass I catch shallow are tucked up in the weeds.  If I were you I'd Trig your Senko weightless or even use a 3/16 or so bullet weight, and target those areas.  

 

I have also been doing good with black trick worms, baby brush hogs, and zoom 6" lizards.  Slooowly dragging, then pausing.

 

Tried the G-locks for the first time this weekend and may be my new favorite Texas rig hook.

Thanks for the advice James, I'll keep trying ... I have other areas/lakes I can bank fish from close to me, but I really want to catch something where I've been fishing already, maybe I'm being too stubborn, but I really want to catch something on a weightless wacky at the same spot I've been trying before I move to somewhere else. Perhaps I'm setting myself up for major frustration though ha ha

 

 

[MickD]

Suggesting a beginner go with FC is in my opinion wrong.  FC is expensive, most of it is very hard to handle on both spin and BCast.  Braid of 10-15 pound test will cast very far, which is important for a shore fisherman.  Some will argue it will get damaged by rocks, and maybe it will, but one can keep his rod tip very high to help keep it out of the rocks, and it gives the best chance of reaching the fish.  If you cannot reach them nothing else matters.

 

Many fishermen fish braid with success without adding a leader, so that complication is not absolutely necessary.  Mottle the last couple feet of it with a sharpie pen.  Learn the palomar  knot - many terminal knots will not hold well with braid.

[LionHeart]

Don't give up.  This defies logic, but the last few times I've been out, the afternoon bite has been better than the morning.

 

I'm not talking about just before sundown, I'm talking about between 4-6 PM when I would expect things to be pretty tough.  Maybe give your spot a try in the afternoon if your schedule allows.  I have noticed that certain spots seem better depending on time of day.

 

 

[luneyr]

10 minutes ago, LionHeart said:

Don't give up.  This defies logic, but the last few times I've been out, the afternoon bite has been better than the morning.

 

I'm not talking about just before sundown, I'm talking about between 4-6 PM when I would expect things to be pretty tough.  Maybe give your spot a try in the afternoon if your schedule allows.  I have noticed that certain spots seem better depending on time of day.

 

 

Thanks again, maybe I'll try some afternoon fishing

[luneyr]

1 hour ago, MickD said:

Suggesting a beginner go with FC is in my opinion wrong.  FC is expensive, most of it is very hard to handle on both spin and BCast.  Braid of 10-15 pound test will cast very far, which is important for a shore fisherman.  Some will argue it will get damaged by rocks, and maybe it will, but one can keep his rod tip very high to help keep it out of the rocks, and it gives the best chance of reaching the fish.  If you cannot reach them nothing else matters.

 

Many fishermen fish braid with success without adding a leader, so that complication is not absolutely necessary.  Mottle the last couple feet of it with a sharpie pen.  Learn the palomar  knot - many terminal knots will not hold well with braid.

I ended up going with 8LB Mono for my first line, I'm sure as time goes on I will give others a try. Thanks for the advice.

[lmbfisherman]

1 hour ago, luneyr said:

I ended up going with 8LB Mono for my first line, I'm sure as time goes on I will give others a try. Thanks for the advice.

The 8lb mono should serve you well.  I live in Ontario but do not fish Lake Ontario a lot.  (Live in Guelph)  

 

My recommendation though in the near future or potentially next season, is to learn how to tie on leaders.  Change your line to 10-15lb braid and buy 6 or 8 and 10 lb Copoly.  (Copoly is an awesome all around line)  This setup would give you more versatility when you need light line or a little heavier line depending on where you are fishing.

 

I would also keep it simple in the beginning.  A senko is a great start in general, but for me Zoom Green Pumpkin Finesse Trick Worm and Zoom Super Fluke White would be great to start out with and cover most situations.

 

I find for myself the Trick worm (probably confidence) catches more fish for me than a stick bait.  It can be fished Texas rigged and wacky worm.  My favorite way to fish it, is weightless texas rigged or a splitshot rig.  

 

For the Super Fluke my favorite way is weightless and jerk it.  You can fish it near the top or add a split short or bullet weight to get it deeper in the water column.  When I do it weightless I like to give it a couple seconds to get a couple feet at least from the top, jerk it a couple times and pause.  However I will try different cadences to find out what entices them.  The Super Fluke can also be fished on top of vegetation, I slowly drag it over the vegetation and let is sink in holes.  This might not be ideal depending on how heavy the cover is though with your lone spinning setup.  The Super Fluke for me is so versatile!

 

I did catch my PB Largemouth in Lake Ontario (2nd time I fished the Lake) using a BPS Stik-O (BPS Knock off of a senko). 

[luneyr]

22 minutes ago, lmbfisherman said:

The 8lb mono should serve you well.  I live in Ontario but do not fish Lake Ontario a lot.  (Live in Guelph)  

 

My recommendation though in the near future or potentially next season, is to learn how to tie on leaders.  Change your line to 10-15lb braid and buy 6 or 8 and 10 lb Copoly.  (Copoly is an awesome all around line)  This setup would give you more versatility when you need light line or a little heavier line depending on where you are fishing.

 

I would also keep it simple in the beginning.  A senko is a great start in general, but for me Zoom Green Pumpkin Finesse Trick Worm and Zoom Super Fluke White would be great to start out with and cover most situations.

 

I find for myself the Trick worm (probably confidence) catches more fish for me than a stick bait.  It can be fished Texas rigged and wacky worm.  My favorite way to fish it, is weightless texas rigged or a splitshot rig.  

 

For the Super Fluke my favorite way is weightless and jerk it.  You can fish it near the top or add a split short or bullet weight to get it deeper in the water column.  When I do it weightless I like to give it a couple seconds to get a couple feet at least from the top, jerk it a couple times and pause.  However I will try different cadences to find out what entices them.  The Super Fluke can also be fished on top of vegetation, I slowly drag it over the vegetation and let is sink in holes.  This might not be ideal depending on how heavy the cover is though with your lone spinning setup.  The Super Fluke for me is so versatile!

 

I did catch my PB Largemouth in Lake Ontario (2nd time I fished the Lake) using a BPS Stik-O (BPS Knock off of a senko). 

Thanks for all the advice, perhaps I'll pick up some Zoom worms in the future. (I haven't been fishing Lake Ontario (yet) I have actually only been fishing the Cataraqui River at Kingston Mills in Kingston (I see you're in Guelph, not too far away)

 

Thanks again!