HOOKED ON FISHIN R UFishing Gear for the Fishermen

Just Bitten by the Bass Fishing Bug? A Basic Equipment List

Bass fishing for many begins the first time they get that hit and proceeds from there to become a lifelong avocation. If you have just discovered bass fishing then it’s time to start accumulating your bass fishing tackle. Over the course of your bass fishing lifetime you will probably have many rods and reels, literally hundreds of lures and a wide variety of storage boxes. However, the first gear you buy need not be expensive or abundant as long as it suits the needs of a novice bass angler.

Rods. As you become more experienced you may find that you want several rods of varying lengths and made out of different materials. A good first rod for a neophyte fisherman is generally five and a half to six feet long and made of graphite, fiberglass or a graphite/fiberglass blend. Longer rods may give more reach in casting but they also require more nuance. Look for a balanced, medium weight rod. As the term implies, that is a rod which has its weight evenly distributed from end to end.

Reels. Once you have chosen your rod, select a complimentary reel. Consider a rod and reel combo package. Many beginning fishermen shy from this simple answer to tackle selection; after all, buying stuff is half the fun. Still purchasing an inexpensive rod and reel bundle allows you to get the feel for bass fishing gear before making a large investment. If you have decided to make separate purchases, check out the spincast reels. They have fewer line tangle problems and provide smooth casting and retrieval. Most also allow for a wide variance in lines and lures.

Lines. Most rod and reels will recommend the line weights that harmonize well with them. In general, a 10# line will hold up well in the vast number of situations you’ll encounter. As you become a more sophisticated angler you will learn the many factors that go into proper line selection. Strength, resistance to breaking, stretch, diameter, even color are all important in making more sophisticated line choices. Don’t worry about those now though; just buy a high quality line.

Lures. Choosing the right lure for the right area and the right bass is key to successful bass fishing. If you are going with experienced fishermen or with a guide, they will be your best resource for information on what lure or bait to pack. The number one bait out there though is the humble worm. Stock up on these in a variety of colors and pick up a few inexpensive spinnerbaits.

Tackle boxes. Here again many new fishermen go for the fully featured models, the more drawers and trays the better. Quite often though the more places you have to put things the more ways you have to lose them. Start out with a simple tackle box with a large open bottom and a few small trays.

Now you’re ready for the most fun of all: Bass fishing. Hit the water, be safe and good luck.

About the Author

If you want to catch more bass you need to come over to
AllAboutBassFishing.com
. We provide many tips, tactics, articles and more to help with your next bass fishing adventure. Whether you fish for largemouth bass,
smallmouth bass
, peacock bass, or any other type of bass we can help you.

Zebco Delta Spincast Reels $39.99 The ultra-smooth Zebco Delta Spincast Reels are constructed with double anodized aircraft-grade aluminum covers for lightweight durability. Ideal for light to medium fishing situations, the Delta Spincast Reels are loaded with performance-base features including five bearing system, a the triple-cam multi-disc drag, multi-point positive pickup system, ceramic line guide and pickup pins as well as Zebco’s popular positive worm-gear drive train.

Zebco 202 Spincast Reel $6.99 The Zebco 202 Spincast Reel’s reasonable price and reliable performance make it ideal for any angler. Zebco’s 202 Spincast Reel is built with a tough ABS housing and chrome plated cover and features stainless steel pickup pins, Built-in Hook Keeper , dual paddle steel crank handle and a star-adjustable drag system. Plus, the 202 is pre-spooled with quality 10 lb. monofilament fishing line. Features: Stainless steel pickup pins Star-adjustable drag ABS housing Built-in Hook Keeper Pre-spooled with 10-pound monofilament

Zebco 202 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo $11.99 The affordably-priced Zebco 202 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo is an outstanding set-up designed for medium-light, freshwater fishing. This well-matched combo combines Zebco’s classic 202 Spincast Reel with a Z-Glass, two-piece rod outfitted with ceramic guides and an EVA handle. The 202 spincast reel features tough ABS housing, chrome plated cover, stainless steel pickup pins, Built-in Hook Keeper , dual paddle steel crank handle and a star-adjustable drag system.

Uncle Buck’s Crappie Spincast Reel $11.99 Easily cast light lures and light line into the types of cover that crappie love with this ultra-light reel. Weighing only 5.6 oz., this Uncle Buck?s spincast reel features a strong graphite frame, disc drag system, metal gears, silent anti-reverse, stainless steel pick-up pin and 3.1:1 gear ratio. Reel is pre-spooled and ready to go with 85 yards of 6-lb. fishing line.

Zebco 404 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo $17.99 The affordably-priced Zebco 404 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo is an outstanding set-up perfect for medium-heavy freshwater fishing. This well-matched combo combines Zebco?s popular 404 Spincast Reel with a Z-Glass, two-piece rod outfitted with ceramic guides and an EVA handle. The 404 spincast reel features tough ABS housing, chrome plated cover, stainless steel pickup pins, Built-in Hook Keeper , dual paddle steel crank handle and a star-adjustable drag system. Ready right from the box, the reel is pre-spooled with 75 yards of 15 lb. line.

