Hello 2024

hit reply :

First time poster here with a few questions. My son, who's 9, has been asking about going fishing. It's been years since I've been fishing myself so I don't have any gear, poles, etc. I was wondering if anyone had any pointers on what sort of rod I should get him and myself. I read somewhere 5 footers were good to start with if you were interested in bass fishing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Hit

KevO reply :

I would suggest getting a couple of 6'6 medium/fast spinning rods with a 2500 series reel. Spool them with 8# mono and get to it. Buy some worms, topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and your ready to go. If you give a price range you will get more specific examples of rods and reels.

BTW Welcome to the site.

roadwarrior reply :

Save some money and catch a bunch of fish:

Hire a guide that furnishes tackle.

If you decide to stick with it, spend some time in the

BassResource.com Library, "Fishing Articles" and the

"Tacklebox" at the top of the page.

The easier answer to your quest is a couple of "in-house"

combinations from a big retailer: Bass Pro Shops or

Cabela's have all you need.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

8-)

hit reply :

Thanks guys, really appreciate the feedback. Price-wise I figured I'd need to spend up to around $100 for mine. For my son, I'm not really sure what would be best for him, the same I guess. I told him we'd go to Cabela's tomorrow morning, he's really excited about it.

Thanks for the advice on the article roadwarrior, I'll be up reading some tonight.

Out at work there's a couple of tanks on the backside of the property that, from what I understand, have quite a bit of bass so we're planning on going out there on Sunday and see what sort of damage we can do. It'll be good quality time for us at least.

hit reply :

Ok, let me make sure I'm on the right track. Probably looking for a spincaster for my son, who's 9. For myself I'd be better off going with a baitcaster? Used to fish some when I was young and I always had problems with spinning reels. Not as expensive as I originally thought. Figured I'd be spending around $100 for 1 rod/reel.

I'm not sure what the 2500 series is. Still looking.

Looking through some of the biginners articles and lots of good info. I guess I never realized how much skill and know-how was involved in fishing. Interesting stuff.

vicdotcom reply :

Quote
Ok, let me make sure I'm on the right track. Probably looking for a spincaster for my son, who's 9. For myself I'd be better off going with a baitcaster? Used to fish some when I was young and I always had problems with spinning reels. Not as expensive as I originally thought. Figured I'd be spending around $100 for 1 rod/reel.
I'm not sure what the 2500 series is. Still looking.

Looking through some of the biginners articles and lots of good info. I guess I never realized how much skill and know-how was involved in fishing. Interesting stuff.

I recommend staying away from the baitcasters for a 9 year old's first fishing trip. A spinning reel or spincaster would be best. When you had trouble with a spinning reel was it because of the line springing up on you causing a big tangle? If so, I recommend going for a "Braided Line" 10-15lb test. It is much more manageable. You wont get any of the twists in the line as you would with regular fishing line.

The reason I say stay away from a baitcaster is because it takes a lot of work and learning to use one efficiently. His first few trips should be easy and fun. Learning to love the time with you. That being said also, bass are exciting to catch but for a first trip, hit the bluegills. Catching more is better than catching bigger for a child that age.

Vic

bigfruits reply :

2500 is the reel size, IMO perfect for bass fishing.

id suggest spinning reels, shimano or daiwa.

i hear berkley lightning rods are a good value in your price range.

because you are going to cabela's maybe you can check out there brands of rod. id get something between 6'-7'.

i think in-line spinners (mepps,blue fox,panther martin,worden's) are perfect beginner baits. they will catch alot of different type of fish including bass and panfish. just cast them out and reel them in.

hit reply :

Thanks guys. Just got home with the rods/reels. Ended up getting the Zebco 33 for my son, he picked it out and I figured it was a safe buy for him. After some help at the store I ended up getting the Quantum AR-30 Rod/Reel Combo for about $55.

I looked at crank baits, worms, etc. and figured I'd better read up some more before I just start buying stuff. We won't have time to go out until next weekend even though my son is in a frenzy abt it. Best I could come up with was putting a coffee can in the back yard to practice casting with. Make a game out of it I guess.

FordNFishinLover reply :

The force is strong in you!!

Hey, if you have ANY, i mean ANY, questions just send me a personal message! I'd be glad to help you and your son out.

Glad too see you both so excited about fishing.

hit reply :

Haha, thanks catfishking. Wish the owner's manual link for the reel on the quantum site would work. :

I'll be sure to ask more questions. Trying to get my head around lures and such in the beginner's section.

soccplayer07 reply :

GREAT THREAD!!! read the articles here and ask questions.

FordNFishinLover reply :

Quote
Haha, thanks catfishking. Wish the owner's manual link for the reel on the quantum site would work. :
I'll be sure to ask more questions. Trying to get my head around lures and such in the beginner's section.

