On 3/17/2019 at 6:41 PM, fin said:

It wasn’t that many years ago that the only way to learn was through word of mouth, learning from your father or family and friends. Someone might teach you something after you buy them a case of beer and fill up the gas tank of their truck and boat. Now you can go on the internet and come to a site like this and learn anything about fishing you want and even watch a video that demonstrates how to do it.

 

And that’s not good enough? You want a flow chart that tells you what to do in any possible conditions? Wow.

Thank you.... you quite literally put my exact thoughts into words. People are unbelievable 

1 hour ago, LuffDaddy said:

Thank you.... you quite literally put my exact thoughts into words. People are unbelievable 

Well I’m not real proud of that comment. I was cranky after a day of not catching anything. What I said may be true, but it’s kind of rude and unhelpful. I apologize to @clemsondds  He just bought a new boat and all the trimmings to take his 3 kids fishing. He’s dealing with information overload and is trying to get a handle on it.

Part of the fun of fishing is that you are always learning.  It never stops.  Time on the water is the teacher and lures are the tool.  Pick a technique, read up on it to get the best conditions for it, then dedicate some time on the water with it.  Another thing about fishing (and I heard one of the pros say it during the classic) is that unique to our sport vs others is that every day is different.  And it's true.  

On 3/20/2019 at 4:40 AM, fin said:

Well I’m not real proud of that comment. I was cranky after a day of not catching anything. What I said may be true, but it’s kind of rude and unhelpful. I apologize to @clemsondds  He just bought a new boat and all the trimmings to take his 3 kids fishing. He’s dealing with information overload and is trying to get a handle on it.

Thanks for that comment.  I wish I had a ton of time to get on the water and fish all the time, but I don't.  So when I do get out there, I like to feel like I have a chance of catching something since I'm using the right lure at the right time.  I think part of the issue is the increase in youtube (lakeforkguy, bassresource, fishing with nordby, roland martin...) videos.  They are helpful, but with all the great fishermen on there and them having to create new content all the time...it leads to them talking about all the various techniques constantly and you/I get a little overwhelmed.  Each video seems to be how some other technique is the best thing in the world and you would be an idiot for not trying it lol.  Again, I have fished my whole life, but have never been an avid fisherman.  The last twenty years or so, I have been swamped with college, dental school and life and am just now able to get back in it.  So I'm just trying to find a way to keep it all sorted in my head and be able to take in all the variables when I go fish and select two or three of the best lure/rigs that give me a shot at the right presentation.  I'm not looking to master all the different techniques...just want to be familiar with when to use what.  

The flow charts that were already posted were a great help and give me a good starting point.  Thanks! 

Hiring a guide might be good for you, if you can afford it. Of course there are good and bad guides, but if you can spend some time with a good one, it can change everything for you. I haven't seen anything on this site about guides, but if you search around online you can find some.

 

Be careful with those kids out there.

18 minutes ago, fin said:

Hiring a guide might be good for you, if you can afford it. Of course there are good and bad guides, but if you can spend some time with a good one, it can change everything for you. I haven't seen anything on this site about guides, but if you search around online you can find some.

 

Be careful with those kids out there.

That's a great idea.  I'll look into it!

And hit something like the tidal Potomac and start learning  all over again.

I'd look into seasonal patterns to begin with.

There isn't a magic lure that will catch fish that are not there.

If you have a general understanding of bass behavior at different times of the year, you can adjust presentation once you are in the right area.

 

In your example, when the water is near the 60's in the spring I'm looking for large flats and the points leading to those flats. The fish i would be trying to catch would be prespawn or spawning. I would be using a lure that I could cover water with like a flat side crank bait, rattle trap type bait, spinnerbait/chatterbait and adjusting to the depths that I was fishing so if I was targeting the point in 15 feet of water i could use a heavier lure than when throwing across the 2 foot deep flat. Once i caught a few fish I would slow down and fish the area more thoroughly with a senko, jig, split shot rig .. ...

 

also its fishing- so what worked 5 minutes ago may not work now but at some time in the future it will work again

 

KVD seasonal guide

https://www.bassmaster.com/vandams-6-season-bass-guide

16 hours ago, clemsondds said:

I think he was trying to be sarcastic...

