New here and need help

[mtngoat]

Howdy folks

I am new here and was wondering if I could get some advice on building a tackle box. I have not been fishing for 16 years and recently picked it back up, I'm in SC and want to know what I need to put in my tackle box.

Start with an empty box and go from there.

Thanks for all the help in advance

[Jim80]

hey mtngoat welcome to the nuthouse , in no real order any of these items will be good to start with .

1. soft plastics 4-7 inch worms , lizards , and craws
2.spinnerbaits and beetle spins
3.crankbaits
4.buzzbaits , top water frogs , and some poppers
5.assorted sinkers , and hooks 2/0,3/0,4/0,5/0
6.a pair of nail clippers and a pair of pliers
7.swivles if you plan on using a leader

a selection of the above could fill more than a few tackle boxes good luck man

[Bender]

Here is what I find myself using nearly every time I go out:
nail clippers to cut and trip the line
needle nose pliers for removing hooks
3/0 and 4/0 EWG hooks (I like red Owner or Gammy but they all work)
#1 or 1/0 circle or catch-n-release hooks for wacky rigs
1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 bullet weights (get the little assortment kit)
one good 3/8 or 1/2 oz spinnerbait (if they have them get a trailer hook too)
Rebel Pop-R
a bag of 5" stick worms in Green Pumpkin (Yamamoto, Tiki sticks, Yum, Nemesis, any really)
same thing in 4"
A Rapala X-Rap
A Manns Baby -1 crankbait
A Mepp's Aglia dressed trebble inline spinner #2 or 3
A Bandit 200 crankbait (not 100% needed, but good to have)

That is what I would start with, and get a 6'6" or 7' Medium or Medium Heavy spinning rod with a medium sized reel (2000 or 2500 size) with 12-14 pound monofilament line and you will be set to get back into it. I tried to make the list in order of importance. Also if you are fishing areas with pads or around anything on the surface you might want get some Zoom horny toads in white and some 5/0 hooks for them and go with the heavier rod. Take your time and have fun!

[Fishnngolfn]

Nice starting list there Bender. I have to tease you about your order of importance though. I think the first thing on the list should be the rod and reel and then the hooks.

I would first ask mtngoat, how you think you would like to fish? Do you like to cast out and retrieve (spinners, buzzzz's, etc.) or do you prefer to work worms or jigs?

I have found that I prefer working plastics around structure, so I started with very few hard baits, spinners, or buzzbaits. I bought several different assorted hooks (worm, offset, ewg, etc.) I then purchased a few worms and lizards and went from there. Now that I am branching out a bit more, I have started to purchase a few more hard baits.

[BigBassin144]

1. an empty tackle box. (hey, you said start there)
2. Definately some 7" plastic worms. Power Bait Power Worms are my personal favorite, and also Culprit.
3. Spinnerbait. 3/8 is a good all around weight. I'd get a white one and a chartreuse one. Blades depend on the water you're fishing. (the rounder the blades, the better for dirty water)
4. Some crankbaits. These are one of the things I use most often. Bandit cranks are one of my favorites along with Rapala. A bandit 100 is a must have.
5. Some type of topwater. Buzzaits, poppers, frogs, etc.
6. Can't believe you guys forgot this 'un: a Jig. again 3/8oz is good. Black and blue jigs and green pumpkin ones are my favorite. Don't forget the Zoom Ultravibe trailers. Black for the black and blue ones. Green pumpkin or charteuse trailer for the green jigs.
7. Weights, lead are great to start with. For basic fishing 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 should cover it. You may also want to get one or two 1/2 oz ones.
8. Hooks: Owner or Gamakatsu are my prefered hooks, but Mustad, Eagle Claw, VMC, etc are good and more economical. 2/0 are great for smaller worms and plastics, but I prefer 4/0 for the 7" worms. Also, like bender said, get some smaller hooks for finesse fishing. I love the Gamakatsu splitshot/dropshot hooks for nose hooking small worms and such.

That's about all I can think of.

As for rods, if you can use a baitcasting reel, do so. And remember: you get what you pay for. A 6'6" or 7" MH rod is a great all around rod. I'd pair it with a Revo S (or SX) reel or a Daiwa Advantage A reel. 12lb mono or 30lb braided line should be able to do most basic things. I'd stay away from fluoro as a beginner, as its a pain...

Hope this helps ya.

BB

[doc]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

As for rods, if you can use a baitcasting reel, do so. And remember: you get what you pay for.

Hope this helps ya.

BB

I bought and tried to use a baitcaster from Wal mart when I was a kid It was a Quantum, I dont know if it was me or the reel but it turned me off to baitcasters for many years. I finally broke down and bought a abu garcia ambassadeur (a better quality reel) 3 years ago. It was alot easier for me the 2nd time around on the better reel to get a feel for baitcasters.

Was a long way for me to say I agree with this, you get what you pay for.

[Jim80]

true that you get what you pay but there are some great reels out there that are cost affective the ambassaduer is one of them and the pinnacles are on that list as well i use both and have no complaints about either one

[Lancer6]

Ahem...
My esteemed colleagues have somehow neglected to mention the all-important FIRST step...Win the LOTTO!
Second step: Put the best divorce lawyer you can find on 24/7 standby.
Third: Forget this madness and take up raising Giant Otters for fur and flesh...in your bathtub.
Fourth: Take up the accordion; bagpipes, or one of these:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/210/5...1098d0.jpg?v=0
Fifth: Put the best bankruptcy lawyer you can find on 24/7 standby.
Sixth: Get used to sleeping with Rover.

