Can anyone recommend any good books or videos about bass fishing?

I can't think of anything in any book I've read or video I've watched that has helped as much as these forums.  Believe it or not I have learned a lot from watching the coverage of the BassMasters on television.  They really talk alot about the conditions and show several different techniques being used by the big boys in these same conditions.  Most of the videos target a specific technique and I have found that most of the books out there are too broad and don't get into enough detail on any particular topic.  For a good broad overview try KVD's books.  They are interesting if nothing else.

Personally I have learned a LOT from reading all the posts on this Fantastic Forum!! I also watch Lindner's Angling Edge, Bass Masters, and Bass Edge on OLN (I think that's the channel) and those programs are excellent when it comes to teaching lure selection and techniques. There are numerous videos that are available as the rest of the BR guys will tell you about. I just think you can pretty much learn almost everything you need to know from the posts on BR and watching TV programs AND going out there and catchin' 'em:o)

I am on the same boat you are.

I like to read the articles in this site, I think they are the most informative and it can take me a while to read about one single technic since there are always more than a few articles so you get to see a few different opinions and ways of doing things.

I also go to youtube.com, they have clips on "how to" and they are also good.

One of my goal this year is to go out with a guide for a day, I think all you see and read is good but having someone watch you and correct your mistake on the spot is probably the best.

I think all you see and read is good but having someone watch you and correct your mistake on the spot is probably the best.

If you can hire the right guide, there is nothing you could do that will move you up the learning curve faster. This is money well spent and while you are learning, you will probably catch a few fish!

8-)

I think all you see and read is good but having someone watch you and correct your mistake on the spot is probably the best.

If you can hire the right guide, there is nothing you could do that will move you up the learning curve faster. This is money well spent and while you are learning, you will probably catch a few fish!

8-)

I would strongly agree a quality guide is definately the quickest way to learn.  I would say though I have learned more form the posts on this site than I get from most books.

I agree with doing all the reading you can, whether through books or the Internet.  While I just began posting recently, the material and postings from this site have helped me immensely over the last year.

With that said, let me say that there is no substitute for practice and experience.  You have to get on the water and apply what you've read.  I believe bass fishing is a collection of skills and techniques, all of which have to be learned, practiced, and refined.  You cannot improve these skills without practice.

I would suggest to start small, such as fishing ponds and small lakes.  It's easier to develop a pattern and learn new techniques.  This has worked well for me over the last few years.  Go fishing whenever you can, whether it's a giant reservior or a 1 acre pond.

I have only been on this forum a short time but i have learned more here than i knew my whole life. TONS of help on site. Take some time to read all the post here.

There are a lot of ways! This site is a great place to start.  

Also, bps sells a 3 dvd set of KVD, about flippin and pitchen, spinnerbaiting, and just how to handle different conditions.

Guy named Paul here has been telling people about this book

In-Fisherman Largemouth Bass Handbook of Strategies.

In Fisherman has been a good source for me, I am going to look for it this weekend.

You will learn more than you can imagine right here. There are guys at all levels, fishing every type of water throughout the country and other parts of the world here THATS THE BassResource.com ADVANTAGE 8-)

I'll tell you one thing I did that helped out alot. I took and copied alot of the articles from this site and made myself a "bassin' bible". The articles on this site feature great advice for new and veteran anglers. Check em' out!

Guy named Paul here has been telling people about this book

In-Fisherman Largemouth Bass Handbook of Strategies.

In Fisherman has been a good source for me, I am going to look for it this weekend.

You will learn more than you can imagine right here. There are guys at all levels, fishing every type of water throughout the country and other parts of the world here THATS THE BassResource.com ADVANTAGE 8-)

In-Fisherman Largemouth Bass Handbook of Strategies is by far the best bass fishing book I have ever read. I have reread it five or six times and I still pick up new things. There is also a In-Fisherman Smallmouth Bass Handbook of Strategies that is good, although its not nearly as detailed as the largemouth one.

I'll tell you one thing I did that helped out alot. I took and copied alot of the articles from this site and made myself a "bassin' bible". The articles on this site feature great advice for new and veteran anglers. Check em' out!

I am doing that also.

Someone adviced me to take one technic and practice it for a while, don't do nothing else but that one familly of lures for a few outings. Only take to the water a box with whatever you choose for the day. This proved to be very difficult to do for me, because I was always wondering if the fish were biting the one lure I left at home. ;D

It was a good idea but it took a while for me to stick with it.

I have learned a great deal on this site and I also learn watching numerous shows (Bill Dance, Bass Edge, Bass Pros, Hook and Look etc) on the VS network.

Hey,

Think your best reference is this site.  Look at all the good information that has been posted just on where to find good information.  This site is the best.

As far as books, there are two that I have found that have been very helpful and have enjoyed reading.  They are a little dated but have a wealth of information.  The first is Homer Circle's Bass Wisdom:

http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Wisdom-Homer-Circle/dp/1585740365

Excellent book written for all fisherman regardless of level by a guy who have been fishing and writing a long time.

The second book is Roland Martin's 101 bass secrets

http://www.amazon.com/Roland-Martins-101-Bass-Catching-Secrets/dp/1602392072/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204637409&sr=1-1

Looks like it being re-issued this year in paperback.  This is a good read informative and entertaining.  It's a little dated in places (pub. 1980) but still very practical.  Say what you will about Roland Martin, but the guy can catch fish.

Like others have posted TV is really good.  Its one thing to read about it, but quite another to watch someone doing it.  I DVR about all the fishing shows on VS and ESPN.  There is something that can be learned from each of them.

Lastly, as is said about, how do you get to the Met?  Practice. Practice. Practice.  It applies to fishing as well.    

As has already been mentioned, these are two books to start with:

In-Fisherman Largemouth

In-Fisherman Smallmouth

8-)

Books - shmooks. Tie on a worm and get out there!  

Here are some threads about books

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196124069/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186429249/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1186466676/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1178114685/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1147522796/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1131943031/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1101831726/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1111114541/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1111100502/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1102524482/0

If thats not enough here are my top suggestions:

1. Advanced Bass Fishing- John Weiss

2. Fishing on the Edge- Mike Iaconelli

3. Kevin VanDam's Bass Strategies- Kevin VanDam

4. Kevin VanDam Secrets of a Champion- Kevin VanDam

5. Sowbelly- Monte Burke

6. Buck Perry's books seem good from what people hear (site listed below)

http://www.buckperry.com/product_info.php?cPath=122&products_id=1231

Find a small lake that is close to you that you can fish everyday if you want. Just an hour or so after supper or in the morning before work..that kind of thing. I am not talking fish every day all day!

Try some different presentations. Get used to your tackle etc. This will give you some great first hand experience for the big trips to the big lakes.

I have learned so much just fishing the little lake here in my subdivision.

Any information I have about fishing, I have gotten from here.  I still have a lot to learn ... but that just means I have something to read at work!!!

Keep fishing and keep asking questions about fishing. Advise you to start out with small spinners first as they will catch just about everything in a body of water. Then as mentioned, Hire a guide and be sure to tell him before you hire him that you want to learn as much as possible during your trip and he will accomodate you, I'm sure.  

These threads should help:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1182371999/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180501296

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196114229

Good luck!

8-)

"Trying"

Do or Do Not, there is no try!

                                    M. Yoda