You Have $50. What Do You Buy? 2024
John Hansen reply :
Howdy all, Looking for input. I am newer to largemouth bass fishing. I have fished caught them but usually not when I am specifically targeting them. I need to get some more dedicated tackle. Lures, baits. I am primarily a shore fisherman. As I get more active in my schools bass club I will start fishing on boats more. This summer I will be fishing a lot on my aluminum row boat. Wont be till mid july.
I have a $50 budget. Not a cent above. What do you all recommend? I am not trying to be cheap I just want a good bang for my buck bunch of stuff to get started on.
So here is what I have.
Rapala rattlin Lipless Crank, 2 of them. Both are blue gill colored. One is pretty small the other is a bit bigger.
Rapala Floating Jointed. Don't remember its number but its a darker brown ontop with a lighter colored belly. Only dive 3-5 inches.
Unknown maker, fire tiger crank bait. My grandmother gave it too me. She bought it back in 2000 give or take a few years. Never used it, it dives something like 20 feet so most of the areas I fish aren't that deep.
I have numerous tubes of different sizes and colors. Use them for smallie fishing. They aren't ideal but they do work. Have a few rubber worms, and a couple rubber crawfishes but not many. Have my normal assortment of trout spinners and spoons. Also have some large kastmaster spoons and some Rvrfisher Steelhead spoons at my disposal.
I am guessing I need to get a nice arsenal of plastics started I just don't know what to get. I want a variety that will allow me to cover a variety of water and conditions. Then as I get more comfortable and start to get these ID bass figured out I can make a few more confident purchases. Just don't have the money to be spending on stuff I have no idea on,
Thanks all
John Hansen reply :
Guess I should add. My two main rods are a 7' ugly stik lite MH spinning rod and a 7' Abu Garcia Vengeance MH bait caster. What ever I get I need to be sure I can cast it. Later this summer when I get back from Alaska I will be adding a lighter weight rod to the arsenal.
Buddy said I should get at least one Rapala Clackin Minnow, for some reason the bass up here love them. Just not sure what color to consider.
Catt reply :
You Have $50. What Do You Buy?
Gas to go fishing! 
tip2oo3 reply :
If I had $50 for tackle, i would put in a $50 order at siebert outdoors. A few jigs, a few spinnerbaits, and a few bags of rage tail plastics. Colors and weights will vary to your conditions/ target area.
JeziHogg reply :
Some football jigs from Northstar or Siebert Outdoors and some Netbait Paca Chunks.
fishva reply :
Definitely some soft plastics.
When I was just starting out and didn't know what type of hook and things to use for each plastic, I liked to buy Berkley plastic baits because they tell you what hook size and shape to use right on the package. That helped with my confidence a ton! Pick up a few different baits that use the same hook (since you're on a tight budget, you don't want to blow money on 3 bags of hooks). You should be able to get 3 bags of stuff + a bag of nice hooks for around $20. Don't skimp on the hooks. Get the high quality stuff.
With the remaining $30, I would buy a couple shallow diving crankbaits, that go maybe 1-5 feet deep. I noticed you have some lipless and some deep divers, but nothing in between. These are usually around $7, so a pair should run you about $15. We've spent $35 now.
With the remaining $15, I'd pick up a spinnerbait (usually around $7), and, if you have the money for it, something that just looks cool to you.
That's how I'd spend my $50, but you're likely to get a lot of other answers too:)
Pz3 reply :
Medium size bullet weights. Wide gap Hooks.
As many bags of plastics as i could.
BassWhole! reply :
Pack of Trick worms (or speed worm)
Pack of Ultra Vibe craws
KVD 1.5 (or Xcalibur 100 for $2.99 from Dick's or Academy's version)
Fat free crank ( or bandit 200 or 300)
1/4 oz tandem (colorado/willow) spinnerbait
3/8 Mann's classic spinnerbait
Black buzzbait
Pop-R
Arkie or brush head jigs (1/4-1/2)
Cordell Super spot
XPS Jerkbait
Waveworm Tiki Sticks
1/0-3/0 worm hooks
worm weights
bobber stoppers
Right about $50, and if you can't catch them with that, take up golf...
JLeon77 reply :
Since you have some cranks already...Just starting out I would definitely buy plastics and some hooks. Get an assortment, worms, craws, creature types, and some shad-like swimbaits. Then get a couple spinnerbaits, one light color, one dark. Then I would for sure recommend a chatterbait or two. You can get them for less than $7 most places and you can use your plastics as trailers. They are like a mix between a spinnerbaits and a jig, and I have had a lot of luck with them.
