Since I have moved to East Texas, I have wanted to start fishing. I have fished off the Pier at Bob Sandlin twice and didn't catch anything. Could anyone give me some beginners tips? Lets assume zero experience. I want to keep things as simple as possible, and as inexpensive as possible; and yet still catch fish. I don't have a boat, and don't think I will get one soon. I would like to know what kind of bait to use and how to rig it (remember zero experience), as well as good places to fish without a boat in my area (I live in pittsburg). Any other helpful tips would be appriciated. Thanks in advance.

What kind of fish do u wanna go for? What exactly city do you live in? What kind of average free time do you get?

Fish- don't care at this point as I don't know the good and bad of each. If I get enough to eat, I want something to taste good, but for now entertainment (catch and release) is my main goal.

City- I live in pittsburg, just south of mt. pleasant.

Free time - Nights and weekends. Home from work by 5pm M-F, no work on weekends, no kids.

You can catch tons of blue gill using just corn on a small hook lol jk. Around this time of year, catfish should be biting pretty good. I would start at local ponds or small lakes that are known to have them stocked. Try using worms or shrimp and fish bottom and wait. You can also use bobber and minnow around docks and piers at the lakes. You live WAAAAY out there for me to really be any help as far as location because i dont know any of the lakes around you. After you get the hang of things, move up to fishing crappie then bass at the dams. Your schedule looks like u have lots of time to fish. Use that time to gain experience by going out to fish alot. Start small and have patience. Target a particular fish instead of blindly trying to catch whatever bites. There is a technique for each spcies of fish you try to catch. Spend time at home researching a your targeted species. Use this forum to read entire threads on certain fishing locations. Hope that helps.

Ok, time to show my ignorance. When using worms could you give me a set-up as to the hook size, and weight if needed, and how to arrange these for best results. I notice some prepaired cat-fish bait at the local bait shop, would this be something good to try? How is the bobber and minnow arranged? Other than the fishing pier, what should I look for in a place to fish?

Is there a good referance out there that could answer a lot of these questions?

Checkout the book "A Practical Approach to Texas Freshwater Fishing." It is a good guide to Texas fish and includes strategies for several species. I found it at Academy for only $15.

Two things i have learned from forum member Rudy. lovfldx.use chicken liver (1.29 walmart)for catfish. use a 1/8 roostertail(1.89) walmart in green or white for all fishies. they work great.

1/6 th oz, bass fro, 1/6 th!

Rudy

what? ive been using 1/8 lol. never listened too good. mama always said

Well, I picked up two books that have some good information in them at the library. I will get some of the above mentioned bait and give it a try. Results will follow.

There is a Liquor store owned by one my friends right behind Pilgrim Pride (Forgot the name). Go there and ask for "Mr.DUCK" and he will tell you where the best place to go fishing.