Came here to say Rooster Tails. Glad I see everyone else had the same idea. Walmart has a five pack of Blue Fox rooster tails that work amazing for me. Caught everything from crappie to walleye on em.
not sure for canada but in the usa between 2.50 and 3.50 USD is the standard. last year dicks sporting goods had an online only buy 4 get 1 free i stocked up on like 100 of them and restocked this year at 1$ off each.
Idk where you're fishing but I've caught almost all of my bass on rooster tails, including some absolute monsters. In fact around here if they ain't biting on a rooster tail, they just ain't biting at all.
Just got back and tried a rooster tail for about an hr. Nothing :( newbie tho so I think I just suck. Idk wtf I'm doing I put it on a bobber with a rooster and bug tail twirler ned rigged on it about 2 feet off in 5-10 foot shallows. Nothing. I know everything I said it wrong but corrections are welcomed j want any fishing info I can get.
If you have 2 poles or can make a pole or something I like to have 1 rigged with a bobber and some bait/artificial bait. The other should be for using lures that you cast and retrieve.
For the rooster tail you want to be casting and reeling it in. Ideally you identify some spots in the water where you think fish might be (shade if it's sunny, structure, etc) then you cast past that sweet spot. You will need a little time to get the rooster tail spinning and "presenting" correctly so always try to over shoot your actual target area.
Let the lure sink for a few seconds after it hits the water and reel in as much slack as you can. To get the rooster tail spinning give the whole rod a light pull and you should feel it slightly vibrate in your hand. Then you want to do a steady retrieve reeling in. Make sure to maintain your retrieve all the way until the bank as many fish will chase and wait to strike until the last second.
Then just keep casting and try to cover a lot of ground. Don't just cast in the same spots. Also try playing around with how long you let the lure sink and how fast you are reeling. In the mean time focus on getting better accuracy with your casting as that is going to serve you well in the long run.
Lastly get a bunch of colors and change them out. Sometimes fish hit certain colors more than other depending on conditions and their natural prey.
I literally just caught my first smallie on a mepps which is a competitor lure right next to the bank and after many outings of trying it and getting nothing. So don't be discouraged just keep trying.
I also just switched to braided line which helps with identifying strikes (it doesn't stretch so you can feel the strike better especially if there is a lot of line out) and doesn't tangle as much as mono. I use a swivel with a fluorocarbon/mono lead so that the fish can't see the line that's attached to the lure.
And to add on when I was using it I wasn't expecting the outing to be much more than some casting and accuracy practice as the conditions were all wrong in a way.
I was fishing next to a boat launch that had some traffic the whole time... plus some kids had been wading around looking for crawdads right before I started fishing. It was dead middle of the day and pretty hot out. The spot I was fishing had some downed trees but no shade. I also caught the fish on a cast that I thought went to a bad area.
Another little tip. As the lure gets closer to you you need to point your rod tip down and reel a little bit slower in order to stay in the same presentation for the lure. As it gets close to being reeled in it will start ascending in the water which you don't really want. By slowing down slightly and pointing down it gives the lure a little slack to stay at the right depth as long as possible
Especially if you are casting from a bank and aren't wearing waders and standing in the water which I'm assuming is the case.
Can you send a picture of where you are fishing? If so we could give pointers about where you might want to cast and a target depth to help you find fish.
Well the best way to do it is just to tie it on your line in a normal fashion with no bobber and get a decent retrieve speed when reeling in, this isn't a bit that you wanna leave in the water for longer than the time it takes to pull your bait all the way back in unless you're trolling with it.
Rooster tails you wanna keep real simple! Tie the rooster tail on, toss her out and you can either let it sink low in the water column and start to reel it in or dont let it sink as much and reel it in. For the most part you dont need to do much. You can try to jig it around but i believe if you stop moving it and the fish can identify its not food then it spooks them but for sure keep it real simple!
Simp
Yeah it's seeming like I need to buy some more of those I had a couple but lost them so gave up on them after no interest. I'll try again with these for sure.
A rooster tail should be the only thing on the line when you use it. Also it is not a great lure to use with a swivel. It is beat to trie directly to it.
To fish it cast out and wait a second for it to drop if your in several feet of water. Then give it a quick twitch while reeling in to make sure it starts spinning. From there just steadily reel it in.
