Need Bass Fishing Tips

RUGERGUNZ

I have just started bass fishing. Went for the first time the other day. The only baits we used were spinning baits and some type of soft bait (like a small fish)

Only caught fish on the spinning baits. So I picked up some of these the other day.

I need tips so that I can outfish this "experienced" fisherman.

Like what is the failsafe of bass baits?

DIRTYRAT

I'll throw in a few for ya that work for me.
Rubber worms
Double jointed black/silver rapala
Rooster tails{spinner}
If Im shore fishing, I cast along the shore and toward any structure{rocks-trees-stumps etc...} from a boat, I cast to the shore or around the same types of cover/structure....
Good-Luck!

Ox190

need to know what kind of area you are fishing i.e grassy bottom, stumps, and what state you're in

RUGERGUNZ

In Maine. Downeast Maine to be more specific.

What we fished the other day was rocky bottom and we fished the edges and around Beaver Dens.

That was the only lake I have fished for bass, so dont really know the bottom type for other lakes we are going to visit soon.

DaBowMan18

for me, spinnerbaits and 7.5 inch rubber worms with jigs

COLT

Plastic baits! They are hard to "not" work right, though there is a "method" to them

...Get some 6" lizards, black, chartruese, and a grape or blackberry.
Use owner hooks 3-5 '0, and some 1/16-1/8 oz bullet weights and use the "texas rig"...easier to use than a Carolina rig

Try some of the same color...or other colors: motor oil, pumpkinseed...there are a LOT of colors...but these mentioned are almost always good.

3-5" grubs, hooked Texas rigged...hard to "work" them wrong, and fish love them...this is just a teeny weeny beginning...but should have you catching fish.

Throw into crap (brush,sunken logs) that you are sure you will hang up on...where the fish are...Texas rigs don't hang up, or don't hang up easy at all...go get him...[:D]

Ox190

I was going to say soft plastics as well but unless you are familiar with soft plastic fishing you will miss a lot of fish. Spinner baits and swim baits ( the soft plastic fish look alike you spoke of) are pretty good beginner bass baits. Texas rig is the only way to go for me. I've caught more fish with a Texas rigged worm or lizard than all other baits combined. Use braided line if at all possible. No stretch in it and you can feel more. You don't have to set the hook nearly as hard with braided line either.

I wish you weren't a yankee so I could show you exactly what I mean. [:D]

Endlss

Man I love topwater lures or shallow crankbaits. I fish broke back minnows like crazy, get a few colors and sizes. Frog poppers, gotta get the hang up twitching them to "burp".
I like the smaller spinner baits with the grub tails green or white.

Oh yeah... cast. cast. cast till your arm gets tired , you'll get the tricks down. I always get ready to give up and say "maybe 5 more casts...wham"