Just not the exact spots of where they catch them. Hahaha
I'm going fishing.
- Thread starter JLB
- Start date
Good info above. I've been fishing for largemouth almost weekly for most of the past 6 years. Many a day that I still feel like I haven't scratched the surface of what I need to know.
A few pointers that I have relearned too many times-
-Like cigars, you can find cheap options out there, but 98 times out of 100, you'll wish you hadn't gone the cheapest route; especially true of hard baits, plastic worms, hooks. I'm a sucker for a bargain, but I almost always regret it. There's a reason those pink crankbaits are in the $1 Bin. I would make an exception for a novice when it comes to rods and reels. Don't go out and spend hundreds yet on high end rods (not poles) and reels. Don't get the cheapest either, but if you get a spinning combo for $50-80, you'll probably be happy with it for a season or two....or more. Start with spinning gear - baitcasting is awesome, but the learning curve may be frustrating.
-Let the fish tell you what they want and don't want. Anyone can toss a spinner bait and catch a couple bass when they're hungry. But, if you learn to pay a lot of attention to everything that was going on when you get the first bites of the day, you'll be way ahead of many. Depth, speed, rate of drop - relationship to weeds, logs, etc. Amazing that today a very fast retrieve might kill them, but tomorrow they won't touch that spinner until you slow it way down.
-Learn to tie a knot in the line - practice. You'll be much more comfortable swichting out lures, hooks, etc. if it doesn't seem like it is a major chore to cut bait and put on new one. If they aren't biting, switch up your game, methods, location, gear, etc....until they are.
-Don't be afraid to set the hook very agressively every time you think you feel something. I see lots of novices missing fish because they get lazy after touching weeds and rocks.
-Don't be afraid to get your bait stuck. If you aren't fishing in sticks, logs, weeds....you aren't fishing where the fish are. You're going to get snagged. If you're new in my boat, I'll never get upset if you get hung up on underwater branches and we have to move to your bait --- However, I may start to lose it after you toss the fourth bait up into the trees.
-Take a lot of care rigging plastics. I still get lazy sometimes and it shows with lack of hits. A slight twist on that worm when threading back on the hook will give it silly action and the bass are going to be down there laughing at you.
A few pointers that I have relearned too many times-
-Like cigars, you can find cheap options out there, but 98 times out of 100, you'll wish you hadn't gone the cheapest route; especially true of hard baits, plastic worms, hooks. I'm a sucker for a bargain, but I almost always regret it. There's a reason those pink crankbaits are in the $1 Bin. I would make an exception for a novice when it comes to rods and reels. Don't go out and spend hundreds yet on high end rods (not poles) and reels. Don't get the cheapest either, but if you get a spinning combo for $50-80, you'll probably be happy with it for a season or two....or more. Start with spinning gear - baitcasting is awesome, but the learning curve may be frustrating.
-Let the fish tell you what they want and don't want. Anyone can toss a spinner bait and catch a couple bass when they're hungry. But, if you learn to pay a lot of attention to everything that was going on when you get the first bites of the day, you'll be way ahead of many. Depth, speed, rate of drop - relationship to weeds, logs, etc. Amazing that today a very fast retrieve might kill them, but tomorrow they won't touch that spinner until you slow it way down.
-Learn to tie a knot in the line - practice. You'll be much more comfortable swichting out lures, hooks, etc. if it doesn't seem like it is a major chore to cut bait and put on new one. If they aren't biting, switch up your game, methods, location, gear, etc....until they are.
-Don't be afraid to set the hook very agressively every time you think you feel something. I see lots of novices missing fish because they get lazy after touching weeds and rocks.
-Don't be afraid to get your bait stuck. If you aren't fishing in sticks, logs, weeds....you aren't fishing where the fish are. You're going to get snagged. If you're new in my boat, I'll never get upset if you get hung up on underwater branches and we have to move to your bait --- However, I may start to lose it after you toss the fourth bait up into the trees.
-Take a lot of care rigging plastics. I still get lazy sometimes and it shows with lack of hits. A slight twist on that worm when threading back on the hook will give it silly action and the bass are going to be down there laughing at you.
I used to try every lure under the sun to catch bass. Then I figured out how much they like plastic worms.
Senko/whacky worms work great especially when the fish aren't being very active. Best way I've found to catch bass in the winter.
Also, if you are fishing at dusk or dawn, try out some kind of top water walk-the-dog lure. Probably the most fun way to catch any kind of fish.