Yea i was checking it out also and wont work for me neither.

hit reply :

Ok, just spooled the reel. I got the 8# line like Bassakwards said but, and I'm just realizing this now, I didn't really look into what brand I should get. I got the P-Line Floroclear.

When I open the bail it doesn't go looping off the spool so I guess I got it right. The reel spins clockwise and the spool was wound clockwise with the label facing up, which makes sense. Used a paper napkin to hold the line tight while I wound it and stopped about a 1/4 inch from the rim.

FordNFishinLover reply :

Quote
Ok, just spooled the reel. I got the 8# line like Bassakwards said but, and I'm just realizing this now, I didn't really look into what brand I should get. I got the P-Line Floroclear.
When I open the bail it doesn't go looping off the spool so I guess I got it right. The reel spins clockwise and the spool was wound clockwise with the label facing up, which makes sense. Used a paper napkin to hold the line tight while I wound it and stopped about a 1/4 inch from the rim.

Perfect! And you should be quit happy with the line. My only worry is how stiff the line might be. I know the heavier pound test in P-Line seems a bit stiff and wouldnt be a good choice for spinning reels. But if its not jumping off it should be good.

Btw, it doesnt hurt to spool until about 1/8 of the rim. Much after that it will not be good.

hit reply :

Makes sense. I was sort of surprised at how fine the line seemed but then, the only experience I have was from 20+ years ago when I used to fish for perch in the Colorado River here in Tx. A lot has changed, standing in the Fishing section at Cabela's and Academy today my head was swimming. I thought I had an idea of which worms and baits to look at but after a bit of looking I decided I'd better do some more reading first. I'm glad I did too, now I know I need to get swivels, weights for worms and a few other things.

hit reply :

Been looking at some of the bait kits and was wondering if there's any downside to this or if anyone had any suggestions? From what I'm reading and based on previous suggestions I'm thinking maybe I should just start out with some Lipless Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and Tube Baits. I think you can get 5 piece kits for most in assorted colors. Color depends on water condition and weather, right? Cloudy/mirky=natural colors and clear=bright colors?

The other thing I'm still sort of unsure about are the hooks, weights and swivels for Tube Baits. Read up on checking hooks for flex and what not but I'm a bit unsure abt size.

Are swivels only needed on spinners?

Do you put weights on the Tube Baits or just when using plastic worms?

Had to drag my son inside to eat dinner. He was in the backyard for 2 hours straight trying to cast into the coffee can I put in the backyard for him. We're planning on going out Saturday morning around 6:00 to see how much damage we can do at Granger Lake.

Thanks guys,

FordNFishinLover reply :

I suggest you start using soft plastics first. They are VERY productive, fairly cheap, and easy to rig and use. Look up a Texas rig and Carolina rig, and you will be able to fish basically any plastic you want.

As for bait colors, yes it does depend on weather, but its mainly water color and the time of day you fish. At night time you want to use dark colors and day time you want to use any of your others. Depending on how the fish are acting they might want a different color in a different situation. It just depends on what they want!

For clearer water and bright baits and natural baits work good. With your muddy waters natural baits and DARK baits work best.

For hooks, weights, and swivels. Swivels is mainly a preference, but id say the smallest you can get away with and still feel safe your fish wont break off. Weights, lead weights are most common and cheapest. But if your fishing bottem alot and senseitivity is needed you can get tungsten. With tungsten you will be able to feel a noticable difference, but they are very expensive. You should be fine to start out with lead.

I mainly use bullet weights for everything. Sizes depends on where im fishing and what im doing, how fast i want lure to sink. A good all around weight is a 1/4-1/2 oz.

Hooks... Depending on what your using will depend on hook. But on almost all of my plastics i use Gammy EWG hooks. Sizes 3/0-5/0. A 3/0 will be a good all around size.

Swivels are for anything. Anytime you want the ease of switching lures. Personally i never use them for bass fishing. I dont want to take the chance of one breaking on me. So i tie a new knot anytime i chance a bait. Anyways once you get your knots down it only takes 10-20 secs for a fresh knot.

Theres no way your suppost to fish. If there were than we wouldnt have new baits and such coming out everyday. But as for weight with a tube, many people do use a weight with one.

Hahaha thats awesome. Glad to see your son is really excited and enjoying fishing. He reminds me of myself. Especially when i was learning a baitcaster. Id be out practing for hours. Sounds like your gunna have to upgrade him to a spinning outfit here soon!

hit reply :

lol, yes, he's very excited. After school he rides to his friend's house to stay the afternoon until my wife or I get off work. Usually I'll call when I get close to home and tell him to head home and he's a bit somber about it as he wants to stay. All week he's been calling me before I get off to see if he can head home, it's quite funny.

