New to real fishing!

[Nathan Mattera]

I emphasized "real fishing" because i have not fished in years. I usually just go casual fishing. The guy who walks into a store buys a fishing pole and a bunch of stuff not knowing what im buying, goes out to fish and catches nothing ?

 

But i decided to go to a local bait an tackle shop and have them set me up with stuff that i can actually catch stuff with. So im hoping for a great first fishing season. The places im going to fish have bass and pike, and then i also want to catch trout as well. Hoping to find out some good fishing tips here as first time "real fisherman", i plan to do alot of fishing this year.

[Skunkmaster-k]

Welcome 

[Bluebasser86]

Welcome!

[islandbass]

Welcome. Decide what species you would want to target first. I first targeted trout when I first started in 2004 but the first fish I really caught happened to be a bass. 
 

This is somewhat important because the gear for the 3 species you want to catch will require different rods for optimum performance. For example, a typical UL rod for trout will not be ideal to target pike and a powerful rod for pike used to target trout just won’t be fun or sporting. 
 

I’ll predict that before you’ll know it, you’ll have 10-12 rods sooner than you think. ?

[GaryH]

Welcome aboard Nathan..

[ATA]

Welcome to bass resource

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, Nathan! ??

[NavyVet1204]

Welcome friend! This place has been a true blessing for me and I know it will be for you as well! Tons of great people on this site that will give the shirts off their back to help you. 

[Sam]

Nathan, a few things:

1.  First, please add your physical location to your avatar so we can give you more specific answers based on your geographical location.

2.  Read, read, and read some more. Read Bassmaster Magazine, Bass Anglers Magazine, Bass Times, books, and articles on bass fishing. Start a library for your books and use a three ring binder for specific magazine articles that you want to refer to in the future.

3.  Visit some of the pros web sites, like Woo Daves, https://woodaves.com/, for their tips and suggestions.

4.  Subscribe to the various pros and manufacturers YouTube videos.

5.  For any topic you have a query, post it here and then go to YouTube to find additional information.

6.  Realize that the simplest colors for plastics will do well: green pumpkin, watermelon, and Junebug. You don't need hundreds of colors, although it is fun buying them. Look for articles on which plastics colors do well in what water clarity such as Junebug for stained water; watermelon for clear water; and green pumpkin for all water.

7.  Consider spending some money and join Bass University. Great videos on so many subjects by so many pros.

8.  Be careful and do not fall for every bait, rod, reel, line, boat, trailer, motor, sonar unit, etc. the pros hawk. Read and watch what the pros have to say and then wait a week before making a purchase. Something better is sure to come along in a week or two.

9.  Check out the pros' and manufacturers' sites on your Facebook page, and remember #8 above.

10.  Then sit down where it is quiet and read, read, and read.

Welcome to the Forum where we will do our best to answer your questions.

[Sam]

And one more suggestion: "Like" Bass Forums on Facebook and suscribe to get Glen's outstanding video productions that are short and to the point. 

 

You will learn a lot from them.

[whitwolf]

Welcome!

[Log Catcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Glenn]

Welcome Home! We're glad you're here.

[A-Jay]

Hello and welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

Welcome aboard!