New member

[Clark1409]

Hey guys! I’m a new member and new to bass fishing. Im excited to get into bass fishing and just being a member here in general. I’ve fished before but never learned the proper way and have just recently decided to get into bass fishing. I was wondering what are some basic techniques to learn first. There’s a lot to learn so I’m trying to start simple and build from there. Any and all advice or tips will help a greenhorn like me out. 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, @Clark1409!

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

[DogBone_384]

Welcome.  

[Log Catcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum. There are a lot of good videos on here to help you out.

[jimmyjoe]

   Welcome! 

[Bluebasser86]

Welcome!

[EWREX]

welcome! don't be afraid to ask any questions. great group of individuals always ready to spread knowledge!

[Sam]

Welcome, Clark. Nice having you with us.

 

Now, to answer your query: Everyone on this Forum has an opinion as to where to start so let me share my suggestions with you.

 

Spinning Rigs

Easiest to learn and master.

Read and view all you can about spinning rods and reels.

You can throw any bait and use any line test as long as they are within the rod's parameters.

Always keep your finger on the line coming off the reel.

 

Baitcasters

Harder to learn and you will get backlashes.

But you have to learn how to master the baitcaster.

A couple of pro's tricks:

Stop Backlashes

Open the reel's side door and put the brakes into an "X" position.

Check the instructions that come in the box with your reel.

Close the cover and rig your baitcaster as you would if you were ready to fish.

 

Go outside after rigging up your baitcaster with your bait ready to fish and adjust your spool tension and drag so that it is not loose. Put your drag where you want it.

Point your rod tip to 11 o'clock, press the bar, and release the spool. You want the bait to fall slowly to the ground and have the spool stop when the bait hits the ground. 

Adjust spool speed accordingly until this happens and while you are fishing.

Make smaller adjustments as you wish.

Suggestion - do not do this in your home on carpet. The hooks will get stuck in the carpet. Do this on hardwood, in the garage, driveway, street, boat, or in a field.

 

Take a roll of Scotch Tape or Electrical Tape with you outside.

After balancing your rod and reel above, cast your line as far as it will go and then take out two or three arm lengths of line.

Place a strip of the Scotch Tape or Electrical Tape over the remaining line on the spool.

Rewind the line back on the spool.

Your line can not go deeper than the tape, stopping bad backlashes.

 

Once you have your baitcaster balanced, the spool will stop when the bait hits the water. In fact, you can start your buzzbait and spinnerbait and Chatterbait and Whopper Plopper retrieves right before these baits hit the water.

 

Balancing Your Rod and Reel

Note the line test and bait weight parameters on your rods.

Add up the high and low of the line test and divide by 2 to get the optimum line test for that rod.

Or, make sure you don't go lower or higher than the line test limitations.

 

Do the same with your baits. Make sure they are within the parameters.

 

Check your baitcast reels and spinning reels to make sure they can handle the line test weight. This information is printed on your reels.

 

One more suggestion: Buying Rods and Reels

When you want a new rod or reel you will receive hundreds of suggestions on the Forum and all are valid and good to consider.

 

What I want to pass along is that you take your reels with you that you will be using with the new rods or your rod along with you if you are checking out new reels and rig them up in the store.

I mean you take your reel with you and actually put it on the rod to see how it fits, feels and balances.

You take your rod with you and put your reel on it to do the same.

Just let the store people know the rods and reels are yours when you enter the premises.

You can now feel the setups and select the one you like best.

In addition, check out the rods for "technique specific" rods. David Frits has a fantastic cranking stick. BPS' $100 rods do great and you can get them on sale in January or February. Look for the pros' drop shots, shaky heads, crankbaits, worm, etc. specific rods and you can't go wrong.

 

Best Tactics and Baits to Learn First

1.  Pitching and Flipping

2.  Senkos and Stick Baits

3.  Crankbaits - including lipless

4.  Buzzbaits

5.  Poppers

6.  Chatterbaits

7.  Spinnerbaits

8.  Whopper Ploppers

9.  Drop Shot

10.  Shaky Head

 

Don't fall for every bait hawked by the pros on TV or magazines. You will find the technique and baits you like and have confidence.

Experiment. Take your time and experiment. Keep a fishing log of every outing as listed in the "Tools" link above this page.

 

And read, read, read. Subscribe to Bass Anglers Magazine plus other bass fishing publications. Join a bass club as a non boater and learn from those guys. Hit You Tube regarding different fishing videos.  Visit the pro's Internet sites, like Woo Daves, for their tips. Watch the weekend fishing shows. "Like" this Forum on Facebook. 

 

And before you know it you will be in the Bassmaster Classic!

 

Good luck and have fun experimenting.

 

P.S. Being from Kentucky you have to learn how to bounce a basketball while fishing and never forget the Bluegrass Miracle when LSU won the game on the last play. 

[whitwolf]

Welcome!

[J._Bricker]

Hello @Clark1409 from Northern California! Welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums! In answer to your question, @Sam posted the Reader’s Digest version to get you firmly on your way 

[Glenn]

Welcome home! We're glad you're here!

[Tennessee Boy]

Welcome 

[Clark1409]

Thank all for the warm welcomes and information! This forums already worth being a member to