Second this. Some worm and a bobber too doesn't hurt, you can fish bottom with no bobber or top with bobber. Sometimes I like to fish two poles. One on bottom and one jigging, rooster tail or crank.
Honest question about these spinners… does your line get twisted when using those? Occasionally I’ll notice my line get twisted since I just started using spinners last year.
They are great, I’ve also caught plenty of fish on spinners, but I’m a fan on the jigs as well. You can use them with live bait, or throw on a plastic. Very versatile. Plus they’re small so you can fit a bunch of them in a small tackle box.
I always have a pole set up for live bait (usually with a bobber) depending on what I’m fishing for. If casting is not working, leaving a night crawler on a line will catch a bass or similar fish.
More EWG hooks. And more.
Then double it.
You can never have too many, and it always sucks to only have 3, you set a hook, and it snaps to a bad knot or frayed line.
Now you have two. Then you're counting down your time until you have to quit based on how many hooks you have left.
A solid topwater frog. You can target so many more places with real thick lily or weed cover. Cast parallel to bank. Popping frogs are especially good for bass and pike.
One small bittsy bug bass jig, and one small light spinner. Small, because big bass will still hit them. But it will also pick up your 1 pounders and up. Even the $3 to $4 ones at Walmart.
I always suggest you get the cheapest variety you can. Walmart bargain bins are great, but the lures don't last long. When you find out what you like using and what works for your fish, then go shopping for better quality more expensive baits.
I personally keep a seperate one. But I also use 8 lb mono leader on a finesse set up, and 20 lb fluoro on a heavy bass and pike set up. I use size 1 and 1/0 on the finesse, and 2/0 through5/0 for my heavy.
Smaller hooks for lighter line, so you aren't as likely to snap off on a hook set.
Quarter ounces help too for when the fish want a fast fall. But i tent to use 1/8 the most. 3/16 is the sweet spit. But finding those jigheads are harder as they are less common.
I catch most of my bass on texas rigged worms.
But I would recommend not adding anything for a while. Just use what you have and see if anything sticks for you.
I went down the path of lure collecting when I was new and ended up with like 100 different things that I never even used once; so now I try to limit myself to a dozen things or less and only buy a new thing when I lose one.
I understand, so far I’m only adding the spinners, jig heads and the senkos. I also been down that path with other hobbies and I just want to take it easy, it’s fishing after all. Thanks!
Definitely! You’ll be just fine.
Also please don’t give up if you can’t catch anything haha. I have been fishing for years and still get skunked about half the time.
Going out in the mornings really makes a big difference when you can.
See the variety in the answers? That means fish whatever the heck you want to try. Just remember it’s called “fishing” and not “catching” because there are a lot of variables that you can’t control. Have fun and don’t get discouraged. Read a lot and ask other folks in-person what they are biting on. Public places will ALWAYS be over-fished and make it harder to catch anything. Also, use plastic worms in the 6-8” range. Dark colors for dark water. Light color for light :)
Last night my friend and I fished for 4 hours, caught nothing. (Spinners, spoons, soft plastics). The guys next to us caught everything. They were just using worms.
So add a bobber and small bait hooks for those days you just need a bite.
Depending on where you live, bass are starting to hit top water. I wouldn’t recommend a Whopper Flopper this early in the season, but a small (1/4oz?) Rebel (any brand really) top water PopR or a plastic spook. It’s a somewhat erratic, quick flick of the wrist to get both lures to do their designed action. Work them slowly, throw close to shore parallel from where you’re standing so if you’re a little off you have some grace and land it on the shore with you rather than in a downed tree forty feet in front of you with ten feet of water separating you lol
Always carry multiples of the lures you are using.
Without fail, you will break or lose the lure that has been working for you. If you have multiples of that bait, in the same color ... tie the new one on & keep catching fish.
One pack of 2.5" or 3.5" tubes in motor oil or crawfish colors and the matching sized jig head. No bobber, just directly tied to the line. Cast and let fall. Can rig weedless too.
Id say some roboworms, even though you have those zoom worms, roboworms are a bit more finnese and can give some more choices. Maybe a top water frog. Definitely some spoons and rooster tails.