Or...you could take some of that $$ and sign up for one of the monthly tackle delivery services (mystery tackle box, tackle grab, and lucky tackle box). This will get you a variety of baits every month and you can see what works for you and what you have confidence in.
bigbill reply :
Bomber square A redapplecraw, Brown craw etc. Anywhere there discounted.
Rebel BIG CLAW crawfish crank match the color of your local craws, plus the big claw in chartreuse.
Mann's classic spinner bait 1/4oz white glimmer, gold Colorado blade and a 1/4oz chartreuse classic spinner bait gold Colorado blade.
Rebel POP R topwater popper in blue.
Surveyed outdoors 3/8oz football jig in green pumpkin.
bigbill reply :
Bomber square A redapplecraw, Brown craw etc. Anywhere there discounted.
Rebel BIG CLAW crawfish crank match the color of your local craws, plus the big claw in chartreuse.
Mann's classic spinner bait 1/4oz white glimmer, gold Colorado blade and a 1/4oz chartreuse classic spinner bait gold Colorado blade.
Rebel POP R topwater popper in blue.
Rapala original floater f7 in blue.
Go fishing armed to the teeth.
nowicki2005 reply :
Buy 6 bags of senkos and some wacky hooks and weighted wacky hooks. You'll be set until bass ruin all your senkos.
Raul reply :
A bunch of Yum Dingers, 4 " and 5 "
Gaerith reply :
Plastics:
Senkos, sweet innovations beaver, 7" worms, rage craws, super flukes.
2 of each, 1 pumpkin 1 black/blue:
Swim jig
Arky or grass jig
Football jig
This is assuming you already have hooks and sinkers for t rigging etc. If you don't, then I would skip some of the jigs and get terminal tackle such as 4/0 hooks, 1/8 oz 3/8oz bullet weights.
Your cranks can suffice for now for moving baits so I wouldn't sink any money in spinnerbaits with that small of a budget, although a chatterbait is a good option if you fish stained water. I would focus on getting some bottom contact baits and at least 1 top water (fluke, frog, spook). The nice thing about plastics is they can be rigged so many ways - weightless, t rigged, Carolina, on a jig etc.
ABW reply :
On 4/26/2014 at 7:20 AM, reason said:Pack of Trick worms (or speed worm)
Pack of Ultra Vibe craws
KVD 1.5 (or Xcalibur 100 for $2.99 from Dick's or Academy's version)
Fat free crank ( or bandit 200 or 300)
1/4 oz tandem (colorado/willow) spinnerbait
3/8 Mann's classic spinnerbait
Black buzzbait
Pop-R
Arkie or brush head jigs (1/4-1/2)
Cordell Super spot
XPS Jerkbait
Waveworm Tiki Sticks
1/0-3/0 worm hooks
worm weights
bobber stoppers
Right about $50, and if you can't catch them with that, take up golf...
X2. Also, I'd throw in some Zoom Super Flukes and Yum Dingers. Can't go wrong with either. For the super flukes - 5/0 round bend hooks, Dinger - 4/0 EWG
bassh8er reply :
PM me your contact info and I can send you some baits for $0.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Pink and pumpinseed zoom flukes hooks,a couple zara spooks, a couple jitterbugs,a couple packs of zoom lizards black and p seed,a mepps 2# black fury , 2 packs of 2 inch grubs white and black,jigheads, a floating rapala silver and black,a rebel pop r thats all ya need rolll with it
Blues19 reply :
On 4/26/2014 at 8:38 AM, Raul said:A bunch of Yum Dingers, 4 " and 5 "
packs of those for $1.50 at my walmart. That is something you should look at.
John Hansen reply :
Thanks all! Take me some time to sift through all of this!
I will be getting the lucky tackle box but it won't be until august. I go to school in Northern Idaho, will be in Northern Utah for half the summer then the other half I will be commercial fishing in Alaska. I wouldn't get my tackle until I got back up here in august. But as soon as I am back ill be signing up.
I have a basic assortment of terminal tackle. I just never know what hooks to get for what baits. I get lost looking at all the shapes. Then when I get past that I get lost in all of the colors of baits. When I do buy I try to buy at opposite ends of the spectrum Black, White, Florescent, matte etc.
When I start catching fish I will feel more comfortable buying tackle, otherwise there is just too much!
I forgot I have a sampler pack of rubber lures from "Locket Lures" My issue is I have no idea what hooks to use.
It will also help when I get my full membership with the Universities bass team. I get decent discounts from a few websites. So I am just trying to get a basic assortment of tackle to get me through the summer and into the fall.
Thanks bash8er PM sent!
