Bass Fishing Basics

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I hope I have this posted in the right thread section. :-) Here goes. Here in Raleigh NC (central nc) I know many people fish all of the time. There is a saying around my fishing friends at church "there is no such thing as bad fishing conditions with weather or time of year, only bad lure choices". I am a BASS member and subscribe to their magazine. But wanted to get some real angler advice info here too. With this in mind I was wondering some basic bass questions:

1.) What exactly does spawn mean?

2.) When does spawn happen?

3.) What are the "best" bass fishing months in this part of NC?

4.) Where are the fish in "water depth" for cold and warm days?

5.) Best lure color/type to use on cloudy or sunny days?

Thank you all for your patience with my "newbie" questions. I just started fishing January of this year. and love it. Being on the boat with family is great fishing. Just need to know what to throw and when.

- Joe

[Blue Streak]

If you click on the fishing articles at the top of this page you will get some excellent answers. You might want to read Fishing 101.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I just clicked on the "bass fishing for beginners" link. There were dozens of sub links in there. They answered all of my questions and more. I feel like an expert LOL. Thank you for your help and direction where to go. Joe

[cajun_flipper]

Spawn is what mommy fish and daddy fish don't want to have to explain to their teenager fish.

It occurs in the spring when the water's about 60 degrees or so? I'm not a bed fisher, so I don't really keep up with it.

As far as predicting what a bass will do on any given day on any given season, brother if you can figure that out to a science, you'll make millions.

Bass are wildly unpredictable critters. Their preferences and locations can change drastically in a matter of hours. As far as seasonal stuff goes, I like fishing current breaks in rivers year round, shallow or deep. In lakes and big rivers, I like vegetation and wood. Spring and fall, check feeder creeks and backwaters for bait fish activity. Summer and winter, points and structure hold big bass, but you can find GOOD activity in the shady shallows in the summer. Winter bass are stubborn...I go deer hunting

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Thanks CajunFlipper. Sounds like a plan to me. Going to be 80° and sunny here in North Carolina the whole week. :-)

[Crestliner2008]

Along with the articles cited above, get yourself a copy of "Spoonplugging" by Elwood "Buck" Perry. He was the "father of structure fishing" and advanced our sport tremendously. You will learn a great deal from him.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I will have to check that out. I love to read about different ways to improve my fishing skills. ;-)

[buzzfrog]

yep 78-80 all week, hitting up some ponds, rolling a craw daddy spinnerbait across some beds

[ROCbass]

Along with the articles cited above, get yourself a copy of "Spoonplugging" by Elwood "Buck" Perry. He was the "father of structure fishing" and advanced our sport tremendously. You will learn a great deal from him.

Do you know anywhere you can get copies of this for cheap? I just looked on amazon, $52.00 for a used book is pretty steep. Then again, I paid 3x that for some books in college that I never even opened, and I would actually read this one...

[Crestliner2008]

Here it is on their own web site for $19.95:

http://www.buckperry.com/product_info.php?cPath=122&products_id=1232

[ROCbass]

Thanks for the link!

[BassBoy10]

Im new to bass fishing. I want to buy some tackle and a new rod. I own a canoe and live on a fresh water lake. Any help is greatly appreciated !

[Crestliner2008]

Im new to bass fishing. I want to buy some tackle and a new rod. I own a canoe and live on a fresh water lake. Any help is greatly appreciated !

First off, WELCOME to the best place to learn what you need to. As stated in this thread already, read and read a lot; then ply why you read on the water. One thing at a time until you gain confidence in each. Remember this, you will never stop learning! As you start to understand the basics and you have specific questions, most folks here will be happy to help you. Good Luck!

[whitwolf]

Thank you all for your patience with my "newbie" questions. I just started fishing January of this year. and love it. Being on the boat with family is great fishing. Just need to know what to throw and when.

- Joe

As others have mentioned there Is a ton of Information In the articles. The one thing I would suggest Is to, above all, enjoy the time on the water with your family.

All the techniques you master will never be as Important as the memories you have of the times on the water with your wife and child.

As for the fishing, pick a technique and master it. Then go to the next technique, etc. Lastly, whatever you skill set there are an abundance of folks here that will help with any question you ask. :-)

Good luck this weekend!

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Thanks whitwolf. Had a great time with the family today, weather was perfect!!!