New bass fisherman looking for advice

[Clark1409]

Hey guys,

 

So I am completely new to bass fishing. I’ve dabbled in fishing before but never learned the real techniques so recently I’ve been trying to learn everything about  fishing from scratch. So far I’ve learned knots, got a spinner pole(for now), and bought some tackle. My question for you guys is what are the basic techniques for bank fishing. What techniques should I try to learn and “master” first. There is a lot to learn before and it’s pretty overwhelming so I want to learn the basics first and go from there. If there is already a thread for this already please send me that way I’m new here so I’m still learning the ropes. 

 

Thanks guys!

[A-Jay]

The Bass Resource Articles section has everything you need to know & more; so much more !

That makes it a Great Place to Start.

https://www.bassresource.com/how-to-fish/

A-Jay

[WRB]

Can you better define your rod, reel and line? Rod and reel make model number, line type with # test.

Tom

[haggard]

A great starting point that catches fish is a 6'6 to 7 ft medium power, fast action rod and a spinning reel (or baitcasting reel if you prefer, check the youtube for the differences and tradeoffs). $50 to $100 should buy you a decent rod, and same for a decent reel. Put 10 lb mono line on it, tie on a 1/4 oz bullet weight followed by a 3/0 hook and a Texas rigged 4 inch soft plastic worm. Bring needle nose pliers in case you need help removing the hook and, if you can, foreceipts (in case you deep hook one, you can go through the gills to remove the hook). Set the hook fast. If you wait too long you risk deep hooking the fish (harder to release). 

 

[Darren.]

I second @A-Jay's suggestion of the articles on the site.

 

Found many very helpful over the years either as a refresh or for

a new technique I hadn't tried yet. Avail yourself and enjoy  .

[Mike L]

Hello and Welcome!

Trying to learn anything you've never done before can be a little overwhelming at first. Bass fishing is no exception. 

We've all be there. 

 

After you've done some research and your head stop's spinning come back and ask anything large and small. 

Thats why we're here. 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[diversity210]

4 hours ago, Clark1409 said:

Hey guys,

 

So I am completely new to bass fishing. I’ve dabbled in fishing before but never learned the real techniques so recently I’ve been trying to learn everything about  fishing from scratch. So far I’ve learned knots, got a spinner pole(for now), and bought some tackle. My question for you guys is what are the basic techniques for bank fishing. What techniques should I try to learn and “master” first. There is a lot to learn before and it’s pretty overwhelming so I want to learn the basics first and go from there. If there is already a thread for this already please send me that way I’m new here so I’m still learning the ropes. 

 

Thanks guys!

Getting into bass fishing these days can be really overwhelming and complicated.  That is due in part to all the companies and sponsored anglers trying to sell product.  Making you feel as if you need a specific everything to do anything.  It really doesnt have to be that complicating.  You said you picked up a spinning rod.  Thats a good start.  7ft to 7'2 medium fast action spinning rod would be my go to for bank fishing.  You also said you have been learning to tie knots thats good as well.  Id spool my reel up with 10-15 pound hi viz braid and tie on an 8-12 pound flouro leader.  As far as baits since you are just getting started a Trig is a must.  Id say Trig with a 7-10 inch worm this time a year.  Wacky rig senko or yum dinger would be a must have for me bank fishing.  I would also carry a few top waters with me bank fishing whopper plopper, buzz bait, super spook.  You could also carry a couple crank baits.  I think lipliss crank for bank fishing would be best option but a square bill wouldnt be a bad option.  Keep you colors simple.  Green Pumpkins, watermelons, june bugs, black and blues for the plastic worms and senkos.  Whites, Chartreuses, clear, for the others I mentioned.  You dont have to go crazy and get them all, But that selection of baits will go a long ways bank fishing and you can have a couple of each one to keep your tackle light. 

[Rip_lipz]

Don't open a Cabela's credit card. I speak from experience, its dangerous.

[Clark1409]

Thanks guys! Now I have some direction to start with.

