Newbie Fisherman

[jmarty10]

Hi all - I am an avid boater but really dont fish. My two sons keep asking me to go fishing this year so I am starting to plan a fishing trip. They want to go to a lake in Southeast Wisconsin that has small and large mouth bass, crappie, walleye and northern. We have an 18' speedboat (no trolling motor) to get out on to water, but what type of gear will I need? By gear I mean type of pole, type of bait (to catch certain type of fish) and any other hardware. Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

You are probably going to get the best advice from the clerk in a local outdoor goods store. . .maybe Cabelas or BPS. That way you can see and handle what (s)he is talking about.

 

[reel clownz]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

If your just starting fishing. LIving in wisconsin is a walleye fishermans dream. 6'6 medium rods with 6 or 8 lb mono. Few hand full of lindy painted jig head with some berkley power grubs tip that with a minnow. You can go wrong everything in that lake will hit that combo. Find some drop offs, rocky ledges, buy a topo map of the lak..thats ur best tool or a fishfinder. In reality thats the basics for walleyes in the spring slash summmer. In the summer you wanna run some crawler harnesses with half ounce weight. If the lake is calm cast out wind back to boat slowly. Fish the same spots youll do fine. Small mouths and large mouths can be found closer to shore in summer looking for food. GITZIT tube lures for smallies work great , and cant go wrong with a rapala clackin rap. or rattilin rapala. those are stapels for every tackle box.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

Boy, I started fishing about 20ish years ago, a friend called me up and ask if I wanted to go fishing, " fishing, a jerk on one end waiting for a jerk on the other" I said.

Well within 2 weeks I had 2 rods and all kinds of gear, now I have a boat, Garmin GPS/finder ect ect so be careful.

I would start with some good basic rods, I really like Ugly Sticks, they aren't too expensive and they really are indestructable, and some decent reels maybe in the $20 range, you can always upgrade over time but that is a good place to start.

I would get in a few trips locally before you head out of state no better way to see if you forgot something that to get out on the water adn get a couple In-Fisherman magazines, they have tons and tons of info on what and how to fish, it is a realy good resource, btu the best way to learn is to get out and do it.

.

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

You are probably going to get the best advice from the clerk in a local outdoor goods store. . .maybe Cabelas or BPS. That way you can see and handle what (s)he is talking about.

I agree.
Plus a great way to get into the swing is to go fishing with someone local that knows what he or she is doing. Just going out will give you a big head start. Fishing AND running a boat changes everything and multiplies your need to multi task. Plus you wouldn't look like a nubie so much. Anyway, the most important thing is to have fun and spend time with the boys. If you can laugh at yourself then you'll have a great time. ENJOY IT!!!

 

[wifisher]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

Best way to start is probably with panfish IMO. Not sure which lake you plan to go to , but they are basically everywhere. Almost any fishing rod/reel will work for them. 2lb line is OK or if you want a more multi purpose setup you can use 6 or 8 lb. look around the shallows and cast the old worm on a hook and a bobber. It is pretty foolproof. When the water gets up to about 55 degrees they will start spawning, and they will eat almost anything that gets near their bed. They are not real big fish, but good to learn on, and will keep you busy (read as kids entertained). Also good eating. You may want to fish for other things, but this is a low cost way to catch fish and see if you like it or not.

 

[Fed up]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

I would like for you to get a pair of needle nose pliers, and some diagonal cutters.

The needle nose are good for getting hooks out of the fish, the diagonal cutter are good for cutting the barb off should someone get stuck. (ask me how I know about the second half.)

Like everyone says go local, ask for help. Most people who enjoy fishing are willing to give you some hints.

I would have to agree about the pan fish to start with, it is calm and relaxing, and with kids it is very easy. And it will usually get them catching fish, I would suggest for a rod and reel is a cheap-o to start with. Then if you find that you like to fish you can up grade. More fish and anyone can count has been caught on a spin cast reel.

 

[coopcafemgr]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

Hi Newbie, If you are just starting out and you dont know if you will like it just take your kids to Wal-mart and get the the basics. I have seen too many guys go all out and not like fishing at all. I have a 17' Glasstron and a 14' Northwoods Alum. My fishing tackle is 2 rods that are older than my boats and a tackle box full of hooks and sinkers. My wife and I fish together and we "still fish," that is from anchor with live bait, ie, leeches,worms and minnows. Best thing is take the kids to a place where thay will catch fish. nothing harder for a kid than hours on the water and no fish. Last year I caught a 29&1/4 inch walleye and we filled the freezer with bass, blues and croppie and walleye. We had one trip where we caught 7 smallies totaling 25 lb. Find a lake you can catch fish on and learn that lake. My wife and I fish only 2 lakes. One large and 1 Small. The better you know the lake the more fish you catch. It is the knowledge, not the gear.

 

[LongLine]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

I suspect the kids are small so definitely start with some "worm dunking" and get some pictures when they catch their first one. Get a couple fairly inexpensive rod/reels from Walmart - not Snoopy or Mickey poles. Something that will handle 8 Lb monofilament. Kids need to be active & catch fish or they'll get bored pretty quick. I'd also suggest if they're under 10 that you get a 5 gal pail. Fill it with water & put the 1st pan fish they catch in it for a little while. When the trip is over, let the fish go & have the kids say goodbye to it - "till next time." You'll be amazed at the memories that will give them.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

jmarty10 as usual you got some great advice here.

