New to fishing, how can I learn? 2024
Luciddreamer reply :
To make a long story short, I have never fished before. I am 21, my father never taught me to fish and I have no friends for family that fish who I could learn from. I suck, at all forms of fishing from bass, to trout to catfish.
I got myself a boat, some poles and reels and tackle, but yet I find my fishing prowess is lacking, which I expected. Does anyone have any tips for someone who has no experience on how to learn to fish all on their own?
tbird reply :
The reply's that you get( and are correct) are going to tell you to
#1 Read all the articles you can on this and every other website you can
#2 Go fishing with somone who knows how to fish and pay attention
#3 Fishing time on the water... guys that catch fish consistantly have also done #1 & # 2.
T
Bainza reply :
check out the articles on here and let everyone know where your from at least...someone might live right down the street from you and would be willing to help ya out
Luciddreamer reply :
I live in northern California. In Oroville if anyone is around in butte county let me know. I have looked and looked and the only people I find that fish are old grumpy men, and only the guides out of them will take me only if I pay them which I don't do, due to the fact I don't have that much cash.
I have read many articles and pages on fishing and yet when ever I go out it still is clear that I do not know how to fish, and the fish I do catch are purely luck catches. It would be nice to have someone to fish with since I believe that would be much more informational then articles can even be. I just can't find anyone 
I would like to get to the point that when I fish I am using my knowledge of fishing to help increase my odds, not just tossing a lure and crossing my fingers in hopes I get a fish.
seyone reply :
You said the only fish that you do catch are purely luck. Ho do you know that it wasn't your lure presentation that caught the fish? If you catch a fish on a lure maybe it is working. Keep trying it and see what the fish want.
One of the best ways to learn bass fishing is trial and error.
Fishing Rhino reply :
Experience is the best teacher. Is it? Not always.
While there may be no substitute for experience, we can also learn from the experience of others to shorten our learning curves.
There are two parts involved in fishing, the mental, and the physical.
In basketball, to become proficient at putting the ball in the hoop, one must practice. And, as a general rule, the more practice the better shooter you will become, unless..........you have flaws in your technique which limit your progress. It relates to casting in the same way.
While it takes practice to "perfect" casting skills, it also requires an understanding of technique. So even what appears to be primarily physical requires an understanding of proper techniques.
The mental part involves understanding your quarry. But there is a hitch. While fish have certain behavioral tendencies, just because a particular lure works well in one pond it does not mean that it will work as well in every pond.
The reason it varies is quite simple, and basic. Ponds vary. They vary in structure, and available cover. They also vary in available forage, on which fish feed.
To learn the particulars about a pond, the experience of others can be helpful, but to truly understand the pond, you must physically fish it.
There is one more thing that is important to understand. And it may be the most important.
It is patience. It involves not only patience to continue plugging away (pun intended) even when you are catching nothing. Perseverance is closely related to patience, in this regard.
It also involves being patient with yourself. You need to understand and accept that it may take time before you gain confidence in your understanding and abilities.
Fishing like any other sport involves the physical and the mental aspects.
We all have peaks and valleys when it comes to catching fish. Catching fish is not all there is to enjoy about fishing.
For some, it may be the quiet solitude of a woodland stream or secluded pond. For others, the bustling activity of urban ponds/lakes.
In the end, fishing is different to all of us, and that is the beauty of the sport. We can do it in our way.
Some are satisfied to sit on a bank with a cane pole and earthworms or grasshoppers, waiting for a fish to come along and take the bait.
Others prefer to pursue the fish in highly specialized craft, spending tens of thousands of dollars. There is no right or wrong.
Don't have unrealistic expectations, and be willing to accept the fact that some days catching fish is an exercise in futility. But, learn and understand that's fishing.
How can you learn. Apply yourself. Work on the physical and the mental parts of the sport. Be patient. Enjoy every success that comes along.
Fishing is a journey. Not a destination.
1fastone reply :
Some real good advise above!!!
When your out on the water , look at the bank what is above the water usually is below, also when ya get a hit try and visulize the depth of water, and structure, your presentation.
