Learning to fish on your own 2024
NCthompson reply :
Has anyone here basically had to teach themselves how to fish? I have been on my friends boat a few times and my grandpa lives on the sound but my dad never liked fishing much. He was more of a sports guy, which also has helped me tremendously, but I never had any guidance on bass fishing or really any kind. I tried out fishing when i was in middle school and loved it and still do it now and im 17. I try to read a lot into bass fishing on here but the success never comes. Has anyone here ever basically had to teach themselves and gather information here and there rather than someone actually teach you?
I think me trying to teach myself is why I never catch anything.
mdgreco191 reply :
I taught myself, and it was hard. I just read everything i could, asked questions, and fished a lot!
rdneckhntr reply :
Well to start with READ everything you can then go out and try it. It really helps if you find some people around your age that likes to fish as much as you do and fish with them.
Im 16 and my best friend is 18(weve known eachother since we were 11 or 12) and hes pretty much the only person I fish with anymore. He's taught me a lot and Im sure I have taught him a lot of things I knew too. I had fished since i was little but it was him who really got me into bass fishing...ive caught my PB with him there too.
Raul reply :
I taught myself how to fish, my dad was most certainly not the "outdoorsy" kind of guy, my grandfather was a rancher but knew squat about fishing ( even though I learn from him how to saddle a horse & milk a cow ) my maternal grandfather was an asphalt rat ( city guy ) and the closest he had ever been to a fish was when he ate fish bought in the market.
Thankfully, thanks to the Internet and people like Glenn we have places like this one where you can find everything that has to do with bass fishing in the home section ( tons of articles ) and if you need help then there 's the forums. Read first there, then come and ask questions here, somebody always has the answer.
bubbler reply :
the story of my life.
my dad dosn,t like fishing no one will teach me so im left to teach my self.
I read every thin i could find and have little success. however i found a friend that loved fishing and his whole family loved it.
so I went with them and cought 12 my first time out with them.
my advice to uo is to find someone on this site or at school that likes fishing and basicaly pick their brain for every thing they know.
go fishing with them and study the sport well and you will soon be successful.
if you dodn't have a boat find someon who has one. Im only 13 and same with my friend. FIND A FISHING PALL
hope this helps. it helped me 
wagn reply :
I have the same problem. I started fishing a little over a year ago, and unfortunately none of my friends fish and the few who have gone fishing with me, know less then I do. I end up being the one doing the teaching. So i've basically had to teach myself. What's hard is that some techniques I pick up on quickly, like Senko fishing, or walking the dog with stickbaits, and I know i'm doing them right (cause I'm catching fish of course).
However for me fishing a jig seems impossible, and no matter how much i'm reading on the forum hear I don't actually know if i'm choosing the right jig or doing the right thing with it, cause I have no one to critique me and help me learn more.
I tried joining a local bass club, and I go out and fish tournaments with a partner. Unfortunately this so far has only been somewhat helpful. I do get to see other techniques and other anglers styles, but because of the pressure of a tournament there really isn't time to try new things and pick the other anglers brain. Instead because i'm trying to compete, i still fish the same techniques that i do on my own, because I have confidence in them
NCthompson reply :
The difference between you guys and me is you dont know what your doing or didnt, but you still catch bass here and there. Ive caught 3 bass. 2 on bobber and worm and a 1 pounder on spinner bait.
AlanM85 reply :
There is no other way to learn really, than to fish. No one else is going to hold the rod for you, and retrieve for you. One piece of advice is to not try to learn too much too fast, when you're reading about a particular technique go out and try it, learn it. When you're comfortable with it, learn another one. Also, pick a good spot to learn. A smaller, out of the way type of place where you're not having to not only learn technique, but learn where the fish are going to be.. Pond or creek, something like that where you don't lose confidence thinking there aren't any fish here or something like that.
Get a good lure, one that's simple to learn to build confidence. I'll not try to give advice on lure selection as it would just be an opinion, but if you're hearing of a lure that is super productive in your area, give it a shot. Ask a lot of questions, etc. Good luck... and don't get discouraged.
Gatorbassman reply :
I taught myself untill I found this website. I caught fish but only because a picked one lure or rig at a time and spent days, weeks, and months fishing with it. I asked questions where I could but I didn't have a whole lot of people I knew who fished. I was very good at trout fishing but bass fishing was a whole different world. I wish I could remember how long it took me to catch my first bass on my own knoledge I was probably at Scout Camp and throwing a spinnerbait. That was the first lure I used. You are very lucky to have the internet at your disposal. This website is the best there is for learning the art and skills needed to catch bass. Read the articles a little at a time and ask as many questions as come to your mind. We don't mind answering as many as you can throw at us. And most importantly you have to just be patient and go fishing as much as you can. It will come.
John J. reply :
I taught myself. My dad and mom use to bass fish, but that was way back then. I am 18. I searched information online and luckily joined a bass fishing club in my school. My very first tournament (first time ever fishing!!) I caught 1 bass and 3 warmouths and I came in 4th place. Which wasn't bad for a first time!!
Since then I've been getting tons of 4ths a couple of 3rds and 1 second. But I just couldn't make it to 1st for some reason...
Oh well, I taught myself and I am still learning every day! ;D 
BoroBass reply :
I've always had a general idea of how to fish since I learned as a kid, but I didnt do much fishing up through high school. My first year of college I got back into bass fishing with a buddy of mine who isn't exactly an expert but pointed me in the right direction.
Then I found this site, read it for a while, eventually registered, and even later started posting. I've learned TONS from BassResource and I think I've caught a lot of fish I wouldn't have if I hadn't found this site and learned what I have.
