Bass Fishing For Beginners, Tips, Tricks, Gear,*secrets*,etc.... 2024
Basskicker44 reply :
just started out need help 
ABW reply :
You've got a lot of reading to do! It's all here on this website.. now go find it!
I'd start here. http://www.bassresource.com/how-to-fish/
OntarioFishingGuy reply :
Welcome to the forums! Go to the 'articles' section of the website and read all you can. Once you have read it all, read it again. Watch some of the Youtube videos from Bassresource. Read and watch as much as you can, and get out on the water as often as possible.
Good luck!
Smokinal reply :
Yep, definitely check out the "videos" tab on the top of the page.
And welcome!
scaleface reply :
If your not catching fish , change .
lectricbassman reply :
Read everything on this site, 2 or 3 times if youve got the time!
BrownBear reply :
Read, watch, practice, learn, fish, cuss and enjoy. Repeat as necessary. Welcome to the madness! lol
the reel ess reply :
I would start with a med hvy combo, 12-14 lb mono, assortment of 6" plastic worms in any color (purple), $5 crankbaits in shallow-med depths & maybe a spinnerbait with willow blades, Senko-type worms. Don't be afraid to try new things when the conventional won't work. Get a Beetle Spin, Roadrunners, Rooster Tails, small worms, etc for when they won't bite bigger lures. These can save the day.
Don't accept everything you hear from other fishermen as Gospel. A lot of the guys giving advice are Monday morning QBs and just spout what they heard. Don't plan your fishing trips around perfect weather or the Solunar table. Go whenever YOU can.
Buy the best quality tackle (esp line & hooks) your budget (or wife) will allow. If married, start a rat-hole slush fund and never tap it out completely. Then you won't have to justify the purchases to her. This is also a good secret to a happy marriage.
If you see a method that looks like fun, try it. Most people have a lot of methods they refuse to try. They're missing out. To me it's fun to take a few fish for dinner, but put the biggest ones back and catch them again later. It makes me feel like a part of nature. It's nice to fish in private places or even creeks due to low pressure. Don't hesitate to ask permission of landowners. The worst they can say is no. Treat where you fish as if it was your own property.
Most of all make it enjoyable. Don't sweat the one that got away. If you don't find it enjoyable, you might as well be playing golf. 
Mccallister25 reply :
Def. Agree with the others. Read, watch videos, do your homework. Practice every chance you get. You can read and read and read but nothing compares to personal experience.
Don't get overwhelmed with baits starting out. Pick a select few your interested in and get a confidence built up with them.
Fish around any kind of cover/structure the bass could relate to. Trees, bushes, rocks, etc.
Casting parralel to banks is also your friend. You'd be surprised at how many quality fish hug the banks you'd never think were there.
Just go out, practice, and have fun. It can be discouraging at times but its all good. Its what keeps us coming back for more. Finding the fish and fooling them is where the fun comes from.
K_Mac reply :
Bass fishing is both easy and complex. Most anyone can catch a bass or two under many conditions, but consistently catching fish, especially bigger ones in all conditions takes most of us a lifetime to figure out. Some of us never do! I completely agree with all who recommend reading everything you can find on bass fishing and taking advantage of this forum to ask questions. There are a couple of guys here who know a little about bass fishing! Time on the water with experienced bass fishermen is by far the best way to learn IMO. Good luck!
fishballer06 reply :
On 4/27/2015 at 1:29 AM, the reel ess said:Buy the best quality tackle your budget (or wife) will allow. If married, start a rat-hole slush fund and never tap it out completely. Then you won't have to justify the purchases to her. This is also a good secret to a happy marriage.
Choosylobster reply :
Welcome to the world of patience. Very rewarding once you catch your first bass on artificial lures or worms. 
HoosierHawgs reply :
I recommend watching the bass fishing for beginners video series by Bassmaster. Here is a link to the first video.
They are full of good tips for someone just starting out. My biggest tips are to stick with it because it's not always easy... That and to be versatile, adjust to the conditions. I'm not saying change lures a million times, but if your buddy is catching them on one lure and you're not catching anything, maybe its time to switch. Find a mentor if you can... My dad really helped me get into fishing.
Mr Q reply :
Long ago, I studied bass fishing in general in books/magazines. The most important and useful topic was "structure reading" the water you are fishing. Being familiar with any pond/lake structure will tell you where 90% of the fish are 90% of the time. Each fish species has their own "structure" habitats for both resting and feeding. Its a big subject to cover but reading a pond's bottom, middle, top and surface structure (I think) is one of the most important parts of any fishing success. Once you get the hang of reading structure types, it will become fun "reading" any pond when seeing it for the first time.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
Like the man said. Go when you can. On the water experience cannot be replaced by anything else.
gulfcaptain reply :
Find you a buddy that's a good fisherman. Go fishing, watch, learn, ask questions. Read and watch everything on here. Start a new account for all the fishing equipment you will end up buying because you think you need it or just want it. It's okay, we will all take your side and direct you to the Bait Monkey support thread. Fish as much as you can. Try and learn new techniques, but not all at the same time. And did I mention you're welcome to ask lots of questions on here as most here are willing to share.