Then try and repeat it.. My best fish jave come when pulling out a backlash 
Sam reply :
As stated above:
1. Read, read and read some more. Do most of your reading during the winter months when you are home.
2. Subscribe to a) Bassin Magazine; 
Bassmaster Magazine; c) Bass Times.
3. Join FLW and B.A.S.S. organizations.
4. Join a local bass club.
5. Purchase DVDs on specific techniques and baits.
6. Read, read and read.
7. Read, read and read.
8. Check out the pros' web sites plus other web sites from various manufacturers for tips and information.
9. Read, read and read.
10. Ask your questions on this forum.
Just remember, read, read and read!!!!
roadwarrior reply :
This might help:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1182371999
8-)
angler1 reply :
Well if u want to learn, u have found the best website to help you. Read articals, ask questions, and be patient. There's a lot to learn but once u start putting your learned knowledge to use you will be rewarded. Read some mags. like BASS. Good luck.
skillet reply :
REALLY good replies above! Just wanted to say stay with it and GOOD LUCK 
!...
skillet
BTW There's always someone here ready to answer your questions. We've all been in your position...
retiredbosn reply :
Welcome to the crazy world we call bass fishin. It is amazing how often a creature with the brain the size of a pea can make me feel like an idiot!! Feel for ya man, been there, just wanted to wish you luck, I have 0 experience on the west coast fishing, hopefully you will find a fishin buddy soon.
Grey Wolf reply :
You might want to look into joining a local bass club.
I.rar reply :
great suggestions.
one thing i didnt see mentioned , is to see if there is a fishing forum for your area. if there is , you may be able to meet up with people who would be happy to teach you. having a boat is a huge plus too. learning to fish from shore isnt the most rewarding way.
good luck!
I.rar reply :
QuoteFishing is a journey. Not a destination.
niiice. 8-)
rat-l-trapper reply :
There's been alot of good advice given here. I'd follow just about all of it. I don't know how much you know about locating bass. You may be fishing the wrong structure or wrong depth. First you need to locate fish, than try to catch them. for example, if you catch a bass in large rocks in ten feet of water, look for other areas like that and concentrate your fishing to similar areas. Always retrieve your lure differently until you get bit. For instance if you're using a crankbait, vary the retrieve from slow and steady, slow and pauses, fast and pauses, burning it, and everything in between. Sometimes A slightly different retrieve is all that's needed. When I first started doing alot of bass fishing, I switched lures to much. You generally need more than a few casts with each lure to tell if it will catch fish. I haven't been bass fishing very long, and it's only been the past few months that I've started catching more than one or two per outing. You really need to have patience, and believe that whatever you're using will work for you. When I first started bass fishing, the two things that helped me alot were lipless crankbaits and senkos. If you don't have these I recommend picking up some of each. I don't know the kind of lake you fish, so these may not work there, but in my experience they're easy to use and catch lots of fish. Good luck and keep trying.
WRB reply :
You can't read and try to learn everything about bass fishing all at once without experiencing overload.
Most bass clubbers can be tight lipped and won't share much information. A good mentor will help you learn faster.
Lets start at the beginning;
1. Describe your boat.
2. What type of rods and reel do you own?
3. What are your goals; catching bass or becoming a weekend tournament bass fisherman?
4. What knots do you know how to tie?
Knowing the type of boat will help us to suggest where and how to fish.
Your tackle selection limits the techniques and lure presentations you can fish successfully.
If tournament fishing isn't a goal, then trolling or live bait may be options.
Knot failure is a common problem with novice fisherman. Learn to tie the Palomar and Uni knots to start with.
WRB
Luciddreamer reply :
QuoteYou can't read and try to learn everything about bass fishing all at once without experiencing overload.Most bass clubbers can be tight lipped and won't share much information. A good mentor will help you learn faster.
Lets start at the beginning;
1. Describe your boat.
2. What type of rods and reel do you own?
3. What are your goals; catching bass or becoming a weekend tournament bass fisherman?
4. What knots do you know how to tie?
Knowing the type of boat will help us to suggest where and how to fish.
Your tackle selection limits the techniques and lure presentations you can fish successfully.
If tournament fishing isn't a goal, then trolling or live bait may be options.
Knot failure is a common problem with novice fisherman. Learn to tie the Palomar and Uni knots to start with.