I’m using a 7’ Medium power/fast action, spinner reel, and have 8-10 lb test to put on it. I’m guessing I’ll start with trigs and go from there. I’m really trying to see what rigs work best for what situation since there’s so many to use and I’ve never used 90% of them haha

[stepup]

Definatly start with a T-Rig with a Zoom Finesse Green Pumpking worm. Fish with it and you will be like 90% of fisherman and that will be the first thing you have confidence in. I haven't fished a T-Rig very much in a long long itme but if someone put a gun to my head and told me you have 1 hour to catch a fish on a unknown body of water I am tying on a T-Rig with a finesse worm. Then start branching out form there. Fluke's, Brushhogs, Senko's, Pop-R's any of these will be good baits to dip your feet into other realms of fishing. The one thing I wish I would have started 10 years ago is a fishing log. I have just started it but I know that if I would have did it a long time ago I would have quite alot of valuable information.

[roadwarrior]

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

[scaleface]

Describe the area you will be fishing . Stream , pond , lake , ditch... depth , clarity , vegetation , logs , rocks...The more info you provide the better advice you will receive .Be precise . All lures catch bass .

[WRB]

On June 26, 2019 at 6:14 PM, Clark1409 said:

Thanks guys! Now I have some direction to start with.

I’m using a 7’ Medium power/fast action, spinner reel, and have 8-10 lb test to put on it. I’m guessing I’ll start with trigs and go from there. I’m really trying to see what rigs work best for what situation since there’s so many to use and I’ve never used 90% of them haha

8 to 10 lb line put on it, mono or braid?

Glenn just put up a video on fishing plastic worms, watch the vedio and start there.

We can't even agree what a T-rig is, that should give you an idea how complex bass fishing can get with terminology having multiple meaning, we can agree on what a soft plastic worm is!

Good luck ( watch the video),

Tom

[diversity210]

On 6/26/2019 at 6:14 PM, Clark1409 said:

Thanks guys! Now I have some direction to start with.

I’m using a 7’ Medium power/fast action, spinner reel, and have 8-10 lb test to put on it. I’m guessing I’ll start with trigs and go from there. I’m really trying to see what rigs work best for what situation since there’s so many to use and I’ve never used 90% of them haha

Not really sure what kind of line you mean when you say 8-10 pound test.  Braid, Mono, Fluorocarbon?  I would highly recommend spooling your reel up with a hi-viz 10-15 pound braid and tying on a 8-10 mono or flouro leader.  Something like PowerPro or suffix 832.  Those are 2 really popular brands of braid.  You can find them both just about any place that sells fishing gear and most people seem to be fairly please with either or.  I think you are on the right track.  A Texas rig is a good place to start.  You can fish all kind of soft plastics on it and it doesn't have to just be a bottom bait.  I have been known to swim creature baits through and over grass lines and have caught fish doing it. 

 

As far as what works best for you is all up to you.  Know one will be able to tell you that.  People can give you a general idea of what might work in a particular situation, but what works in your situation on the waters you frequent is something you will have to figure out. 

[schplurg]

As others have said, this site has so much info. I especially like the videos.

 

I've barely fished a year and I'm catching them better than my friend who has fished - though not much for bass - for decades. I've watched most of the vids here and many more on Youtube. Hundreds.

 

I think I know where to find them better because of all the help I got on the internet. I am totally addicted to this so I spent a lot of time learning everything I could.

 

I'd say learning to bass fish is actually easier these days due to the availability of information at your fingertips. There is no substitute for time on the water, but learning bass behavior and the basics of where, when and why they go where they do can be learned at home as well. Take that knowledge and apply it on the water.

 

You don't need expensive gear. My first rod/reel was a Bass Pro Shops $25 dollar thing. I still have it. It has caught me 5 lb stripers, and many bass. Was my only rod for 9 months. I use cheap baits, even Walmart stuff. They catch fish! I have some brand name stuff too.

 

tl;dr

Learn bass behavior and watch at least 300 videos. Glenn here at BassResource will teach you a lot. Learn the Texas Rig, get some rubber worms, some flukes maybe, and get a few crank baits and go for it. I like the little grub spinners at Walmart too for tough times.

[Clark1409]

Thanks y’all this advice gives me confidence that with some practice and patience I can get a handle on this.

[The Bassman]

It's all about the journey, not the destination. I keep learning all the time.

