getting ready for a new season... - California Fishing

I M HOOKED · 03-21-2010, 11:09 AM

With trout fishing at the local pay lakes being almost over I have been putting away money to start learning how to catch something else during the warmer months ahead. Which means Ill have to get new tackle, rods reels etc. I have put together a decent arsenal for trout fishing without spending a whole hell of a lot of money that has worked well for me locally. I didnt impulse buy. I learned what to buy and how to use the stuff I got from people like you and practice out on the lakes and by hitting the sales and clearances.
I wont be putting my trouting gear away as when I get the chance to go up the mountain I will, but I dont want to become a part time fisherman as I M Hooked on fishing.
So if I can get some advice on what some basic outfits I need to start fishing for warmer freshwater fish from you guys I would appreciate it. All gear from rods reels line and lures will be helpfull. Mostly the basics though. As I get experienced Ill put together more equipment that I like.
Ive never used a baitcaster before but I have a fishless pond on my nextdoor neighbors property thats bigger than the ones at most golf courses that we swim in all summer where I can put in as many hours of practice casting as I want. I wish I could secretly put fish in it but it would be cruel as the Water District controls the flow of the stream running through my front yard leading to the pond. Since it is used for swimming the pond is drained once a year to keep it clean and free of growth and bacteria.
Anyways so I dont get off the subject any tips on what to get to start me up would be helpfull and appreciated.
Thanks guys!

Badfish2 · 03-21-2010, 11:12 AM

There's some good advice in this thread...

LMB Help

SencoFreak · 03-21-2010, 04:18 PM

Not really instructional, but thought you might enjoy seeing how a bass hits a lure.. For The LMB Fishermen...

You can use your trout rigs for bass, assuming your pretty good at working the drag on your reel. I would however have 6 lb test on it. I f you need to grab another rig, it can be a spinning rig, we all fish with them, plus more if your not messing with backlashes..anyway, rod can be, but not limited to a 6'6" to 7'6" m power, fast action..a size 2500 reel is suficent. As for hooks, for texas rigging worms ect, size 1/0 and 2/0 offset worm hook, I like the owners brand. For Dropshoting, a size 1 or 2 dropshot, or misquito hook will work. These 2 techniques will get you well on your way to catching fish, plus they are pretty easy to use..now for weights..first the texas weights..these are called bullet weights, the lighter the better, 3/16, 1/4 and 3/8 oz is all you need, also no need to get the painted weights unless you want to spend the xtra $$$ for nothing. Next the dropshot weights, you can use special DS weights made by Lunker City or Mojo..I like the Lunker City ones, again weights can be the same as the texas rigging weights to strat with.

Plastic's to start with, and you may be varying opinuions on this. But I would get some Roboworms, in the 6" straight tail, and the 4.5" straight tail, in Oxblood, margarita mutalator, morning dawn and sexy shad.

I would also get some Senko's in 5" in watermelon, and greenpumpkin seed, these are kinda spendy for what you get, but they catch bass.

As for rigging and how to fish these, go on youtube, and type in texas rig, and dropshot rig, there will several vids on how to tie em up, and how to fish them. Hope thsi helps.

BassnMan Mike · 03-21-2010, 05:49 PM

Put some 6 pound test on your trout reel, google split shotting and drop shotting then take the tackle pack you won and go catch some bass.

I M HOOKED · 03-21-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnman mike

Put some 6 pound test on your trout reel, google split shotting and drop shotting then take the tackle pack you won and go catch some bass.

I was seriously tempted to do that next weekend at Perris, but am woried about my ultralight rods. my reels only hold about 60 to 75 yds of 6 lb test

MOBassman · 03-21-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I M HOOKED

I was seriously tempted to do that next weekend at Perris, but am woried about my ultralight rods. my reels only hold about 60 to 75 yds of 6 lb test

You should be fine with that.

BassnMan Mike · 03-21-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I M HOOKED

I was seriously tempted to do that next weekend at Perris, but am woried about my ultralight rods. my reels only hold about 60 to 75 yds of 6 lb test

Yeah, that should be fine. Did I include any hooks? In not pick up some Gamakatsu size 4 or 2 EWG's for the smaller plastics

I M HOOKED · 03-21-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnman mike

Yeah, that should be fine. Did I include any hooks? In not pick up some Gamakatsu size 4 or 2 EWG's for the smaller plastics

Cool then Ill go try it out next weekend. Now should I get braid , mono, Floro, or co polymer?

BassnMan Mike · 03-21-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I M HOOKED

Cool then Ill go try it out next weekend. Now should I get braid , mono, Floro, or co polymer?

Lots of people like Flurocarbon, I'm still not sold on it because in the past I had too many breakoffs on the older stuff. I am going to try out some Triple Fish 100% flurocarbon within the next couple days.

I M HOOKED · 03-21-2010, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnman mike

Lots of people like Flurocarbon, I'm still not sold on it because in the past I had too many breakoffs on the older stuff. I am going to try out some Triple Fish 100% flurocarbon within the next couple days.

ok well Ill hit you up in a couple days so I can get one of these reels filled up and be ready to go by Sat