Last night and today I read quite a bit about Texas and Carolina Rigs. So glad I read up on these, wish I had known about them when I was younger.

Plastics it is. Think tomorrow night we're going shopping so the info will come in very handy. Thanks so much for the help Catfishking, I'll be sure to report back on Saturday.

MillerTime reply :

Here are a couple videos that are pretty useful:

How to rig a Texas rig

How to tie a reverse clinch knot

How to tie a palomar, clinch and double uni knot

Here are some great tackle and lure suppliers

Tackle Warehouse

http://www.***.com/

***

http://www.*.com/index.php

Hope this helps!

hit reply :

Helps a ton, thanks so much for the links.

-Hit

MillerTime reply :

you're more than welcome. a quick youtube search for fishing tips will give you a ton of help. you'll just have to learn to seperate the good from the bad.

hit reply :

My son and I just got back from the store with some tackle.

He got his tackle box of course and some polarized sunglasses, he thinks he's a hot shot now.

Anyhow, decided to play it somewhat safe. Got all plastics for now, still have quite a bit of reading to do before I start buying Rat-L-Heads, Cranks and such. Bought mostly 3" and 5" Sinkos. Watermelon and Watermelon with the red flakes. Got a kit of 3" with different colors too. Pumpkin, Chartreuse, and a few brighter colors.

Went with bullet weights and some 2/0 and 3/0 Gamakatsu hooks, red and the standard color. Think this should suffice for our first outing and let us get our feet wet.

Also found quite a few good videos per Miller's recommendation. The ones on presentation are very enlightening. I never realized how lifelike you could make your worm look. Very interesting stuff. That, along with the Texas/Weedless rig should help a ton.

Thanks guys,

Hit

FordNFishinLover reply :

Hahah thats very funny about your boy.

Glad things are going good and gotchya some new tackle. I hope yall catch alot. Since you got some senkos i highly suggest you try doing this also. VERY productive. The senko craze has been going strong for the last few years now, and wacky riggged is very famous. Heres everything you need to know about it!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1121527643

Hope you two catch loads this weekend! Good luck!!!

fatbass reply :

This post is soo cool! Makes me want to go out back to practice hitting the can. Looks like you are on your way, Hit. Looking forward to hearing of how it turns out. Don't forget to bring the camera.

hit reply :

Thanks guys,

The wacky rig is pretty neat. Watched a few presentations on it. Was thinking about doing that for my son and use a bobber with about a 4 foot lead...we'll have to see what he likes I guess. After I read your post last night, catfish, I was up another 2 hours past my bedtime reading. Wife finally got up, came in my office and asked, "Are you still reading about fish?"

1 more day. Even if we don't catch anything it'll be a nice day to get out and have some fun.

Thanks fatbass, I called my wife this morning and told her we'd be taking the camera tomorrow, she laughed. We're expecting another son in July so I think she's grateful we're getting out of the house. I'm a huge sports fan and this time of year is a bit slow with the exception of the Final 4 and the Denver/Jay Cutler stuff so she's looking forward to not having to listen to the TV on ESPN all day tomorrow or the fishing shows that are on early in the morning.

skunked_again reply :

Quote
First time poster here with a few questions. My son, who's 9, has been asking about going fishing. It's been years since I've been fishing myself so I don't have any gear, poles, etc. I was wondering if anyone had any pointers on what sort of rod I should get him and myself. I read somewhere 5 footers were good to start with if you were interested in bass fishing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Hit

welcome to the forum, youre going to love this place.

for starters id go to the local wal-mart and get yourself a middle of the line spincasting combo. id get your son a Zebco 33 combo. as far as fishing gear goes id stock up on little spinner baits, beatle spins, roostertails and plastic worms. a few cheap lipless cranks wouldnt be a bad idea either.

enjoy and share you fishing trips with us!

FordNFishinLover reply :

Quote
Thanks guys,
The wacky rig is pretty neat. Watched a few presentations on it. Was thinking about doing that for my son and use a bobber with about a 4 foot lead...we'll have to see what he likes I guess. After I read your post last night, catfish, I was up another 2 hours past my bedtime reading. Wife finally got up, came in my office and asked, "Are you still reading about fish?"

1 more day. Even if we don't catch anything it'll be a nice day to get out and have some fun.

No dought! Just getting out and enjoying the day is the trip! Catching fish is a bonus!!

Haha thats great! I cant tell you how many times ive "accidently" stayed up wayyyy to late after starting to read a bunch of info on fishing stuff.

An the wacky rig will do it! Theres so much info on it now that its ridiculus haha.