[Bender]

Is that Zamfir's cousin, the "Master of the Nose Flute"?

[Lancer6]

Originally Posted by Bender

Is that Zamfir's cousin, the "Master of the Nose Flute"?

No, that's Buzz's cousin. They used to play duets until the Feds stepped in. Seems there wasn't just air in the flutes and there was more inflow than outflow.
Sad business.

L6

[bamabassman]

welcome friend. now the bait monkey has you in his grasp. and you are officially "hooked". it'll be ok though. welcome.

[Bmuskin]

One thing I do not see on the list is bug spray buy a case if you ever fish in Missouri ( the deer fly capitol of the world).
I quit carrying pliers and really like the hemostats or forceps. A small leatherman like knife with screwdrivers ect. A small LED style flashlight, are some of the tools. Check pawnshops, estate sales and the like and sometimes you can find a good headstart. I started using a gym bag and backpack with the 360 and 370 boxes as my tackle box. If I hike in to something remote I leave the gym bag and load up a fanny pack.

[woody]

Welcome to the wacky ward!!!
My advice, instead of buying alot of lures at first. I would focus on learning to fish the soft plastics first. These are very usesful as a go to bait. Once you have built up your confidence at fishing with soft plastics, you can expand from there. Rather than looking into a tackle box full of lures, and wondering which to use and how to sucessfully use it, I would decide which one to master first.

[zooker]

my advice buy a 20x20 shed cause you''ll need all that room for tackle plus room for a comfy couch. cause ifin the missus finds out how much you spend on tackle. you be needin it...


zooker

[jmartin]

For starters get a credit card with a min. of 5000.00 go to BPS or Cabelas and let the Bait Monkey be your guide. welcome aboard mate

[harrisjl]

Originally Posted by zooker

my advice buy a 20x20 shed cause you''ll need all that room for tackle plus room for a comfy couch. cause ifin the missus finds out how much you spend on tackle. you be needin it...

zooker

LOL Put a television and a cooler in there as well

I just started to get back into fishing as well.... after two trips to Walmart starting from scatch -

1 small tackle box, 1 large tackle box (the small one was too small)
Some Baitmate bass attractant spray (wondering whether I wasted money on this)
1 pack of #4 hooks
1 pack of #6 hooks
1 pack dipsey swivel sinkers
Assorted split shot sinkers
2 packs barrel sinkers (different sizes)
3 small bobbers

2 packs of swivels
1 pack red plastic beads
2 packs of bell sinkers
2 packs 1/0 worm hooks
1 Lizard kit (4 colors)
Several packs of finese worms
Several packs of various other worms and lizards

4 Rat-L-Traps chrome-bluebacks, gold-blackbacks (lipless crankbait)
3 spinnerbaits chartreuse-white, chartreuse-green, black
1 buzzbait chartreuse
several pop-rs
2 torpedos
1 zara spook
1 zara spook jr.
3 small packs of grubs (jig heads already set up)
4 small crappie lures

give or take a few items my small tackle box is not with me @ the moment.... I already had plyers, clippers etc. from my fly fishin' gear....

[Lilmoosecountry]

I think you need to fill your box with confidence baits. I have some spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits & Crankbaits. My confidence is as a Power Fishermen & as a finese fishermen. So these are my main area of focous. Swimbaits many sizes even California big swimbaits, Worms lots & lots of different types texas rig, Carolina rig & yes the dropshot. These are my strongest area's so this is what i throw 80% of the time. To do this you need know what bait gives you the most confidence. Are you fishing a heavy fishing preassured lake. Those type of questions are what you should ask yourself. These questions will help you determine your baits. As former tournament fishermen. My suggestion is ask your self these questions before you buy. Lures due catch fish. But a many of tackle boxes are littered with baits that are never used. Why because they caught the fishemen as well.

[bamabassman]

don't forget the cot and computor for your new addiction.

[cassidyta]

I recently moved around some stuff in my tackle box/bags. I needed to put together a backpack since I have been fishing some spots that I can only get to on foot.

This was the order of packing for me.

1) Extra pack of cigerettes and lighter.
2) At least 50 yards of line. I went with 12 lbs.
3) small spool of leader material.
4) Small screw driver set and a pair of needlenose.
5) Top water lures of preference
6) Jigs
7) Spinner bait
8) Crank Bait
9) Bag of flukes
10) Preference in plastics.
11) Hooks to match your plastics (Figure out how many you think you will need and increase by 50%)
12) Weights to match your plastics (same rule applies on number)
13) A pack of barrell swivels.
14) A pack of beads
15) Stringer
16) Sunscreen
17) Bug Spray

[Rodman_Rob]

I've caught 3 10 pounders this year. Here's my list

Lucky Craft Skeet Reese Medium Runner in a Chartruse Shad
3/0 Gamatusu (spelling) EWG (Extra Wide Gap)
Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw in Natural colors.
Dr. Juice's Superjuice
Power Pro Fishing line (20lbs for spinning reels, 50lbs for baitcasting reels)
Knife, pliers,

[Stinkies Daddy]

heres some solid advice, although these guys have given you a great start, join a bass club and see what guys in your area are using and buying, most club guys are eager to help out a newbe and you may even get invited on a trip in some 1's boat

[johnathan]

in most every lake ive fished in back home flukes work really well also, u in the upper or lower state?