New to bass fishing

[ymduhh]

Hey all!

I am new to bass fishing and I guess fishing in general. I have been out but only caught catfish in the potomic in my boat before. But I am trying to learn on how to catch bass. I am from the NoVa area, located in Manassas. I was wondering what kind of lures to use and some new techniques which might be able to help me out with the learning process. Any help would be really appreciated really as I am new to fishing so I know I have a lot to learn but some information might help me out.

I been to fountainhead and rented one of them boats they got, bull run marina, and burke only. I go out on the potomic from Leesylvania on my boat but never have luck either. So any help please

[bigfruits]

id start with some small/medium moving baits. 1/4oz shallow crankbaits (rapala), 1/4oz rat-l-trap, 3/8oz white spinnerbait. just cast these out and bring them in with a steady retrieve. when you feel comfortable with the particular bait you can start changing retrieve speed and give it little erratic "jerks".

4" and 5" senkos are a good bait to use. i rig them "wacky" style with a 1/0 gamakatsu drop/split shot hook.

a 1/4oz bitsy bug jig with matching 3" craw trailer (paca craw, craw papi) will catch you bass of all sizes.

fish jigs similar to texas-rigged (t-rig) worms. using the rod tip to move the bait rather than the reel. let the bait sink to the bottom. pause. shake. pause. hop. pause. drag. mix it up!

feel free to PM me with any questions. good luck.

[Sam]

Lots of guys on this site from NOVA.

Try to do the following to learn how to bass fish:

1.  Go out with the local guys.

2.  Join a bass club so you can see what the guys do.

3.  Read, read and read magazines (Bassin is good); books; articles; and the information on this web site.

4.  Watch DVDs.

5.  Google Potomac bass fishing guides and see their web pages and their reports. Consider investing some money and fishing with them, even though you will be limited by the size of your boat.

6.  REMEMBER - The Potomac is a dangerous body of water that can turn deadly in a heartbeat. Rollers and white caps if the wind stirs up so hold close to the ramp if you are in a small watercraft.

7.  Always wear your PFD while on the Potomac and when fishing every other body of water. You may look silly but you will live to tell people how silly you look if you have a misfortune on the water.

As to what to throw? Sexy Shad cranktaits, frogs, spinnerbaits and plastics for starters.

So NOVA guys, how about a little help for our friend? 

[gar-tracker]

Join a bass club as a non boater, the absolute best way to start out.

[ymduhh]

Bigfruits: thanks for the tips on the types of lures to try out. I will have to pick up some of them either today or this week. It is a help to start me out on what to use. I will need to learn how to rig them up and do the the stuff you suggested.

Sam: thanks for the tips on where I should start, I have read most the articles on the main page of 'fishing articles' lots of information. The thing that confuses me is how to use each type of the baits and lures oh and the color choices for different types of waters.

Gar-tracker: how do I go about finding out the different types of clubs or something around the area?

The advice you guys have offered is helpful and thank you guys, I just feel like I have no clue to what I am doing when I do go out and try. So my question is what colors should I primarily stick with because here are many out there on the lures and baits. Like what color suggestions would I have to primarily stick to? Especially for the water around the area. I am thinking of getting a sit-on kayak soon to be able to go out to the lakes where my boat can not be unloaded at.

[bigfruits]

sit on top kayak is the way to go. dont need a boat launch!

learn the palomar knot.http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php

soft plastics and jigs i use black and green pumpkin. black for dirtier water, grn pumpkin for clearer water.

for moving baits i like white or natural colors like shad. chartreuse if the water is a little stained.

[pat_walker_fishing]

i would have to agree with the other guys...join a club!

I lived in virginia for about two years after i got married...the water was totally diffrent from anything i fished back home in the memphis,tn area. needless to say i learned alot from them guys.......once i moved back home i felt i was alot more well rounded as an angler.....so yes join a local club as a non boater and have some fun

[ymduhh]

I will look into clubs around the area, I think it would be easier to learn that way also. I have also started reading more into it such as magazines and browsing more in depth in the forums. So hopefully from what I have learned and the advice I have recieved from you guys I can have better knowledge of what to do and look for. 

[pat_walker_fishing]

i forgot to mention...i lived in lynchburg,va for two years i fished a couple tourneys with junebug bass club...they seemed really cool.....