New to bass fishing...

[CntrySngr]

Hey guys. I'm new to Bass fishing. I was born in upstate NY, but grew up in the west where Trout are plentiful. Fishing for them was fun, especially on Flies. I haven't been able to catch any good size bass yet.<br /><br />What kind of lures, bait, etc. work on them?<br /><br />Casting Techniques?<br /><br />What other tips can you give a trout fisherman to get some bass?<br /><br />Thanks for your help!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Originally posted by CntrySngr:<br /> <br />What other tips can you give a trout fisherman to get some bass?<br /><br />Thanks for your help!

If there were just one thing I would tell a person like you, it would be:<br /><br />Join a Bass Club in your area that was family oriented. Makes no difference that you dont know anything about Bass fishing, they will accept you and you will learn more in the first year than you could learn in a lifetime of trying to do it by yourself.<br /><br />Been there, done that!

 

[llfish]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Hook up with a guide. Tell him you are looking for someone who will explain what is going on and he uses what he does. You will be happy.

 

[PAkev]

Re: New to bass fishing...

The Super Bowl of Bass fishing (Bassmaster Classic) will be in Pittsburgh Pa this year. <br /><br />Aside from the main event tournament competition, there are a lot of things to be involved in such as seminars and demonstrations at the expo. It is FREE to attend, is within reasonable driving distance, and will afford you a lot of useful information and resources.

 

[fireman57]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Cntrysnger you are right next to Patoka lake. I'm down here west of Evansville. There are guys on that lake constantly bass fishing and I'm sure when you catch them coming off the lake at any ramp they will be more than pleased to give you tips and how to's. There are three or four conservation clubs up there that are loaded with bass fisherman. Join one for the comraderie and fishing buddies.

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Originally posted by fireman57:<br />There are three or four conservation clubs up there that are loaded with bass fisherman. Join one for the comraderie and fishing buddies.

Thanks Fireman. I will look into these...I saw something on the hoosierhillsmarina.com site about a boat club, but not bass. I'm sure they would know how I could get a hold of one though. I'll talk to them next time I am on the lake!<br /><br />You ever get up to Patoka?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Sign up with B.A.S.S. Read the magazine every month. Watch the fishing shows on cable. Go crazy at Walmart in the fishing section.<br /><br />Go fishing and try out all that stuff you see and read about. You'll catch the critters, sure enough.<br /><br />In reality, bass are stupid critters. They're hungry critters. They like to eat and they aren't all that particular about what they eat, either.<br /><br />Swimming garbage cans, they are. If you put a bait in front of them, like as not they'll try to eat it.<br /><br />There's a lot less mystique about catching bass than many would like you to believe. The real secret is finding out where they're feeding at any particular time. Find that out, then feed 'em something with hooks in or in it. Then just reel the fat suckers in.

 

[Jeremiah185vs05]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Im pretty new to it also. I have been really at it for only about to years. I have came a long way though.Dont try to learn everything at once.The most important thing is, go a lot. When you go, eo early, stay late. Thats how you get good.

 

[fireman57]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Used to go up there all the time. When they first opened the lake it was a great crappie and bass fishery. Then they stocked the pike which I thought was pretty cool until you would catch one or two slab crappie and the slight disturbance caused by this would send about four or five pike into them. It was cool catching the pike but they were all under the size limit and screwed up the crappie fishing. Then we started bass fishing. All my bass fishing is catch and release since I don't care for eating them. It was good too until the word got out and it was totally overfished. The game wardens were too few to do creel checks and guys were taking up to whatever they wanted out of there. Panfishing was good for a while but once the bass were diminished the bluegill got to overpopulate and all were stunted. Then they introduced the stripers and white bass to control the shad. These are my favorite fish to go after but they have not developed like the state thought they would. White bass should be easy to find but they are not in this lake. They are mostly in the east end of the lake and up the Patoka river where it comes in. We use white rooster tails but my favorite lure for them is a chrome blue fox. Until last year the state had a consumption warning on Patoka because of the chemicals from the runoff of the limber mills and furniture factories that sit up that way. I haven't fished it for about four years but I heard that it is coming back for bass and crappie. Crappie USA has a tournament there almost every year. I noticed this year that the consumtion warnings for Patoka are not in book of regs. It is a great lake to practice your technique in. Use your depthfinder to find submerged islands and work the from top to bottom with a carolina rigged purple worm. Then that doesn't work then work them from bottom to top. Everyone there just keeps plugging at the shoreline but the nice ones hold around these islands and off the deeper points.

 

[txswinner]

Re: New to bass fishing...

My dad started me out learning to bass fish with a top water lure. Took off the hooks and put a wash tub in backyard. When I learned to hit the tub most of my cast, he said it was time to head to the lake. Lesson # 1 Casting accurately is the most important skill. Cast to a spot not for distance.

 

[txswinner]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Lesson # 2 Let the lure or worm work do not over work the rod and KISS Keep It Slow Stupid, at least that is what i remember being told.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: New to bass fishing...

K.I.S.S. Yes I remember that one too. I cant count the times I have had strikes while I was picking out a backlash. There are cetainly times when they want it ripped as fist as you can reel, but thats not the norm.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Talk to the locals... That will be the best information you can get for your area... Let them know you are a beginner... There is nothing better for a good bass fisherman than talking, and helping a newbie...

 

[gonefishie]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Well, first of all Patoka is the hottest bass lake in the state right now but can be very challenging for beginner. For us seasoned tournament fisherman who fished Patoka several times a year still get blank sometime. Start out by pond fishing is the best way to learn in my experience. It easier to catch fish in ponds and you won't get the frustration of big lakes and then give up.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Is this the one? Looks like it would take a lifetime to learn that lake!<br /><br />

 

[gonefishie]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Yep! that our beloved Patoka. Do you fish anything like that in your neck of the wood Lube?To know everything about it and be a guide on it, I reckon it would take a lifetime. It really not that difficult, 2 rivers, one creek and a main lake. A good topo map would do just fine.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: New to bass fishing...

Actually the lake I live on, Ten Mile Lakes, looks like a miniature Patoka, Ill post a picture tonight.

 

[Braxton]

Re: New to bass fishing...

talk to your locale guys and gals, also read b.a.s.s or join up. bass fishing is fun.