vincedia

George, I think I need to clear something up. My first and main goal is to fish with someone of "above normal fishing ability" I want to watch them fish and have them give me pointers of how it should be done. I am a watch and learn type of person, especially on the basics. A big bonus would be to have someone who knowsmy area. First my area includes the North East region. I would not want to learn from an angler who fishes primarily in Florida (although that would be a fun trip sometime) because that style might be different than what would need to be used in PA. Next would be my specific locations (rivers, lakes, streams) I fish in rivers and lakes in Southeast Pennsylvania. So that would be an even better option if the guide knew my specific fishin holes. If not I can live with the next best thing...region...and the main goal being ability. Again, Thanks for all the tips...you all really got me thinking about fishing guides! Vince

Another bunch of great tips! I didn't even think about tipping. I always make sure smoking is not a problem...that is a big issue for me especially with longer outings. I hate to bother people with my habbit. I will also be checking if they are catch and release or keeper guides. I am a 100% catch and release, and I read stories of guides keeping the fish caught and either selling or eating the catch. Most people were complaining that they were not permitted to keep the fish they caught, but I want a guide that will release the fish to catch another day Vince

Well I can honestly say that certain videos (LBH to name one "Hot fun in the summertime") kept me in the game longer than I would have without them. Those types of videos give me that little extra push I need to give it a go. I also picked up the little things that frustrated me to no end! Rigging a t-rig properly... that is without the Q shaped worm tip :-? Learning the different styles of presentation, how they are applied, and when to use em. This has prevented me from going completely crazy, and is giving me plenty of options, almost too many options. I believe that BR does a great job of keeping things organized for the newbie, as well as giving plenty of tips and resources for the seasoned angler. I can't wait to take advantage of those tools Vince - just my $.02

I fish a tributary to the DE River and it is much further south than this guy's area. I was going to try to find someone that knew my area. The sad part is that for now I am restricted to bank fishing. So unless a guide wants to give up the boat...using them to learn my fishing spot may be a waste. I did like his rates, and I liked what I saw on his site. I was pretty much looking to get basic strategy and skills enhanced. I can read and read but unless I see it or get it taught to me I have a hard time learning it. Thanks for all the input so far! Vince

Do fishing guides teach as well as show you the location and put you in a good place to catch? Is it worth the money to have a guide if you are just starting? I found a guide in my area and his site has some good info on it. He even linked to bassresource.com - anyone ever hear of him or use him? http://www.backwoodsangler.com/index.htm Vince

<----jealous! Great job man, and gratz on the local fishin hole! Get any pics?

Trash has got to be one of my worst peeves! I have a few spots at some very popular lakes. They are in the woods, but sometime ago someone pulled som picnic benches into the woods on the bank. Now people think that because there is a bench there they can set camp for the BBQ. No biggie there. But there are no trash cans, and last time I was there I literally had to drag myself through ankel deep trash to get to the bank. It almost made me cry. I also really can't stand people telling me every time I'm fishing that you'll never catch nuttin on that stuff (soft and hard plastic)...get some bread or corn! And of course the people walking down the bank that let the dog/kids run into the water. I had one family decide to set a blanket right behind where I was fishing. They did stay out of the water, but the children decided my takle box was a toy box and before I noticed, they grabbed plastic worms and started throwing them in the grass. (Grrrrr! I'm still miffed about that one) I told the adults that there were sharp hooks in the box, please don't let them near there. They gave me a look like I was doing something wrong, and proceded to ignore their children. Vince

2 new people in my first two months. Sadly it's the blind leading the blind. I'm someone who has yet to catch a bass, and I'm trying to get these guys to come with me fishing. They usually just end up using live bait on a small hook to get the bluegill and sunnies. Neither has had the patience for lures. I'm hoping to get to know some people in the area, but my area seems to suck for clubs and fishing. (any of you people in the Phila metro area looking to up your "people fished with count" I'm almost always game) Vince

That is awesome! Good luck in the tourney, and have fun using the scholarship! Now where was that post about schools with fishing teams? Vince

This is some great info. Hey, If I can get good during less than optimal time, then it will make me better next spring...right? (ok, mebby not) I can dream can't I? Thanks again all, Vince P.S. I can't give up fishing now. The bait monkey is going strong, and I'm more relaxed than ever. I can't wait to start catching something other than catfish!

Thanks all! Correct assumptions for most of you as I am a bank fisherman. I was kinda thinking that is was a little tougher due to not being able to reach deeper waters. I am still, and always will be, reading as much as I can about plastic presentation. Hopefully I'll find a style that fits with my style. You all are great! Vince

I just started fishing last month. I have been having some terrible luck (or lack of skill) I can't say it is the area's I've been fishing because I've tried a bunch of different spots. Is this a bad time of year for a new angler to start? I know that it will take time to get presentations and lures right, and I've read that bass in the summer months can get extra lazy. Should I expect things to pick up in the fall? Is winter fishing in Eastern PA/NJ possible? Should I not really expect things to pick up till spring? Am I just that "poor" a fisherman that I still have a lot to learn? Vince

