Best advice for a new bass angler? 2024

BryanSJ reply :

Hey all! I know that there are tons of resources out there for folks just starting to get into bass fishing and a lot of it can be overwhelming for someone new. Many of the info and recommendations out there are split between fishing reaction type baits first, others swear by starting off with soft plastics to develop a "feel." Other sites talk about the importance of learning bass behavior and patterns first. But aside from just going out and fishing as much as possible, what would be the number one tip that you would give someone new?

mattkenzer reply :

1. 2500 Spinning Reel with a Medium Heavy 6' 10" Rod.

2. 10-15 lb High Vis Braid with a 8-10 Fluorocarbon Leader.

3. Offset worm hooks, soft plastics and a few split shot weights ... hooks to match the plastics.

Good to go.

Sorry, I may have misunderstood your question ..... tips are vast and numerous.

Find the fish .... it gets easier after that.

Cory Doras reply :

A map of the lake or pond your fishing. Fishing without knowing the structure is like fishing without a rod

WRB reply :

Too much information can overload a new angler. My advice learn basic bass behavior and select 1 rod & reel combo and a few lures that you can fish effectively where fish.

Soft plastics are slow to fish, not very exciting, and very effective at catching bass.

Hard moving lures are more fun to fish and less effective at catching bass. You can do both with 1 outfit.

I teach new bass anglers using spinning tackle and a slip shot rig because it works.

Tom

J Francho reply :

Just get out and fish!

jbmaine reply :

Do you know someone that fishes? Or drive to your local body of water and talk to local fishermen. One on one interaction with a more experienced person knowledgeable with local waters and conditions can be a great jump start in the learning curve.

Ratherbfishing reply :

To borrow from an old hippy expression, "If it feels good, do it" (within the boundaries of the laws and regulations of your state, of course). Don't get caught up in all the hype. It is easy to get overwhelmed if you aren't careful. You can make fishing about as simple or as complicated as you wish it to be. The first tip I have for you is to learn the habits of the bass. Learn what they need to survive and to thrive and learn where they tend to be at specific times of the year. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Mike L reply :

Nothing can replace time on the water...Period

Get yourself a quality rod and reel, one that fits in your budget, pick up a few of the most popular plastics, a few hard baits, various sizes and styles of terminal tackle and go have some fun.

Don't try to learn everything all at once. Bass fishing can be as hard or as easy as you make it.

Your confidence will increase with each outing as will your skill level.

We can teach you how to work any bait made, but you're the one who'll have to do it.

Sooo, the best advise I can give you is just go do it and don't worry about it.

You'll learn and have more fun that way.

After all its just fishing!

Good Luck to you

Mike

senile1 reply :

Are we talking new to fishing, or just knew to bass fishing? If someone is new to fishing, I agree with starting simple as the posts below indicate and not overwhelming someone with too much information. Not only would I keep it simple but I would recommend a small body of water that has a lot of smaller bass so the new angler gets a feel for casting, working the lure, and the joy of catching/fighting the fish. Once he or she gets a feel for that, then they can start digging deeper and try more complicated waters.

If new to bass fishing only, then the answer depends. If he or she is a very experienced angler for another species I don't think it is too much for them to jump into deeper information about bass behavior along with learning to use the appropriate tackle.

On 3/8/2018 at 3:25 AM, WRB said:

Too much information can overload a new angler. My advice learn basic bass behavior and select 1 rod & reel combo and a few lures that you can fish effectively where fish.

Soft plastics are slow to fish, not very exciting, and very effective at catching bass.

Hard moving lures are more fun to fish and less effective at catching bass. You can do both with 1 outfit.

I teach new bass anglers using spinning tackle and a slip shot rig because it works.

Tom

On 3/8/2018 at 3:34 AM, J Francho said:

Just get out and fish!

Scott F reply :

Join a local fishing club. Not a tournament club, just a fishing club. That will put you in touch with other fishermen who are looking for guys who want to fish. My experience tells me guys in clubs like to share what they know and are more than willing to help out a new guy. On your own, you will spend a lot of time trying to apply what you read about. Fishing with people who know what they are doing will speed up the learning curve.

scaleface reply :

Every cast should have an intent .

Boomstick reply :

Here is a great youtube playlist that covers a lot of the basics of Bass fishing for beginners. There's certainly a lot it doesn't even get into like establishing patterns and whatnot, but it will give you everything you need to get started.