Like everyone said just keep it simple, a worm and bobber are all you need.

GO FOR IT! Incidentally I grew up in N. IL. and spent many summers fishing in WI. Some of the best memories I have are fishing with Dad and Grandpa.

Pass 'em along.

 

[fshfool]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

Find a guide. It will make for a relaxing, fun time for all of you and you'll learn alot. And maybe even get hooked on fishing yourself.

 

[JSGOLD]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

Look for coves, trees in the water, and logs for starters when you get there. Panfish, bass, catfish, and others are usually found hanging around those places. I might suggest Zebco 33 reel / rod combos, usually a 5'6" or close. Ready to go, easy to cast and have some decent size line in case you tangle with a brute while fishing, but will catch all sizes of fish. Buy 2-3 sizes of hooks, maybe some 8's, 6's amd 4's. Some floats and small sinkers, as well as a net and tools as suggested (yes me and the wife have had to deal with hook barbs .....have a camera if possible also. Trolling motor not a big deal. We use ours more for keeping the boat in place and moving slight distances. We like to anchor two anchors in and fish an area for an hour or so then move on. Some people constantly fish and move, but they are almost always using artificial lures. We like live minnows, worms, and even meal worms sometimes. If you are new to fishing, one problem is that the fish will swallow the hooks sometimes. The needle nose pliars can help, but if it is hooked too deeply simply cut the line as close to the fish's mouth and toss him back in. The hook will rust out in a couple of weeks.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

jmarty10, if I recall correctly aren't you from Cary? If so then to be at all honesty I would have to say the Fox River north by the McHenry dam is just as good of fishing as you will find here in SE Wis. and if it wasn't for the Chain-o-Lakes boat sticker fee for nonresident I would be coming south to fish the Chain! It's all there! Musky, Northen, Walleye, Bass, Cats, Perch, Gills, Crappie, Carp and Dog Fish!

 

[scipper77]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

Pond fish are great to get you going. Do you have any local parks with good size ponds? A good pond situation will have so many fish that it's hard not to catch something if you know what you are doing. If there is a lot of vegetation in the pond making it hard to get a lure through that can be even better. Rig up something weedless like a texas rig senko. Look for holes in the vegetation. Fish it like top water when you are on top of the matt, and let it sink and twitch it a little when you have holes.

If you just want something at the end of your line nothing beats worms (or wax worms). You will primarily end up with perch or sunfish. Use a drop shot to hold the worms on the bottom and you may get bullhead/catfish. An occasional bass, pike, or carp isn't out of the question.

I can't help you with knowing where to fish as I am not local but these general techniques will give you success when used on the correct waters.

As stated earlier, nothing beats local knowledge. There are many ways to catch a fish but they do not all work for all situations. You need to match the how with the where and the when.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

Wow! forgot to check this post for a while. Great advice from everyone! Thanks.
Went to Cabellas this afternoon and talked to a guy on the floor for an hour. He set me up with a tourney trail rod and pro-guide spinning reel for $85 I didnt buy it as I am going to check Walmart. Lots of good tips from that guy, after an hour my head was spinning a little bit. My two sons have a rod and wheel where you press the button. They have fished some smaller ponds and the river, but want tohit the deep lake.

As a side, there are guides up in Lake Delavan that cost about $200 for 4 hours. Thats why I wanted to try on my own. Right now, I'm just waiting for the first 65-70 degree day in April and I hope to get out. Something about the big lake that seems a little funner than the chain of lake Bonz! Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Guthookd]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

The Tourney Trail rod is decent. I had one a while back and also have the Extreme from BPS, which is decent as well.

I'm many states away from you, but for Bass I like crawlers and crawdads. If you rig a crawler texax style and drag it down a submerged bank with a drop off you'll probably catch a Bass, that is, if they don't grab the worm while it's still floating (try them weightless too, when fish are visibly suspended near floating structure). Crawlers are also fun to fish because You never know what might eat it!

I like to use crawdads near rock piles.

Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!

 

[trucker28]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

try this site you will love it http://http://www.myfishfinder.com/fishing_forum/index.php?board=7.0

 

[trucker28]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

www.myfishfinder.com

 

[Bunk47]

Re: Newbie Fisherman

I dont recall if u mentioned the kids ages, but if they are young their attention span will be short especially if the fish arent biting. So as others mentioned, keep it simple. On our lake (Castlerock Lake, Mauston Wi central Wi) we have a marina with playground, beach, restaurant/bar , washrooms , picnic area, volley ball net, etc (called "The Dirty Turtle" If the kids get bored with fishing, there are lots of diversions or alternatives or just take a break & go back to fishing later. If the kids get ansy in the boat " The Turtle" has a great pier to fish off ( we caught 72 fish off the pier last summer) So if you dont come to our specific lake keep all these ideas in mind & you & everyone else will have a much more enjoyable time with alot of nice memories. Have fun !