Nowhere to go but up. 
Red reply :
dont sweat it man, it will come, take all these guys advice....i have fished for years, but not for largemouth bass....i moved to texas and found this site....and thanks to all the great info and people here(especially avid ;D) i catch bass almost everytime i wet a hook..like they said, read, ask questions, and before you know it you will be posting a thread called "my personel best"
good luck
Cliff
roadwarrior reply :
Great advice already, but I know you NEED to catch a bass.
So...
Buy a pack of 5" Senko (not knock offs) and some 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hooks. Rig them weightless and weedless (look it up). Make a long cast parallel to the bank, out from the shoreline 5-15 yards. Let the bait settle to the bottom and sit for 1 minute. Move the bait 6-12" and let it settle again for another 10 seconds. Continue moving the bait EXACTLY as I have described until you are out of the "zone." Move up ten steps and repeat. If the water you are fishing holds any bass in the general area (around the shoreline) you will catch a fish...GUARANTEED!
If the store you shop has Fat Ika, buy a bag of them, too. AFTER you have lost 5 Senkos, fish the Fat Ika on the same hooks EXACTLY the same way. After you fish 5 of the Fat Ika switch back to the Senko, but do NOT change lures in between. I want you to FOCUS on the bait you are fishing.
YOU WILL CATCH FISH if you follow my instructions explicitly...GUARANTEED!
NCthompson reply :
thanks roadwarrior. I already have some fat ikas but not sure what kind of hooks to use and how to rig them. ive used them like once
Fishing Buds reply :
did it myself also,
I still mostly fish by myself, my son has been going with me more this year,
since I started fishing by myself it has been hard to fish with others now. I'm use to doing it my way. Being easy to get along with helps. I've fished with some big headed fisherman that would've turned me off to fishing if I met them first. >
But, the biggest teacher has been the wide world of the Internet ;D
Challenge yourself! You are your best competitor
grimlin reply :
If it wasn't for boards and sites like this one,i'd still be fishing with live worms and bobbers catching nothing but dinks.Probably falling asleep out there on the lake as well.
wvwask reply :
Im in the same boat... when I was about 15 I wanted to get into bass fishing, but had no idea how.
Who do I credit for helping me? Jimmy Houston and Hank Parker. I watched their shows and read every bass fishing magazine I could get my hands on.
Check around ebay and places and pick up back issues of Bassmaster and bassin and you will learn tons..
This season, concetrate on the senko/ fat ika fishing advice above. If you can master those this season, you won't run out of fish to catch, guaranteed.
J_Young reply :
I also had to teach myself to fish. I had virtually no friends that fished, and by the time I got interested in bass fishing, my Dad had lost interest so he never offered to help me learn and I didnt ask for much advice. I just spent a lot of time in small ponds around my folks house with an old beat up Zebco 33 and a no name rod just trying to figure out what the heck I was trying to accomplish.
I still think that I have no idea what I am doing, I am by no means an "expert" at all. I thought that I had a good idea about what I was doing until I found sites like this. With so many people who know their stuff, reading what they say I realized that there is a whole world outside of what I thought I knew. I learn something new every time I visit these boards.
MendotaBassMaster reply :
I have learned to fish on my own as well. I started out using a cheap six dollar pole with a bunch of pre-rigged worms. I read every magazine and book I could find and then one day I was fishing at this pond and threw in a pre-rigged pumpkin seed worm and my pole seemed to bend in half and I knew there was no way no how I could bring whatever it was on my line in so I turned and ran from the pond and drug that sucker out of the water and onto the bank. It was a really big bass and it was one of the coolest things I ever saw but since then I have tried to become a better angler. Thanks to this board and the good people here, I have learned to use a spinning rod and actually spool it myself. I am in the process of learning my baitcaster and can side arm cast it pretty good. I can now fish texas rigged worms, senkos, lizards and flukes. I have a personal best that I just caught last week of two pounds. I know it is not a giant but we have a lot of dinks in the local lake I fish at and the big fish I drug ashore years ago doesn't count as I don't consider that I caught it since I drug it onshore. lol. It has been a long road to get to this point and I have probably nagged a lot of guys on the board but not a one has conplained or failed to explain or help me and for that I am truly grateful. My wife who it my best friend goes fishing with me and is becoming a better angler as well. I know with the knowledge that I am obtaining and the patience that I have that that big ole hawg will come and I cannot wait for the day I post that picture to my friends here on the board. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Cephkiller reply :
Just keep fishing and don't give up. you are living in the "golden age", buddy. When I started learning how to bass fish, all I had was magazines. You have a nearly endless supply of info here and elsewhere on the internet. BTW, listen to rw.
rbrick reply :
What Roadwarrior said.However if you are like me and not patient enough to fish that slowly,get yourself some zoom superflukes in baby bass color.Cast them and steady twitch them back.If they dart back and forth your fishing it right and will catch fish.
Other. reply :
My dad got me into the sport of fishing. But I practically taught myself from fishing every time I had a chance. Then I came across this site and I learned even more!
The first baits I started using were crank baits since they made there own action and I did not have to do much work to catch fish. Then I started using soft plastics and such. I am glad I had such success of crank baits that got me into this sport.
jeremyt reply :
I think I sent you a message on a different saltwater related board. I am just starting to bass fish myself. I have a boat if you want to get out to some lakes and the new river give me a call. Maybe the learning curve will shorten between the both of us.
Jeremy
Zonked reply :
When I was a wee little lad my grandpa taught me to trout fish in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I then taught my dad.
