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Wisdom Wanted! #13594391 06/14/20 04:41 PM
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MightyMas Offline OP
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Avid bass anglers,

From wiser and more seasoned boating bass anglers, what are some things you know now that you wish you would've known starting out?

I'm 24 and have just recently begun bass fishing from a boat. I'm a lifelong shore and pond fisherman but am learning quickly that lake fishing from the water is a whole other ball game.
All tips are welcome: gear, finding fish, finding cover, essential baits, choosing baits, boating technique/etiquette/safety, where to spend money and where to skimp, when to stay and when to move spots, etc.
Thanks in advance for imparting your wisdom and saving me years of trial and error, can't wait to read and put to practice popcorn

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594404 06/14/20 04:57 PM
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sdavis24 Offline
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If I had to give advice to a person just starting out... Nothing replaces Time on the Water. Don't chase special lures/colors. They are just tools and several will work in a given situation. Spend more time focusing on fish behavior, biology, food chain etc . I also think focusing on one body of water accelerates the learning curve.

Last edited by sdavis24; 06/14/20 04:59 PM.
Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594410 06/14/20 05:01 PM
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1bassdaddy Offline
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I'm with sdavis...don't feel compelled to buy a ton of baits. Stick to some basic colors in both plastic and hard baits. I'm betting that advice will be echoed as this thread grows.

Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594447 06/14/20 05:51 PM
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361V Offline
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Yep to the above advise^^^^! Start with the basics. Don’t have to have 15 rods on deck and the “latest-greatest” lures. A soft plastics(worms, craws, creature baits...) rod, a crank bait rod, a spinner bait rod, maybe a top water rod and a carolina rig set up.....Keep it simple(and affordable). It won’t be that long before you look in your tackle boxes and wonder where you came up with so many baits you don’t really need or use. Keep it basic and just go have fun!

Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: 1bassdaddy] #13594448 06/14/20 05:52 PM
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MightyMas Offline OP
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Originally Posted by sdavis24
If I had to give advice to a person just starting out... Nothing replaces Time on the Water. Don't chase special lures/colors. They are just tools and several will work in a given situation. Spend more time focusing on fish behavior, biology, food chain etc . I also think focusing on one body of water accelerates the learning curve.

Originally Posted by 1bassdaddy
I'm with sdavis...don't feel compelled to buy a ton of baits. Stick to some basic colors in both plastic and hard baits. I'm betting that advice will be echoed as this thread grows.


Thanks for these two tips ^ will save lots of money and travel

Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594605 06/14/20 08:20 PM
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Tiltedtitan Offline
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I would say I would want to know what I'm using my equipment for. Instead of increasing my rods and lures, I would want to assess what rod will be used for what presentation. Some rods can be used in multiple applications. But I found myself buying rods on sale or on here that were resales... But I wish I had known to be more specific. I would start with 2 medium heavy 7ft rods, 1 heavy 7ft 3 inch, and 1 medium 7ft or 6ft 10 inch rod.

I would learn to cover water faster. Know the seasons and fish accordingly. Commit time to learning different techniques. Instead of fishing the way you like to catch them. This will increase your tool set and make you well rounded.

I would fish multiple fisheries to increase my diversity. I would ask questions on here and build relationships with others to share information and learn.

I would switch to tungsten as quick as possible. I would buy bobber stops from China and always peg my weight when flipping heavy cover and grass. I would fish fluorocarbon on Texas rig, jigs and cranks. I fish mono for spinnerbaits. Braid to mono for Carolina. I would retie more often.

I would watch a lot of content on YouTube, this helped bend the curve for me. I also really enjoyed the cup events in mlf. To watch pros put in the situation that we face with no knowledge of a lake. To see the struggle and problem solving and to see how they break it down. To see other types of fisheries that we do not have locally.

Instead of trying to force fish to bite on one area, I would move faster to cover more water.

