Going from Trout to Bass in Missouri

[JClouseau42]

Hey y'all!  I've been fishing for about 40 years... the majority for trout in lakes or clear moving water out West.  Then I moved to Missouri and had some learning to do.  For example, I took my kid to a fishing rally and only brought salmon eggs when the pond was stocked with bluegill and white bass (we kinda skunked that day).  So, I got my brother-in-law into bass fishing - buying him a tackle bag kitted out with hooks, plastics, etc - mostly because he's my bro-in-law, but also because he's retired on a lake with a pontoon boat and I wanted in!  He's happy and I'm happy catching 1-2 lb largemouth, but we're still waiting to land a lunker!

[Spankey]

Welcome aboard. There’s a lot of good info on here. You’ll see when you start posting. That big one will come. 
I do the trout thing also. 50 + years of it. I like to flyfish and spin fish for them. Depending on whether it’s for stocked, wild or native trout here in PA you can find something.
I live and die to smallmouth bass fish. I love it.
Good luck and have fun here on the site.  

[J._Bricker]

Hello @JClouseau42 from Northern California, welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums! Some of your trout gear, such as in-line spinners like Roostertails and Mepps, spoons, small crankbaits and jerkbaits (if you have them) might help fill the gap as you build your arsenal. And you’ve probably got a spinning rod that can throw a senko, drop shot or split shot rig. Just my 02. Anyway, good luck and good fishing!

[GRiver]

Hi from the Sunshine State of Florida, cut my teeth on trout fishing. Then wading for smallies in Nc, now in Fl chasing bass.  You won’t be sorry signing up in this forum, tons of information here.

[bowhunter63]

Welcome Aboard. I’m still in Missouri chasin bass. I want to move to Florida so bad. Keep us up dated on your catches 

[GaryH]

Welcome aboard…

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard! 🤙

[Log Catcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Backroad Angler]

Welcome to the forums man!

[BlakeMolone]

You should check out some Ozark streams that have smallmouth in them, very similar to trout fishing and often action packed! Not sure how far it is from you but the illinois river in eastern Oklahoma near Talequah is an incredible fishery with giant smallmouth and a variety of other species, you can rent a Kayak or canoe for the day and they will drop you off and pick you up, about the most fun you a person can have for 30 bucks these days.

[Eric 26]

Welcome from New Lenox Illinois. BTW that is a beautiful looking bass👍🏻

[islandbass]

Welcome! I started out as a trout angler. I was fishing with a size 5 floating Rapala minnow targeting trout but I wound up catching a bass. It was over, lol. I still like to target trout though. Those silver torpedos can also be quite pretty too. I just wish they were as hearty as the bass. 

[WRB]

You have the White River in the area, good trout fishing.

Trout style spinning rods & reels are decent for finesse bass fishing. 1 suggest using Maxima Ultra Green 5 lb line.

2. rigs that work with your tackle are drop shot and slip shot.

Drop shot use 1/8 or 3/16 drop shot weight and size 1 Owner or Gamakatsu drop shot hook.

Slip shot use 1/8 Mojo ( cylinder weight) , Carolina keeper for adjustable weight stopper and Owner #5133 size 2/0 down shot hook. You use this hook for weedless drop rig.

Drop shot start with the hook about 12” above the weight.

Slip shot is a longer casting rig with the weight about 24” above the hook.

Suggest starting with Roboworns 5” to 6” worms in both straight and curl tails. Colors that work everywhere Oxblood w/red flake and Aarons Magic.

Welcome to BR.

Tom

[12poundbass]

Welcome to Bassresource 

[Tackleholic]

Gotta say I have it pretty good.  In 10 minutes I can be backing my VX21 Vexus out of my stall at the marina on Bull Shoals Lake.  In the heat of summer and cold of winter when the Bass bite seriously fades, I can have my jon boat in the White River in about 15 minutes for world class trout fishing.  I spent my younger years wade fishing for smallmouth in Illinois.

[whitwolf]

Welcome!

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcomes to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

[Pumpkin Lizard]

On 8/15/2024 at 11:34 AM, JClouseau42 said:

Hey y'all!  I've been fishing for about 40 years... the majority for trout in lakes or clear moving water out West.  Then I moved to Missouri and had some learning to do.  For example, I took my kid to a fishing rally and only brought salmon eggs when the pond was stocked with bluegill and white bass (we kinda skunked that day).  So, I got my brother-in-law into bass fishing - buying him a tackle bag kitted out with hooks, plastics, etc - mostly because he's my bro-in-law, but also because he's retired on a lake with a pontoon boat and I wanted in!  He's happy and I'm happy catching 1-2 lb largemouth, but we're still waiting to land a lunker!

 

Nice. I live in Missouri too but I am not from here and spent a few decades mostly fly fishing for trout and steelhead as well.

[Bankbeater]

Welcome neighbor! St. Charles here.

[Glenn]

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