[bazzelite19]

Try starting off using spinnerbaits. Wal-Mart sells them for $1 and they will catch some hawgs despite the price. With a spinnerbait you can get used to feeling the blades thump which will develop your sense of feel. A crankbait is also excellent for this. If youre bank fishing go buy some strike king kvd 1.5 cranks. Spinnerbaits will come through more varieties of cover cleaner most often though. If you aren't sure about getting strikes try a topwater so youll know for sure. Once you catch some fish on a spinnerbait try a jig or texas rig. When you get a bite just start reeling fast and pull back. You dont get as much power setting on a slack line which id natural instinct to wanna do. Only when you reel the slack and stretch out then set do you gain driving power. Consider using braided line so you can feel bites and set the hook easier. Get a good braid though so it won't dig in itself as bad

[deadadrift89]

      X3 on the Texas rig. A 3/16oz bullet weight, 4/0 Gamakatsu ewg light wire hook and Zoom 6.5" trickworm has caught me more fish than any other(Google texpose it will increase your hookups).

     The second technique I'd learn is a Zoom super fluke on 1/8oz bellyweighted Gamakatsu hook(use a twitch-twitch-pause on retrieve) to mimic a wounded baitfish.

     This is a tough time of year so don't get discouraged. Pre spawn is a few months  away but worth the wait. Around Mississippi when water temp hits 58* it's like magic. Your alot further North so someone from your area could help with that?

[FishinBuck07]

My best advice would be, don't get trapped in the thought that you need the latest and greatest of anything to be a bass fisherman!  We have all made this mistake over the years and wasted lots of money.  Pick one or two techniques and one or two baits for said techniques and fish them till you figure them out, then Branch out from there!

[Angry John]

I'm going to go a total different direction.  Learn to spot fishy areas, the yearly migration patterns and your local food items.  This will guide your bait choices, presentations and where you want to be on the lake.  You can have a billion dollar tackle box and still catch nothing if your casting to empty waters.  These skills are free and are the keys to repeated success.  It's the gold of the fishing world that people want to buy.

[Plottman1974]

Have fun....don't get caught up in the "keeping up with the jones's"...

 

put 6-8 pound mono on that spinning reel.  Invest in good extra wide gap worm hooks (4/0 gamakatsu).  Get a pack of Yum Dingers of the green variety for 3-4 bucks and a pack of of zoom super fluke white color for 3-4 bucks. 

 

When bank fishing, don't automatically walk up to the bank.  Often, you are scaring fish away.  While standing 10 feet or so from the water, throw in the area you expect to stand a few times then walk up to the water.   While standing at the water, throw your bait to the left, left center, center, right, right center, and then right.  Then move on down the bank a little and repeat that process...you will catch fish.   

 

Fish those baits slow with little twitches....then real a crank or two, twitch twitch, repeat and make sure to set your hook very good...bass have a tough jaw! 

 

That will get you catching fish any season on any pond that i have ever fished and all I fish is from the bank. 

 

good luck and the main thing is to have fun.  it's not a competition, it's a good way to relax and enjoy this short life.

 

Using those simple baits and techniques you will catch fish, learn about habitat, and have fun...then you can branch out to other techniques but always keep it simple...

[MN Fisher]

On 12/1/2019 at 3:22 PM, FishinBuck07 said:

My best advice would be, don't get trapped in the thought that you need the latest and greatest of anything to be a bass fisherman!  We have all made this mistake over the years and wasted lots of money.  Pick one or two techniques and one or two baits for said techniques and fish them till you figure them out, then Branch out from there!

This how I did it. Re-started four years ago with three old rigs I'd had for decades. After year one, replaced those with newer rigs, after year two, added a couple more rigs, added two more during year three and this year added a seventh.

 

Build up slowly as you add experience and new techniques to your repertoire.

[reb67]

I would say take everything that you have right now for bass fishing find a really good looking spot sit it all on the ground turn and run, run as fast as you can the other way ?? in all seriousness 

This sport is and can be very addictive and expensive if you are not careful.

You are in the right place for any questions you may have everyone on here seem to enjoy passing on information and advice. The only thing I would  suggest is, although there is many baits and techniques that bridge the gap across the nation pick the brains of the anglers in your region to fine tune when and what time of year to use what baits and techniques. Always keep an open mind and don't be afraid to try something new.

I'm about 8 years into this sport and I'm going fishing Sunday and will be trying a technique that I have never done before and I would be willing to bet there's guys on here with more years in then I do that are still trying new things. 

Welcome aboard and keep us updated on your progress.

[Alex from GA]

Before I started using plastic worms I used night crawlers T rigged and caught many bass.  Today I use finesse worms with 6 lb line and a 1/16th oz sinker for most of my bass fishing.  Last week.