BassWhole! reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 3:11 AM, BryanSJ said:

But aside from just going out and fishing as much as possible,

In that case. I got nothin' for ya...

lo n slo reply :

be patient

Mobasser reply :

I have to agree with mattkenzer on his tackle choice and and baits. Learn to get good with plastic worms. Pick up a couple bags of Zoom finesse worms, and learn that technique. Many days it can make up 70% of your fishing.

geo g reply :

Some simple advice.

Keep you line wet as often as possible.

Use a simple plastic bait, senko, fluke, worm.

When things are tough slow down.

Have patience.

You will catch bass!!!!!!!!

BassWhole! reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 6:30 AM, scaleface said:

Every cast should have an intent .

The intent of every cast I've ever made is to catch a fish...

Hez reply :

Accurate casting is so important.

1. Learn how to cast to a specific target

2. Learn how to minimize your splash

3. The next cast could be "the one"

Bassguytom reply :

Look up wacky rigging a 4 inch senko. Use a spinning rod and reel. You will be hooked in no time. Most importantly have fun!

burrows reply :

Wacky rigging a senko for sure. Don’t buy a bunch of stuff you most likely won’t need later. I say start off learning a wacky rig senko and some square bills! Keep it simple.

ratherbfishin1 reply :

Don't be cheap. Buy stuff thats going to work. I've seen people who will buy a 20 pack of crankbaits off of amazon for $15. Instead buy two strike king ones that are going to actually work. This sounds like a no-brainer to people who have been fishing but i've seen people make that mistake and the lures don't work at all. I'm not saying yum dingers don't work and you have to buy yamamotos just stick with stuff that's fairly popular at first until you know a little more. Ordering bulk baits for cheep off of amazon or ebay from a brand that you've never heard of generally isn't a good way to spend your money.

NickMWC reply :

Disclaimer: long rant...

As someone who did a bit of fishing as a kid but never really “learned”, especially about bass fishing, as others have said, nothing replaces time on the water. That said, ive learned a ton (Dont judge) from youtube. TacticalBassin, Nicktheinformativefisherman, bassresource and some old KVD videos are a good/free start. Ive learned not to take anything as gospel of course, but just absorb everything.

When you start, anticipate it will be tough. You will fish a spot for 30-60 minutes without a bite, then someone will pop by and pick up 2 bass. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED. more importantly, see what they were doing differently and note that. Maybe luck, maybe subtle differences. If participating in dock talk tell folks you are new to bass fishing right away and humble yourself and ask questions. You will learn who is a true fisherman and who is full of it right away.

After that starting with a spinning rod/reel setup, then slowly learning On a baitcaster can help.

That is more of a general overview i guess. Otherwise, as other have mentioend learn how to texas rig and wacky rig a senko or other platic bait and then learn the fish. What i mean is go hunting. At first dont worry about catching fish (easy to say right!) focus more on where the fish are in your area, in what time of year and in what weather. Dont overthink it but just be aware every time you get a bite, what bait, what color, what time of day, what weather conditions etc. were. Think structure to start with, that will usually produce the easiest bites to get you excited to keep going. The real deal is once you get that first 3-5 pounder you will be hooked. Showing my stripes here but the buzz i got from my first 3 pounder lasted hours and i was sold. As i said, humble yourself. ????

Tips from an amateur, so take it for what it is. One thing i have come to love about the fishing community is that the real anglers are a very open, educational bunch, as displayed in this forum. At this point all i can share is what got me going and has fueld my now addiction...I remember how overwhelming it was ar first too.

Catt reply :

Understand what structure is, how to truly identify it, interpret it, and then fish it effectively.

Understand what the predominate prey species in your lake and how that species relates to structure with each season...morning, noon, and night.

Understand that next after location is timing; just because you don't get bite does not mean the bass aren't there or you tied on the wrong lure.

Understand the #1 key to consistently catching bass is between your ears not between the folds of your wallet.

Understand ALL lures are "reaction" lures, bass see's lure, bass bites lure!

Sam reply :

Go to the top of this page under Tools and look up the Fishing Log.

Download it.

Make copies.

Complete one every time you hit the water.

Retain them in a three-ring binder for future reference and review, especially during the winter months.

Consider making a matrix of your design and chart the weather, water temperature, water clarity, fish caught, wind, cloudy or clear days, warm or cold front situations, baits used, techniques used, did you use MegaStrike or JJ's Magic, hook sizes, weights, etc.

This is a fantastic learning method and you can parlay the data into the future to improve on your technique and bait selections.