I moved to Kentucky a couple years back and take up bass fishing for the first time. I quickly realize that this is a whole new ball game and start scouring google for tips...I find a few articles on this website called bass resource that shed some light on the subject. I went out to the river after learning a few things and wound up catching my very first LMB. Needless to say I was hooked and proceeded to spent hours just reading any and all information I could find on this site.
Within a couple of weeks I was catching bass consistently, and I hadn't even discovered the forums section yet! Thanks to BR I now find myself teaching a buddy of mine who's been fishing these waters all his life...all because the only website he concerns himself with is his my-space page, lol.
Act like a sponge on this site, absorb as much as you can and it will happen for you. Testimonial over :
jomatty reply :
the internet is a great place. its hard for me to even say that ive taught myself as ive had so much assistance right here on these boards.
take RW advice. That is exactly what gave me the confidence to start catching bass. once you know they are there and that you can catch them on artificial lures, learning new lures is that much easier.
if i were you i would read the seasonal articles and learn the basic patterns that fish follow at different times of the year. then start with the senko and gradually increase your arsenal as your confidence increases with various baits. before long you will know what to do in the variety of situation you are likely to face on the water.
one caveat is that your interest has just broke the budget. you will find yourself owning more rods and spending more money on fishing than you ever thought possible. overall it is worth it though
Diablos reply :
You say you caught three bass?!...My approach since i'm learning is to analyze why I caught every bass, structure, bait, time of day. I continually try those same techniques over and over until they don't work then figure out why after they don't. It sounds boring but after a while it becomes second nature.
southbassfisher reply :
I pretty much taught myself how to bass fish. What I did was read a bunch of articles on this site and then if I had any unanswered question I would ask them on the forum. I am still learning and reading.
bass109 reply :
I taught myself everything on fishing. It helps to have a teacher and in this forum anglers are very experience, so you'll learn alot if you ask the right questions. 8-)
Fish Chris reply :
I'm kind of surprised to see that so many of you guys are self taught !
My late, great Uncle Elton showed me what fishing was about, when I was about 2 1/2, with a cane pole, and redworms, catching Bluegill in his own private pond....... But I don't think he, nor my parents, nor anyone else, realised the affect that would have on my entire life !
Other than that though, my parents were not much into fishing, and my Uncle lived 2000 miles from where I grew up.
So, I'd like to think I taught myself a lot of what I know about fishing...... But interestingly, I had never caught a single bass over 10 lbs, up until 10 years ago (and whether this is coincidence or not) I had also never owned a PC.
Then I got the PC, started surfing for big bass info, learning and sharing, started my own website within 1 year of getting that first PC, and bam ! Big bass left and right, from that point forward :-)
So anyway, I think I had built a solid foundation of fishing basics, on my own, just through trial and effort...... But websites such as this one, and of course the people visiting my own site, who often knew a lot more than I did, put my learning curve into high gear ! :-)
Anyway yes, the kids nowadays just have unlimited knowledge available through the Internet ! The ones that use it for fishing, are going to do things that I could only dream of, at there age. And that's very cool ! :-)
Peace,
Fish
KU_Bassmaster. reply :
My dad took me out and taught me the basics (how to tie a knot, cast, etc, etc) at around age 8 or so. We would go maybe a couple times a months. Not really targeting anything. Didn't take me long to figure out bass was my fish. I think at about 13 I realized I needed to get off the bank and saved up to buy a two man bass boat (which I still have and use until this day). My dad made me a deal, I buy the boat ... he would buy the trollong motor. After we got the boat, that's where I started taking over and teaching my dad really. I read every magazine I could find and then tried to apply them to my lake, exploring, trying new things, etc. 10 years later ..... still learning. This website would have dramatically increased the learning curve.
kybassangler reply :
I found some good info in Woo Daves videos. You can find 'em at the Bass Pro. Mostly I started out with vibra rooster tails and plastic worms and a lot of experimentation. Woo's video is easy to understand by the average redneck, me. My favorite bait is a Zoom Brushog, I nice fellow threw me a pack one day on the lake. Get you somebody you can compete with two competitive spirits in a boat will foster experimentation and if you share secrets you will learn from each other.
senile1 reply :
My Dad started me out on bass fishing but he was what I would call a lazy bass fisherman. He wasn't one to try out new baits, new lakes, or new techniques. When he found something that worked, he stuck with it. So I learned to fish on one lake, and the lures that worked were Rapala Floaters, Rapala Countdowns, and t-rigged and weightless plastic worms. That was all he used. I learned by imitating him. We did all of our fishing with spincast equipment. We fished from an aluminum boat with a trolling motor. So when it came time to learn how to use baitcasting reels, spinning reels, a powered bassboat, and the myriad lures that exist I was on my own. It took some time to become adept at all of these.
I tell you all of this to encourage you. I was fortunate to learn on a lake with a strong bass population and the fishing pressure was below average. When you are learning, you need to have at least one location you can go to and catch fish even when your techniques aren't up to snuff. This keeps you from losing confidence which can really affect your ability to catch fish. If you are learning on a body of water where even the best anglers struggle, I would recommend you search high and low for another place to learn. Don't get me wrong. You still want to fish difficult waters, but the learning process requires some fish to be caught to keep your confidence and enthusiasm.
Another point to consider is what is the size of the lake you are fishing? If you are learning on a large lake, your first obstacle is to find the fish, since maybe 90 percent of the fish will be in 10 percent of the water. This requires knowledge in reading a topographical map, knowledge in reading a depth finder, and time to "tour" the lake and find fish-holding areas.