Mike2841 reply :
I would buy some braid, either 20 lb for the spinning rod, or 50lb for the caster. Then get a pack of 4/0 offset hooks, a pack of 1/4 weights and spend the rest on soft plastics. If you have a dicks sporting goods near you a lot of the time they sell big bite baits for 1.50 a pack, sometimes 5 for 5 dollars. Also zoom flukes and trick worms.
A lot of plastics are cheap and effective, but if you're not already using braid that would be the first thing I would buy.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
senkos, spiner baits, buzz baits.
BassWhole! reply :
On 4/26/2014 at 1:18 PM, John Hansen said:Thanks all! Take me some time to sift through all of this!
I will be getting the lucky tackle box but it won't be until august. I go to school in Northern Idaho, will be in Northern Utah for half the summer then the other half I will be commercial fishing in Alaska. I wouldn't get my tackle until I got back up here in august. But as soon as I am back ill be signing up.
I have a basic assortment of terminal tackle. I just never know what hooks to get for what baits. I get lost looking at all the shapes. Then when I get past that I get lost in all of the colors of baits. When I do buy I try to buy at opposite ends of the spectrum Black, White, Florescent, matte etc.
When I start catching fish I will feel more comfortable buying tackle, otherwise there is just too much!
I forgot I have a sampler pack of rubber lures from "Locket Lures" My issue is I have no idea what hooks to use.
It will also help when I get my full membership with the Universities bass team. I get decent discounts from a few websites. So I am just trying to get a basic assortment of tackle to get me through the summer and into the fall.
Thanks bash8er PM sent!
Please be careful up there, I wouldn't wish commercial fishing on my worst enemy. Remember its real life, and not a reality show.
bigbill reply :
Don't sell the bargain bin at tackle shops too.
Onetime I walked into Dicks Sporting goods and purchased some of the cheaply made "producers" orange colored spooks. On a slow day that orange caught bass after bass. Don't over look the bargain rack in your mom and pop bait shops too. Those old lures still catch fish. It's good to throw something different.
Give our sponcer valley sports a look see too.
John Hansen reply :
When I learn the basics of the bait caster better it will get braided. Didn't want to drop big coin on braided line and loose the whole spool do to a birds nest while learning. That will get upgraded but not right now. Both of my spinning reels have Maxima UltraGreen. Both got the line last fall so Im not upgrading that yet. Mighty fine line, the steelhead rod only saw one salmon and the ugly stik has only seen some trout. Guess I do also have my MH Shimano Clarius spinning rod, its more for steelies and has a long butt but it would work find for bass. Really allow me to launch some Rapalas out there.
Thanks reason. This fishing shouldn't be too bad, well be on a 32' boat and drift net fishing. Deepest water we will be in is around 50 feet (not meters) and we will be a tops of 7 miles off shore with at least 200 other boats in a very close vicinity. Boat is set up with a large level wind on the back so as long as my heads not up my rear end, which it never is, I should be good. Don't think it will be any worse than logging I did back in high school. Only thing that worries me is bears and drunks in the boat yard.
I am the king of the bargain bin. People give me weird looks every time I dig through the fishing bargain bins at like Cabelas or Sportsmans Warehouse or other small shops. Usually find something worth while. Me and my cousin found some LARGE tube jigs at Cabelas one time. He bought them for $.50 turned out that Tiger musky and big bass loved them! He caught a largemouth that was big enough to drag us around in my aluminum row boat. Didn't move us far but still moved us. Also caught 3 or 4 tiger musky that day. Ive also managed to pick up over 3,000 fly tying hooks from Cabelas before. Think I paid 20 bucks for all of them. Just cause I was willing to dig to the bottom.
What is the difference between spinnerbaits and buzz baits. Looking to place an order with tackle warehouse but wasn't sure what the main difference was. I want to pick one or two up. What would you guys recommend? Just want to be sure I will be able to cast them with my setups.
WIGuide reply :
Yum Dingers and some Trokar EWG Hooks. 4/0 is great for the 5" Dinger.
CTGalloway21 reply :
6" Bull Shad
bronzeback28 reply :
On 4/26/2014 at 10:57 AM, ataris41 said:packs of those for $1.50 at my walmart. That is something you should look at.
I second this. $1.50 for a 5 pack of the 5 inch yum dingers. Go buy 5 packs (25 worms) of different colors and find out which ones work best. Also I would get some drop shot weights, drop shot hooks, and 3/0 or 4/0 hooks. You should be able to get all of that for around $15 and still have $35 to spend. With the remaining money I would grab a couple of strike kings jigs, two packs of plastic trailers, spinnerbait and buzz bait in white/chartreuse and one in black/blue, and then a pack of storm shads 3 in. With all of that you would be looking at right around 40 dollars and you would have 10 dollars left to pay for gas or food for the day.
