What technique would you teach to a beginner angler?

[TriStateBassin106]

This topic I remember seeing back on one of the bassmaster classics back in the day. A guy was going around asking all the pros what style of fishing they would teach/recommend to a kid or new angler. Of course 90% said fishing a plastic worm because of the simplicity of it and how it works year round. 

 

I was surprised though because it seemed like none of them brought up any moving baits like spinners or cranks. 

 

 

If I was teaching a youngster or new angler to the sport I would definitely start at spinnerbait, it's probably easier then a texas rig, especially for the impatient kids. Also works pretty much year round. 

 

You're just casting and reeling back spinnerbaits. Another style of fishing i'd teach would definitely be wacky rigging. 

 

What about you guys? What would you as a bass angler teach a beginner? 

 

 

[scaleface]

I   say Texas rig too . If the person doesnt have the patience to learn it ,then a moving bait . But then again , if they dont have the patience to learn it then they might not be as crazy over fishing as us wing-nuts .

[OkobojiEagle]

Beetlespin  or small popper

 

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[JediAmoeba]

The problem with moving baits is it is going to require lots of casting.  Lots of casting means a lot more problems - whether it is a spinning reel or casting.

 

So in the regard I want something they can fish a little slower.  Depending on the water it would be a texas rig or a wacky rigged worm for me.  That's what I show kids and I show a lot of different kids how to fish.

[Cam R]

Any lure thats a straight retrieve like a paddletail,spoon,spinners are easy to use 

[skekoam]

Being fairly new myself-  most guys recommended starting with a drop shot.   I understand how it works, but have had little success with it from the bank.  I could be going about it all wrong.

 

My favorite way to fish is a T-rigged Senko.  That also how I've caught most of my fish.

 

I will attest to the idea of spinner baits being difficult for kids to do effectively as it requires so much casting.  It seems like my son is getting tangled every other cast, which also takes away from my fishing time.  LOL!!

[MN Fisher]

First choice - T-Rigged anything: stickbait (Senko, BPS Stik-O, etc), curly-tail worm, lizard, large craw.

Second choice - Jigs: Arky/Football dragged/hopped along the bottom or swim-jig higher up through the weeds

[Black Hawk Basser]

This might be a little mundane for a beginner, but learning to fish a jig is something that is valuable everywhere you go, and during every season.

 

I wish someone would have/could have taken the time to show me jig fishing when I first started.  I didn't get into fishing them until I was years into bassin', and really wish I'd tried or been shown from the get-go.

 

Practically, I think showing someone the ins and outs of crankbait fishing would be really valuable to a beginner.  They work pretty much all year round if you refine bait choices and you'll catch a multitude of species with them.  They don't require a lot of skill to catch fish, and they keep you busy trying lots of different speeds and retrieve styles.  They are not one of my top choices where I am, due to vegetation, but I fish them whenever/wherever I can. 

[JustJames]

I’m still a beginner and I say spinnerbait is harder to catch fish compare to any other bottoms contact type lure for those bank fisherman. With spinner, you’ll have to worry about speed, depth and where or location that hold fish, otherwise you would have to do a thousand casts before you nail one(right location and right timing).

[Hammer 4]

I'd agree with the other guys that said a T rigged worm, or whatever..This technique if taught properly will give the beginner imho more skills, than just throwing a chuck and wind type of bait. It may not be as much fun, but in the long run, he or she will be grateful down the road.

[Mobasser]

I say Texas rig worm. 

[ww2farmer]

This year was my youngest daughters first as a "bass fisherman". We always fished for panfish before with simple stuff, like live bait under a bobber for bluegills, or small grubs on a jig head, or tiny crankbaits that can be cast and reeled for rockbass. I had her throw the ned rig, and a wacky rig almost exclusively when she said she wanted to "bass fish" this year. She caught them pretty good, and even took 2nd place in her first tournament this summer.

[LCG]

Weightless Texas rigged senko

Ned rig TRD and TRD craws

mepps inline spinner #3 gold undressed 

 

Tried and true. 

[Fried Lemons]

From my experience a complete novice has a fairly short attention span and will do better with a moving bait, particularly with trebles. They can practice and get comfortable with casting while any fish that happens to bite will probably get hooked. When trying to get someone into fishing the most important thing is to put them on fish. Once (if) they develop some interest then I'd introduce texas rigs, which require more patience and the ability to detect strikes.

[TriStateBassin106]

4 hours ago, skekoam said:

Being fairly new myself-  most guys recommended starting with a drop shot.   I understand how it works, but have had little success with it from the bank.  I could be going about it all wrong.

 

My favorite way to fish is a T-rigged Senko.  That also how I've caught most of my fish.

 

I will attest to the idea of spinner baits being difficult for kids to do effectively as it requires so much casting.  It seems like my son is getting tangled every other cast, which also takes away from my fishing time.  LOL!!

Never had luck with a dropshot from the bank. It works better if you found a school out on a lake. 

 

The boat guys here swear by it. 

[Scott F]

3 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

With spinner, you’ll have to worry about speed, depth and where or location that hold fish, otherwise you would have to do a thousand casts before you nail one(right location and right timing).

Ive got news for you. No matter what lure you chose, if you want to be successful, you need to worry about speed, depth and location. 

[fishwizzard]

The lure I give new people is always basically the same, a curly tail/kut tail/whatever tail worm, t-rigged with a pegged weight. I try to get the total package weight to be on the heavier side of the rod's rating to help with casting.  This presentation is easy to cast, very weedless, and can be successfully worked with a huge range of retrieves.  Most new anglers will work it really fast, which helps with bit detection and hookups.   

[slonezp]

If I were teaching a kid, it would be live bait and fishing for panfish

[jbmaine]

First thing I showed my wife how to use was a Senko. To this day that or a swim Senko is all she uses, and more often than not she'll out fish me.

[frogflogger]

I spend a few days every summer taking young kids fishing, far and away the ned rig is the best chance for a first fish - first bass - first trout - crappie - sunfish.

Depending on the water I have them go from 1/32 with small finesse worm to 1/8 with 1/2 stick worm.

It is ideal technique to develop a sense of feel and give confidence and it is viable  in rivers, creeks, ponds and lakes.

[J Francho]

I always start with moving baits. 

[ohboyitsrobby]

I have a 6 year old who really enjoys fishing. I keep it pretty simple. A variety of straight chunk and wind baits with some torpedo and poppers mixed in. He can also drop shot a little as long as he can see the fish under us on the graph. I'll work him into t rigs and all that but his ability to detect a subtle bite right now is debatable. And I'm not really trying to have a whole bunch of fish frys

[FishinBuck07]

Texas rigged soft plastics!  It will let them learn things that will help with other techniques, like bite detection( watching line for movement).  

[bagofdonuts]

a jig. the most versatile bait made. you can put anything on it and catch fish anywhere at any time of year. 

[Jermination]

an old bill lewis rattle trap on a spinning reel, theres no doubt when they get hit and the fish hook theirselves 75% of the time