First Bass (SM)

[Winston_Smith]

I've been fishing with the old worm and sinker for a long time. Mostly fish the many small brooks around here. I just started getting into Bass fishing and last night was the first time i had gotten out to the lake to give it a go. Me and a friend had been fishing for about an hour when i landed my first Bass. I didn't get to record it at all but it looked to be around 3LB. I used the calculator on this site to figure it out.

I was fishing with a 7' Shakespeare rod and a Shakespeare spinning reel, pretty cheap got it all for about $35. I was using a Yellow dot Dressed 3 1/4oz Mepps Black Fury.

I had just moved from some grass i was fishing to a dock. I was casting under the dock and around the back of some boats. I cast just under a side dock and started reeling it back in pretty slow, i had reeled about 4 feet when he hit pretty hard. He didn't really fight to much, got him in pretty quick. I don't think i had him out of the water for more than 2 minutes if that.

This weekend we are going to be renting a small boat and going back out for some more fishing. And i think it's time for a rod and reel upgrade, i had been holding off to see if bass fishing was going to be my thing. What would you suggest for a good solid starting rod/reel that will last me a while. I would keep using the setup i have now but it has a real problem with the reel getting all tangled up way to easy.

[T-rig]

WELCOME! You just got hooked on bass fishing!

[brian_82]

The line getting tangled is probably due to one of or a combination of either....

Old line, you could try replacing it.

The spinner being too light, you could try a heavier one.

The spinner could be twisting the line, put a swivel infront of it.

See if that helps. Even being a lower end shakespeare you can still catch fish.

[Winston_Smith]

The line getting tangled is probably due to one of or a combination of either....

Old line, you could try replacing it.

The spinner being too light, you could try a heavier one.

The spinner could be twisting the line, put a swivel infront of it.

See if that helps. Even being a lower end shakespeare you can still catch fish.

The line was brand new, just put it no that day. I had a swivel on the line, i pretty much always use a swivel. I guess it could be the spinner.

When i say twisted up what i mean is the line will sometimes not even wind onto the reel it misses and gets all tangled up. At first i thought it was my casting, i was casting over hand and the wind would get to it and leave me a lot of slack. So i started casting sidehand and i haven't been getting loads of slack like i was. But the reel still gets all tangled up on me.

[eastkybass]

Congrats on a great choice.  The bait monkey has got you soon you will have several rod and reel combos and several boxes full of gear.

[Jerk Bait]

Congrats on your First Bass!!

I have seen many people do this and have even done it myself.

Make sure that your drag is not set too light.  Sometimes if the

drag is too light for what  you are casting, as you cast, this will

set the drag off just as it does when your reeling in a fish.  

When this happens this will cause what  I call a spider web in the line.  

You wont notice it until you go to reel back in and see the mess.

Try adjusting the drag a bit tighter and see if that helps.

As far as a rod and reel go.  Each and ever angler has their own

preferences.  I am a big fan of Berkley Lightning Rods IM6's and

Quantum Reels.  I've been using them together for years.  I like

the poles to be medium light 6 footers and a longstroke spinning

reel.

[30_pound_bass]

I think a baitcasting setup is best for most bass fishing, BPS makes some good reels at good prices.  I want to try a Shimano baitcaster but have never used one.  For spinning, Shimano stands out also.  I have a Spirex mostly for catfish and carp and other "sit back and wait" fishing.  If I got one for bass, maybe a Sahara or Symetre.  The Spirex and Sahara are about $60 and the Symetre is $80.  Good baitcasting reels start in that range and go UP.  I've had a couple Quantums also, mixed experiences there.