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Pro Staff Question - What Rod, Reel And Lures Should I Get For Serious Bass Fishing
Charles "The Bass Doctor" Stuart's Answer
Hi Matt!
If you are serious about your fishing then you have to be equally serious about your equipment.
While I don't say nothing but top of the line equipment, I do suggest you buy something a little better than others may do who fish only for fun.
I suggest a medium action rod not over 6 feet 6 inches long with a 6.3 to 1 ratio baitcasting reel.
Quantum and Bass Pro Shops offer a number of combo's which may suit you perfectly and with Christmas round the conrner Santa would be happy to deliver to your door!
With this set up you can throw top water, spinnerbaits, worms and maybe even a Texas rigged worm which will cover most of the basics.
Tight Lines!
Charles "The Bass Doctor" Stuart
BassonHook Pro Staff
Dennis "The Fishin Professor" Bryant's Answer
Hi Matt!
Thanks for your inquiry!
Let me see if I can help in getting you started out the right way so you can have some fun and catch more fish at the same time!
Everyone has to start at the beginning and it looks like you've already got a good start, and definitely have the right idea of where to go for directions!
Rather than have you begin right out fishing competitively and with the most expensive Prostyle gear, let me suggest some basic items that I know will produce for you in the majority of the freshwater areas near your home (By the way, just for my own benefit here, that little creek near your home wouldn't be the back end (narrows) of Wares Creek, would it)?
Remember, these suggestions will include ONLY ~ "the basics"!
After you've gained confidence in your ability to use all of these items, write back again and I'll be happy to move you up one step at a time!
Rod Reel And Line You Will Need To Fish For Bass
Rod/Reel & Line:
Since you're basically just starting out, make it easy on yourself here!
A "good-quality" six foot long matched rod & reel spinning-combo is available at most sporting goods stores in your area.
Rather than a bargain-basement slow-retrieve reel, I'd prefer you search out a rear-drag, high-speed model for starting out.
It'll cover almost every type of lure you can imagine using.
Start out with a medium-action rod in the combo.
Have the dealer properly load the new reel with "fresh" twelve pound test copolymer fishing line.
Watch how he does it!
There's a trick to doing it right without overloading it!
The copolymer line is a bit more abrasion-resitant and a little cheaper, than most other line options available.
Fishing Lures To Get You Started With Bass Fishing
Fishing Lures:
A couple of spinnerbaits, one single blade & one twin-blade ~ ¼ oz. minimum, ⅜ oz. maximum.
Best color in your area was always white heads with yellow-chartreuse & white skirts.
Retrieve the lure just fast enough so that it runs three to four inches below the surface of the water.
Don't be afraid to cast this lure into the heaviest weed structure you can find.
Just remember to always begin your retrieve BEFORE the lure touches the water.
A couple of buzzbaits the same size & color options as above ~ one with a plastic blade, one with a metal blade.
Run these only fast enough to keep the blades turning and kicking up the surface of the water.
Same thing applies here remember to always begin your retrieve BEFORE the lure touches the water.
Why?
Because it starts the lure out in the right direction (headed back to you with the hook upright) and prevents the lure from snagging on the weeds as it runs through them!
A small assortment (half a dozen) of various weights & colors of jigs (⅛ oz. to ⅜ oz. weights.
Black and Blue or Dark Brown with a glitter are the best colors for your area
A couple of ¼ oz. Shad-Raps (crome/black-back & fire-tiger colors).
Use these rattling lures for "fishing structure" on points & pools.
These are for covering a large area of water in a short period of time and picking up any aggressive Bass in the area.
A couple of SMALL floating Rapala (same colors as above) SLOWLY twitch and retrieve these or use them faster as a follow-up lure on fish that have missed strikes on other lures.
A small assortment of different colors of rubber worms, twin-tail & single-tail grubs (four inch and smaller).
I guess you've got a pretty good idea already on how to use these!
All these lures are easily obtainable, fairly inexpensive, catch fish under most conditions and can easily be packed into a small tackle-box.
Learn how to use each style of lure correctly you'll catch a lot of fish and be well on your way to advancing your fishing abilities.
Good Fishin'!
Dennis Bryant
The Fishin' Professor!
