Hello all. This is my first post on these forums.

I am attempting to learn the art of bass fishing, but I'm getting a late start at 31 years old. I have always been intrigued by the sport. Growing up, my family would maybe fish once a year or so. I found myself looking for inexpensive things to do when I was unemployed a while back. Some old fishing poles were found in my closet one day. I dug up some worms, caught some fish, and now I'm now hooked to the sport. (no pun intended)
I've always used live bait, and my goal is to learn the artificial side. I can afford to purchase some gear now that I have a job again. There is a pond near where I live that has bass. I can catch them using minnows, but haven't had any success with artificial. This is probably the worst time of the year to begin, but that doesn't prevent me from trying.

My gear consists of a dark color (usually red or green) Texas-rigged worm, black and blue football jig, and Chartreuse spinner bait.

My questions: Should I wait until the spring when the fish are more active to learn the techniques? Does anyone know of good resources to learn from? I am a visual learner, so videos are good.

Part of the learning process is trial and error so try with different lures. Fish get used so you got to try different method and colors.

It is a bit slow during the winter but you can always catch something. Go a bit deeper and try with jigs.

Watch some videos and put what you see in to practice.

Aboard The TFF

Fish the deepest part of the pond and work the bait very slowly keeping it on the bottom. Use the Worms amd Jigs you have.

Good Luck and just keep on casting.. nothing can replace time on the water no matter what season you fish.

Bazz

Go to youtube and put in the search bass fishing or jig fishing or worm fishing etc and watch what comes up. With jigs you will get fewer bites but normally better fish. whare are you located at? if you are around the tx area there is a lot of good folks on here that may take you out and show you some ways to catch bass this time of the year. You can still catch bass this time of the year but normally a bit slower since its cold right now. Spring is good but other times of the year can be just as good. Using minnows in the pond your talking about you can always try a grub, a small crankbait fished slowly a c- rig and such.
But again post where you are from others may be able to give you more detailed info on where and what to catch the fish on in your area or possible show you hands on
mark

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I will check out some of the videos on Youtube. I'm stuck at work today, but I can take advantage of the slow weekend.

I'm located in North Garland (Firewheel area). I've tried fishing in Breckenridge park, Lake Lavon, and down at Rowlett Creek for sand bass. I think I caught a small catfish in total and donated a few lures to the bottom of Lavon, but it was fun.

Welcome to the site and like everyone said go deep using your jigs and worm. You can even try to use some tubes this time of year too. Good luck .

Join a Bass Club.

+1 on the bass club......I also started late in bass fishing but learned from watching others and trying what I saw work.....there are many clubs that you can join as a non boater and fish with a boater. That is the way to go IMO

Welcome to the new life in Bass Fishing. I mean new life cause from now on you will be thinking about fishing no matter what you are doing. I work in Garland and will have to try to get a trip to Lavon or Fork together. I fish Lavon alot and seem to do pretty good and I am always looking for a back seater.

PM sent.

The first artificial lure I used was a black zoom trick worm, rigged straight and weedless with no weight. Later I started fishing a watermelonseed super fluke rigged the same way. Both on a 3/0 gamakatsu wide gap hook on 10lb test green monofilament line. These baits are super easy to fish, just slow and steady. Thats what got me started and it will work for you. These baits work all year and are very easy to fish and you will get a lot of bites.

My advice is start simple with a couple baits like this. You wont waste money on experimenting and dont be overwhellmed in the fishing sections like I was. And when you buy a rod and reel go ahead and spend some money on a good set up, instead of doing it like I did, starting with junk that wouldnt last on my first few purchases.

Subscribe to Bassmaster magazine. Best $15 you'll spend.

I bought some Stren 17 lb monofilament line that is about the same diameter as 10 lb. It seems to work great casting wise. I haven't caught anything to put it to the test. The color green of it is the only problem.



Plano Bass Anglers have been contacted about joining them. I'm not sure if they accept rookies or not, but I figure it's worth a shot. I'll be subscribing to Bassmaster magazine as well.

Thanks all for the info.

plus 1 on the bass club and you tube. You have some good baits to start with. Maybe a deep diver(crank bait) would also help.