Considering the items above, a small body of water with a good bass population would probably serve your needs better in the learning phases of bass fishing.
kybassangler reply :
Trial ad error. experimentation and talking to other bass fisherman. Strike up conversations on the water when they pass by and don't forget to ask 'em what they are using. sometimes you hit the motherload for the lake. If possible get a buddy he'll keep you motivated and get some good ole fashioned competition going. With competition comes inventiveness and learning from each other.
stilldontlikeyou reply :
I've been fishing for a month now (I'm 25). I started out on a small pond on a farm which I still love fishing, in fact I'm learned a TON from this pond. It pretty small, and has quite a bit of bass. I catch multiple fish every time, might take an hour or so but they start biting. It great to try different baits, techniques, setting my drag, and etc...
I've done a little fishing from the shore on the beach, and some fishing for catfish and carp at a canal. I know it's not a lot, but its a start, and every time I go fishing I have a blast and learn boat loads. I can't wait to get on a boat and fish!!
To date I've learned the most from - Experience (practice, practice, practice) my only fishing buddy at the moment which is my brother in law, and this website and forum.
I did however pick up the KISS Guide to Fishing last weekend, and it was a decent read talking about buying the right reel, rod, knots and etc.....But I believe the best way to learn is trial and error. Besides you have a blast doing it.
I am going back to the farm for 3 days this weekend, and its all I think about. I know there has to be some 4-5 pounders in there!!! Plus, I gonna try some night time fishing!!
kybassangler reply :
If Caleb can do it you can do it. He just caught a nice hog saturday on a baby brush hog. He's 6 years old and learning as I am, and so can anyone.
FivePoundBluegill reply :
The first step to learning is just to find a pond....or a spot on a big lake that has a big population of fish. Right now is probably one of the best times of year to learn because the bass will take any bait under the right conditions. Pick a bait that is easy to use and go out in the evening when fish are most aggressive. Senkos are a GREAT bait and the easyest to catch good size fish with but if your just looking to catch your first bass they might be hard to use. Maybe try an origional floating rapala...its the simplest bait to use and I always catch something when I throw one at this time of year. Actually I usually catch about 5 small bass and occasionally a big one per outing with this bait when I throw it in my local lakes. At this time of year I catch more bass with this lure than the senko.... I still do prefer the senko though since it catches me bigger fish. Easyest bait ever to use that will always catch lots of small bass and panfish is rooster tails though.
guest reply :
THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT RULES
1. you shoulda been here yesterday
2 no matter what side of the lake you are on, the fish are biting on the other side
3 Do you have an xyz lure in your tackle box? Too bad, its the only bait they will hit today.,
cart7t reply :
QuoteHas anyone here basically had to teach themselves how to fish? I have been on my friends boat a few times and my grandpa lives on the sound but my dad never liked fishing much. He was more of a sports guy, which also has helped me tremendously, but I never had any guidance on bass fishing or really any kind. I tried out fishing when i was in middle school and loved it and still do it now and im 17. I try to read a lot into bass fishing on here but the success never comes. Has anyone here ever basically had to teach themselves and gather information here and there rather than someone actually teach you?I think me trying to teach myself is why I never catch anything.
My Dad tought me some basics of fishing but he never really like the sport, said it was a waste of time and money.
So yes, I basically had to teach myself. This was in the early 70's before there was an internet, no cable TV, only an occasional article in magazines like Sports Afield or Outdoor Life. I waited anxiously for Sunday at around noon when the only fishing TV show on, "Outdoors with Virgil Ward", came on.
Just the stuff on this forum is a multitude of learning more than what I had. Consider yourself lucky.
If you want to speed up the learning curve, join a bass club.
Catt reply :
No one teaches themselves; we all gain knowledge & understanding by study, instruction, & experience.
There are two main ingredients required in becoming a fisherman who is consistently catches fish.
#1: Fish are predators and in order to catch a predator one must understand its prey.
#2: Fish are structure orientated; understand what structure is and how fish relate each type.
Simplicity is the key to fishing success
Bizzo reply :
Start reading through the excellent guides listed under "Fishing Articles" on the top of the page, and when you're done, read em again. They have been a HUGE help to me. Also, ask around about the best places to fish locally and keep asking. Talk to people at local bait shops about where to fish and what works there, ask about lure techniques as well. They are usually founts of information and happy to help. Also talk to the people you meet while fishing, most fisherman are happy to pass on what they know. Keep in mind though, you will hear all kinds of different things.
jwo1124 reply :
Hey NC, good to meet another angler. I'm like you in the sense that I had to teach myself how to fish. My mom's father was an angler and hunter, but he passed away from cancer when I was very young; around 8. I never got to grow up and fish with him, although he is sort of why I like fishing. After he passed, whenever I went up my grandmother's house, I would always go through all his fishing stuff, tackle boxes, rods, reels, and it fascinated me. I remember watching fishing shows he had recorded on VHS tapes and not knowing what was going on.
I later started watching the weekend line up of fishing shows like Bill Dance, Roland, Hank Parker, Shaw, Bassmasters, In fisherman, and numerous ohter shows. Any fishing show thats been on in the past, say, 8 or 9 years, I've probably seen it. I also subrscribed to every fishing magizine I could. I was getting BassMaster Mag, In-Fisherman mag, Field and Stream, On the Water(a new england fishing mag) I would also buy less familiar mags from bookstores whenever I would see a fishing one(like BASSIN') I would also go through all the lure and tackle catalogs like I was reading the bible.
I learned A LOT from watching all these shows and reading all these magizines. I thought I knew everything there was too know about fishing. Was I so wrong. All I really learned from all these shows and reading was the basics with a little extra on top. I'm been involved with fishing for 9 years now, and I have just scratched the surface of experience and knowledge.