Hey good luck, and i really hope you two catch a bunch!!!!!

senile1 reply :

Welcome to the forum, hit! I didn't see this thread until today. It's nice to read about that initial excitement when someone is first getting into fishing. I'm really anxious to see how your and your son's fishing trip goes. Please report back and good luck! 8-)

daviscw reply :

Quote
Thanks guys,
The wacky rig is pretty neat. Watched a few presentations on it. Was thinking about doing that for my son and use a bobber with about a 4 foot lead...we'll have to see what he likes I guess. After I read your post last night, catfish, I was up another 2 hours past my bedtime reading. Wife finally got up, came in my office and asked, "Are you still reading about fish?"

1 more day. Even if we don't catch anything it'll be a nice day to get out and have some fun.

Thanks fatbass, I called my wife this morning and told her we'd be taking the camera tomorrow, she laughed. We're expecting another son in July so I think she's grateful we're getting out of the house. I'm a huge sports fan and this time of year is a bit slow with the exception of the Final 4 and the Denver/Jay Cutler stuff so she's looking forward to not having to listen to the TV on ESPN all day tomorrow or the fishing shows that are on early in the morning.

I'd probably bring some night crawlers along on your first trip; just in case. You wouldn't want to bore the kid his first time out.

hit reply :

Great day! Went out about 7:00 this morning. Dad didn't have much luck. Had 1 and it broke my line. I kept trying for the same 1 and got it to hit a few times but I just couldn't get the hook set, kept missing him and then finally he stopped going after it. My son got this one. 18 inches long if I measured it right.

Had a blast, may go back out tomorrow. The lake we were at is only about 20 minutes down the road. He also saw his 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th copperhead.

FordNFishinLover reply :

Thats a beautiful fish! Ill bet your boy was stoked when he hooked into that!

Haha good ol pops just couldnt hook into them today eh? Well i hope you have better luck tomarrow!

Great job and keep it up!!

(btw what did he catch it on??)

hit reply :

Watermelon Senko with a Wacky Rig. Yeah, he was super excited. Caught it around 9:00 this morning. By the time it was 4:00 this afternoon he still didn't want to leave.

Thanks again for all the help guys, it is very much appreciated.

detroit1 reply :

RW- how is hiring a guide going to save him money? The cost of a guide would be equal to what he spent on both outfits. Then they would have to go buy their gear after that. As usual, "pay no attention to that man" still applies.. (just kidding)

BigBassGuy reply :

Congrats to you and your son!! Thats an awesome first fish for anyone.

It seems you may have turned him into one of us though, this time next year he'll have twenty rods and reels and countless tackle boxes filled with everything you can imagine. ;D

Nice job, keep it up dad!

hit reply :

Ah, went back out yesterday with no luck. He was up at 6am again and to be honest, I was awake already. Was sort of hoping he'd get up and want to go and sure enough he was. Only went for about 4 hours. Fish weren't biting at all but it was still fun.

The barometric pressure started rising late Sat. afternoon here and the wind was between 10 and 15 mph as opposed to 5-10 on Saturday. Correct me if I'm wrong please. From what I was reading high pressure=deeper water. More wind only really effects the ability to tell if you are getting bites, right? We were fishing in an area that was around 3 foot deep. Might should of gone to the other side where it's 5 to 6 feet deep, not sure. Still trying to learn all this.

This stuff's like a science with a little bit of luck thrown in.

RockvilleMDAngler reply :

GREAT THREAD!!!

Looks like your son caught a whopper of a fish for his first time out! Regarding wind, often it makes the fishing better as it stirs up the plankton which stirs up the smaller fish and the big fish follow. When it is windy throw your faster moving lures like spinners, cranks, rat-l-traps etc. Worms will still work but you may need to move them faster and fish them shallower depending on the time of year. Best of luck and have fun!

hit reply :

Hey all, hope everyone is well. Thought I'd post an update, hope that's ok to stay on this thread.

Anyhow, took today off since school was out. Went out to the lake this morning, 3rd time in 2 weeks. Still having a lot of fun even though I'm still trying to figure a few things out. We were getting quite a few bites but I'm still trying to get the hang of setting the hook and setting my drag. I've lost several due to both of these issues but I'm sure it just takes time.

Also learned the hard way that I probably need to check my line after 1 "gets away". I was trying out a new rooster tail this morning and I had a hit but didn't hook him. Next cast I saw my new lure sail out into the lake and my line just fluttering in the wind.

My son had a little better luck. He caught a water moccasin. It was rather funny. He was about 15 feet down from me fishing and said he caught a snake. I didn't believe him at first so when I walked over I was rather surprised. Makes for a good story for him to tell anyhow.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I'll be sure to post if I ever get my 1st. So far my 9yo is winning 1-0 in Bass and 2-0 in perch.

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