My best friend got me hooked, but it took me over 10 years to realize it! We were in High School and he had a house on the jersey shore. His father had 2 boats, so we spent many summers on the ocean. We would go fishing quite a few times throughout the summer. I still remember catching weakies off the beach in Cape May. I also have distinct memories of the Cape May shark tourneys. All these huge boats speeding through the normally calm dock that his house was sitting on. Watching the fishermen pull huge beasts out of the boats and on the scales. That was it for over 10 years! I had not touched a pole since. Then two years ago a friend asked if I wanted to hit his favorite local stream. I had to run to Wallmart and get my license, rod/reel combo and about $5 worth of lures. He rigged everything for me because it was different than using live bait and trolling in the ocean. There was no bank fishing, but we waded into the water on a 90+ day and just sat there under a bridge. It was extremely relaxing. I almost blanked as he was pulling in a few, mostly pan fish. I threw the lure into the water and got bored. So I set the rod down and lit a cig, and as soon as I looked away....BAM a sm took it and ran. I grabbed the rod and pulled him in. That memory stuck with me for a long time. I think this is when I picked up my bait monkey, but thank god back then he was still young, it took him another two years to hit me hard. So within the last few months I decided that I wanted to fish and needed to buy all new equipment and tackle. And that's how I got here! Vince

That sounds like a great idea! Got some noobie mojo just waitin to add to it Vince

I'm learning. I have yet ot cath a fish that was worth a report. I don't know proper use of any of the lures I have, or when to use em. So I try everything for a bit of time. Once I find what works, I may start building confidence in something. I think soft plastic is my favorite right now, but that's only because I scored a baby 3" on one...hehe Vince

Welcome! I know exactly how you feel! I'm 30 and just started fishing. I don't know why, it's not like I ever fished without borrowing someone's equipment prior to this. I just decided to start. Well I hope you enjoy this site as much as I am! I never bought a book, and I have not searched for anything else so far. This site has just about everything I needed to get started. Vince

Thank you so very much! This was exactly what I was looking for. I think I'm going to be in about 5-7' of water from the edge, but I wanted to make sure that was deep enough. If not, I was going to rent a boat (more $$) and hit the really deep areas. Glad I don't have to go through that VInce

I would proudly slap a sticker on my box or car...I didn't see any stickers in the store. Vince

So I was challenged with using a crankbait in deep water. I own only two hard baits, one it a pop-r and one is a 8'-10' crank from rapala. (Huskey Jerk?) Is 8-10' considered deep crank? ( I think the lake I'm headed to is about 30 ish feet) I'm fishing from the shore, so is weighting the line (kinda like a c-rig) ok for this situation. I'm going to need some hefty casts to hit the deeper water from the shoreline. And last question on this subject... Will braided line kill me? I own two rods, both are 5' and the ugly stick is very stiff. My usual style is through heavy weeds and bottom junk, so I'm hesitant to give up on the braided line. The tips section says for deep I should use a smaller line 8-10lb I am using Stren Super Braid 30lb right now. (green FYI) Am I killing myself? Should I respool to a light line? Thanks in advance, Vince Tight Lines!

I can honestly say that this site has helped me in more ways than I can explain, but I'm going to try. I never fished seriously in my life. It was always see what food type product I could throw off the dock and get the fish I could see, or I would be with someone else who would set the bait and let me hold the rod. Then one day I was with a friend who wanted to go fishing so we had to get a fishing license. I bought a cheapo rod/reel combo and a license and actually got a fish! I had no idea what kind of fish, how I caught it, or even where I was fishing. I really didn't care much about the sport. Two years go by and I never touched the pole since. This year I moved into a new home, got married, and finished part one of my degree. When all of that wrapped up in May I had some free time. So I saw my rod sitting in my basement and decided I wanted to try fishing again. I had no clue where to start or what to do. I'm a computer geek, so I turned to Google. I found bassresource.com and started reading and boy I am glad I did! I learned more from reading here in one night than everything everyone ever tried to teach me. The how-to section for beginners is top notch! The articles are well written and have just about enough technical information for an extreme beginner like me. The forums have a comfort to them like I have never felt from an online community. The people here make this site great. Even though I have only been here for a few months mostly lurking then just recently posting, I feel like a lot of the members are good friends. I really can not wait to move up to the more advanced techniques and tips. I can honestly say that I can not wait till I have stored up enough information to begin to give back to the community. So I would like to give a big THANK YOU to the staff and members of this wonderful family, and please for the sake of all the future anglers, keep up the great work! Without all of your knowledge and the willingness to share I would not have been able to claim that I have a new hobby. I would still be using pieces of hotdog or worms. I would be using a #10 hook in a 5" worm, and I would be using no more then 3' of line standing on the dock or at some pay per pull pond. Instead I have been sitting in my office trying to get a t-rig just right, or practicing my knots in the dental floss that came on my rod/reel wally world combo because I don't want to waste the expensive braided line or fluro leaders. I even picked up a new pet...and it's all your fault, my baitmonkey named chipper! He's a bit jumpy right now, but that is only because he has a LOT of work to do. So thank again all! Vince

I have been fishing in Ridley, PA just off the DE river. It's a fast moving stream that leads to a river. Mostly around docks and weeds. The water is very dirty due to some recent rains and flooding. I only fish the dock and bank because of no boat yet It has been very hot here (90+) I have yet to catch anything so I'm looking for some tips. I have not fished very much, and this time I'm flying solo. I usually have someone with some experence with me, but I can't find anyone to go, and I have the fishing bug now. Is fishing in the hot afternoon sun ok if I stick to the bottom and cover? Should I wait till later in the day? Light or dark plastic worms? (I've read both sides) Thanks in advance for any tips! Vince