Shakespeare Synergy Microspin Reel – Spincast $12.99 Offering reliable performance every time out, Shakespeare?s affordably priced Synergy Microspin Spincast Reel is perfect for all your ultra-light fishing applications. Constructed with a durable polished stainless steel front cone and rear cover, the Synergy Microspin Spincast Reel is outfitted with an efficient one ball bearing drive, titanium line guide, Insta-Grip dual titanium pickup pins and a durable elastomer pinch ring for reduced line wear. The strong, lightweight metal handle provides wobble-free performance and is complete with soft, textured rubber knobs. The Synergy Microspin Spincast Reel is pre-spooled with Supreme mono line. Features: Polished stainless steel front cone and rear cover Titanium line guide Insta-Grab dual titanium pickup pins Durable elastomer pinch ring for reduced line wear Strong, lightweight metal handle with soft, textured rubber knobs Pre-spooled with Supreme mono line One ball bearing

Zebco Bill Dance Crappie Spincast Reel $21.99 Bill?s designs make light-tackle fishing fun and productive! The Bill Dance Crappie Spincast Reel features stainless steel covers, smooth three-bearing system including Continuous Anti-Reverse , and wide-ranging, sensitive drag. Line recovery in inches per handle turn.

Zebco 33 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo $24.99 The perfectly-matched Zebco 33 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo will be your favorite fishing tool for years to come. Dependable, versatile and a premium performer, the Zebco 33 combo features Zebco?s original 33 series spincast reel complete with a medium-action, two-piece, graphite rod with a natural cork handle. Reel Features: Ball-bearing drive Selective multi-stop anti-reverse Dual ceramic pickup pins Dial-adjustable drag Changeable right or left retrieve Corrosion-proof stainless steel covers Auto Bait Alert Pre-spooled with 10 lb. monofilament

Abu Garcia Abumatic 276i Spincast Reel $29.99 Enhance your fishing experience the same way previous generations have with a durable Abu Garcia Abumatic 276i Spincast Reel. This lightweight, compact Abumatic 276i Spincast Reel is designed to enhance your fishing experience by delivering long-lasting, dependable performance. The Abumatic 276i Reel?s ultra-smooth spool drag system provides the extra cranking power every angler can count on, while its dual rotating swing-arm pick-up pins consistently collects the line onto the spool for long, accurate casting and efficient retrieves. The Abumatic 276i Spincast Reel is outfitted with Abu Garcia’s two-bearing Duragear gears with Instant Anti-Reverse, a feature that’s typically reserved for high-priced baitcast reels only. Pre-spooled with 110 yards of 8 lb. Berkley Trilene XL line. Features: Ultra-smooth spool drag system Duragear drive Instant Anti-Reverse Titanium nitride line guide Dual rotating swing-arm pick-up pins Left/Right hand retrieve Comfort Touch thumb button Pre-spooled with Berkley Trilene XL line

Shakespeare Synergy Ti14 Spincast Rod and Reel Combo $29.99 Shakespeare?s Synergy Ti14 Rod and Reel Combo is an affordably priced, high-quality combo built to suit your medium to heavy freshwater needs. The Synergy Ti14 Combo is outfitted with a dependable Synergy Ti14 Spincast Reel which features a polished stainless steel front cone and rear cover. This powerful Synergy Reel is equipped with an effective 2 ball bearing drive, titanium line guide, Insta-Grab dual titanium pickup pins and a durable elastomer pinch ring to reduce line abrasion. Plus, the spincast reel is pre-spooled with 14 lb. Supreme fishing line. The Synergy Ti14 Combo is well-matched and complete with a quality medium to heavy action graphite composite rod outfitted with a high-density cork fore and rear grip. Lure weight: 1/4-3/4 ounces. Line weight: 10-20 lbs. Action: MH = Medium Heavy

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ladies Spincast Combo $34.99 A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this Shakespeare combo will go to benefit the early detection of breast cancer. American Breast Cancer Foundation Shakespeare’s Ugly Stick Ladies Spincast Combo is specifically designed to suit a women’s fishing needs. The 5′6”, two-piece Ugly Stick Ladies Rod is constructed using Shakespeare’s unique Howald Process which combines graphite and fiberglass to ensure the Ladies Ugly Stick is lightweight, strong and sensitive. The rod is complete with high-quality components, and the handle is actually made smaller to provide a better fit for women’s hands. The custom-fitting rod is well-matched with Shakespeare’s Synergy Steel 6 Spincast reel designed with a stainless steel front cone and smooth adjustable drag. Pre-spooled with 6-lb fishing line. Receive a FREE Ugly Stik T-Shirt with the purchase of any Ugly Stik branded Rod. Click here to for details and to print coupon. Offer valid from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.

Abu Garcia Abumatic 476i Spincast Reel $34.99 An Abu Garcia Abumatic 476i Spincast Reel will enhance your fishing experience by delivering long-term durability and premium-performance. This lightweight and compact Abumatic 476i reel features an ultra-smooth spool drag system provides the reel power every angler can count on, while its dual rotating swing-arm pick-up pins consistently collects the line onto the spool for long, accurate casting and efficient retrieves. The Abumatic 476i Spincast Reel is outfitted with Abu Garcia?s two-bearing Duragear gears with Instant Anti-Reverse, a feature that?s typically reserved for baitcast reels only. Pre-spooled with 100 yards of 10 lb. Berkley Trilene XL Line. Features: Ultra-smooth spool drag system Duragear drive Instant Anti-Reverse Titanium nitride line guide Dual rotating swing-arm pick-up pins Left/Right hand retrieve Comfort Touch thumb button Pre-spooled with Berkley Trilene XL line

Zebco Bill Dance Crappie Rod and Reel Spincast Combos $44.99 Bill?s designs make light-tackle fishing fun and productive! The Bill Dance Crappie Spincast Reel features stainless steel covers, a smooth three-bearing system including Continuous Anti-Reverse , and wide-ranging, sensitive drag. The rod features a matching glass blank for multiple crappie techniques and comfortable EVA Tennessee-style handle with slip rings. Action: L = Light ML = Medium Light Line recovery in inches per handle turn.