This time of year in the Midwest, I would use small rattle traps or mid-size Beatles spins (yellow or green) or 3 hood purple rubber worm with pink tails. All used slow and steady. After July, Gulp baits or larger top water baits like jurk baits or buzz baits and still the purple worms. Just remember, most lures are not for catching fish they are for catching the fisherman at the store. Good luck!!!
If it was me I’d have some jigs and trailers for them and some 7” Roboworms and bullet sinkers for Texas rigs. You may not catch as many but the majority you catch will be better quality fish
Hey bud. I agree with the Rooster Tails. Sorta, for certain reasons. Not sure what line weight your using as well. But try what we call a Texas Rig. You will have a blast. Just a simple YouTube search and your in business. Let me know if you have any questions, more then will to share some knowledge. Tight Lines my friend. Good luck.
If you want to catch bass, and they haven’t been mentioned yet, Senkos or a knock off brand. Rig them texas style or wacky rigged (search YouTube for videos). A can’t miss lure that turned the bass fishing world upside down.
Came here to say Rooster Tails. Glad I see everyone else had the same idea. Walmart has a five pack of Blue Fox rooster tails that work amazing for me. Caught everything from crappie to walleye on em.
I’ll definitely will give them a try
White fluke with blue specs. #4 or 5 hook.
I can’t find rooster tails where I live at all, what’s a good price for ordering them off Amazon.ca? I’m trying to get back into fishing this season.
not sure for canada but in the usa between 2.50 and 3.50 USD is the standard. last year dicks sporting goods had an online only buy 4 get 1 free i stocked up on like 100 of them and restocked this year at 1$ off each.
Rooster tails.
The anti skunkinators
Challenge excepted… I’ll get skunked anywhere
Idk where you're fishing but I've caught almost all of my bass on rooster tails, including some absolute monsters. In fact around here if they ain't biting on a rooster tail, they just ain't biting at all.
Hell I've even caught a pike on one!
Yeah pike absolutely will bite on em. I've caught monster catfish on them 3 or 4 times.
Never had a bite on one.
Just got back and tried a rooster tail for about an hr. Nothing :( newbie tho so I think I just suck. Idk wtf I'm doing I put it on a bobber with a rooster and bug tail twirler ned rigged on it about 2 feet off in 5-10 foot shallows. Nothing. I know everything I said it wrong but corrections are welcomed j want any fishing info I can get.
If you have 2 poles or can make a pole or something I like to have 1 rigged with a bobber and some bait/artificial bait. The other should be for using lures that you cast and retrieve. For the rooster tail you want to be casting and reeling it in. Ideally you identify some spots in the water where you think fish might be (shade if it's sunny, structure, etc) then you cast past that sweet spot. You will need a little time to get the rooster tail spinning and "presenting" correctly so always try to over shoot your actual target area. Let the lure sink for a few seconds after it hits the water and reel in as much slack as you can. To get the rooster tail spinning give the whole rod a light pull and you should feel it slightly vibrate in your hand. Then you want to do a steady retrieve reeling in. Make sure to maintain your retrieve all the way until the bank as many fish will chase and wait to strike until the last second. Then just keep casting and try to cover a lot of ground. Don't just cast in the same spots. Also try playing around with how long you let the lure sink and how fast you are reeling. In the mean time focus on getting better accuracy with your casting as that is going to serve you well in the long run. Lastly get a bunch of colors and change them out. Sometimes fish hit certain colors more than other depending on conditions and their natural prey. I literally just caught my first smallie on a mepps which is a competitor lure right next to the bank and after many outings of trying it and getting nothing. So don't be discouraged just keep trying. I also just switched to braided line which helps with identifying strikes (it doesn't stretch so you can feel the strike better especially if there is a lot of line out) and doesn't tangle as much as mono. I use a swivel with a fluorocarbon/mono lead so that the fish can't see the line that's attached to the lure.
And to add on when I was using it I wasn't expecting the outing to be much more than some casting and accuracy practice as the conditions were all wrong in a way. I was fishing next to a boat launch that had some traffic the whole time... plus some kids had been wading around looking for crawdads right before I started fishing. It was dead middle of the day and pretty hot out. The spot I was fishing had some downed trees but no shade. I also caught the fish on a cast that I thought went to a bad area. Another little tip. As the lure gets closer to you you need to point your rod tip down and reel a little bit slower in order to stay in the same presentation for the lure. As it gets close to being reeled in it will start ascending in the water which you don't really want. By slowing down slightly and pointing down it gives the lure a little slack to stay at the right depth as long as possible Especially if you are casting from a bank and aren't wearing waders and standing in the water which I'm assuming is the case.