My father never liked fishing either. I remember a few times he drove me out to the local pond when I asked him, but he would never fish. He'd just drink a beer or close his eyes and relax in a chair.
I fished a local kids derby at 13, and have been fishing ever since. I love the sport, and I hope my kids will not have to teach themselves how to fish. I have been chipping away at my younger brother and trying to turn him into an angler, but he's not as into it as many of us are. He likes to catch fish, but if there's no action for an hour we wants to call it quits. He's your run of the mill fair weather fisherman. When there's nothing better to do he'll go fishing, but he's no die hard like me. I'll fish in the rain, the snow, 30 degrees, 90 degrees, it doesn;t matter.
Your not alone NC. Literally and metaphorically speaking. As far as you not being successful, it just takes time. Try fishing with shiners at first, that how I started out. Its a great tactic to catch bass, and its so much fun watching your bobber get sucked into the water. This will get you started into bass fishing. Then experiment with lures.
My best advice is:
study your subject. Learn as much as you can from fishing shows, magizines, online posts etc. Bass Resource is great because its catagorized so it's easy to find everything you need to know about most aspects of bass fishing.
Use this forum as much as you can. Ask questions to anyone and everyone about any topic you need to, that's what we're here for.
Lastly, go fishing as much as you can, and apply your knowledge and past experiences. Never give up, don't get discouraged, and have fun.
guest reply :
Hey: Keep reading on the threads. GO TO THE ARTICLES; there is a great amount of info for the begining bass angler. I would also go to the tacklebox and click on it and click open the log and print a bunch. I started logging and keeping records helps figuring things out
bubbler reply :
join the club. i had to teach my self to fish on local lakes. and the local lake is lake casitas ca. and that lake is a #$^%* to fish.
but with alot of practice aND READING EVERY ARTICLE ON THE SITE i eventualy cought fish.
fireandice reply :
I'd try and find some easy small ponds to start with that don't get a lot of fishing pressure from ski boats and weekend warriors. If you can get hooked up with someone on some low pressure water that holds bass, then just about any technique on this site will produce fish for you pretty quick... even if you're no good at it.
It's definitely a learning process. My good fishing buddy and I have been at it for about 20 years now off and on, and when we go out now, we still find ourselves learning from eachother. There's got to be someone in your vicinity that can teach you/take you fishing with them where they know you can catch bass. Ask everyone you know. Some friends uncle or cousin or nephew will surely we willing to take you, and if not, get out and hit the tackle shops in your area. They will probably give you 4 or 5 spots to try just from asking them.
JVM reply :
I agree, ask around and visit the tackle shops. I am sure it has already been suggested, but join a club. You'll be paired up with some real veterans in the tournaments that can teach you alot. Also, I spend alot of time on youtube, watching videos. The Bass Professor has alot of videos that will teach you some basics. I also have Netflix which doesn;t carry that many fishing videos, but the ones they do carry I have watched them all, mostly garbage and 2 hour long advertisements but I have learned a few things there also.
Join a club if you can, and most importantly...Fish On!
CenterBassHound reply :
Hello Everybody,
I am new to Bass Fishin. I just bought my first bassin boat, a tacklebox full of various lures, some good Shakespear reels, and some good rods. My first weekend out was on Sam Rayburn Lake in Broaddus, Texas (I live close to there)...I used a couple of spinner baits and caught 1- 2lb bass, and that was it for the day.
What I would like is to learn plastics: How to rig C Rigs, Texas, and whatever else that might improve my fishing. If any of ya all have some good, simple techniques that you can share, I would be deeply appreciated to ya.
Thanks
xps94 reply :
wow its like a spitting image of my fishing story..but im still 14..and my only family relative who fishes is my uncle in finland ...lol
hawghunter1744 reply :
I did everything on my own. From buying random lures that looked good to going out on my own. I had so little a clue when i first started that I would just close my eyes, start driving on the water, and randomly cut the motor off. I'd fish wherever I had landed. I dont advise this as it's very dangerous. However, the best advice I can give you is practice makes perfect. Another tip is ask lots of questions on here, as there are some very smart people here.
fishfordollars reply :
I have had tons of help over the years. Without it I know I would not be as successful as I have been.
weknowhowtolive reply :
I grew up fishing for trout and sometimes other fish mainly in rivers and streams. Lake fishing was always for catfish or crappie or something. I've only recently started fishing for bass and besides reading and watching tv, I've pretty much taught myself. So far I have done alright I think.
Paul Roberts reply :
I learned on my own, then took my Dad fishing!
But, I had lots of help on the way, mostly from Al and Ron Lindner, Dave Csanda, Rich Zaleski, Spence Petros, Rex Grady, KVD, etc...
boomdigity reply :
I think it's the only way to do it. Sometimes I wish I had not read all the articles I have because those voices all come running when I'm not caughting fish. I have been lucky through I do fish every day for atleast and hour. Most days I skip lunch and fish at the lake. I will say the hardest thing now is listening to my gut and not second guessing it.
shimanoguy reply :
I had to teach myself because my mom and dad work late hours and alot of them :'(
wowyo reply :
Learned how to on my own...helps to ask a lot of questions.
bassfisher1 reply :
My dad fishes but he just does the whole worm and bobber technique so I basically have to teach myself. I am quite good with the tube bait when I get out on the river. I have also taught myself how to use a spinner bait(big accomplishment there:) I am attempting to learn how to fish a senko but its rough. But on the bright side I'm not on my couch doing nothing, and I'm having fun. It is frustrating sometimes though.
