General question on tackle

[BassChump]

Hello,

I've posted a few things on here but I am very knew to bass fishing. I bought a used bass boat on a whim and have enjoyed every minute of it. It's an older 17 foot Bayliner Trophy bass boat with all the stuff and everything works as it should. Got a great deal on it for only $1000.00. Very happy with it so far. I have caught lots of trout, plenty of blueback in the local river.

We have LOTS of lakes that have good bass fishing from what I understand. There is one lake that I like in particular just down the street from my office although I have fished several of them.

My question is pretty simple.

I watch all the threads and hear everyone talk about all the different lures, worms, etc. that they use and frankly I don't know what many of them are or how they might be used.

Can you guys give a basic explanation of the different kinds of lures, how to use them (weights, lengths of leaders, casting and reeling techniques, etc.) and what the general conditions you would use these different setups with????

I know it sounds pretty basic but for us new guys, it sure would help. Just the basics to get us started!!!!!!

In my circumstances, the lakes that I usually fish in would be smaller lakes less than 100 acres. Lots of downed trees in the water with a few areas that have some reeds and lilies, typically cooler temps. The water temp in my favorite lake is currently 48 degrees and probably never gets warmer than about 62 degrees. These lakes are usually no deeper than 50 feet at best although there are a few spots that get to 70 but most of the lake is around 30 feet with some large flat spots protrude almost to the middle of the lake that are only 10 feet that drops off suddenly to 40 feet.

It's not fished heavy nor is it well known.

I have caught quite a few small bass there late last summer after I got the boat and I know there are some studs in there. Just haven't landed any yet. As I said, new boat, new to bass fishing so the only thing I have used so far is a smaller Blue Fox lure that was gold in color. Caught a lot of bass with it around the edges normally around the downed logs but just smaller ones.

I used a 4 inch Senko in there at the end of summer and caught the largest bass I have caught. Probably no bigger than about 2 pounds but it was lots of fun. I didn't even know I had it until I started to reel it in and then it suddenly took off. lol

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Tpayneful]

Maverick974,  Welcome to the forum!  You will find a lot of information here.  If you look at the top of the webpage you will find a fishing articles tab.  Click on that and you will find lots and lots of articles on Bass Fishing.  The first one to look at is the "Beginners" section.  It has a good number of articles on the whats and hows of Bass Fishing.  After you get through that you might want to look at the PreSpawn seasonal page.  Their are also articles about depth finders as well.  Check those out, try some things out on the water and ask questions.  This site will help you learn big time!  I would TIVO the Bass Pros and Day on the lake.  Both of those shows will give you useful information not just try to sell you stuff.

Your question is really hard to answer because it is so broad.  What I will say is that you might want to start with a few lures and become really good with them.  If you have laydowns, I would start with a texas rigged plastic worm (I like Zoom trick worms and a 3/16oz weight) or a jig with a plastic craw chunk trailer.  If the water is really clear stick with watermellon or green pumpkin colors.  If the water is stained go with a Black, Junebug or Black and Blue colored lure.  Toss them up into the laydown and slowly work them back.  Don't move the rod much just the rod tip.  Jiggle it and feel for strikes.  Once you get good with these I would move on to other lures.  Good luck and let us know how you do!  

[Jig Man]

X2 on the few lures.  Pick them and stick with them until you catch fish on them regularly.  Worms and jigs are enough to start with.

[dumb_dog11]

Thats a loaded Question!!!

While it is good to stick with a few lures in the beginning, you should most definetly expand to become a more versatile fisherman. If you start with two types, i would start with 1 moving bait (crank or spinnerbait) and 1 slow bait (worms, jigs etc)

I will try to attack your question

Topwater

This would include poppers, chuggers, pencils, frogs, and buzzbaits. These are usually thrown at the start of the morning and during lowlight conditions. They are a great search bait

Spinnerbaits

A skirted safty pin lure with rotating blades that supposedly represents a bait fish. In muddy water, use a Colorado blade. This will be basically round. In clear water, use a willow blade.This is a long skinny blade that puts more flash than vibration in the water. They say you should start throwing spinnerbaits when the water warms to about 55 degrees. They work great in woody areas

Cranks

A minnow bait with a bill that dives to a specified depth. I love cranking. The key with this lure is to try to contact somthing whether it be a stump rock or even the bottom. the strike usually comes right after the contact

Jerkbaits

A slender crankbait basically. Vary your retrieve of jerks and pauses providing eratic action until the fish tell you which retrieve is best.

