Hey all, new here and need some advice!

[EdgeOfThorns]

Hope everyone is doing good  8-)

I just need some basic help to catch me more than pan fish or blue gill, im not a hardcore fisherman but i so want to learn how to start really fishing decent so i can enjoy it even more.

Ive just learned that nightcrawlers and such catch virtually one kind of fish and ive caught a million of the pan fish and it drives me nuts, so im just deadset on learning more ways to fish.

Even just basic tips if you guys could offer would be great, im scanning the boards now as well, awesome site here.

Here in PA there are some nice lakes and such and i think i could catch some good stuff if only i knew what to do and how to do it.

What do you guys suggest for even just the basics? Do any live baits work better than others, like minows etc...Or is using lures the best route to go to catch bass?

Please any advice is welcomed for this newbie fisherman, thanks in advance!

[Glenn]

Welcome to the site!

To answer your questions, begin here: http://bassresource.com/beginner/beginner.html

Enjoy!

[Rebbasser]

Welcome to the forum!

That link Glenn posted will point you in the right direction, answer a lot of questions and generate  a whole lot more ;D.  My advice would be to check out that link, then come back and ask away!  And the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked, so don't let that stop you.  For most of the folks on these sites if they can't be out fishing they'd just as soon talk about it, so jump right in.

[basser89]

Welcome to the boards EdgeofThorns!

You've found THE BEST bass site on the net bar none!!!!!

Like Glenn has provided, read the articles! There's tons of information there! Read up and that will give you a place to start! Then, if you have any questions, don't be shy! Ask away! There are a bunch of great anglers here that are willing to help out however they can!

[EdgeOfThorns]

Thanks for the welcome guys and yes that link is great, reading it all now and im going to start there with the suggestions listed the next time i go which hopefully will be in a couple days!

Heres a question though, is it almost a rule of thumb that bass arent really caught with live bait?

[basser89]

Heres a question though, is it almost a rule of thumb that bass arent really caught with live bait?

Hmmmm, can't say I've heard of that one. There are a lot of guides in Florida that use shiners. I've even seen anglers using crawfish, nightcrawlers, minnows, bluegill and helgramites and catch bass. For me, I enjoy the challenge of catching bass on artificials!

[Dane]

to me, its not that bass wont bite live bait, but its that panfish wont bite, or shall i say wont be hooked by the oftentimes larger artificial bait.  In WI we seem to have an over-abundance of panfish, and believe it or not, its getting to the point where it is annoying to catch a 'gill when you could be reeling in a bass.  

Another reason artificial has an advantage is the number of different ways to present a lure.  Ask an experienced fisherman how many ways he can think of to fish a live worm,  then ask him how many ways he can think of to fish an artificial worm.

good luck buddy, and keep asking questions and everybody will be happy to answer them

[jomatty]

the advice i give all new fishermen is to get some senkos (or dingers or other knockoff although i think senkos are best this is hottly debateable lol).  they are really easy to use and will catch a lot of bass.  buy the 5 inch variety in some sort of green pumkinish color if the water has some visibility and a darker blue or plum based color if it is really stained.  if there is not a lot of weeds just get some octopus circle hooks and hook it through the middle of the worm (wacky).  throw it out and let it sink on slack line.  let it sit on the bottom for as long as you can stand (long ten count or so), then lift it up with rod tip and let drop on slack line again. repeat.  when you get a hit or feel weight dont set the hook just reel in slack and put pressure with a gentle rod sweep when using circle hooks.  if the water is weedy or otherwise snag likely then get some 3/0 ewg hooks and fish it the same way with them, except use a traditional hook set.

this is the rig that got my wife hooked on fishing.  it is a very easy way to catch a lot of bass.  i dont know any other way that is as consistently successful (as far as lures go).

and to answer your other question, bass will definetly eat live bait.  many prefer artificials for various reasons but everyone will agree that you can catch a lot of bass on live bait.

matt

[Sam]

Rooster Tails.

To catch crappie, brem and smaller size bass use a white Rooster Tail with a trebel hook.

For some reason the fish always go after a Rooster Tail.  I have caught catfish and white perch on a Rooster Tail, too.

Then, practice with plastic worms.

And remember, the buzzbait is always fun to throw.  Use a 1/4 ounce black for overcast and a 1/4 ounce for blue skies.  Then, you can graduate to the 1/2 or 3/8 ounce models.

This is a great forum and the guys are willing to help you with any questions you have.

[Sam]

Sorry...I left out the "white" for blue skies.

Use a white buzzbait for blue skies.

[jomatty]

one other great rig for beginers is a grub on jig head, especially for waters with smallmouth.  its a very versatile rig that can be fished all through the water column.

matt