Sweetwater creek reply :
Just as important as reading up on fishing technique is reading and learning lm bass biology.
What kind of habitat do they prefer? Water temp? Food? What time of year is the spawn? Learn what the bass likes and you can catch him.
backpain... reply :
My dad loves fishing, but he has always been a "bait and bobber" kind of guy. I never took to that kind of fishing and from a young age soaked up all I could via magazines, books, and later the internet and videos. I agree that the learning curve on your own is rough, but it is worth it. Only these past few years have I really been able to dedicate much time to fishing and even that is limited. I like to think I am still learning something every time I am out.
Nitrofreak reply :
Like most of you I am a loner too but THANK GOD for the internet and this site rite here!!!!!!!
Your not alone any more its like a big ole blanket !!!
Shamster reply :
I'd never really freshwater fished until two weeks ago. Id been surf fishing a few times. A few weeks ago I bought some rod/reel combos that said "bass fishing" and came with a small bit of tackle. It took me over 20 hours on the lake here to catch a fish but I got one! That was last Sunday. Today I caught 3 bass! Ive caught 6 total so far, but nothing too far over a pound yet. 2 on senkos and 4 on one of the french fry worms that came with my rod! I hope to get something over 2 pounds this week.
cart7t reply :
My Dad knew how to fish, he just didn't like to. He considered it a waste of time.
There was Bassmaster magazine, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life and maybe one other as far as written literature. The only TV show available for me to learn from was Virgil Ward.
There was no internet. There was no satellite TV or cable TV or VCR's or DVD's.
I joined BASS in 1974 at age 16. I joined my first club at age 18. I probably advanced my fishing abilities the quickest by joining the club and learning from others.
With what's available on just this site alone it's completely doable to teach yourself to fish and in a relatively short time span.
JaxBasser reply :
When I was really young my grandfather taught me the basics of fishing. When it came to bass fishing all we ever used was live shiners and red shad Culprit worms on spinning gear. We did a lot of saltwater fishing as well for reds. He died when I was about 10 years old and up until I was around 18 I never did much fishing because he was the only father figure I ever had in my life and there was really nobody to take me fishing or teach me.
I've always loved fishing so much though so as soon as I had the funds to buy all of my own equipment I bought some new tackle and a baitcasting setup and pretty much taught myself. Then after that I found these forums and I really started to learn some things. I still have a TON to learn though.
6pointbuck2003 reply :
I was introduced to it by my dad with a hook and bobber. i had a few friends that showed me the basic rigs. the rest i have taught myself. location what colors to use, what lures to use, however it took me fishing a summer 5-6 days a week to get a good start (not like im complaining) the best thing is just getting out there and fish
OnTheHunt reply :
I taught myself, and I was a lousy bass fisherman for quite a few years only have things like, Bill Dance, Roland Martin, ect to watch on "TNN" to learn from. The internet as near as full of information then. Up until abut 5 years ago All I really ever caught was small dinks, nothing really bigger than 1-1 1/2 pounds (with the exception of the 5 3/4 pound i caught when I was 12 I'm now 28). What I am getting at is read everything you can, and find what works best. For me, When I really started catching bigger fish, it was when I learned what patience was. I started fishing my worms slower and taking more time to work on the action. Same with spinner baits and buzzbaits, They work well, you just have to take the time to learn them at variable speeds. Good luck out there!!!
Taylor Fishin 4 life reply :
Welp being here on this website helps alot,
Read all the articles you can
and be out on the water as much as possible
KYntucky Warmouth reply :
My dad taught me how to fish, he does very little bass fishing, mostly catfish and crappie. I remember him taking me bass fishing once at night when I was in grade school, he had me throw a big spinnerbait all night. I started really bass fishing in college with a buddy, we found this site and went from there. I didn't really try at first but then my girlfriend bought me the BPS 100 pc. Bucket-o-Baits and that's when I learned about the soft stick bait and wacky rigging. Thats where I was first hooked, all it took was a 5'' Stick-o and an Eagle Claw baitholer hook. Thanks to this site and youtube videos I slowly taught myself new techniques.
Fishohio reply :
I too had to learn on my own. Most good fisherman have! That's what's so great about Bassin. There's so many ways to catch them. My advise is to keep it simple. Go with proven baits. Don't think you have to have 200$ rod to catch fish. Althow when your ready a good rod will increase your hook ups! Stay with it and Welcome to the greatest sport on earth!! ;D ;D
trevor reply :
I am 15 ( almost 16) and in the process of teaching myself to bass fish. Its a fun challenge away from saltwater.
BassThumb reply :
I learned to fish pretty much by myself by wading the Mississippi River in town for smallies, walleye, northerns, channel cats, and even rough fish sometimes. I had a couple buddies that fished with me but they were strictly flyfishermen, and even when we did fish together we were still 50 to 300 yards apart.
I began at about age 14 and got serious about it at 15/16. I learned a lot out there by myself. I was lucky to have such a nice fishing resource that didn't cost any money to fish and was within biking distance of home. I don't really fish the river much anymore though, but it was fun while it lasted.
You don't need any mentors to learn how to fish, and you certainly don't need the internet, although they both will help. You need to pay very close attention as you fish, and remember what you see. You'll learn as you go from trial and error, and thousands of repetitions will create muscle memory. It won't take as long as you think. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself, or to be aggressive, try new things, or lose a lure once in a while to a snag. A good attitude will go a long way with staying motivated. Remember, even the best fishermen can get skunked. Try not to let any trip be a failure, even if you do get skunked. Try to pick something up from every trip.
ggfishing reply :
I have the same problem here.
