Im definitely a novice bass fisherman, but I had quite a bit of success on panfish jigs this year in terms of catching bass, lost what would have no doubt been my personal best about two months ago..... im strictly a shore fisherman and my "honey hole" has a lot of rocks on the bottom, but there are also several places around here thwt look like they have some potential thst are grassy/ weedy, and others thst have brush and structures such as fallen logs. What would be a good step up for me in terms of lure choice when foshing these areas? It'll be a while before I get to go again due to health, but just want to expand my arsenal.... certainly ain't going to have success or catch anything of you dont at least try, right?

A weightless Senko rigged on either an EWG or Wacky Style is a good choice.  You can also fish it weighted if you choose.    Do some research on the split shot rig, it can be an effective way to catch fish.

 

Good Luck, hope your health gets better.

Thanks!! Split shot sounds like a very attractive option, and I have heard good things bout the wacky rig and Senkos, see quite a few people on here that really love senko, so I may go that route as plan A.

And what about the hard plastic department? What would be a good route to go there?

Wacky, Shaky head rigs and a Fluke would be excellent choices also.

You really dont need to get crazy with all the choices available to you now a days.

Keep it simple and have fun.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

Mike

Get a Senko Knock off. Yum Dingers or BPS are good. Fish them Wacky with an o-ring or heat shrink tubing. I use a 1/0 weedless hook on a 4" or 2/0 weedless on a 5".

 

A light bass jig with a baby rage craw traier would be a good next step. Try 1/8, 3/6, or 1/4 if water is not too deep. With heavier weights everything feels like a bite. Lighter falls slower and is easier to feel bites

 

I went from wacky stick baits (Senko type) to a Rage rigged regular Rage Craw with a light 1/8 oz swimbait hook. 

 

Since on shore you will be able to fish any of these nice and slow.

 

You may need a more stiff rod to drive the larger hooks in. Medium 6'6"-7' Graphite rod is fine. Fiberglass Ugly stick type rods are a little "whippy".

Problem with hardbaits with treble hooks from shore is they snag easy and you will lose alot.

 

A Jerkbait will be good choice.

 

1.5 Squarebill

 

Topwater Popper.

 

Spinnerbait/chatterbait work great and dont snag as easily. 

Loving all the advice, lots, and lots of great choices.

Plastic: Senko and dropshot.

Hardbait: 1.5 or 2.5 squarebill.

Throw a jig in there as well.

I take it you use a spinning outfit, can you describe it along with the line you plan yo use.

Drop shot and split shot is an option, the slip shot rig or finesse Carolina rig depending on what you call it is another.

Both rigs work well with spinning tackle and 6-8 lb mono.

Hook, size 1/0 Owner #5133 down shot hook rigged weedless can be used for all 3 rigs.

Worms, finesse Roboworms, 5" straight tail, Aaron's Magic with red flake and oxblood with red flake should work for you.

Good luck.

Tom

PS, slip shot rig, 1/8 oz mojo weight, Carolina Keeper to keep the weight about 24" up the line. Drag along the bottom slowly, simple and effective.

I've got a medium action spin casting rod that would probably be my best bass fishing rod out of what I have. The reel has been good, but I caught a bass on it earlier this year and the anti reverse function has been messed up since then some how. 6'0 Medium Ugly Stick with Shimano RX2000 spinning reel.I either need to repair it, or replace it. Id preferably like to replace it, as it has been a versatile reel for me, it's seen use catfishing in my uncle's pond, standard float hook and sinker for bluegill, 6 lb line for crappie with 1/16-1/32 jig head. For catfish and bass I have equipped 10-12 lb test stren mono.

Float-N-Fly

1.5 size squarebill is my #1 bait from the bank.

My first confidence lure was a smaller floating minnow by rapala. Jerk it down, let it float back up or close to the surface, jerk again, maybe twice. Sometimes let it sit there on the surface. Was an absolute bass killer anywhere I tried but they did tend to be smaller. such a fun bait to use and caught a lot of pan fish using it as well.

Plastics: Soft frogs can be used as top water or add a little weight and swim them, senko style baits weightless, long ribbon tail worms. Texas rig is great for beggining you will have minimal snags.

 

Hard baits: Square bill cranks, rapala origional floater

My first confidence lure was a smaller floating minnow by rapala. Jerk it down, let it float back up or close to the surface, jerk again, maybe twice. Sometimes let it sit there on the surface. Was an absolute bass killer anywhere I tried but they did tend to be smaller. such a fun bait to use and caught a lot of pan fish using it as well.

awesome!! Even if they are on thr smaller side, that is still good practice and information to jot down in the notebook!!

i would recommend a senko, but if you want a great lure you can tie on right out of the package that would be a spinnerbait, one of my top lures ever

Not difficult at all if you can read, understand and follow simple directions. Tom has been in this game a long long time, young'un. Show some respect. That rig is very easy to fish and effective, even for beginners.

 

The best weights I've found for the rig are Vike's cylindrical tungstens, less than a buck each on TW, even cheaper during a sale. I like tungsten, and use a brass clicker between the weight and the bead. Something about the brass and glass noise that bass like! I don't like to peg the bead. Tried that, and found it put a kink in my fluoro. I use a rubber bobber stopper below the bead. Works well to peg the bead-clicker-weight, and it's more sensitive since obviously the bobber stopper has less mass than the bead.

 

Try that rig out.

A smaller sized jig like a bitsy flip or baby boo could be the way to go for checking out those rocks and logs and other spots like that. You might lose one or two, but that's what it takes sometimes. However With the lighter sizes and a chunky trailer I feel like they are a little more snag proof. I've been using these jigs to learn with this year and it's been paying off great. Also reading the jig thread that's pinned up top is a great way to spend some free time, there's some great info in there.