Now do as the guys penned above and go out and catch some fish!!!!

NickMWC reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 7:33 PM, Sam said:

Go to the top of this page under Tools and look up the Fishing Log.

Download it.

Make copies.

Complete one every time you hit the water.

Retain them in a three-ring binder for future reference and review, especially during the winter months.

Consider making a matrix of your design and chart the weather, water temperature, water clarity, fish caught, wind, cloudy or clear days, warm or cold front situations, baits used, techniques used, did you use MegaStrike or JJ's Magic, hook sizes, weights, etc.

This is a fantastic learning method and you can parlay the data into the future to improve on your technique and bait selections.

Now do as the guys penned above and go out and catch some fish!!!!

^^^ This is great advice and something I still need to do!

Troy85 reply :

GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!!!!

Most other posts covered equipment and strategy. I'll just add don't get discouraged. You will have trips where you go out and zero, may even have multiple trips in a row. As long as you enjoy it, keep at it.

I will second whoever said don't buy cheap equipment. I take my buddy fishing and he buys those $20 rod and reel combos from Walmart, and he wonders why he spends half the day fixing his reel or his line. You don't have to have the most expensive, just get something that is quality.

desmobob reply :

Like any other hobby, once you get past the initial learning curve, it gets better and better. Your own experience on your local water will be a big part of learning. Depend on it as much as you depend on what you hear or read. Start with quality equipment that you will enjoy using. Have fun. Take photos. And, have fun. And be sure to have lots of fun.

Tight lines,

Bob

crypt reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 9:17 AM, lo n slo said:

be patient

this.................

above all else.....

bigfruits reply :

buy quality the first time or you end up spending more.

id start with spinnerbaits, small soft paddletails, shallow cranks, small jigs and worms. the small whopper plopper at at sunrise/sunset. weightless senko (or other stickbait) wacky rigged.

dont worry too much about color of the lures. white or baitfish color for the moving baits and green pumpkin for the others will work fine to get started.

wear eye protection (sunglasses) against sun and treble hooks.

The Short Fisherman reply :

medium action spinning rod combo, paired up with some mono or fluro line. I recommended using a curly tailed grub on a jig head for a beginner, since they require no skill and catch tons of fish. I also recommended the rebel wee frog. All You have to do is cast, reel it in, and you'll get hooked up in no time. Here's a link to it: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/rebel-wee-frog?searchTerm=rebel wee frog

Bankbeater reply :

Spend as much time out on the water as possible.

greentrout reply :

Not bad advice...this site is a gold mine for rookies...vets too...

https://www.bassresource.com/beginner/get-started-bass-fishing.html

the reel ess reply :

Start with the old Texas rigged 6" worm for bottom. Get a spinnerbait for medium depths. And get a Pop R for the topwater. You've got the whole water column covered. I couldn't agree more with the fishing log. I wish I'd done it sooner. There was a time when I could remember the specifics of every bass I ever caught, but that was years ago.

When you go and get skunked, and you will, make it a learning experience. Read up and watch videos on every seasonal bass pattern you can. Information that we used to have to glean from magazines is now free on the interwebs. Read this board and search it for topics and don't be afraid to ask anything.

scaleface reply :

Join a club as a non boater .My first bass tournament I learned an awful lot . If you're friends with someone who fishes a lot , maybe try to get him to take you .

the reel ess reply :

I would also add: Don't go too cheap with your equipment of you won't enjoy yourself as much. If spinning is you thing, decent reels start at about $40. The same is true of rods.

loumonetti reply :

Simply put, be versatile. Don't get caught up with one or two techniques, try and spend time fishing many different techniques and lures and you'll be able to tackle anything that's thrown at you.

Choporoz reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 3:11 AM, BryanSJ said:

what would be the number one tip that you would give someone new?

Wear sunscreen.

Will1248 reply :

To keep it simple and just fish with universal basic colors such as green pumpkin/white/black soft plastics and shad/white/ghost colored hardbaits. That way you save money in the long run.

P.s. you only need 1 to 2 rods a 6'6" Med F tip 6.2:1 spinning and a 7' Med.Heavy Fast tip 7.1:1 baitcaster. Everything else is extra. Just keep it simple.

Whipper Plipper reply :

Here's a general rule. Use dark baits on dark days and lighter baits on brighter days.

