some advice fishing for bass

[tacoman78]

Hello, I have only been fishing a few years, and recently got into baitcast reels and bass fishing. I really dont know much of what I am doing, so I was wondering if some of you could give me a little advice. I live in kansas and the waters around here are quite murky. Any suggestions for baits/lures and what the best colors might be to try? I do not own a boat and fish from shore, I dont know if that makes a difference as well as far as best baits. Thank You for any input I would sure appreciate it!

[TheLastRodBender]

1.  Practice practice practice with the baitcaster (if you havent already). 

2.  HIT THE WATERS, trial and error is your friend when it comes to bass fishing.  Catching bass tells you one thing, not catching bass can potentially tell you MORE. 

3.  Remember that ANYTHING you read in this post very well could be the answer you're looking for, but at the same time... it very well may not.  Not all waters are the same.  I've fished in 2 lakes before, on the same day, less then 2 miles apart, and totally different baits worked. 

4.  When you're out at the lake, make a mental note of your surroundings.  Look at the grade of the land surrounding the area you're fishing in, it can generally give you an idea what the bottom looks like under water.  Look to see if you see any food sources for bass (crawfish, bluegill, minnows, shad etc).  Look for structure (tree branches sticking out of the water, beaver dams on the shoreline leading into the water, grass, rocks).


That stuff being said, i dont know what your water temps are?  I dont know what the climate is like where you're at so it's hard saying what pattern the bass may be in but i would focus on structure.  TIGHT to structure with murky water conditions.  Try plastics (weightless stick baits, texas rigged worms/tubes).  Also work some green/chartreuse/yellow crankbaits and spinnerbaits around the same structure. 

[Ron Fogelson]

Time on the water is a big help,, each area, lake, river has something new/different to figure out.  Even a slow day on the water is a chance to learn something new. 

[Kal-Kevin]

my advice is to watch where you stand by the water they can see you better then you see them. make sure your shadow does not hit the water you plan to fish.

as for baits if the water is cloudy then make noise with your baits. the fish can find them better if they hear them coming!

[jocko]

Some basic lures that should work are:

1) A chartruese/white spinner bait 3/8 oz
2) A black and blue jig and pig 3/8 oz  or Black/red tube 1/4 oz jig
3) A mid running crankbait Chartruese colors or crawfish brown
4) Buzzbait - black for low light  white or chartruese for day
5) A chatterbait black - paired with a baby paca craw okachowbee
6) A senko baby bass color

All of the above should work.

As for fishing from shore,  sometimes you'll find the fish are right at your feet.  If you have tall grass and under cut banks,  places where surface flop or weeds gather -  drop a tube or jig and pig in there and watch the line.  I've caught many a bass from the shore - right at me toes!  Fish any wood lay downs, grass, or rip rap.  Shade and docks too. 

[tacoman78]

Thank you all for the advice, I will use it all to help improve my bass fishing techniques. I have actually gotten pretty good with the baitcasters now and have a BPS pro qualifier on the way (cant wait to try it out). I really appreciate it, as a beginner I really wasnt even sure what to try, so I was throwing all kinds of stuff and not having much luck. At least now I know a place to start and maybe will have some luck. I will let you all know how it goes, once i get some more good fishing days. Thanks again!