Basic Bass Fishing Tackle

The fishing rod is the first basic piece of tackletried all the major brands and found them to be
the average bass fisherman needs to consider. Igood. They key is to match your line to the reel
recommend a medium or medium light actionyou have chosen. I like to keep 150 yards of line
graphite spinning rod. I advise buying a rod sixon my reel. If your reel holds 150 yards of 10 lb
foot long. This rod can be used in a variety ofline then I advise using that weight. You should
different fishing conditions. As you become morealways keep an extra spool of line on hand. You
experienced you will see the need for moreshould also constantly check your line for nicks
specialized rods at times. I have always usedand other imperfections that can cause a fish to
Berkley or Fenwick rods and found them tobe lost.
always be up to the task at hand. You shouldNext I will discuss what selection of artificial baits
purchase your rod and reel simultaneously. Ian average fisherman should have in his tackle
advise mounting the reel on the rod and holding itbox. The average fisherman should have a varied
before you make a choice. The rod and reelselection of jig combinations. A jig consists of two
combo should feel right. Hold the rod direct aboveparts. The jig head is basically a hook with a
where the reel is seated. If you point the rodweight near the eye. You should have several
perpendicular to your body it should balance in adifferent sizes of hooks and weights. I
straight line. If it does not the reel may be too bigrecommend a selection of 1/16, 1/8 and 1/4
or heavy and need to be replaced with a lighterounce jig heads.
one.You will next need a collection of skirts. The skirt
Your next consideration is the reel. For theis what you place on the hook to entice the bass.
average fisherman I recommend an open facedSkirts are generally made of plastic. They can be
spinning reel. The key here is to match the reel toin the form of a worm with twister tail or
the line you will be using. I like a reel that holdsperhaps a more traditional skirt. The key is color
approximately 150 yards of 8 lb fishing line. I alsoand size. Choose an ample supply of many
like a reel with an excellent drag system. Youdifferent colors, sizes and styles. These skirts will
have two choices regarding drag. I prefer reelsneed to be replaced often so have enough in
that have a drag in the back of the reel. For meyour box.
these drags are easier to adjust. Other peopleCrankbaits are artificial bait all fishermen should
prefer the drag to be in the front of the reel onhave in their boxes. A crankbait is generally made
top of the spool. I consider this a matter offrom wood or in some cases plastic. It is shaped
personal preference. Try both and go with whatlike a fish and has a plastic lip directly near the
feels best to you. When you purchase a reel youeye. This lip determines how deep the lure will go.
will see a term "gear ratio". They affect theSome crankbait are designed to run 2-4 deep
power of the reel. The higher the gear ratio thewhile others go much deeper. I always keep
more line that will be retrieved by each 360about 5 shallow runners and 5 deep runners in my
degree turn of the handle.tackle box. Again choose a variety of colors, sizes
For line I recommend monofilament line with aand shapes. Always before you fish make sure
test of 8-12 lb. This is as close to an all purposeyour hooks on these baits are sharp. If not
line that you can get. Again as you become moresharpen or replace them. A hook sharpener is a
experienced you will see the need for lighter andtool all fishermen should have in their tackle box.
heavier lines. I use Berkley Trilene line but have