New Fisherman

[hookem19]

I'm 17 and i just recently began watching professional tournaments on TV every sunday morning.  I realized how much i have been missing out, not having been bass fishing my whole life.  I live in Austin, Tx and i was wondering how i should begin bass fishing. I have fished my whole life, mostly for catfish and on the coast for specks and reds, so i know how to throw a baitcaster and know a little bit about fish.  Just wondering what kind of rod and reel i should get, and where i should start fishing?  any ideas or pointers

[Marty]

Start by going to this site's home page and looking down the left side for "Beginners." There's a good series of articles.

I'd start with a spinning outfit if I were you. As to waters to fish, keep your eyes and ears open in your travels around town. Maybe go to some lake's launch and talk to anglers. And definitely talk to employees or other customers in tackle shops and departments.

There will be some people who won't want to share their spots, but between talking and looking around in your travels you should glean some information. Another thing is to talk to people at the Austin office of the state DNR, although I think they have another name for it, TWD, or something like that.

Good luck.

[bassinjack]

i would say the fist thing is keep it simple. don't go out and invest hundreds of dollars in stuff people tell you you have to have. simple means going to walmart spending 40 are so bucks on a good rod and reel combo starting out i don't beleave you need all the highend rod and reels on the market.

then start simple with your lure slection. master a few lures a year like this year stick with spinners worms and topwaters. i would stay start out pond fishing all three of the above lures probbbly take more pond bass then any other lure on ponds a good way to learn before you move on.

tight lines

Jack

[roadwarrior]

You will learn more in one day fishing with a guide than watching a years worth of videos and reading every article on this site. Obviously, you need to find the right guide and explain to him that you're new. Some will provide the gear so you can get a feel for some of the equipment you might want to buy in the future. After fishing a couple of times, the articles and shows you watch will mean a lot more, you can relate. Then you'll really like this website!

[Nick_Barr]

Check out this site it has everything. Also get a good spinning reel and a good batcasting reel and match them with nice rods. Get good quality ones but get ones that you can afford. I prefer daiwa reels and rods  and shimano rods. they are not too exspensive and they are good quality.