John Hansen reply :
Thanks all! I will have to go see if our Walmart has any Yum Dingers. I figure if they are as cheap here as elsewhere I will get a few different colors to use over a variety of water conditions.
Black/Blue, Natural green and or brown shades, white maybe? Maybe something in a brighter color?
Ill have to check out a spinner bait or a buzzbait. Im just not sure if I can cast that light of tackle. Me and my bait caster struggle with the light floating Rapala I have and the ugly stik I just don't think will do it, but ill have to check them out in person to see what they weigh.
Dyerbassman reply :
A case of Three Floyd's Gumball Head
John Hansen reply :
Thanks all!
Ran to Wally World. All they had for Yum Dingers was 5" Watermelons, got a bag of them. Restocked on a few split shots and sinkers and hooks just to be sure I have enough. Nicest hooks I can find in town are Gamakatsu, they work for steelhead so they should get me started with bass. Biggest I found was only 1/0 should work for now. Are there such things as EWG hooks that aren't an offset worm hook? I couldn't find any.
Ran to the local sporting goods store. They didn't have much but I picked up a pack of black/blue w/ flake then they had a bag of watermelon/Pearl on sale so I grabbed a bag.
Checked out the spinner baits, neither place really had any that looked decent. Walmart had some $1 ones but I passed them up. Same with Jigs. One store had a few BooYa jigs but again didn't look too special and deffinately not worth the price tag they had on them.
Didn't quite find what I wanted but thats fine. 3 weeks of school left. Only going to get to go fishing 1 maybe 2 more times. Then Ill be headed to Utah where I can start working again and put a little extra money back into tackle. Also give me a chance to fish a few different spots on the way back.
EDIT: I got one final question for you fine fellas, its small and stupid so I didn't want to bother with a new thread. I am curious if I rig my rods wrong. My whole life Ive always used swivels and leaders. Is it bad or wrong to tie a snap or barrel swivel onto my main line, run a 12-20 inch leader then tie on my hook? Curious if the swivel can be scaring more fish than it helps? Also is it bad to run mainline with a snap swivel and attach that directly to say a Rapala or a spinner/buzz bait?
livetofish28 reply :
On 4/30/2014 at 6:02 AM, John Hansen said:Thanks all!
Ran to Wally World. All they had for Yum Dingers was 5" Watermelons, got a bag of them. Restocked on a few split shots and sinkers and hooks just to be sure I have enough. Nicest hooks I can find in town are Gamakatsu, they work for steelhead so they should get me started with bass. Biggest I found was only 1/0 should work for now. Are there such things as EWG hooks that aren't an offset worm hook? I couldn't find any.
Ran to the local sporting goods store. They didn't have much but I picked up a pack of black/blue w/ flake then they had a bag of watermelon/Pearl on sale so I grabbed a bag.
Checked out the spinner baits, neither place really had any that looked decent. Walmart had some $1 ones but I passed them up. Same with Jigs. One store had a few BooYa jigs but again didn't look too special and deffinately not worth the price tag they had on them.
Didn't quite find what I wanted but thats fine. 3 weeks of school left. Only going to get to go fishing 1 maybe 2 more times. Then Ill be headed to Utah where I can start working again and put a little extra money back into tackle. Also give me a chance to fish a few different spots on the way back.
EDIT: I got one final question for you fine fellas, its small and stupid so I didn't want to bother with a new thread. I am curious if I rig my rods wrong. My whole life Ive always used swivels and leaders. Is it bad or wrong to tie a snap or barrel swivel onto my main line, run a 12-20 inch leader then tie on my hook? Curious if the swivel can be scaring more fish than it helps? Also is it bad to run mainline with a snap swivel and attach that directly to say a Rapala or a spinner/buzz bait?
Don't be so quick to pass up those 1 dollar spinnerbaits for a buck they work just fine and I liked them. Plus they have some colors that I haven't seen before. Sure the skirts arnt the highest quality and the blades and swivels arnt the best but the hooks are ok and if they break just buy another that's what I used to fish a lot.
Tight lines
Andrew
DaBassMasta reply :
Definitely my situation, glad that you asked this question. I don't know if using a leader is bad or not, but I tie directly to the lure most of the time if I'm not trolling for walleye. (Then I go bottom bouncer with a leader.
TheSmilingSwordsman reply :
Cotton Cordell Super Spots. Chrome with Blue back and Craw color.
Yum Dingers (cheaper Senko style bait) pumpkin or black
Creature bait (Brush Hawg or similar) pumpkin or watermelon
Bullet weights
EWG hooks
You should have some extra to spend on something that you want to experiment with, whether that be spinnerbaits, med diving cranks, jigs, jerk baits, flukes or frogs.
IAY reply :
two vision onetens...
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