Summer Bass Fishing

[Davetrp243]

I am going to start to bass fish this summer a little bit, for largemouth. I am still young, and would like to know what would be the best thing to start off with? I have a new rod, and some tackle, but what would you reccomend for beginners, that do catch fish? Thanks for any help! Dave

[Skipper]

For a beginner, young guy, The best thing would be to get some Zoom Super Flukes in Pearl White, a couple small crank baits like a Shad Rap or Rebel Wee R, some spider grubs-2/0 hooks-1/8 oz worm weights and hit your local farm ponds.  These fish aren't generally as educated as those in a pressured lake, the body of water is small enough to work it without a boat, and there are usually plenty of fish in them.  That's how I started and I suspect that's how 90% of the tournament fishermen started.  From there, I aquired a jon boat by age 13 and started floating the river with a buddy of mine.  In this day, that might not be safe for young people, to be honest, it wasn't safe then, but that's how I learned.  Before allowing you into a boat by yourself or with young friends, your parents should make sure you are competent to operate it safely.

Skipper

[1911crazy]

Here's a few hot baits:
Crankbaits:
 I use manns crankbait in crawdad brown size baby1, Manns 1/4oz loudmouth firetiger,  bomber crankbaits in Red crawdad and baby bass orange belly size BO5A model A.  Rebel Big Claw crawfish in green, Rapala's orginal floater in plain "blue" 2 3/4",  Topwater I use Mr Twister tri alive fire perch, BassProShops topnocker color #25, Rebel pop R 1/4oz 2 1/2" silver shad.
Spinnerbaits:
Manns T1 HP classic 1/8oz single gold colorado blade white skirt I change the skirt to strike kings white/blue the one that changes color and add Uncle josh 3/8" X 4" pork trailer (Cut the vee 1" higher to add swimming action) for clear and slightly stained water
Any small 1/8oz double blade chartruese spinnerbait add a Mr twister split double tail trailer. for low light and stained/muddy water conditions.
Inlinespinners:
Mepps anglia #2/#3 silver/gray tail, Mepps XD3 silver dressed, panther martin spinflys #4/#6 silver/yellow fly, Joesflies 1/4oz bass size in firetiger apache, blackgnat, white miller, mellow yellow, glo tiger.

What line you use also affects how the lures run I use 6 and 8lb test excaliber silver thread you lose less lures with better line.

These are the hottest patterns (baits) I have used but presentations is the key you can reel crankbaits slow or use reel and pause or reel and long pause letting the crankbait pop up on the surface "pause" then repeat. Any crankbait that floats can be used topwater too. you just have to really "focus" on what you are doing. The topnocker you can  cast it out and using the rod tip 4" to 6" movement make it KNOCK and it almost stays in the same spot be paitent and motivated each movement must be exact any flaws and the fish won't hit. the inlinespinners and spinnerbaits just reel slow if nothing hits reel then stop letting it fall when it stops(hit the bottom) repeat. the rebel big claw I use it before first light yes at 5am cast it out and reel it slow the big fish feed in the shallows in low light

Reading the water:
When you first get to the water read it for condition is it "clear"  "stained" or "muddy" this will tell you what color to use. Then look to see if there is topwater action like baitfish breaking the surface or bass breaking feeding on top if there is action on top go topwater first the fish will tell you what to use. Just remember clear water smaller natural color baits fished faster in stained/muddy water big sized bright color baits fished slow a rattle is a plus. And I use scents like baitmate bass $3 at walmart and YUM shad $5 at walmart.

Where to shop checkout gofishin.com for crankbaits/plastics discounted prices, cabelas bargain basement, bassproshop clearance you can buy cheaper and save $$ if its on sale.
              TiteLines and BigBass                         BigBill

[ibfestus]

A couple of things to remember. 1. Always fish on or near the bottom.  (you have to know where the bottom IS to do this). 2. Always fish the edges. (edge of the weeds, edge of the drop off, edge of whatever. 3. Color, size, speed, and wiggle is 2%.  Where, what, and when is 98%.

Knowledge is the key to fishing sucess.  You must understand the fish before you can understand how to catch them.  Fish the fish's seasons not your season.  The bass doesn't know spring, summer, fall, and winter.  He knows pre-spawn, spawn, post spawn, etc.

Finally, if you ain't catching, it's your fault, you just haven't acquired enough knowledge.  You also need tp remember that NOBODY always catches them.