WRB
Thanks for all the advice so far. I am not expecting to be an expert over night or to become a pro. I just didn't have any idea on where to start but all of you have so far given me a lot of good advice.
Also to answer your questions WRB
1. I have a older 17 foot long bass tracker
2. I have a spinning pole with a spinning real and a bait caster pole with a bait caster reel.
3. My goals are mostly to catch bass, I don't expect to land monsters or get 100 fish each time I go out, but getting one bass per month does kinda suck because I do go out to fish. While it is nice to be out on the pond I am there to fish, and when I don't produce fish it tends to get to you after a while.
4. I know how to tie the improved clinch not and palomar knot.
WRB reply :
QuoteQuoteYou can't read and try to learn everything about bass fishing all at once without experiencing overload.Most bass clubbers can be tight lipped and won't share much information. A good mentor will help you learn faster.
Lets start at the beginning;
1. Describe your boat.
2. What type of rods and reel do you own?
3. What are your goals; catching bass or becoming a weekend tournament bass fisherman?
4. What knots do you know how to tie?
Knowing the type of boat will help us to suggest where and how to fish.
Your tackle selection limits the techniques and lure presentations you can fish successfully.
If tournament fishing isn't a goal, then trolling or live bait may be options.
Knot failure is a common problem with novice fisherman. Learn to tie the Palomar and Uni knots to start with.
WRB
Thanks for all the advice so far. I am not expecting to be an expert over night or to become a pro. I just didn't have any idea on where to start but all of you have so far given me a lot of good advice.
Also to answer your questions WRB
1. I have a older 17 foot long bass tracker
2. I have a spinning pole with a spinning real and a bait caster pole with a bait caster reel.
3. My goals are mostly to catch bass, I don't expect to land monsters or get 100 fish each time I go out, but getting one bass per month does kinda suck because I do go out to fish. While it is nice to be out on the pond I am there to fish, and when I don't produce fish it tends to get to you after a while.
4. I know how to tie the improved clinch not and palomar knot.
Does your Tracker have a sonar unit, if so what is the make and model?
Same ? with the rods and reels; bass rods? line size?
Good to know you can tie reliable knots.
It's fall changing to winter soon, so the bass are going to go deeper out west. This means down sizing to finesse fishing. I suggest you purchase Don Iovino's book; http://www.iovino.com/donbook.htm
Look at this site or use Don's book and read up on drop shot, split shot and doodle rigging small plastic worms that you can fish with your spinning tackle. Also read up on structure spoons. Learn those presentations this fall and winter. Good luck.
WRB
Luciddreamer reply :
Yeah I have a fishfinder, it is a humming bird 565 I believe.
I got two bait casters, both are 6' 5inch with medium to heavy action
One was a rhino combo with rod and reel that I have placed 14lb mono on(i use it for top water lures like walking the dog, popers, and such)
The other I bought seperate from each other and put together, the rod is abu garcia same length and action as my rhino, with a Megaforce 100tsh 7.1:11 reel that has 12 pound floro on it
and lastly my spinning rod was a Daiwa combo for about $20. It is light/medium action with 8lb test line on it. This was the first rod I got for shore fishing, then I got the boat for cheap and have been fishing at a place call one mile which is full of heavy weed cover, so I went with some heavier setups so I won't loose my fish or lures.
Also I would like to add that where I fish is so full of weeds that the fish finder is useless out there. We have a nice big lake out here but it is constantly being fished and is used in bass tournaments so I felt I would go out to this little pond and learn the basics there first before trying to fish in a pressured lake.
Fat-G reply :
Sheeesh seems like a pretty nice boat to have as a first. I would say the best way to learn about fishing is to do what your doin'. Ask questions. Anything you have a question about, ask. Also buy a couple packs of Senko-type baits and learn to fish those. But before you ask questions about them read this section: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1121527643. This website will help you a tremdous amount. Good luck. And like Sam said, read, read, and read.
Luciddreamer reply :
Yeah it is pretty nice. The guy who sold it to me did so for $500. He had gotten a even better boat and was trying to sell that one, and he worked with my mother who told him I was looking for a boat so he cut the price down pretty low and sold it to me rather cheap.
oleballcoach reply :
I have recently become a serious bass fisherman, I live in MN and grew up fishing walleyes, and had some basics. What I was basically what everyone else has done. The results are starting to show. It works, but it just takes some time. I really like playing with my retrieval of the baits. But the more I feel like I know about fishing, the more I think that I need to learn.