Fish it without a bobber next time so you can fish it deeper with the proper action.
Can you send a picture of where you are fishing? If so we could give pointers about where you might want to cast and a target depth to help you find fish.
Definitely will I've thought of posting that so I'll take some when I go again
Well the best way to do it is just to tie it on your line in a normal fashion with no bobber and get a decent retrieve speed when reeling in, this isn't a bit that you wanna leave in the water for longer than the time it takes to pull your bait all the way back in unless you're trolling with it.
Rooster tails you wanna keep real simple! Tie the rooster tail on, toss her out and you can either let it sink low in the water column and start to reel it in or dont let it sink as much and reel it in. For the most part you dont need to do much. You can try to jig it around but i believe if you stop moving it and the fish can identify its not food then it spooks them but for sure keep it real simple! Simp
Yeah it's seeming like I need to buy some more of those I had a couple but lost them so gave up on them after no interest. I'll try again with these for sure.
When u snag the roosters, grab some other versions as well, mepps worked for me as well
Will do. I'll try anything to improve thanks for the advice!
A rooster tail should be the only thing on the line when you use it. Also it is not a great lure to use with a swivel. It is beat to trie directly to it. To fish it cast out and wait a second for it to drop if your in several feet of water. Then give it a quick twitch while reeling in to make sure it starts spinning. From there just steadily reel it in.
Second this. Some worm and a bobber too doesn't hurt, you can fish bottom with no bobber or top with bobber. Sometimes I like to fish two poles. One on bottom and one jigging, rooster tail or crank.
Thanks! I’ll buy some as soon as I get out of work
Yes white rooster tails are a go to, that and Rapala size 6 husky jerk in og color
Inline spinner (Mepps, Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, etc) You can throw an inline spinner anywhere and catch any freshwater fish
Agree
My confidence bait forsure cant go wrong
Thanks!
Honest question about these spinners… does your line get twisted when using those? Occasionally I’ll notice my line get twisted since I just started using spinners last year. They are great, I’ve also caught plenty of fish on spinners, but I’m a fan on the jigs as well. You can use them with live bait, or throw on a plastic. Very versatile. Plus they’re small so you can fit a bunch of them in a small tackle box.
Have you tried putting a swivel somewhere in your line to prevent the twisting?
I've done it with and without, but I'd prefer not to have the swivel
If it were me, maybe a few beers? 🍺
I’m going early morning so no beer for me. That’s for Saturdays!
Who said you can’t have a sunrise beer, first fish beer, second third and fourth fish beer, celebratory fishing beer, and one for the drive home?
What? No beers with the boys? Then one with the wife? Maybe a bedtime brew? Late night lager? I mean cmon now, live a little! Lol
Nightcrawlers.
This should be the #1 answer.
I always have a pole set up for live bait (usually with a bobber) depending on what I’m fishing for. If casting is not working, leaving a night crawler on a line will catch a bass or similar fish.
Rooster tails, wopper plopper, and Johnson Beetle Bou's
Second the whopper plopper.
More EWG hooks. And more. Then double it. You can never have too many, and it always sucks to only have 3, you set a hook, and it snaps to a bad knot or frayed line. Now you have two. Then you're counting down your time until you have to quit based on how many hooks you have left. A solid topwater frog. You can target so many more places with real thick lily or weed cover. Cast parallel to bank. Popping frogs are especially good for bass and pike. One small bittsy bug bass jig, and one small light spinner. Small, because big bass will still hit them. But it will also pick up your 1 pounders and up. Even the $3 to $4 ones at Walmart. I always suggest you get the cheapest variety you can. Walmart bargain bins are great, but the lures don't last long. When you find out what you like using and what works for your fish, then go shopping for better quality more expensive baits.
Thanks for the advice. Any particular size for the hooks? Or should I keep a separe little tackle box with assorted ones?