Worms

Can be fished several ways

-Texas Rig

-Carolina Rig

-Wacky

-Drop shot

-flippin

-and many more!!!!

Read the articals on the site. They will give you far more info than i can provide in a paragraph

Jigs

I recomend watching LBH's video. He explains the four best ways to fish a jig. When jigging, remember that most strikes will come on the fall. So be a line watcher and know the fall rates of your jig to know the approximate time your jig will hit the bottom. If you count your jig down to 15 ft  with a fall rate of a foot per second and it goes slack at six, SET THE HOOK. Jigs are hard to learn but once you get the hang of them, they are very consistent.

Extra Tips:

-You are a beginner, dont be discouraged of not catching fish in your first outings

-read the articles on this site

-It can get confusing but just keep trying

-Have fun. Dont just fish to fish in the beginning. Relax, take in your surroundings and the serenity of the lake

Good luck

dd11

[ohiobassmaster93]

i agree with dumbdog....espeicaly that u don't need 2 get discouraged if u don't go out and catch them ur first few times out

[BassChump]

I really appreciate all the help.

I always have fun when I get on the lake. I try fishing the downed trees for most of the time but the water is still pretty cold so if I don't catch much, I fish for trout and that saves the day. lol.

I'm going to take all your advice. I have some Senko worms and some spinners but I'll get a few of the other things you guys mentioned and work on better presentation.

I think this is going to be a fun summer. So many lakes within 10 minutes drive.

So many lakes, so little time. lol.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Thats a loaded Question!!!

While it is good to stick with a few lures in the beginning, you should most definetly expand to become a more versatile fisherman. If you start with two types, i would start with 1 moving bait (crank or spinnerbait) and 1 slow bait (worms, jigs etc)

Excellent advice.  Youy have lots of great learning experiences ahead of you, some very satisfying, rewarding stuff and your attitude is perfect for learning.

If I had to make a suggestion to someone in your position, I would say to get some trick sticks, a floating rapala and a spinnerbait.

Come ask questions about how to use these (separate threads).

Learning these 3 baits will give you a well rounded experience to draw from when using most other types of baits.  A great base to build on.

I would hold off on jigs till you build up your fishing "senses" (you'll know what I mean when you start seeing places and you'll KNOW there's a fish there,....when that starts happening, you're ready for jigs)

[smallieking]

its probably really hard to learn about all the baits right at one time like right down   i pick a few of the common ones like worms, senkos and craws   then when u see someone posting topics about different baits and if you are interested go to go and type in the name of bait article   for example    articles on artifical worm for bass   in google  u should find alot of information    

[fishizzle]

Dumb dog is pretty smart.  Don't let his name fool you.

He does an excellent job breaking down the system.

I also recommend buying name brand lures mentioned on the forum that have a proven track record.  If you buy the cheapies to start, you may be disappointed and hold a grudge toward that type of bait

Glad you are jumping in with both feet

[roadwarrior]

Lure suggestions:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1143177139

Good luck!

8-)

[Big-O]

Looks like you are getting alot of good info and this forum is definately the place for it. As some of the above threads advise, keep it simple at first and use the 4 most popular bait techniques and try to learn them well. Spinner bait 3/8 oz white and chartreuse with willow leaf blades in silver and copper. Lipless crankbait like chrome and black rattletrap or SK diamond shad chromes or bone color. Soft plastic 4" to 6" worms and/or Craw worms in watermelon, green pumpkin, or june bug colors. Tx rig them with 1/8 to 3/8 oz weight to start. Soft plastic top water baits like frogs and/or buzzbaits. With these 4 styles of fishing, you will learn the basic foundation for bass fishing and you will catch fish but more importantly, you will have fun doin it. Good Fishin