i would give up,cause we all know patience is not a quality needed for fichin'!!

i never use 1/8 oz jigs.......... to big. the bait in the water are smaller than that. use 1/32 oz jigs..... you will get more strikes....... and you wont catch any fish by typing on the forum.

RolandRoux

I can totally relate to you since I started fishing last summer and basically had to learn everything on my own. I spent hours reading posts on this forum and other fishing sites. But most info seems to be catered to those who have boats and access to various depths and lake-scapes. Since I'm stuck on the bank, I read about other bank fisherman and basically when someone posted "I caught 3 bass today on a white buzzbait" I went and used a buzzbait. Unfortunately, everyone has a different opinion on what to use so there are spinnerbaits, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, worms, jigs, swimbaits, etc. etc. etc.

I continued to watch tv shows, read articles and posts, and most importantly getting my line wet. I picked up several types of lures but focused on only a couple and fished them over and over until I understood how to fish the lures, gained confidence, and started catching fish. I started in the back of coves catching baby bass, most under 1 lbs. I was spending lots of lake time being frustrated not catching anything but kept being persistent. Where I once was surprised when I caught a single fish in an outing, now I'm surprised if I don't catch anything.

I'm still very much a novice, but at least I have picked up on a few things to look for, have learned some basic fish patterns, and have become comfortable with a few more techniques so now I have confidence walking up and down the bank, fishing points, coves, cover, etc. I still get skunked with no fish but sometimes I also get a nice surprise like a school of hungry fish that I can catch almost every cast, or like my day last week where I caught over 70 lbs of fish that were species I wasn't even targeting: 5 huge smallmouth buffalo and 3 catfish on bass lures. I think you're on the right road by asking for help here, as the TFF'ers are very friendly and willing to help others out as you can see by the great responses to your post.

So keep on fishing, cause once you catch your first, you won't be able to put your pole down! (I was going to say you'll get hooked but that was too corny of a pun).

RolandRoux,

Let me start by agreeing with the other responses. A guide is your best/fastest way to learn where, how, why and when. In the mean time, I live in your area and typically hit one of our local creeks a couple times a week. I have been fishing alone lately but company is always a welcome change. I know the section from the old Cleveland-Gibbs Bridge down to 377 pretty well. If you want someone to help you get familiar with DC and creek fishin in general send me a PM. I can't promise we'll wear 'em out but I can show you some reliable holes for sandies and crappie. I even know a couple nice spots for catfish if you prefer. I took BRod out there earlier this year to show him around. Of course that day we went for crappie and the only thing we caught were a few dink sandies. lol However, Denton Creek has been getting better every week and the best fishing is going to kick into gear any day now.

Keep at it, they are out there. Try a local pond, or a community pond.

Roland - just sent you a private message.

All good advice here.

This is the time of year when the Bank fishing will start to heat up for Sandies, Crappie and Bass. Work the creeks like was stated before. Also try and fish smaller lakes and ponds as they get warmer before the bigger impoundments. You may be surprised by how big the fish are in some of these little stock tanks.

ive never really done any fresh water fishing, since i live close to the coast, but live or cut bait might help u out when your just begining out. ive had much better luck on it, as im still learning how to work artificials.

best advice i can give is just keep fishing. nothing is better than experiance. i started fishing a year ago and had no clue what i was doing, but slowely picked up on stuff just by trying and not giving up.

also dont think buying the most expencive stuff is gonna help, keep it simple. i mean hell, you could just tie a weight on the end of a string with a baited hook somewhere down the line and tie it to a tree and catch fish, you dont need $20 lures.

dont set your expectation high, even the best strike out sometimes.....just wait till you getcha good un. your gonna love it! keep at it dude, good luck!

hire a guide, period....

I started fishing in November. A rough time for bank fishing. Everyone I have meant on the bank has helped me out. I even got some good advice from someone waiting in line for a show, when I commented on the "BASS" patch on his jacket.Now I catch fish as often as I get skunked. I agree that a guide is the fastest way to success but there is a lot of informaton out there and some of it does not sink in until you have tried it a few time. I like to watch the fishing show on WFN in slow motion. Note: Dick's Sporting Goods has some slip bobbers called "THILL". The oval bobbers work good for me with a 1/32 oz jig head and a minnow. The pencil bobber has too much friction to allow the jig head to sink. It might work if you drilled the hole a little larger in the pencil bobber.

Guys -

This is all good advice, and I thank you for taking the time to help me out. I am out of state right now, but I am going to use some of these tips when I get back (hopefully) this weekend. The weather is looking like it is going to be perfect.

And if all else fails, senseigrimaldo puts it best, "hire a guide, period...."

LOL that was great, spit the chaw right of my mouth.

Roland,

Hang in there friend! I recently moved to TX and bought me an aluminum boat for $3000. Been out several times just looking around trying to get even a little familiar with area lakes. First fishing trip, I caught 12-- 6 crappie and 6 sand bass. To put it mildly, I am NOT a good fisherman, but they were biting a little that day. Weather has a LOT to do with it. I would tell you to hire a guide. Not just to catch some fish, but to teach you how to catch some fish. I've never hired one, but would like to sometime and I've heard it can be a very worthwhile investment. Fishing is a whole lot of fun and relaxing. And there's a lot of guys who tear em up from the banks. Don't quit fishing and it'll just be a matter of time until you catch some. Good luck!

I agree with the guys that say stay with it. I am new to Texas fishing, I have fished for Walleye and Perch all over North Dakota and it is hit or miss. I am sure it is pretty close to the same down here. Good Luck!

***UPDATE

Caught one. I used this little swimming minnow for about an hour and BAM hooked it. It was freaking amazing!!!!! My line had back lashed 1000 times and I kept having to cut it down to the point where I was fishing with about 30 feet of line thinking man, I am so wasting my time. I went over to the area where all the reeds were and thought meh, I doubt anything is over here but I will give it a shot. 2 pounds folks, had to be at least. I learned a couple of things trying to reel this pig in. One, I have too much slack in my line because this thing took it and ran while I had the reel locked. Two, ALWAYS have your pliers and a net handy because I had to drag this thing along the bank to get it in - lol. People beside me were probably thinking what the hell is wrong with this guy. I have two weimereimer pups and brought one along with me. LOL HIS EYES WERE HUGE - He was looking at the fish saying to me what in the hell is that!! LOL he was jazzed the whole walk back. He kept being skittish of my fishing pole like it was a magic wand and today folks, today it was. Thank you to all of you!

buy you a roostertail $2.29 walmart. they will catch bass bream whites and so on and so on