I have been fishing for like 10times now, only caught around 5 keepers.
Thanks for all the advise as well
FutureSoldier reply :
QuoteWhat Roadwarrior said.However if you are like me and not patient enough to fish that slowly,get yourself some zoom superflukes in baby bass color.Cast them and steady twitch them back.If they dart back and forth your fishing it right and will catch fish.
God, I lovvveeeeeeeeee flukes ;D
Deeg reply :
My father is an avid fisherman, but his perfect fishing day is having a tight line for catfish while fishing with a bobber pole or two for bluegill and carp while waiting for the catfish to become active. I enjoy fishing that way with him (time with dad is precious - he's past 70 now). However, when I fish with my sons I can't do that kind of fishing. If I have a tight line then I am jigging and grubbing for bluegill and crappie while waiting for the catfish. Now my sons and I are more likely to be lure fishing for bass and other sport fish. I guess you might say that we are hooked on the constant motion and of cast, jig, and reel fishing. With my father not being into bass fishing I have pretty much taught myself everything that I know about bass fishing and my sons are picking it up from me. I am working on adding the soft lure talent to my tool set as the summer is heating up and the fish are going deeper.
I plan to go out tomorrow morning on our boat before sunrise and use my buzz baits and jitterbugs. Then switch over to my Mepps and spoons as the sun is coming up over the trees and then finally to the soft plastics in some deeper water. Planning on having simply a marvelous time on the water with my son(s) (the older one will probably not want to get up that early).
RoLo reply :
In reality, we all teach ourselves everything that we do in life.
Input is only the beginning, that is, data gathered from books, the Internet, our family, our friends and so on.
Regardless of the source though, information gleaned only represents what someone else found useful
in their exposure. How we process that information is what ultimately determines our own level of expertise.
For example, let's pretend that KVD had a mentor; today Kevin would blow the doors off his mentor, who ever that might be.
That's exactly as it should be, first gather all the data possible, then restructure and improve upon that information.
Roger
Hellbenderman reply :
Look around for a bass fishing club in your area. Many clubs will accept minors, but you will soon be 18 so that may not be an issue. You don't always have to have a big bass boat to join a club. Just being around people who have been there will help, and you will be surprised how helpful people can be. Being a non-boater, co-angler, whatever, and just sitting in the back of the boat, you will learn a lot. All this info get's passed on eventually. Look right here in the "Local Fishing Forums" for people in your area or state. They can give you immediate help with how to approach bass in your area, right now.
Bluebasser86 reply :
My dad taught me some basics, how to cast a spinning reel, tie a knot, unhook a fish, really basic stuff. Wasn't much bass fishing opportunities for me until we moved to the KC area. Taught myself how to cast a baitcaster, fish a worm,jig,carolina rig, spook, whatever. It helped a lot to have magazines to read about everything and tv shows to help speed up the learning process, but watching it and doing it are two different things completely! Started in a bass club when I was 16 and won two tournaments my first year and ended up with non-boater of the year, rookie of the year, and 3rd place overall. Felt really good to know that all that practicing I'd been doing wasn't for nothing!
Jim_M reply :
On 6/21/2007 at 9:31 AM, roadwarrior said:Great advice already, but I know you NEED to catch a bass.
So...
Buy a pack of 5" Senko (not knock offs) and some 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hooks. Rig them weightless and weedless (look it up). Make a long cast parallel to the bank, out from the shoreline 5-15 yards. Let the bait settle to the bottom and sit for 1 minute. Move the bait 6-12" and let it settle again for another 10 seconds. Continue moving the bait EXACTLY as I have described until you are out of the "zone." Move up ten steps and repeat. If the water you are fishing holds any bass in the general area (around the shoreline) you will catch a fish...GUARANTEED!
If the store you shop has Fat Ika, buy a bag of them, too. AFTER you have lost 5 Senkos, fish the Fat Ika on the same hooks EXACTLY the same way. After you fish 5 of the Fat Ika switch back to the Senko, but do NOT change lures in between. I want you to FOCUS on the bait you are fishing.
YOU WILL CATCH FISH if you follow my instructions explicitly...GUARANTEED!
I know this is an oldie but...I MUST LEARN THIS...I am new and I fish like I am on crack or something. I make ten, twenty fast casts change lures, repeat...getting nowhere fast too. What the heck?
Jim
starthere reply :
Practice makes perfect!
AvidAngler reply :
ive definitely only taught myself. i grew up with the image of old fisherman on television shows in boats just talking and waiting for fish to bite their lines basically. first time my girlfriends step dad took me bass fishing, i was hooked. im 18 now, started fishing around 17. i read so many threads everytime i get back from fishing just to see if there is anything better i can learn for next time. ive personally never had much luck in big lakes, probably because its so hard to find the fish. they aren't lying when they say only 10% of water holds fish. almost all of my luck has been in a larger pond found locally. and that was what hooked me, everytime i threw a watermelon worm in the water on a texas rig i made contact. but fishing a lake is a whole different ball game, but im so determined to learn it because it would be the ultimate accomplishment to learn.
AvidAngler reply :
On 9/1/2007 at 7:03 PM, CenterBassHound said:Hello Everybody,
I am new to Bass Fishin. I just bought my first bassin boat, a tacklebox full of various lures, some good Shakespear reels, and some good rods. My first weekend out was on Sam Rayburn Lake in Broaddus, Texas (I live close to there)...I used a couple of spinner baits and caught 1- 2lb bass, and that was it for the day.
