rookie

[johnygofishing]

hey guys.....im a first timer so be easy on me i was hit with bass fever last fall and am really stoked on it...ordered outdoor channel...buy all the bassin mags....all that jazz.....i fish right off a little reservoir here in southern idaho on the snake river.. i have no boat.....i know the pre-spawn is coming but i am wondering when is the best time to start gettin out and rippin?....it is sunny and about 48 degrees today..... im thinkin of goin out and maybe gettin like a baitcaster combo in the range of 150 bones...thinkin shimano but.....what do you guys recomend?....also lures....the pumkin colored soft plastics worked well last fall but i really wanna dig deep you know?....im clueless about colors man...no clue at all so.....guys is it worth getting scent for the lures?.....anyways ill quit now......hope you arent laughing to hard ;D....please give me some feedback ok?.......

[GobbleDog]

Unless you're dead set on a baitcaster, I'd recomend a spinning reel set up. (I prefer the longer long rod - 7' or longer ... you can cast light baits further)

Colors don't matter.... much. Buy what you like and then see what you gain confidence in. I prefer natural looking colors because I mostly fish clear water.

Scents .... I don't buy them, anymore.  I've fished with em and without em, I couldn't tell a difference, except in my wallet. I do recomend Chompers which has a potent scent already built in.

[Burkard]

I also recommend spinning reel to start off.  I would get a 6'6" - 7' medium or ML rod Fast action and a 2500 spinning reel (Shimino's are great).  If you want to get a baitcaster - I'd suggest 6'6" Med rod fast action and a Shimano Curado reel (new model this year) 6:2.1 gear ratio - also buy a rubber practice lure - cause you'll need to practice to keep from getting backlashes.

For baits:

1.  4" senkos (black, brown, green, even pink)

2.  Spinnerbaits (3/8oz) silver blades & translucent skirts for sunny days - white blades and white skirts for cloudy days

3.  Jerk baits (small, shallow & suspending) silver for sunny days - and white for cloudy

4.  Rattletraps (3/8oz) siver & white again

5.  1/8oz jigheads with rubber twist tail trailer (grubs) - these are killers

[GobbleDog]

I totally agree on the 2500 model. Anything smaller is just too dinky and fragile.  And check out Daiwa as well as Shimano. (I personally prefer Daiwa, but they are pretty dang similar)

[Cajun1977]

HEY JOHNNY GO FISHING HOW FAR ARE YOU FROM THE UTAH BORDER MAYBE WE CAN MEET UP TO DO SOME FISHING

[Guest avid]

First off, welcome to the forum.  Johnnygofishing, that's a very cool user id.

There is alot of great information here.  Read the articles, post your questions, and jump right in.  There are a number of bank fisherman on the board and they seem to catch plenty so I wouldn't worry about that.  I hesitate to support the recommendations for spinning tackle.  Go to the Cabelas or BPS websites.  They have very nice affordable baitcasting combos.  Baitcasting is not so scary.  With the modern braking systems backlashes are more controllable, and certainly easier to untangle than a spinning reel line twist.   Spinnerbaits are a good lure to use from the bank.  They cast weel, don't hang up too easy and catch fish.  

Good luck and have fun.

[johnygofishing]

keep it coming you guys.....about the baitcaster thing....i would really like to score one....ive been lookin at the shimano CRUXIS.....it sure looks a long way from the walmart combo i bought last year ;D...like i said im new at this but am really hoping to destroy this year!...oh ya cajun...im actually here in boise...but i would be down for the fishing man....none of my friends fish...family.....maybe we can meet up somewhere.....oh ya what about those new lures called KICKTAILS.....supposed to triple your action?...thanks and like i said keep it coming

[Gatorbassman]

SOUTHERN IDAHO!!! WOO HOO!!! I love it up there. My Grandpa is from Blackfoot. I used to take trips with my dad out to Henry's Fork to trout fish every summer. He used to guide the Snake in the early 50's. Man those were the days.

I agree with everyone. A baitcaster is very frustrating to start off with. Now a list of tackle to add to what has already been said.

Hooks- sizes 3/0, 4/0, and 5/0 Gamakatsu Extra Wide Gap worm hooks.

Sinkers- sizes  3/16, 1/4, and 3/8oz bullet sinkers any brand.

Swivels- small barrel swivels

Soft plastics are great for bank fishing they are cheep and you won't break the bank if you have to break one off.

[BassChaser57]

You sure have hit a gold mine with this site. Read all the articles and pick the brains of lots of great anglers for info. Plastics are always easiest for me to catch and best to not get hung up with so it is a good way to start. Some colors work best for certain areas so the local bass club should be able to steer you in the right direction. Good Luck and Have Fun.

[SneakySnook]

Welcome to the forum Johnygofishing. You found a great group to ask questions from. I join about 1month ago and have gotten alot of great info from these guys. Senkos  work great also give the Zoom baby brush hog a try. The watermelon and black with blue flakes work great.

[sinker48]

  The Shimano Curado is a great baitcaster  take some pratice to master but you will enjoy using them when you do. Try crankbaits fishing from shore my favorite where I fish it is about 18ft. deep I think Rattle-Traps work the bestvery the colors. If you try spinning reels look at Okuma Metaloids.

                                          Good  Luck  !

                                                    Sinker  48