Mr Q reply :
But learning some important tools on how to locate the majority of fish in any given water is an important tool. Sure, any time you are fishing is a good time even if learning how to in the process. And the skill of learning to "structure" fish can not be laughed at. Since the OPer asked for tips, I gave him one that can be extremely helpful in becoming a successful bass fisherman.
Sam reply :
Read, read and read some more.
Mike L reply :
Want a tip...
Don't over think it.
Fishin can be the most aggrivating, frustrating and mind boggling thing you'll ever do. But at the same time it can be the most rewarding, satisfying and exciting experience you'll ever have.
Do what everyone previously just said.
Don't be surprised that the more you learn, the more you'll want to learn.
Mike
the reel ess reply :
Very good article on this very site regarding "must-have" lures.
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass-lures.html
Mr Q reply :
Basskicker44 - The link the reel ess posted is an excellent one! For my fishing needs and ponds I go to, I primarily use a "jitterbug" for surface fishing at night mostly along with a generous supply of plastic "jelly worms" (purple, black and red) that are 9" lengths for the size bass I fish for. Shorter ones work well with bass under 3 lbs. I also stock a couple of minnow plugs (jointed bodies) for medium depth fishing and the most productive lure for me is the jelly worm fished along the bottom in slow, intermittent retrieves as well as across the tops of pad beds with the same retrieve and letting the tail dangle into the water. For both cases, I use a large hook with a weeder guard that virtually eliminates any snagging on objects.
Of coarse your fishing pond conditions will dictate variations of each lure type listed above - you have to try each to see what works best in your ponds. The above lure selection I use are in ponds with depths of 3-15 feet with lots of pad and bottom weeds - typical for my area.
gr8outdoorz reply :
If you really want to become a better angler, in the beginning, spend a large amount of your 'study' time on learning the behaviors of your prey.
Bass can be caught on MANY different lures, lines, rods, and reels. However, you can't catch what you can't find. Learn how to find your prey...then learn how to catch your prey.
Senko lover reply :
Watch every Youtube video BassResource has ever made. Then watch them again.
And yes, I have done that.
the reel ess reply :
This is the best advice I have to offer. Gamakatsu hooks for plastics. There's a reason they cost more.
J Francho reply :
Top left, click articals, and look for the beginner section. There's a few days worth of info there.
Alonerankin2 reply :
KISS.. Simplicity is blissful, basics, Texas rigs, casting, a known good place to fish & catch.
That should get you going..
Mainebass1984 reply :
Be the first to launch and the last leave. Time on the water is vital. I can not remember exactly which pro said it but when asked what was the best way to become a better bass fisherman his reply was go early and stay late.
RoLo reply :
On 5/1/2015 at 2:17 AM, Mainebass1984 said:Be the first to launch and the last leave. Time on the water is vital. I can not remember exactly which pro said it but when asked what was the best way to become a better bass fisherman his reply was go early and stay late.
Good advice.
The lake is your schoolhouse, and the more time
you spend in school, the larger your database.
Roger
DocNsanE reply :
Go through the reading material and videos available on this site.
Also, the best way to learn is to pay very close attention to your surroundings and to what you did to get a bite. Is the water cold or warm? Clear or murky? What is the sky like? What are the birds doing? What was the weather like in the last week? What is the forecast for the next few days? What type of lure were you fishing, what kind of prey do you think you were imitating? Were you fishing slow, fast, mixing it up? Was it on the bottom all of the time, or bouncing around? Was it in the middle of the water column or the top? What depth? Was the fish holding to any structure (submerged grass, pads, stumps, rocks)? What was the bottom composition? Was there a little ledge the fish was holding to? Yes, it might sound like a lot of variables to take into account, but the sooner you pay attention to these details, the faster you will improve, the more confidence you build, and it will become second nature. Many people keep detailed fishing logs of their outings so that they have an idea what worked last year at the same period with similar conditions.
As to what gear to start with, a medium heavy fast 6'6" to 7'2" rod is pretty versatile. Most people find it easier to learn on a spinning reel than a casting reel and to be honest you can accomplish pretty much the same things on either although each has its own strengths.
For lures, try to have enough variety to cover bottom, middle and top of the water column. For colors, it'll depend on what type of waters you are fishing. If it's clear, natural colors like green pumpkin or purple smoke can be great, murkier waters you want something with some flash to it or that will offer a nice profile like black or white. Black and white will work in most water conditions anyways. I personally think soft plastics are amazing and incredibly versatile. I'd recommend getting some senko type worms (like yum dingers), some paddle tail and/or fluke style baits, and maybe a couple of craw imitating creature baits.
I was in your shoes 3 years ago and I just spent all of my winter reading and watching videos before deciding on what I wanted to buy to get started. With the internet, the information is so readily available, all you need is to put in a bit of time and effort and you can learn a lot. But in the end, nothing compares to actual time on the water. Get out as often as you can and just enjoy the moment. Don't worry about catching the fish, just enjoy fishing, and with time your skills will improve and the numbers will go up.
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