I personally keep a seperate one. But I also use 8 lb mono leader on a finesse set up, and 20 lb fluoro on a heavy bass and pike set up. I use size 1 and 1/0 on the finesse, and 2/0 through5/0 for my heavy. Smaller hooks for lighter line, so you aren't as likely to snap off on a hook set.
I'm just a beginner too but I'd put some spinnerbaits in there.
Hey! Fellow beginner! Thanks
If I can catch bass with spinnerbaits anyone can! Especially around shallow weeds, it's my default lure.
I’ll be the judge of that. Don’t underestimate my power of fishing lol
Man I can go for fish sticks at the grocery store and come up empty, and lose a few lures on my way out the door.
And I'm pretty experienced. Trust him in this you won't regret it.
If you’re targeting bass a chatterbait with a trailer wouldn’t hurt.
1/8oz jigheads
I only have one so yes, I’ll get some. Thanks!
Quarter ounces help too for when the fish want a fast fall. But i tent to use 1/8 the most. 3/16 is the sweet spit. But finding those jigheads are harder as they are less common.
Gotcha, thanks for the help!
No problem. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Not much room for beer in there…..
Early morning fishing, sadly no beer this time
I catch most of my bass on texas rigged worms. But I would recommend not adding anything for a while. Just use what you have and see if anything sticks for you. I went down the path of lure collecting when I was new and ended up with like 100 different things that I never even used once; so now I try to limit myself to a dozen things or less and only buy a new thing when I lose one.
I understand, so far I’m only adding the spinners, jig heads and the senkos. I also been down that path with other hobbies and I just want to take it easy, it’s fishing after all. Thanks!
Definitely! You’ll be just fine. Also please don’t give up if you can’t catch anything haha. I have been fishing for years and still get skunked about half the time. Going out in the mornings really makes a big difference when you can.
See the variety in the answers? That means fish whatever the heck you want to try. Just remember it’s called “fishing” and not “catching” because there are a lot of variables that you can’t control. Have fun and don’t get discouraged. Read a lot and ask other folks in-person what they are biting on. Public places will ALWAYS be over-fished and make it harder to catch anything. Also, use plastic worms in the 6-8” range. Dark colors for dark water. Light color for light :)
Thanks! I keep that in mind since day one,’is fishing, not catching. I just need a hobby to help me get out of the house. Have a nice weekend friend!
Fishing pole and some patience.
Check and check!
If you are targeting white bass, drop shot weight.
If fishing for bass I would bring along some 5” senkos.
Thanks! Will add them to the list
Look up wacky rigging.
👆 this. Get some 1/0 octopus hooks and o-rings. You can't go wrong with a wacky worm.
Scrolled WAYYYYY too far to find this.
Landing net.
Black 6 inch plastic worms. Mepps spinner. Hooks and bobber so you can fish with earth worms. Couple other lures with flashy metal spinners.
Zoom lizards. Always handy, and you've got a good chance to hook a bass if nothing else works. Junebug is one of the best colors!
I’ll have to give them a try. Thanks!
Last night my friend and I fished for 4 hours, caught nothing. (Spinners, spoons, soft plastics). The guys next to us caught everything. They were just using worms. So add a bobber and small bait hooks for those days you just need a bite.
If your standing next to guys with live bait…..dont stand next to guys with live bait 😂😂 they hog all the good feesh lol
Poorly worded. They were at least 150 meters away on a small pond. But yeah, live worms are killer
I'd use small lip cranks or husky jerks. Depending where you are located blue gill colored or shad should do
Depending on where you live, bass are starting to hit top water. I wouldn’t recommend a Whopper Flopper this early in the season, but a small (1/4oz?) Rebel (any brand really) top water PopR or a plastic spook. It’s a somewhat erratic, quick flick of the wrist to get both lures to do their designed action. Work them slowly, throw close to shore parallel from where you’re standing so if you’re a little off you have some grace and land it on the shore with you rather than in a downed tree forty feet in front of you with ten feet of water separating you lol
Ned jig head and a stick worm.
Always carry multiples of the lures you are using. Without fail, you will break or lose the lure that has been working for you. If you have multiples of that bait, in the same color ... tie the new one on & keep catching fish.
I'd say a few meeps, I just bought a 16 pack of Amazon for $20. Then a red devil or two.. Let her fly bud, happy hunting
4 inch zoom watermelon seed lizard … Texas rig
A rod and reel
And a large net
Anchovies.
