hey all, im new to he world of bass fishing. always been a trout guy but im gradually making the switch.  i do all my fishing in nj. i have a 9'6'' bass hunter boat. my tackle consists of a shimano curado reel on a 6'6'' field and stream m7. when i set out stricty for bass, i catch everythng else but what im set out after.  can anyone offer up some basic tips and or guide lines to abide by when fishing for bass.  any input would be grately appreciated. thank you.

welcome, and where abouts in jersey are you?

Start out by telling us what techniques you use, what baits, etc.

im in central jersey.  i do most of my fishing in farrington lake.  i use spinner baits, crank baits and rattle traps.  i hav no problem catching pickrel.  but something im doing is not rite for the bass.  

This is a great link posted by RW about using a senko to catch bass. Read it and try it. It works in most waters.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1158577137/0

Keep reading and learning.  You will eventually find something that works for bass in your neck of the woods.  Also read the fishing articles in the top left of the forums.  There is some incredible information there that can help you.  I hope that some of it helps you.  

with spinnerbaits, it's important to understand the different types of blades, what they do, how they work, and what conditions to use them.  Glen posted a great video about spinnerbaits, I would check it out.

I have not caught any bass yet on crankbaits this year, but have got a ton of perch lol.  Most of my bigger bass this year (yet to break the 5 pound mark, was ounces away though) have been on soft plastics. I've been doing very well with the rage tail space monkey, and the *** line of trick sticks, 6" flukes, and 6" hogs.

im in central jersey. i do most of my fishing in farrington lake. i use spinner baits, crank baits and rattle traps. i hav no problem catching pickrel. but something im doing is not rite for the bass.

Sounds to me that you are not fishing the right location, or the right depth.

with spinnerbaits, it's important to understand the different types of blades, what they do, how they work, and what conditions to use them. Glen posted a great video about spinnerbaits, I would check it out.

I have not caught any bass yet on crankbaits this year, but have got a ton of perch lol. Most of my bigger bass this year (yet to break the 5 pound mark, was ounces away though) have been on soft plastics. I've been doing very well with the rage tail space monkey, and the *** line of trick sticks, 6" flukes, and 6" hogs.

When are you fishing your soft plastics?

i have some type of soft plastic tied on almost 100% of the time.  everyone around says topwater in morning and evening, spinnerbait at this time, crankbait at this time, and while they're walking around tying on new baits, i'm catching fish on my plastics!  lol.  i love them in all conditions, and all times of day.

I'm in north-west NJ an PA and the bass and pickerel share the lakes here too. My experience has been that the pickerel like moving presentations and will leave finesse presentations alone. Wacky rig, drop shot rigs and jigs tossed at cover are some choices that have been working for me. Also look deeper as others have said. Good luck.