Tips for beginner.

[Mando_one]

I’m learning about bass fishing, I’m from California, I want to learn about top water, fishing lines, lures. Anything helps

[Hammer 4]

First off, welcome aboard. Here at BR there's a wealth of info. about bass fishing. Here's a link to a bunch of info. that will answer your specific question, plus a whole lot more, enjoy.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_articles.html

[Catt]

How y'all are?

 

Become an active member ?

[Hook2Jaw]

Wait for @roadwarrior to post his guaranteed to catch bass, wait for a few topwater gurus to come in here and school you, but in the meantime, welcome to BR.

 

My advice is going to be for line, and that's 15 pound Berkley Big Game monofilament.  You want monofilament because it floats, you want to upsize line a tad because thinner, more limp line will tangle in topwater trebles.  Most importantly, you want mono for the stretch, and through it, forgiveness when playing a hard fighting fish with treble hooks.

 

This is the way, @Mando_one.

[joshuaray83]

View the articles that were posted above and view the videos that @Glenn posts on a regular basis. His videos are very informative. In addition, he releases videos that relate to the current conditions. For example, because it's Fall, he recently posted a video about good, cheap baits for Fall fishing. Great content.

 

Edit: Here's a link: https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos

[Mobasser]

Hello and welcome from MO.  Lots of great fisherman here with tons of good advice. If you want to know about bass fishing, you've come to the right place.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Read up on the articles provided on BR. You'll learn a lot  .

Helped me and tons of others on the forums here.

[DaubsNU1]

Welcome.  Read, read, and read some more....

 

But don't be afraid to experiment. What works in another part of the country might not be the best presentation in your neck of the woods.  

 

Good luck!

[WRB]

welcome to BR. Try posting your SoCal questions in the Western forum for more specific answers to the lakes you plan to fish.

Tom

[tander]

Read Bass Resource, go fishing, go early and stay late.

[Mando_one]

18 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Wait for @roadwarrior to post his guaranteed to catch bass, wait for a few topwater gurus to come in here and school you, but in the meantime, welcome to BR.

 

My advice is going to be for line, and that's 15 pound Berkley Big Game monofilament.  You want monofilament because it floats, you want to upsize line a tad because thinner, more limp line will tangle in topwater trebles.  Most importantly, you want mono for the stretch, and through it, forgiveness when playing a hard fighting fish with treble hooks.

 

This is the way, @Mando_one.

@Hook2Jaw thanks for that. I was thinking of Braid to Mono. I ask a lot of people I know and they said it would be a good set up, but I myself have doubts. Setup combo I recently bought was “bass pro tourney series”. My first bait cast combo. 

On 11/10/2020 at 7:40 PM, Mando_one said:

I’m learning about bass fishing, I’m from California, I want to learn about top water, fishing lines, lures. Anything helps. 
Want to know what jig heads are used for. Drop shots. Chatter bait, spinner bait, worms and craw.

[roadwarrior]

 

[Captain America]

When in doubt get the senko out.... Seriously, weightless senkos (or more generally, soft plastic stick baits) are easy to fish, and a great way to get started building up bass fishing confidence. I suggest branching out from there. Texas rigged plastics are simple and effective too, and you can fish them a little faster than a senko. 

[WRB]

There isn't a panacea lure on the market. To catch bass you need a basic understanding of bass behavior and adequate casting skills, lures are selected to catch bass where they are located.

We spend a lot of time and effort to determine where the bass located the select the lures that will work at that location, depth, structure, cover, seasonal period etc.

As I noted in a prior post in this thread SoCal lakes require specific knowledge regarding location and higher percentage lures to use.

Tom

[Captain Phil]

Above all, be patient.  Bass fishing is not about catching a bunch of fish every time you go out.  People who love the sport love the challenge. If you gauge your bass fishing success by the number or pounds of fish, you would be happier fishing for other species.  There is much to learn.  Not even the greatest anglers in the world have all the answers all the time.  I have been fishing for bass for over 60 years and I am still learning.  Even after all those years if I catch one lonely bass, I am still happy.   

[soflabasser]

The #1 tip I can give a beginner is to make having fun your priority. Take time to learn the place you are fishing. Focus on learning how to fish a handful of lures to the point you are very comfortable. Understand that you will not always catch bass on every single trip. With time you get better and you will be a successful bass fisherman.

[Darth-Baiter]

Where in California?  So vague. 
 

in NorCal, I feel like i’m just getting started.  I just rigged up a few rod/reel setups to try to find a few dumb cooperative bass tomorrow.   I head out in my kayak. 
 

it’s odd. I’m new as well. I’ve been casting and trying a lot of baits and tactics.  When you get a hit it’s so eye opening!  Right there you’ve learned something!  BAM!  
 

I watch YouTube, I read, I use google earth.  Those bass are NOT going to catch themselves. 
 

just start.  Dont get all hung up on one tactic. Top water.  It will happen. Maybe not so much in the fall or winter. 

[Bigassbass]

First and foremost have fun!  Right now live bait will work well ( here in N.C.) so you can practice casting, reeling, and catching fish.  Doesn't matter if its panfish you'll catch a bass once in a while and your confidence will soar.  Good luck and welcome.

[GreenPig]

Tip: Fish fast, Fish slow, but most importantly go. All the reading and watching of videos will help but being on the water is they way to catch them.

[Bankbeater]

Pull up Glenn's videos on YouTube and watch them all. 

[Boomstick]

Well there is a lot to learn. You can spend any spare time looking through the videos and articles on this site as well as Bassresource on Youtube (Bassresource will get you started quickly) and also reading through the forums, there's loads of advice in little things people mention everyday.

 

My advice, is keep it simple. Get a rod and reel, as much as you're willing to spend as long as you know you're going to stick with it to make it worth it and pick a presentation or two and just work those presentations until you start catching fish, and once you start catching fish, expand from there. I probably wouldn't start with top water personally, I would be more inclined to go with a Texas rigged senko or ribbon tail worm like the Berkley Powerworm and maybe a Spinnerbait on a medium heavy rod. And maybe throw in a buzzbait as well, since you said you're interested in topwater.

 

Topwater is incredibly fun when you get on a bite. Largely, topwater is the most effective at dusk and dawn in the hotter weather and then you can catch them in the spring and especially the fall all day long when the water is colder. Also, I'm not sure why it is but sometimes when it starts raining on a hot summer's day, they'll hit a popper.