Hi all,

I'm new to the forums and have hopefully an easy question to answer. Long story short....

for years, I've been fishing with my grandfather. I never had my own equipment or anything like that, I would just use what he had, when he went out.

Unfortunately, this past summer he passed away. When my mom and my aunts cleaned out his house, they unfortunately tossed out most/if not all, his fishing equipment. The only thing I managed to get from it was a Shakespeare rod/reel that I used a lot when I was fishing with him.

So, this leads to my question.......I want to continue on the tradition with my son and I'd like to get more involved in fishing. Obviously, since I'm "starting out on my own", I don't want to throw a ton of money into it, but I'd like to be able to get the basics, and this is where I'm looking for your help.

I live in north Georgia (metro Atlanta area). In the area we have your typical bass, crappie, catfish and panfish. We (meaning me and Gramps) tended to fish in areas heavy with bass. So I'm looking to "build up" a new tackle box with necessities.

Any thoughts? I'm looking to spend between $ 100 and $ 200 to get started (I hope that's enough).

Thanks,

Jon

welcome to the forum..

we just had a big discussion over the 7 soft plastics that you need to have in your tacklebox..  i suggest you read through that.  You will see the top baits that everyone uses.  I like my plastics in GreenPumpkin, Watermelon, and anything with red flakes.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1261499610

Lures:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1143177139

Rods & Reels

7' spinning rod, MF for light lures and weightless

soft plastics

6 1/2' or 7' baitcaster, MHF for jigs, weighted plastics,

spinnerbaits and buzzbaits

6 1/2' or 7' baitcaster MM for all treble hooks

8-)

RoadWarrior is right on about the rod/reel options.

I'd stick to one spinning and baitcasting rig, and maybe if that outfit you have is pretty good you could spend more time looking at lures. One thing that hangs most folks up is trying to use a new lure (or lure type) when it isn't the best choice for the time of year and water temp you are dealing with. There are several types of lures that work year-round (jigs, soft plastics, some cranks) but some others (like buzzbaits) really work best during a certain time of year. I'd start reading the articles here, and also at other places on the 'Web about Late Winter/Early Spring fishing. Buy a couple of the lures that keep popping up in every article, and learn how to use them. Do this as the year progresses and you be pretty well outfitted by this time next year. Next year, stock up on the ones you know work for you, and then start trying new ones.

Just an alternative to going and buying tons of lures you aren't sure about.

If you don't want to invest a ton of $ I would say a good start would be to buy a couple (2) of lipless crank baits in chrome blur back black back, whatever, (2) lipped crank baits that dive from 0 to 3', (1) bag of gary yamomoto 5" senko's in green pumpkin, (1) all black and (1) all white buzz bait, (1) chart/white spinnerbait, (1) chartruse spinnerbait, (2) 1/2oz. black and blue jigs with matching trailers, (2) 1/2oz green pumpkin/ brown jigs with matching trailers, some 2/0 and 3/0 hooks, some true toungston weights, and a pack of sweet beavers from reaction innovations in corndog color. Good luck and welcome to BR. You will learn a lot here.

I really don't have much to add as I am just a beginner as well.  Just wanted to say good on ya for keeping the tradition alive with your son.  I just started taking my daughter fishing this past summer.  What a blast watching her fight those feisty little sunfish.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1260929549

Here is another great forum to go through to see lures that many people like. Hope these forums help you a lot. Good luck!