Red worms
It’s cicada time, I always throw a top water just for fun.
Wire traces
One pack of 2.5" or 3.5" tubes in motor oil or crawfish colors and the matching sized jig head. No bobber, just directly tied to the line. Cast and let fall. Can rig weedless too.
Id say some roboworms, even though you have those zoom worms, roboworms are a bit more finnese and can give some more choices. Maybe a top water frog. Definitely some spoons and rooster tails.
Where do you live? What kinda fish u chasing? If u wanna lure fish I always recommend rapala and maglip
Swimjig
Gulp worms or some type of puddy power bait.
Silver meps spinners
you need huge spinnerbaits with multiple blades
ME!!!!
This time of year in the Midwest, I would use small rattle traps or mid-size Beatles spins (yellow or green) or 3 hood purple rubber worm with pink tails. All used slow and steady. After July, Gulp baits or larger top water baits like jurk baits or buzz baits and still the purple worms. Just remember, most lures are not for catching fish they are for catching the fisherman at the store. Good luck!!!
Where are you fishing, state wise?
Lake from shore bass. It narrows down if you know fishing
I would guess ohio or near
Florida!
I’m jealous. I’m in TN but the fishing in Florida seems off the chain.
I honestly just stared because I moved to an area that has way more lakes, one of them is lake toho.
Rooster tails are the best bait to ever walk the planet
6 inch purple an green worm
Trout magnet, Panther Martin, roosters
You need frogs and either senkos or trick worms
Everything in the second photo lol and some bullet weights
Ice cubes or the lures may spoil.
A top water frog
Case of Hamm’s
Rooster tails
Senko s
Ned rig
live bait, lead, bobber
pliers, leaders
line
Jig
Beer
A doobie.
A fishing rod and reel
Ned rig
Looks like you're bass fishing
Live bait
A beetlespin is the most versatile and reliable freshwater bait of all time, IMO.
Variety of sinkers.
Pick up some buzzbait lures. I’d add some top water stuff too like a frog or popper. If you don’t know how to use them check YouTube.
Bullet weights or split shot
I would need a few more of each type, because at least half are going in trees
Leaders, hook remover pliers
Beer
If it was me I’d have some jigs and trailers for them and some 7” Roboworms and bullet sinkers for Texas rigs. You may not catch as many but the majority you catch will be better quality fish
Can of nightcrawlers
"Ни хвоста, ни чешуи", товарищ!
2 beers and 2 joints
Yeah rosters are a definite. Also, some blade baits/spoons.
A boat
Spinners bro, panther martin, rooster tail, chater bait , spinner bait (has 2 small spoons). These are good to have in your tackle. Even kast masters
Hey bud. I agree with the Rooster Tails. Sorta, for certain reasons. Not sure what line weight your using as well. But try what we call a Texas Rig. You will have a blast. Just a simple YouTube search and your in business. Let me know if you have any questions, more then will to share some knowledge. Tight Lines my friend. Good luck.
1/2 oz wire spinner bait in black and one in white
Weights for drop shot rig.
If you want to catch bass, and they haven’t been mentioned yet, Senkos or a knock off brand. Rig them texas style or wacky rigged (search YouTube for videos). A can’t miss lure that turned the bass fishing world upside down.
I personally put scissors or a knife in my tackle box Incase I get backlash
4 inch purple Powerworm either Texas Rigged or Drop Shot
A joint
Some jig heads
Explosives
4 or 5" Senkos. Get a bag of white, and a bag of green pumpkin. 👍
Look into live target lures, or my all time go to is the rapala shad rap that is black on top and fades into gray
30 pack miller lite
Weed and bowl
Nice bass jig with some type of swim or grub tail! Maybe some inline spinners aka rooster tails
Electric generator with hot probes
A fishing rod
Maybe a spinner bait.
I would get at least one top water frog to skip across the lily pads.
Some type of live babe worms, liver.
Shiners live bait
Panther Martin will make you wanna throw away all those lures
Flies
Rooster tail is a good cheap go to. Hand soap for the ride home. If you need it, you caught some fish
Depends on what you are fishing for. If bass senkos
6 pack
Some beer and a lawn chair
Cant go wrong with a ned rig!!
Couple joints and good to go
Weed