What I would like is to learn plastics: How to rig C Rigs, Texas, and whatever else that might improve my fishing. If any of ya all have some good, simple techniques that you can share, I would be deeply appreciated to ya.
Thanks
youtube is your best friend, youtube any rig, any knot, any fishing technique and it will pop up with step by step instructions.
Ratherbfishing reply :
When I was very young, my dad took me and my siblings trout fishing in a pay lake not too distant from my house. When I was about 14, I bought an Abu Garcia promotional magazine/catalog from the local IGA. It had such beautiful glossy illustrations and I even though few, if any, of the featured species were found any closer than 500 miles from my house, this was my inspirational handbook (my eyes would have absolutely boggled had there been such a thing as a Bass Pro Shops or Cabelas catalog). My eyes were glued to Virgil Ward as he fished those exotic North country lakes and I was mesmerized when he'd demonstate some jigging technique in the aquarium at the end of the show. Back then I mostly fished for bullheads or whatever I could catch from the muddy river near my house. Getting my drivers license opened things up a little and a high school friend introduced me to smallmouth bass. But access to the river was somewhat scarce then. In college, while other guys were hitting the bars on Friday nights, I was out at the lake behind my dormitory-admitedly it was also during the week when I should have been studying. And so it goes. I guess you could say I learned a lot of things and had to unlearn a lot of other things. But mostly it was by myself.
NBR reply :
Fishing is a very simple sport filled with difficult details. This site provides a ton of info but you have to put it into prectice on the water. Each time you fish you should be able to learn something even when you catch nothing. First which bass are you trying to catch, what time of the bass' year is it, are you fishing lake, reservoir, river, stream or pond, what is the forage base in your water type, what is the weather, has the weather been consistant.
Don't let high expectations and poor results spoil your day. I fish a lot for smallies, I love their attitude and where I live they are plentiful. One particular lake I fish a 50+ fish morning is not terribly uncommon in May or June. The fish are shallow pre spawn, spawn and early post spawn. In my view easy pickens. Come July a different story. I think they suspend to feed on the smelt that next to crawdads are a prime forage. From a 25 fish morning early season I've learned a 3 to 5 fish day becomes a trip to be a good one.
Over the years my wife has learned that when she asks how the fishng was I almost always say great now she knows the follow up question is how was the catching. My answer is anything from great to nothing. On those tough days I'll look for new spots and try different presentations. C-rigging a minnow bait like a Rapala can be an effective wat to cover water deep. Please don't tell anyone I said this but a 1 ounce sinker, c-rigged with a floating crank is an excellant trolling lure to find fish. Drop shot is another great way to fish both vertical and working a lure down a break line.
RPreeb reply :
What little I know of bass fishing was learned by stumbling around blind with my brother and a friend way back in the late 50's and early 60's in west central Wisconsin. When I "graduated" from a cane pole to a casting rod, what I had to use was a 5 foot steel rod with an ancient casting reel. With a 4" Bass-O-Reno (which my grandmother said was once her mother's) I could maybe throw it 50 feet. I did catch a few (my first bass was on that old plug with that rod and reel).
When I managed to save up my chore money and bought my first closed face spinning reel and glass rod, I was in heaven. It was cheap - I had no thoughts about anything but improving on that 30+year old rig. Suddenly I was able to reach out farther from the canoe. I could slide it under overhanging trees, land a foot from shore like a frog or mouse would actually look to hungry bass. Bass fishing became fun, even though it was thoroughly nontechnical - we were still kids with nobody to show us how, so we just fished and had a blast doing so. Loved fishing a Hula Popper - frog imitation or black mouse. Also used Jitterbugs, and prerigged worms, often with a propeller type spinner on the front end.
Now I'm trying to relearn it after not fishing bass for 50 years, and I'm in NE Colorado, not known for it's remarkable bass fishing. This site has been a godsend, but nobody much talks about my area in particular, so in the end I guess I'll just have to stumble around until I get something figured out, same as I did when I was a kid.
N Florida Mike reply :
My dad taught me to fish, but not for bass. I learned from 2 friends in th 70s, then went 30+ years learning mostly on my own.Bass resource and the friends Ive met on here have helped me to learn some new things.
In the old days when I first began bass fishing I did some innovative things, such as fishing with a cane pole for bass.I mainly fished a shallow creek ( named deep bottom creek ) this way.I would walk up and down the creek and watch for schools of bass.Then plop the blue plastic worm in front of them.
I learned casting, playing the fish, knots,drag,bait techniques,finding fish,etc.mostly through trial and error,doing it over and over by myself.Experience is the best teacher.
Mosster47 reply :
I was taught for to fish for salmon, steelhead, and trout. I had to teach myself how to fish for bass.
RO_Watkins reply :
NCthompson,
I have fished all my life, but just started bass fishing about a year ago. Since then I have gone completely nuts over it and fish almost everyday.
Much like anyone else is saying it is very important to gather any and all information that you can. Websites like this one and YouTube will be your best friends. One of the hardest things for me has been figuring out presentations of baits. For that I would just suggest finding some shallow clear water sometime and watching to see how you bait reacts to your movements.
Another thing that I think is hugely important is to fish where you know there are fish to be caught. I know it sounds obvious, but it can be very frustrating to literally throw everything at them with no result. I started in ponds that I knew had a healthy bass population and moved to rivers and lakes from there. I have gotten a lot better in years time but I still have a lot of days that remind me that I don't know too well what I'm doing.
The last and most important thing is you can't catch them from the couch. I know you probably don't have ton of free time but if you want to get good you gotta fish. The more time spent on the water the more you'll learn.
With that said, good luck and don't get discouraged. Look forward to reading about your progress!
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