Senko/whacky worms work great especially when the fish aren't being very active. Best way I've found to catch bass in the winter.
Also, if you are fishing at dusk or dawn, try out some kind of top water walk-the-dog lure. Probably the most fun way to catch any kind of fish.
Yeah great advice some other things you may need are pliers(get the hook out of the fish), nail clippers to trim your fishing line, and a good knife to clean your fish.
OK, where to begin. I have been fishing for Largemouth Bass since I was 5 years old, they are still one of my favorite things to catch. I'm just going to go thru a run down of the things I would not go bass fishing without, and hope that it helps.
1. Plastics! This is what I learned to fish for bass with first, and is still what I am most comfortable with. There are a whole bunch of options here, my favorites are senko's and zoom brush hogs. There are plenty of days I bass fishing and don't use anything but these 2, and catch tons of fish. Color matters less that depth/speed. Having said that I always have several bags on hand of shad color and watermelon(green with red speckles). Look for something the color of used motor oil as well. My secret, go to, nothing else is working bait is a wacky rigged bubble gum pink or brignt red senko. Don't ask me why, they just work. Last thing on plastics, dont cheap out on the hooks, you get what you pay for. I personally use nothing but Gamakatsu hooks for plastics, and they are awesome. Get some with the weight on the shank, and some without.
2. Crankbaits. These I do not have quite as much experience with, but I have been using them alot the last couple years. My favorites are the KVD 1.5 and the Rapala Scatter Rap Crank. You can cover a lot of water with these and they are great for locating aggressive fish.
3. Topwaters There are several different types of topwaters I use alot as well. The main 2 are poppers and frogs. Froggin is probably my favorite way to catch fish period. Something about seeing the blow up is awesome. The really great thing about frogs is they can be fished where nothing else will work. Thick weed beds getting in the way? Just get out a scum frog and go to work. Most important with frogs is make sure you wait to set the hook. A good rule of thumb is a 2 count before setting the hook, or wait till you can feel the fish. Check out youtube for some great videos on topwater frogs. The two brands I use are scum frogs and spro frogs. The scum frogs work great, but the hooks on the spro are much sharper. Either will catch lots of fish.
Poppers are pretty simple, again I would check youtube for how to use them properly. I like hula poppers and rebel poppers. There are plenty of others that work.
Best thing I can tell you is get out and fish! Do tons of reading, and join bass fishing forums. I have spent many hours watching fishing videos as well. Feel free to ask if you have questions. Hope this helps
1. Plastics! This is what I learned to fish for bass with first, and is still what I am most comfortable with. There are a whole bunch of options here, my favorites are senko's and zoom brush hogs. There are plenty of days I bass fishing and don't use anything but these 2, and catch tons of fish. Color matters less that depth/speed. Having said that I always have several bags on hand of shad color and watermelon(green with red speckles). Look for something the color of used motor oil as well. My secret, go to, nothing else is working bait is a wacky rigged bubble gum pink or brignt red senko. Don't ask me why, they just work. Last thing on plastics, dont cheap out on the hooks, you get what you pay for. I personally use nothing but Gamakatsu hooks for plastics, and they are awesome. Get some with the weight on the shank, and some without.
2. Crankbaits. These I do not have quite as much experience with, but I have been using them alot the last couple years. My favorites are the KVD 1.5 and the Rapala Scatter Rap Crank. You can cover a lot of water with these and they are great for locating aggressive fish.
3. Topwaters There are several different types of topwaters I use alot as well. The main 2 are poppers and frogs. Froggin is probably my favorite way to catch fish period. Something about seeing the blow up is awesome. The really great thing about frogs is they can be fished where nothing else will work. Thick weed beds getting in the way? Just get out a scum frog and go to work. Most important with frogs is make sure you wait to set the hook. A good rule of thumb is a 2 count before setting the hook, or wait till you can feel the fish. Check out youtube for some great videos on topwater frogs. The two brands I use are scum frogs and spro frogs. The scum frogs work great, but the hooks on the spro are much sharper. Either will catch lots of fish.
Poppers are pretty simple, again I would check youtube for how to use them properly. I like hula poppers and rebel poppers. There are plenty of others that work.
Best thing I can tell you is get out and fish! Do tons of reading, and join bass fishing forums. I have spent many hours watching fishing videos as well. Feel free to ask if you have questions. Hope this helps