New to Fishing

Hey guys,

It's been really cool reading all the content y'all have posted so far. Coronavirus has me picking up new hobbies and I'd love to get more into fishing! I have an Ugly Stixx GX2 rod with a Penn Battle II 4000. I've caught a handful of catfish, bass, and crappie on various outings, but the days I don't catch anything are always so disappointing to me. However, after having gone fishing a couple times I know I want to learn all about it and continue the hobby even after all this is over.

I was wondering if anyone had advice on progression? As in how I should go about getting better at fishing? Should I be targeting specific species one at a time and learning the ins and outs etc. Any other comments or advice to help a new angler would be greatly appreciated! I'm here to learn!

I'm down in the Sugar Land area but am willing to drive 2 hours out. Limited to bank fishing for now but will be buying a kayak as soon as I can.

Thanks man!

So the good part and bad part is that you are starting your fishing career in the great state of Texas. Your question would be easier to answer in some of the other states where you only have a limited number of species to work with lol. This is especially true since you live so close to saltwater. I have achieved records on 60 species of fish in Texas, so there are lots of possibilities. The first big decision you have to make is if you want to concentrate on largemouth bass fishing. Largemouth bass anglers in Texas are a crazy bunch that basically only use artificial lures, and often do not recognize that any other species of fish exist lol. If you want to join their ranks you will probably want to just concentrate on largemouth bass. Hardcore carp anglers are the same way.

As for just catching fish, we all strikeout sometimes. The best way to get a fish to the bank is to use bait. To just catch something in freshwater, earthworms are the best choice. For saltwater, it is a shrimp. If you fish for 30 minutes with an earthworm or a shrimp and don't catch something then change locations.

To get information on fishing use this site or YouTube. Search the different forums and you can find information on almost anything you want.

You may also find it fun to look at the Texas Elite Angler Program. It provides an additional aspect to your fishing activities. Just go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website and search on elite then go to the Elite Angler Guidelines. Basically, if you catch 5 freshwater fish or 5 saltwater fish of a certain size you can become an elite angler. I describe the program, along with stories about some of my fishing records, and other valuable information in my book, The Art of Fishing for Records.

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/e...;langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader

Good luck on your fishing exploits and let us know how you do.

Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely be looking into these resources you've mentioned and check out that book! Man, didn't even realize there were so many species in Texas that's exciting.

Welcome to the forum. Osborn fishing offers good advice. Live bait works.

If you are interested in bass don’t get overwhelmed by the plethora of baits and techniques. At this time of year you only need three. A topwater popper or buzz bait, a medium sized spinner bait in white, and a watermelon or green pumpkin Senko.. All can be fished on the rig you have. Yes there are technique specific rods but don’t sweat it for now. What you have will work.

I would also strongly suggest that you get on google maps and scour your area for detention ponds. You may have to try several but I promise you when you find a good one you will catch fish. And they are much easier to fish from the bank than a big reservoir is. There may even be some within walking distance from you as they are required for just about any sub-division/development now a days.

If you budget allows, find a friend (or 2) to share expense of hiring a guide (boat) several times to increase learning curve. Tell guide you are "newbie" as they will teach you. (Guide - Fish are easy to catch, FINDING fish to catch is hard part).
Fresh water Lakes - Conroe, Fayette County, Somerville, Livingston, etc. For 4 hour drive to Toledo Bend (Fin & Feather Resort www.finnfeatherresort.com Guide - Dave Truax 409-791-2453 - I use him for last 6+ years - also guides on Sam Rayburn)
Salt water bays - Galveston, Matagorda, Trinity, etc. Also, good wade fish book https://www.amazon.com/Saltwater-Strategies-Where-Wadefish-Texas/dp/0929980174

Welcome to Texas Fishing Forum. Please understand this site has an enormous following from all over and doesn't discriminate. With most information you read is true and very helpful, you will run across some wise guys that may or may not fish. Keep an open mind.

If you Bass fish, be careful not to get caught up in the massive selection of artificial baits.

It can be frustrating, aggravating and down right make you crazy, but we love it.

There's something about being on the water, Enjoy the sport

Sounds good man, I'll look into acquiring a couple of each of those lures and scout out some ponds nearby!

That sounds like a blast! I think I'm still a lil scared of the virus right now but I know for SURE as soon as this is over I'm hitting up guides every weekend I can! I'll be looking into those guides you recommended and just dreaming of catching fish for now

Yeah the sheer volume of products out there has definitely amazed me... I'll do my best to make a couple of knowledgeable friends and run the info I get through them!

Now with all kinds of time on your hands and everyone elses, there are a ton of how to fishing videos on Youtube.
Just get on the channel and browse.
After this is over, look into hiring a guide and take a trip or two, and you will learn in one day that might take you months or even years to learn on your own.
Good luck, and remember these famous words on those days you may get skunked!......It's called fishing, not catching!

welcome ! -- do yourself a favor and take up golf ! -----------------------------------------------------------------not

Welcome to the forum. While this guy is a top pro, you'll get the idea of the addiction that just comes with loving this sport. We all have it to a degree.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlAF5v72kc8

Welcome!! So many choices as to "what" and "where" to fish!! I'd check out this Texas Parks and Wildlife site and specifically the "community fishing lakes" section as the ponds/lakes all have information regarding what has been stocked and they will all be accessible from shore.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/recreational/wheretofish/

Thank you all for the encouragement! I'l be watching a lot of youtube for sure haha

Light action 6' rod
light ball head jigs (unpainted) from Ebay - 1/16 oz
tons of small soft plastic lures to rig on them
braid line -8 lb test/ 2 lb diameter

Cast all over the place, let the lure sink to mid depth and reel slowly with pauses.

Do a google search of my user names: senkosam, spoonminnow for photos of lures that catch fish most months of the year)

I remember over 40 years ago when I decided I needed a hobby and chose "fishing." I went to the Austin Angler (closed decades ago) and asked every stupid newby question there was. He asked me "what do you want to fish for?" and I think my reply was "whaddaya got?" I bought a rod and a Zebco reel, then came home and called my buddy and asked "what do I do now/" He came over and showed me how to tie an "improved clinch knot" to a spinnerbait the guy at the tackle store recommended I try out down at Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake).. I guess I chose bass fishing because it started from there. After 40 years, 6 boats, hundreds of rods and reels, thousands of lures, and many thousands of dollars spent, I am still having the time of my life and every trip starts with "this might be the one for my new PB (personal best catch)." It's a new day every day with this hobby. Or obsession. Thank God.

Look up community lakes near you on the TPWD website...if you are bank fishing smaller lakes and ponds are better...or bridges that constrict the lake to a small bottle neck that the fish have to pass through ..and go first thing before sunrise or sunset...the biggest mistake I made as a newbie was the knot I tied my lures on with was making loose a lot of fish....also line selection...if your using 18lbs test on a clear water lake you will strike out unless you go with alot lighter line say 8 or 10 lbs....hope that helps....

Just put in an order for a light action rod too! Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for sharing your story! I used to go down to Austin often in college just to visit friends or do some hiking at the greenbelt (not much of that in Houston), but now that fishing is one of my hobbies I can't wait to get out on Lady Bird Lake and give it a go! Looking forward to a lifetime of fun stories and adventures much like the ones I'm sure fishing has provided you with!

Yessir! Looks like I'll be making my way around these neighborhoods haha, I've already started to have a bit more success thanks to everyone's tips. I'll be looking out for bridges next!