I already got my rod/reel advice, so now comes the fun stuff!

Mainly for SM/LM bass.

I remember I had really good luck with the red/black Culprit worms years ago. Sadly, that's all I remember.

So far I'm thinking of 2 packs of those same worms (or something equal), and some 2" Storm WildEye Shads.

I need some hooks, sinkers, hard bait, maybe more plastics? I don't know thats where you help. I'd like to keep it under $60.

Hooks - Gamkatsu EWG 3/0 is a good starting point.  Unless you're fishing big tubes or the Fat Ika, the 3/0 will do everything you need.  $10 for 25.

Sinkers - 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, and 3/8 bullet

I would suggest a couple of spinnerbaits.  Color depends on the clarity of the waters you normally fish.

As for plastics, again the colors depend on your usual water clarity.  I would suggest some Zoom trick worms in green pumpkin, watermelon red and watermelon seed.  A stick type bait like a Yamamoto Senko or MicroMunch Tackle SuperDuty stickbait in the same colors.

Does the color of the hook really matter?

I use nothing but black nickel Gamakatsu.  Many like red hooks for aesthetic reasons, but I am not one of them.

So no, I do not think the color matters.

i use blakc and red interchangablely, so i dont think the color matters. but red sure does look cool  

I'd stay away from the red hooks, the color tends to flake off after a few casts, and you end up with a half gold half red hook, with the red ending up on your hands. Plus, I've noticed no difference in the # of strikes. Not worth the extra $$ in my opinion

Edit: If you're starting out, invest in a couple original floating rapalas (the older the better) and husky jerks.  They're ususally cheap and are fish magnets. When you get more serious, step up to a Lucky Craft pointer and sammy!

I agree with the spinnerbait suggestion. Spinnerbaits are pretty easy to fish and they can catch a lot of fish in a lot of areas. I like Booyah brand spinnerbaits.

$60

2 termanater super stainless spinerbaits (1 from the stained water colors another from the clear water)-$9

3 packs of yum dingers 2 packs of 5" and 1 pack of 4" (green pumpkin,ozark smoke, black n blue,red shad,pearl silver flake all of thes colors work good)-$8

2 ratt l traps 1/2 oz (firetiger,chrome/blue back)-$8

1 fire tiger dt-4-$6

1 baby bass dt-6 $6

1 black jitterbug $4

1 tennesse shad pop-r $4

1 zarra puppy firetiger/frog not sure the name of the color-$4

1 black/red red booyah buzz-$4

1 bps enticer jig black/blue 3/8-$2

2 packs of gamagatzu ewg 3/0-$6

=$61

if u get any extra cash id pick up these asap

spro frog any color -$7

tiki lizard black/blue $3

manns baby minus 1 $4

Thats what i would recomend someone with no tackle and $60 to spend.

What color spinnerbaits should I use for each type of clarity?

WWW.CABELAS.COM

Click on spinner bait heading and you will see they have the terminator super stainless baits in three catigories. Clear , stained and muddy. Pick the ones that fit the waters you are going to fish.

Ok cool... I'm almost done picking out my tackle. Just a few more Q's.

Should I use swivels, if so what kind and size?

I wouldn't use a swivel with lures, as I believe it affects the lures action.  If you do choose to use a swivel, use a small one that won't alter the lure action as much.

How are the Berkley Frenzy Flicker Shads? They're on sale for $1.88

I'm almost done. I keep reading all these posts, I'm definitely putting a BPS employees' kid through college.

I'm almost done. I keep reading all these posts, I'm definitely putting a BPS employees' kid through college.

Just keep telling yourself that spending $60 at BPS is a lot.  Before you know it you will have a day like me and walk out of there wondering exactly how you just spent $300-400.

Man, it's really hard to suggest a starter's kit without knowing the water you're fishing.  Some bait types  are far better than others in certain lakes.

Still, there are some baits that work in all waters.

In soft plastics, Watermelon, Green Pumpkin and Black will work everywhere.  In plastics, I would have the following:

ZOOM Trick Worm, ZOOM Finesse Worm, ZOOM Mag II Worm, ZOOM Baby Brush Hog, ZOOM Horny Toad and 5" Senkos.  These baits will cover most waters and situations you would fish plastics in.  There are other brands with similar baits.  For hooks, Gamakatsu EWG 2/0, 3/0 and 4/0.  Bullet weights in 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 should do it as well.  Some toothpicks to peg with as well.

If you choose to try jigs, a green pumpkin and a black/blue jig will do.  1/4 or 3/8 oz is pretty versatile.   Some green pumpkin and black chunks will do as trailers.

A white 3/8 oz. tandem colorado/willow spinnerbait is pretty versatile and provids flash and vibration.  I would pick up one in white and another in white chartreuse.  There are a ton of good brands.  You might want some trailer hooks as well.

For topwaters, you will do well with a popper, walking bait, buzzbait and if you have lots of grass, pads, etc. a floating frog (the Horny toad is good for this too).  Baitfish colors for the topwaters and white or black for the buzzbait.

If you want to try cranks, I'd stick with a baitfish pattern first.  Normans are great baits and I would get the Sun Lavender Shad color in baits that will run to the depth you fish.  The Middle N and Deep Little N are two great models that should work well.  I would also get one 1' crankbait and the easiest to find is usually a Mann's Baby 1-.

With these baits, you can do quite well in a lot of situations.

Of course, one day the bait monkey WILL get you.  

Brad

LOL that $60 budget went right out the window. I must have bought half of BPS on my Visa. Too bad there isn't a local store.

I tried to get a little of everything. I know there are somethings I missed that I'll get in the next round. I'm just going to list everything.

Stradic/XPS combo, 6'6" Medium

Gamma HP Copolymer 6lbs/clear, 330yds

BPS 360 Tackle Tote w/ 360 trays

Gamakatsu EWG Worm Hook #3/0 25pk

Storm WildEye Swim Shad 4" (shad, goldfish)

X-Rap Xtreme Slashbait 3-1/8" (purple gold, glass ghost)

Pop-R Plus 2-1/2" (Tennesse shad)

BPS Enticer Jig (black/blue)

Zorro Short Arms 3/8 (black/purple/red gold blade, chartreuse/white nickle blade)

Rat-L-Trap (firetiger)

Zoom Trick Worm (black/red glitter, junebug, white, watermelon seed, green pumpkin)

Zoom Horny Toad w/ hooks (watermelon red)

Zoom Speed Craw (watermelon candy)

Sinker package (forget the name, it's got tons of them though)

Pliers, terry towels, a first aid kit, OFF spray (lol)

Berkley Frenzy Flicker 3" (pearl white, black silver)

Arbogast Jitterbug 3" (original)

BPS Economy Net, the medium sized one.

A wet suit, flippers/goggles, and underwater explosives (in case I dont catch anything, or a fish swims away with my lure)

ur definetly starting on the right track that is a really nice spinning combo i have one myself and u picked up alot of good tackle to go with it. good luck