Things You'll Need:
- Rods
- Reels
- Line
- Lures
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Step 1
Choosing a bass rod depends on the technique. For worming and jigging we will need a 6'6" to 7' length in a medium/heavy to heavy action. Spinnerbaits will require a 6'9" medium/heavy action. Crankbaits and topwaters will need a 6' to 7' medium action.
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Step 2
When choosing a reel I like one that has at least five ball bearings. I like a reel with a 6:1 gear ratio for worm and jig fishing. The faster gear ratio helps to get the bass up and out of the cover quickly. A 5:1 gear ratio reel works well for spinnerbaiting. I like a 5:1 ratio for cranking. The slower ratio helps reduce fatigue after a long day on the water.
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Step 3
The fishing line may be the single most important piece of the puzzle. The line is what connects us with the fish. 15 to 20lb fluorocarbon works really well for worming and jigging. I like 14 to 17lb monofilament line for spinnerbaits. For crankbaits I like 10, 12, 14, or 17lb monofilament depending on the cover and desired depth. The smaller the line diameter the deeper the crankbait will run.
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Step 4
There are so many different lures to choose from that it will make your head swim. We will keep it simple. Worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwaters should get us off to a good start. I like worms 7.5 to 10 inches in these colors: red shad, tequila sunrise, watermelon seed, and green pumpkin. Black and blue jigs are hard to beat just about anywhere. Quarter to half ounce spinnerbaits in white and chartreuse/white should cover most situations. We will need crankbaits that run 0 to 5', some that run 6' to 8', some that run 9' to 12' in shad colors, crawfish patterns, and chartreuse. It wouldn't hurt to have a few shad colored topwater plugs such as the Basshunter Kill Gill or Zara Spooks.
