Grew up fishing with my dad but we always targeted crappie with the occasional bass by accident. With grandpa we always fished for cats. I really want to fish for bass but there is so much to learn about technics and different gear. I need to hire a good teaching guide in the DFW area to give me a crash course in brain surgery. I have been watching youtube videos and have picked up some info but I would like some good old on the water instruction. Is there anyone around you would recommend?

Hog Jaw here on the forum can probably give you some pointers.

Some of the best advice I can give you is to join a club that pairs non-boaters with boaters (ex. Century Bass Club). Fish as a non-boater for at least a year regardless if you have a boat. Your cost is a one-time fee to join a club ($30 avg.), then each tourney has entry fees ($60 avg.), you will split fuel/ maintenance cost with boater each tournament ($25-$40 avg.). On an average tournament you will spend $100 - $200.00, which is considerably less than a guide and you will learn continually so much more while also making great friends, fishing partners, and just plain have fun.

Otherwise go hook up with a reputable guide and be willing to spend $350 - $550 + tip per trip and you will learn valuable information.

We offer fishing classes for our private water fishing club members, Ken Addington taught our bass fishing 101 class we held a few months ago, and we plan on having Ken A. back to teach a more advanced bass fishing 201 class.

Good luck.

Cole PWF

Just go fishing. It's not that hard to catch bass. If ya wanna ride along with me sometime....just PM me. I fish south and east of Dallas though.

You are just down the road from Justin. You are welcome at my house any time. I will be glad to teach you the basics. Plan to spend the day. We will work on as many things as that 8 hours will allow from rod/reel set ups, baits, building baits and studying mapping. Catching fish is secondary once you have the knowledge. There is a small fee; lunch.

"There is a small fee; lunch"

...Now that's a deal!

Whatever the fee may be you can learn a bunch from Donald.

Capp's Fishing Adventures on facebook. he grew up like you fishing for cats/crappie/etc. Can explain the similarities in some of the tackle and rigging to target bass. great instructional guide

James Biggs is your guy, look him up on here

Not knowing what your skill level is I would suggest you do a little self teaching to get some basics down. You can keep it simple and have fun without having to go into brain surgery to get started on your way.

This would be my simple list of tackle to get started.

Plastics: Senko and Zoom magnum finesse worms maybe some zoom mag II worms and z hogs.
Colors: watermelon red, junebug, redbug and plum.

Crankbaits: 2-3 squarebills that dive 3-6 feet and a couple of series 5 strike king. Also a couple of rattle traps in same colors.
Colors: something like sexy shad, Tennessee shad and orange/red

Spinnerbait: 3/8 and 1/2 ounce with double willow, or willow Colorado blades
Color: white, white/chart

Chatterbait in green pumpkin and black blue

Top water: pop r, and a jerkbait
Colors: chrome black back and bone.

Couple of frogs for thick grass.

Rods medium action for top waters, cranks and spinnerbaits 6'6"-7'
Medium heavy for Texas rigged worms and Carolina rigs and frogs. 6'9-7'6"

Target lakes with boat docks and shallow vegetation or wood around shorelines, study maps and see where creek channels swing near shorelines, boat docks and points.

After you are proficient with your casting and tackle then go find a guide and become more refined and and ask him to show you how to locate and catch fish in deep water.

Thanks

Shoot me a PM I�ll be glad to help

Thanks for all the info. I will get in touch with you Donald as you live really close. My signature says Keller but I am in Haslet now, even closer to you.
Will contact james as well, I will take all the help I can get!

I need advise on what rod to pair with what reel for particular presentations and how to locate the fish, their seasonal patterns ect.
My reels are Curados, Revos and Smokes in all different gearing configurations.
The rods are Bucoos, Veritas, and St Criox in different lengths and actions
I have lots of crank baits ,soft plastics , spinner baits and creature baits. Want to learn how to rig them all.
Im sure if I hang around the bass forum long enough i may learn a thing or two.

I will contact you soon James for a get together. Lunch is mighty cheap for an education. I take you for the biggest steak dinner at the place of your choosing.

Ha, I meant Donald for the steak dinner but James you are invited as well. So many people offering help I get them confused. Good problem to have!

A lot of practice. When I first started using Carolina or Texas rig everytime the bait would hit a rock or brush I would try to set the hook. Now it is second nature and I can almost tell how big the fish is by the way it hits. To fish I spent a lot of time fishing in the dark which really taught me how to feel. Perfect your casting to get the longest cast. And a lot of bass are bottom feeders. Good luck.