Any tips on freshwater gear

[Power_Worm]

I am fairly new to fishing only have a cheap rod and reel from walmart. I mostly use Berkley power worms as my weapon of choice. Just curious if u guys had some info on a good rod and reel combo for a beginner and maybe some lures of choice besides soft platics. I am looking forward to a good fishing season and talking to my fellow anglers. Thanks for your help!

[roncarr]

tequila sunrise is my fav ruber worm try storm lures and spiner baits

[theothereric]

spinnerbaits for sure you can cover alot of water and they usually bring good action. i also like buzz baits over lilly pads the fish might miss it alot but it sure is cool so see them strike.

[Toad]

Don't worry too much about you rod and reel from WalMart.

When a fish hits the bait it doesn't know if it's a $400 rod and reel combo:eek: or a $35 rod and reel combo:p on the other end. Main thing is whether you drag works and is set proberly, good line, & proper knots.

Some of the bigger fish that have been caught have been land with very inexpensive equipment. You start small, and inexpensive. Your experiences will dictate what you will want to buy in the future.:rolleyes:

If I had to choose one and only one bait to take fishing for artificial it would be a split-tail rapala.....different sizes for different species.

For natural bait.....nuttin will ever beat a plain old night crawler.

Keep you shiny side up, greasy side down.:D :D :D

[noresman]

If you want a decent rod and reel combo fairly cheap I would suggest a Quantum Hypercast reel and a 6 1/2' medium-heavy action rod.(about $80.00) You will get 2 spools with the reel so you can use 2 different line weights depending on what you're fishing for. Buy a decent line Berkley tri-line has always worked well for me. I prefer the abrasion resistant XT because when I'm bass fishing I throw into some nasty cover. Toad is right about the rapala's I have caught many fish on them. I prefer the shad colored ones. Yamamoto worms work well I like the black with red flecks. For spinner baits I prefer 3/8 oz with willow leaf blades get one in chartruse and one in white. If you can afford it get a second rod and reel in ultra light size. I have a 5' one piece Shakespere ugly stick I've had for over 25 years and it's never failed me. At the moment I have a catera reel on it.

[buckmanjr]

creature bait kinda things by garry yamamoto with weedless hooks across any vegetation...kills it!

[Power_Worm]

Thankyou guys for your help.

[Matt]

Ive had some great success off of senkos. I use and octopus hook and one 6" senko the bass cant seem to get enough of them.

[Power_Worm]

Would I be better off buying this stuff at a walmart or is there a cheap online store or something?? Also what is a good weedless hook. I usually use gamakatsu but never a weedless usually just throw them into cover and hope for the best.

[theothereric]

you have to rig the hook so its weedless you want to bury it into the worm and when you set the hook it will go through the worm and into the big lunker bass. i would go to dicks they have good rods and reels and the prices are pretty good. i have had more luck finding good equipment there than at wall-mart. look in the flyers they should be having some sales.

[buckmanjr]

or u could get weedless hooks. they have a little wire thing that goes over the point but when u set the hook the point can still go into the mouth.

[GILL FINN]

If I'm not mistaken, Dick's will be having their spring fishing sale this coming week. This will be the time to get your Yamamoto baits, as their
selection suffers after this sale is over.

Yamamoto has a set minimum retail price for their line of rubber goods, and although some dealers charge more, you will not pay less than $5.98
for a 10 pack of 4 or 5 inch senkos (some places may have seconds for a reduced price)

[sodaguy2]

agree with Matt...I do very well with Senkos, spinnerbaits as well