Catt reply :
If you want to learn how to fish read all of the above
If you want to learn how to catch learn how to read structure & bait fish
Elite Image Fishing reply :
Luckily I have been fishing my whole life, but no one helped me ease into the bass world, that is until I joined this forum. I started out in the tips/tactics panel of the article section and learned every technique, lure, what reel to use, what rod to use, why to use it, when to use it. It is easy to get overwhelmed. I fish at the collegiate-level now and I am the Vice-President of our club (not to brag). I just want to offer you some encouragement. Your transformation into a better angler doesn't happen over night. It is an evolution over time, that is, you never stop learning and adapting. I would take one concept at a time, apply and use it on the water, don't be lazy. There is a plethora of information here and it would be easy to skim the top. I would take one concept per week, read articles pertaining to it, make print outs or notes, then the second half of the week I would go out and apply it at a pond/lake etc. I still do this to date and my studies have evolved from simple tackle set-ups to patterning fish for each season. Hang in there, its a great great sport and a consuming one at that. This site will help greatly! If you ever need anything just PM me. Sorry to be so wordy.... I just had to share with you.
Simp reply :
QuoteYeah I have a fishfinder, it is a humming bird 565 I believe.I got two bait casters, both are 6' 5inch with medium to heavy action
One was a rhino combo with rod and reel that I have placed 14lb mono on(i use it for top water lures like walking the dog, popers, and such)
The other I bought seperate from each other and put together, the rod is abu garcia same length and action as my rhino, with a Megaforce 100tsh 7.1:11 reel that has 12 pound floro on it
and lastly my spinning rod was a Daiwa combo for about $20. It is light/medium action with 8lb test line on it. This was the first rod I got for shore fishing, then I got the boat for cheap and have been fishing at a place call one mile which is full of heavy weed cover, so I went with some heavier setups so I won't loose my fish or lures.
Also I would like to add that where I fish is so full of weeds that the fish finder is useless out there. We have a nice big lake out here but it is constantly being fished and is used in bass tournaments so I felt I would go out to this little pond and learn the basics there first before trying to fish in a pressured lake.
Two great lures for weeds are a rattle trap also called a lipless crank. Make sure you have heavy line tied on (the 14 you have should work but it's a little on the low side.) and a strong rod. Then try to tick the tops of the weeds and rip it out when it's caught. Usually the fish will strike after you rip it out. I'd also suggest a topwatter frog. I'd suggest a spro frog for matted grass and Rage toads for sparse grass. The spro is also usually best when fished with braid so you can set the hook better.
Ponds can be a great place to learn and catch some nice fish. I've spent as much time on farm ponds as I have on lakes. The downside is they can limit you to what you can fish. That is unless you are on a boat. The downside to a lake is there is allot of water and most if it doesn't have any fish. Finding fish and learning there seasonal and even daily movements then becomes VERY important. Now you may find that the water you fish may be very different then most of us. Out west in Cali they have many deep clear lakes. Other styles have came about from the fisherman out west that many of us may not consider our strengths in fishing. So keep trying to find a fishing partner near you.
I think all the advise you have gotten on here has been right on and a great majority of things I've learned has came from here. I find it very fun to take something I've read on here and then go out and practice it. Some things I find I can do right off the bat well (like frogging) while others are proving it's going to take some time (drop shotting). Listen to what you have read here and on other thing. Try other bodies of water!! I say that for a couple reasons. First it's just nice for a change of scenery. Second if you have put a good amount of time in that pond and it hasn't produced well and it continues to not produce. That simply may mean that pond has very few bass in it. While the other lake may be having tournaments on it all the time because it's a great fishery. Just look at out BR club trip to KY Lake. That place has tons of tourneys but many of us had days where boats where caching 100 fish a day almost. So keep at it and have fun! Remember there also isn't anything wrong with a bober and worms to feel the tug of a bluegill! They also taste great!
flechero reply :
Hopefully someone local will PM you about a trip.
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