I would attempt to pay attention to as many details as possible: sun, wind, moon, which bank, how long did I let it sit before moving, did they bite on the move or on the pause, shady side or sunny, what depth, what was the bottom composition, outside tree line or inside, horizontal tree or vertical, vary your retrieve speed, bottom contact is essential for cranking.

Down size weight and action when conditions are tough. Like a ned rig or 1/8 oz trig.

shallow water anchors are game changers.

I like change all my trolling motor batteries at one time.

Stock up on essentials when they are on sale.

Keep colors simple.

Learn different knots. Connection knots.

Make sure that you clean your reels. Don't leave your equipment on the deck when traveling because of the debris that gets in your worm gears and when bank fishing be mindful about laying your rods on the grass and dirt.

Don't be afraid to fish behind people.

Learn to use Google Earth if you're going to a new lake to study historical images via the timeline feature on Google maps. You also have to use Google maps on a PC or a Mac there is not a mobile version that has the timeline feature where you can go back in time to where the lake was drawn down and see where the creek channels are and rock formations and old ramps.

Use Navionics mobile to also study contour maps and be able to do plan your strategy before you get to the lake.

Be proactive on your trailer tires with proper maintenance to your bearings and your tire tread.

I would have extra oil for your boat in the boat or in the truck. Always check your fuel level. Do annual maintenance for your impeller. Every three or four months you can take your props off and make sure there's no line bound up in them.

Carry a spare prop whenever you're going away on a trip for your boat motor and trolling motor.

Invest in good rain gear. The cheap stuff always tears up very fast so you end up replacing it over and over again.

I would invest more in sensitivity for dragging techniques and pitching techniques then I would for cranking and moving baits.

If you are going to store your rods in a locker make sure that you have a mouse deterrent like dryer sheets or moth balls and never leave food in your boat.

I'm sure there's a hundred more things but this would be where I would start.


Pastor Tim
Be Relentless.
Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594633 06/14/20 08:51 PM
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1956Zebco Offline
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A very wise person (Johnny Neile a P-40 flight instructor, had flown them with Chennault in China) once told me to fly with as many instructors and good pilots as possible - if you fly with 10 - theoretically you'll be 10X as good as any of them because you pick up many tips no one person learns on their own. Works with fishing too. Fish with as many people as possible.

Fish have no respect for what logo is on the boat, poles, or lures or how much was paid for them. The bank does care, and wants the most expensive for you, and the longest payment stream possible. Try to avoid that whole trap.

If you get the bug to fish tournaments: remember this (even though there's thousands of videos telling you otherwise) - bass tournaments are won by fishing for bass that will actually win the tournament. Snatching sub-weight male after male off the beds doesn't win the tournament - knowing they are your fish attractor and the big females usually within 40 yards of the bed will win the tournament. Snatching the males will ensure up to 4 females egg production is potentially lost to bluegill, and especially crappie - in short - wasted effort for everyone. You may catch a female on the bed (rare) but you can always catch them at the first drop-off behind the bed in deeper water.

Thanks for asking your question - you'll be a good one I can tell - just by the asking.

Last edited by 1956Zebco; 06/14/20 08:54 PM. Reason: misspelled wod

Big Bass Deep Diving Spinner: https://youtu.be/nSH_KKAiuB4
Zebco 33 O-Ring Replacement (all years): https://youtu.be/NEU56UGzxXo
Big Bass Toothpick Trick: https://youtu.be/QC0emZqU36M
Crappie Tip: https://youtu.be/27AuG3CEpOs
Zebco 33 Restore & Lube: https://youtu.be/_4BTSEVcbQ4
More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSsiJFU2JVh-dfIn1jfZDg/
Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594764 06/14/20 11:10 PM
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RuthlessK Offline
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I have learned many things from Mr Donald Harper about bass fishing. Hopefully he chines in here and helps you out.

Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594784 06/14/20 11:39 PM
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WLBDallas Offline
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Buy cheap gear, fish green pumpkin, watermelon seed, black and blue plastics. Learn how to pitch and flip trees and brush. Spend a lot of time learning how to hit a target when casting, pitching, flipping. Buy no more than 10 crankbaits. A few frogs and maybe a spook. Learn how to use a carolina rig and a texas rig. That's it. Fish with better fishermen than yourself. Watch what they do.

Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594802 06/14/20 11:57 PM
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Bassnhog Offline
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Originally Posted by MightyMas
Avid bass anglers,

From wiser and more seasoned boating bass anglers, what are some things you know now that you wish you would've known starting out?

I'm 24 and have just recently begun bass fishing from a boat. I'm a lifelong shore and pond fisherman but am learning quickly that lake fishing from the water is a whole other ball game.
All tips are welcome: gear, finding fish, finding cover, essential baits, choosing baits, boating technique/etiquette/safety, where to spend money and where to skimp, when to stay and when to move spots, etc.
Thanks in advance for imparting your wisdom and saving me years of trial and error, can't wait to read and put to practice popcorn

Put boat in water safely and quickly. Navigate water safely. Fish and maybe catch fish safely. Load boat back up safely and quickly. Go home safely. Drink beer at home.


Semper Fi-shing
Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594816 06/15/20 12:22 AM
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BASS GURU Offline
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Lots of great advice has been given. No substitute for time on the water. If you are able, join a local bass club and fish in the back seat for a while.

Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594835 06/15/20 12:44 AM
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Donald Harper Offline
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I have posted a few articles on here. To be exact there are 23 of them so far that will help you get started; if you like to read. Ha..


Each person you work with holds some promise to your future success.
Websiite Sponsors:
www.eletewater.com - Staying Hydrated
www.lakeoviachic.com - Booking Mexico Trips
20 Hot Spot Mapping - GPS Contour Chips - Custom Spinner Baits - Jigs -Spooks
Pure Extracts - Minnow-Night Crawler-Crayfish-Craylic


Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594842 06/15/20 12:47 AM
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Ken A. Offline
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Install drain plug, unhook tie downs, take transom saver off, before you pull onto the ramp. Have all your gear & ice chest in the boat before you pull onto the ramp. It is very irritating when someone pulls onto the ramp, blocks a spot then starts getting the boat ready to launch. Be ready to dump the boat into the water when you pull onto the ramp.

When you come off plane and idle into the ramp trim the motor Up to the top of the "trim cycle". Many times there are rocks around the ramp to prevent erosion. Get into the habit of doing this. It surprises me how many guys idle into the ramp with their motor tucked all the way under and hit their prop on the rocks or the concrete ramp. I've watched several guys try to push their boats up onto the trailer with the motor tucked all the way under & wind up hitting their prop on the concrete. This is an expensive lesson if you have a high quality SS prop.

These 2 things sound like common sense but you would be surprised.

Power Poles are awesome if you can afford them. I love them. One of the new troll motors with spot lock technology truly is a game-changer. I used a 20# mushroom anchor & 100' of rope for summertime offshore fishing for 25 years before I got my first Ultrex TM. Spot Lock has made anchors obsolete. Thank goodness!

Good luck & be safe!



Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594858 06/15/20 01:03 AM
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JIM SR. Offline
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Time on the water is important,....but so is time on the golf course, tennis court or the ball diamond. But none will
help you without someone to show you "how to"....!!! I think in every sport you need someone to teach you the right
way. Someone to explain to you the techniques and basics. Someone to pass along his experiences...someone to pass
along some wisdom. fish

Re: Wisdom Wanted! [Re: MightyMas] #13594937 06/15/20 02:02 AM
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Safety first
Life jacket on and kill switch attached to you with lanyard when big motor running
Be vigilant with battery, hitch, trailer, tires, and boat maintenance.
Walk around the trailer three times after you hook up to the truck triple checking everything.
Be prepared to fix minor trailer, tire, and boat issues at all times
Have tools and a dependable, long set of jumper cables.

Buy a kayak for when the boat/trailer/etc is out of commission.
Mine came in handy the last two weeks waiting for new trailer license plate—mine must have fallen off sometime this winter/spring?


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