I'm going fishing.

[JLB]

So, I'm the kind of guy that when I take up a new hobby, I tend to get obsessed. Ask my wife about cigars. So I going to Maine here in about 2 weeks and am going fishing with some family. I'm pretty sure it will be mostly bass, and will continue to fish for mostly bass. I have a pole, but need to grab some basic tackle. I've been checking, and nothing really comes in sets. And it can
Be expensive. So what is some if the basic stuff I should grab? My father in law swears by spinner baits. And I caught a couple using his spinners. What say you??


-Jared

 

[Agentskull]

Are you fishing from a boat or shore? Big lake or small lake? And how do you want to fish? Spinners tend to get love because of light and vibration they create. I tend to like in-line spinners when I fish that way, just my preference.

 

[JLB]

From a boat in a fairly big lake. However, I will be doing it from my kayak on small lakes and rivers when I get home. How I want to fish? Idk, i just want to do it. Hahah. Don't know much yet. But know that I will get hooked. (See what I did there?)


-Jared

 

[RacFocus]

Fishing is addiction. Each cast is a new chance to catch the big one. Have fun, that is my only advice.

 

[FullBody Smoker]

I've never fished north of VA so I'm no sure what to recommend. When you say bass do you mean small mouth bass or large mouth?

 

[JLB]

I've never fished north of VA so I'm no sure what to recommend. When you say bass do you mean small mouth bass or large mouth?

Most of what we have around here is largemouth. So that's what I'd say.


-Jared

 

[Agentskull]

LOL yes i see what you did there.

Well terminal tackle is really cheap(hooks, sinkers(unless you go non lead) and stuff like that.) So you can do a Carolina/Texas right with those on the cheap. It is bottom fishing so you will have learn to tell what a strike is and what is just the bait hitting bottom debris. Now you also lose more tackle due to snags, but it is a fun slower way to fish.

Now you can also go top water which float and mimic wounded bait fish on the surface. it is a little more involved on the reel in but you get the satisfaction of seeing the fish strike the bait. also very minimal chance of snagging the lure and losing it.

You talked of spinner baits which are fun for the flash and vibrations like i said earlier.

There are also crank baits that are good for certain depths. Depending on how fast you crank them in they will go to their preset depths. These are amazing when you find fish at certain levels on a fish finder. Once you learn these you'll love them.

Don't buy monster size lures also they don't guarantee bigger fish. Less likely to hook anything with them.

 

[FullBody Smoker]

Man I started fishing with plastic worms and other soft baits. There is SOOOOOOO much to choose from that I don't know what direction as far as colors and shapes to point you in. You think cigars are a slippery slope, fishing can cost a small fortune! One day your fishing from your kayak and boom you splurge on a boat.

 

[JLB]

Great explanation. My father in law taught me to pretty much cast and reel back in. So basically not on the bottom. More of the top. I can see why this gets expensive. Haha.


-Jared

 

[RacFocus]

Also sunscreen! Sun reflecting off water is not good.

 

[Agentskull]

You want to cast and reel in Jerk baits can be fun. Crank baits. and spinners LOL.

sometimes they will strike when your going fast. sometimes you have to flutter them

 

[JLB]

Also sunscreen! Sun reflecting off water is not good.

Bro, I wear sunscreen in a car. When your British and Irish, the sun typically isn't your friend. Good lookin out tho.


-Jared

 

[sixspeedsam]

Fishing is another passion of mine. I also fish from a kayak, great way to get to the fish as well as enjoy the surroundings. As for lure recommendations, I'd suggest a few things to cover different depths and presentations.

Starting at the bottom, I'd suggest jigs and soft plastic stick worms (e.g. Senkos). You can ask around what colors would work best where you are, but natural colors often do well and are pretty versatile (green pumpkin, watermelon, crayfish colors, etc). Jigs take a little more experience to work with, senkos you can just dead stick. Fairly easy way to catch bass.

Middle water column I'd pick up a few crankbaits. Again, try to match the forage. Rapala is a good choice, and should be readily available. Soft plastic swimbaits would be good as well. There are a ton of options here, I like Reaction Innovations and KVD Strike King Caffiene Swimming Shad. Get a few weighted swimbait hooks and its an easy cast and retrieve exercise.

For the top water column I'd suggest picking up a few inline spinners like suggested. Rooster Tail or Mepps is good - depending on where you fish, you could catch many different species. I've caught largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, bluegill, catfish ... You get the idea. Finally, pick up a top water bait like a popper or buzzbait. If the top water bite is on, you can't get much more fun then that!

Hope that helps. Like you, when I start a hobby I tend to get obsessed. Good luck fishing!

 

[JLB]

Thanks so far gents! Loving the suggestions and explanations.


-Jared

 

[Rick]

The presentation that works best for me for bass here in SW Michigan is called Wacky Worm...do a search on the Internet...it's simply taking a 4-5" plastic worm and hooking it directly in the center of the bait. Cast it out and let it sink, and you'll usually get a strike as it falls. I like to use a Gamakatsu octopus hook in size 2 or 1-0 for this. I always start out with this type of presentation and if it isn't working, I'll then switch to a crank bait like a Storm Hot n Tot. Have fun with this hobby it's certainly addictive!

 

[Heath]

Also sunscreen! Sun reflecting off water is not good.

And a good pair of solarized sun glasses to cut the glare so you can actually see the fish getting ready to bite.

 

[JLB]

Also sunscreen! Sun reflecting off water is not good.

And a good pair of solarized sun glasses to cut the glare so you can actually see the fish getting ready to bite.

You must mean polarized. Haha yea. I know. Got me some good oakleys for that.


-Jared

 

[Heath]

The presentation that works best for me for bass here in SW Michigan is called Wacky Worm...do a search on the Internet...it's simply taking a 4-5" plastic worm and hooking it directly in the center of the bait. Cast it out and let it sink, and you'll usually get a strike as it falls. I like to use a Gamakatsu octopus hook in size 2 or 1-0 for this. I always start out with this type of presentation and if it isn't working, I'll then switch to a crank bait like a Storm Hot n Tot. Have fun with this hobby it's certainly addictive!

Yes! The wacky worm is amazing. It works so well. The key is to get heavy worms so you don't need any additional weights. If the worm is to light the fish won't bite. I use the hook that's on the pearl white worm.

 

[JasonbaysWv]

Great posts so far. Ill only say that rubber is your friend cheap and produces fish. Talking about expensive I took up musky fishing almost exclusively three years ago. Baits are outragous $15-$20 per lure. But it's all worth it when that big girl follows to the boat. Good luck and be safe!

 

[Agentskull]

Also try calling some bait and tackle stores near where your going. They do business everyday. They know what's producing and what's not. As with cigars fisherman are usually willing to share their knowledge

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