 

helpful posts are always appreciated. 

Can anyone recommend any good books or sources for me to learn more about specific circumstances for certain baits?  I am trying to learn for example: if I come up on a point with a ledge in clear water mid day water temp 60 degrees...what’s the best bait to start with and then what should/could be my second and third option? I could guess but I would love to have more that just a guess behind my reasoning. I wish I had a dad or friend to take me fishing but at this point I don’t, so I’m just trying to learn on my own right now (and the help of the greatest bass forum in the web ) Thanks for the help! 

To me a good understanding of basic bass behavior is essential to solving the questions asked. 

My Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar is a good place to started to learn about basic bass behavior and how LMB in deep structured lakes relate to each seasonal period.

Tom

PS, Google search "Cosmic Clock and Bass Calendar"

4 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Again, I have fished my whole life, but have never been an avid fisherman.  The last twenty years or so, I have been swamped with college, dental school and life and am just now able to get back in it.  So I'm just trying to find a way to keep it all sorted in my head and be able to take in all the variables when I go fish and select two or three of the best lure/rigs that give me a shot at the right presentation.

I absolutely understand where you are coming from.  I was/am in the same boat.  Time is at a premium for me, too.  To boil down what some of the guys that sound frustrated are trying to say is that there is no magic bullet, and you're wasting your time looking for one.  However, I see your perspective.   I started getting into it avidly with two small kids 4 years ago now.   These days, I fish most weekends, and I'm decent at it, at least on small waters.  I've become that neighborhood Dad and Uncle that takes all the kids and teaches all the kids who's parents don't know how.  My son can tell you all about the major Pros (he's met many of them), and just the other day we went to our second Classic.  Here's my 2c:

- Consider the most basic, and most versatile lures first, they all can work: grubs, plastic worms (trickworms), senkos (stickworms), lizards, flukes, spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps, Rapala originals, in-line spinners, maybe Pop-R's, buzzbaits, the list goes on and on, but you'll quickly recognize the main types.

- Consider the most basic rigs: Texas Rig, basic jighead, Carolina Rig, and I would say Ned Rig

- Most of these (except topwaters, in general) work most of the year and in many places

Flowcharts might be a useful place to start, but quickly you'll learn that these common, versatile lures will work in many more situations than indicated in the charts.  

The point about figuring our where fish is a good one.  Most of these baits will work if placed near cover or structure (if you don't know what I mean, look those up), under the right conditions.  You can really only get to know them through reading, watching, and most importantly fishing.

Then: start reading, visiting this site, listening to Bassmaster podcasts, following Pros on Social Media, checking out the YouTube stars, etc. etc.  

Most importantly, FISH.  My secret is I don't get obsessed with having to fish on a "trip" to call it a success.  I carry rods in my trunk, a few packs of gear, and a scale.  If there is a pond with water in it, with access, and I have time (yes, 15 minutes for a few casts is enough), I fish.  Time on the water - ANY time, ANY water, is the key to learning bass for sure.

As for kids, you want to take them and get them interested.  Get them gear, and be patient.  The first couple years I spent a lot of time untangling lines and cursing lost lures.   In the long run it has paid off.  Now my kids are the ones that set up others, tie on their baits, teach them to fish, and unhook the fish.  Its awesome, and just means more acceptance of my hobby by the others in my family...  Good luck!!!

 

Let me share one more important point.  I spent around 15 - 20 hours a week wading creeks while in high school and college.  I caught large numbers of very small fish and had a blast doing it.  When I bought my first boat I had no clue how to fish a lake.  I didn’t get a bite my first three times out.  On my forth,  I went as far up in a creek as I could drive my boat and start creek fishing the way I had always done.  I caught a bunch of small fish and enjoyed fishing in my boat for the first time.  I quickly learned that I could do the same thing in certain places on the main lake and catch small fish.  Then I learned to fish bigger baits in deeper water and catch bigger fish.  I’ve been learning and having fun ever since.  The lesson here is don’t forget to have fun in your new boat. Buy a bunch of crickets and go bream fishing if that’s what it takes.