Just wanted to introduce myself,and ask a question...

I live in south east Massachusetts. I went fishing with a bunch of friends last year...I've never really fished out of a boat, (it was a row boat) but I had a great time. They introduced me to wacky style rigging. At first I thought I had hooked a log/rock ~ but it ended up to be a 2.5# bass. This (I found out) is a lot of fun!!!

Now I'm just finishing up a boat of my own. Its a 12ft alum. row boat. Had to replace the bench seats and transom. I bought a trolling motor & battery. I figure that I can add swivel seats & carpeting later.

What should I invest in to start into this season? Do I add a fish finder or spend money on tackle? Note: I will be fishing with my sons: ages 6,8 & 10 ~ but hopefully not at the same time. The kids have the standard zebco set ups. I have a basic spinning rod/reel.

I've always been a worm & bobber kind of guy.

Thanks.

TJ

Welcome aboard!

I would recommend a couple of "cast and retrieve" lures to start with, for both you and the boys. All you have to do is cast them near cover or structure and steadily reel them in. These are VERY productive lures:

#1 Original Floating Rapala (silver & black)

#2 Rat-L-Trap (chrome & blue)

#3 Spinnerbait (white & chartreuse with silver willow blades)

One more suggestion, for a topwater lure: Zara Puppy (silver & black). To fish this lure, cast and let it sit. Then twitch the lure and let it sit again. Fish the bait this way until you feel you are "out of the zone." Retrieve and recast.

Soft plastics are a little harder to learn to fish, but since you have already had some luck with one, you might want to try the 5" Senko & Fat Ika. These are my most productive baits.

Sounds like you're all set, I wouldn't worry about fish finders and such just yet.

In addition to roadwarrior's lures I'd recommend you try some Beetle Spins, especially for the kids.  These things catch just about anything that swims and are very easy to fish.

Also you take along some live bait (worms, crickets, etc) and plan on doing some bobber fishing with the kids.  There's nothing wrong with bobber fishing and kids love it!  Live bait is helpful in locating fish, then once you know they are there you can try out your lures.

WELCOME!

You might want to take a safe boating course. Get PFD's for all and wear them. Check the capacity of your boat. Many 12 footers will not safely support the weight of 4 peopleand fishing gear.

I second moloch16's suggestion of taking along some live bait, worms or minnows, for the kids to fish with. If you want to get the boys interested in fishing, nothing will turn them off faster than sitting in a boat and catching nothing. Even catching small bluegills will be a thrill for them and will help to promote their interest in persuing fishing as a lifelong hobby.

As for your fishing, all the other suggestions are good. I would also suggest fishing for smallmouths (I presume they are in your lake) with light tackle and Roostertails or similar small lures. They worked for me in Maryland and even small fish will give you a fight on light/ultralight tackle.  

Thank you for your replies....

The tackle suggestions are greatly appreciated, as I need a good beginer starting point.

I only want to take one kid out at a time in the boat. (I figure it would be easier to handle and less confusing).

We have suitable life jackets for everyone already. We have been canoing for a year with the boys, I'm just not brave enough to take them fishing from the canoe.

Just as a note: My boys have caught more bass than myself. ~ I caught 2 on the fishing trip with my friends. ~ But the guys have caught 6 total (including a 14inch 3# large mouth that won my 8yo the local fishing derby last year.) ~ We we using worms & bobbers that day too ..

First welcome to the site.  Second sounds like you are all set.  The best thing with the kids is to find fish no matter what they are, keep them intrested and having a good time and you will have a good time too.  I love throwing spinnerbaits and they are easy to use.  Just cast and reel them in.  Good luck and have a good time out there.

Welcome!!!

Welcome partner!

WELCOME to the forums!!!

                                          As Ever,

                                           skillet  

They introduced me to wacky style rigging. At first I thought I had hooked a log/rock ~ but it ended up to be a 2.5# bass. This (I found out) is a lot of fun!!!

Welcome to forum. I agree with Road Warrior on a 5" senko and the Fat Ika. They are also my most productive baits. You might want to try rigging these Texas Rigged. It makes a great snag proof lure if you are fishing in heavy vegetation.

I take a couple of friends' kids fishing and they love pan fishing plus it's much easier than bass fishing, especially if you are just getting into the sport. A bobber and a crappie jig will catch you lots of pan fish (perch, bluegill, crappie). Every once in a while you will hook up on a bass if you intrude their territory. My favorite colors are chartreuse/black and chartreuse/red.