LadiMopar reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 3:11 AM, BryanSJ said:

Hey all! I know that there are tons of resources out there for folks just starting to get into bass fishing and a lot of it can be overwhelming for someone new. Many of the info and recommendations out there are split between fishing reaction type baits first, others swear by starting off with soft plastics to develop a "feel." Other sites talk about the importance of learning bass behavior and patterns first. But aside from just going out and fishing as much as possible, what would be the number one tip that you would give someone new?

Hey Bryan,

Welcome to the forum! While I can agree that "Just get out there and do it" is great advice, as is joining a bass club, try to find a local Mom/Pop type of tackle shop in your area. I've worked for several in my area over the years and if you find a good one they can be an endless source of straight forward, useful information about the how, why, when and where questions most new comers have.

They're also great places to meet up with some old timers who, in my experience, are usually happy to take a newbie under their fin! And you'll not only get the benefit of their experience, you'll most likely get some highly entertaining stories to share!

iiTzChunky reply :

I've only been fishing for about a year or so maybe.but I'll share what helped me the most.

Finding fish, look for cover. Don't just throw the lure out in the middle of nowhere and expect a bite. While It can happen its not increasing your odds of hooking up. Stumps, broken branches, patches of grass, etc. Anything a bass can push up against and sit there. The wind can push bait fish in a direction so pay attention to that. Also look for shade. The bass will like to sit right around the edge of it in the dog days of summer. Early morning and late evening are my best times to fish

Go buy a 7$ bag of Yamamoto senkos. Don't buy the knock offs, the price difference may be appealing but the action of the worm cannot be replicated. I love bass pro but their worms are total trash imo. It's well worth the investment, this way you'll learn what a bite feels like, and what the line should look like when the bite hits. There's a thread with a video link on how to fish these. I prefer the Texas rigged style, wacky works well but I don't like getting caught up on stuff.

Get a bait caster asap. Really stepped my game up. I have so much more control over my casts, if I throw it to far I can stop it easy.

Most importantly don't give up. If took me over a month of fishing almost every day to land my first bass, he wasn't a pretty one but it was what I needed to start learning.

Remeber I fan cast, the bass might not be right on cover, they can sit off a little and you want to make sure you completely fish an area so you're not missing out.

After all this it's time to start getting hard baits. Worms are great but costly as they rip after, if you're lucky, 3 fish. And also top water is the most exciting way to catch bass imo. So that's somthing to look into once you start gearing up on tackle.

Shimano_1 reply :

I would say it'd be almost too much to try and prepare yourself based on others advice as we all have our own opinions. I would suggest watching everything you can on tv/Youtube. Learn what the pros do on different bodies of water in different situations. If you have any friends that are into bass fishing try to go with them as much as possible and have them show you what they can. Be open minded and go into it with the attitude that you can learn something from anyone that fishes, but you will also put your own twist on things and learn new things as you go. Good luck and enjoy your endeavors!

fishwizzard reply :

On 3/8/2018 at 3:34 AM, J Francho said:

Just get out and fish!

This, but do everything about three times as slow as you think you should.

Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :

Form what I read all the recommendations here, it sums up like this.

1. just get out and fish

2. Buy a pack of Senko

3. Be patient

4. If you think you slow, let slow down more.

My story is, I got one of those Senko kit in a box and a nice spinning setup (crucial dropshot rod pair with symetre2500) mostly not for me but for my friend and family who wanna fish some bass with me. I remembered most of everyone I had to tell them to be very patient and slow down and then slow down even more.

Wildbillb reply :

Just go fishing and pay attention.

EGbassing reply :

Keep it simple. All you need starting out is a texas rig. (black trick worm works best for me) Just drag or hop it along the bottom with a 3/16 ounce tungsten worm weight. Watch the line where it enters the water and keep it taut, and if you see the line move, or you feel a little "tick", reel down and set the hook. Also, smash the barbs down with some pliers if you plan on releasing them. You may lose some, but it makes it much easier to remove the hook, and the bass has a much better chance at survival. Good luck!

haggard reply :

As much as I love the idea of gathering and analyzing the data, my advice is (at first anyway) to experience the enjoyment of fishing by keeping it simple: Two rods (one to use, one as backup), 4" Texas rigged soft plastic worm with a bullet weight, no fish finder, and just go explore. If you start obsessing about every possible type and color of lure, line, rod, reel, etc. the magic might wear off. Then, if it does, you always have that reference; you know that it's possible to get back to the enjoyment.

Also: Fishing shallows, structure and close to shore will likely give better results than open water.

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