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.