{"id":3957,"date":"2023-09-02T21:58:33","date_gmt":"2023-09-02T21:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gofishingoutdoors.com\/?p=3957"},"modified":"2023-09-02T22:03:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-02T22:03:20","slug":"how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-bass-fishing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gofishingoutdoors.com\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-bass-fishing\/","title":{"rendered":"How much does it cost to start bass fishing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
One of the reasons I got into fishing originally was because it\u2019s one of the few sports or hobbies you can get into that doesn\u2019t cost money every time you go. But that doesn\u2019t mean getting bass fishing gear will be cheap.<\/span><\/p> Of course the cost of getting everything you need to get started can vary and depends on a lot of factors. But if you have about $300 to spend<\/strong> – you can get everything you would need to really start your fishing hobby. But if you only have $100, you can probably still skirt by. Or if you have $500, you can really have a good time.<\/span><\/p> So lets go through each cost you\u2019ll be incurring and where they vary or how you can save money in each.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t The most expensive piece of equipment you need to start fishing is a fishing rod. Thankfully a lot of different fishing rods are available for bass fishing, and most of the one\u2019s you\u2019ll find at any bait shop can work.<\/span><\/p> But in general for an all-purpose bass fishing rod you\u2019ll want to look for a few things. Length should be between 6 feet and 7 feet. The shorter, the more accuracy you\u2019ll have. The longer, the more distance you\u2019ll have. So pick what you care more about (or what fits in your vehicle), and find your length. 6\u2019 6\u201d is a good medium that I would suggest.<\/span><\/p> Since you\u2019re probably not looking to break the bank, a solid graphite construction is good to look for. The handle can be made of felt (cheaper) or cork. Felt is less comfortable in the hand, can get dirty or grimy easily when wet, and in sweaty palms it gets slick. I prefer cork which doesn\u2019t have those issues, but generally costs a bit more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Generally, the more eyelets (circles the fishing line goes through) the more sensitivity a rod will have. So more eyelets are better. But really what makes the difference between a $50 and $500 rod is upgraded materials, lightness, and increased sensitivity.<\/span><\/p> I\u2019m all for getting those things if you can afford it – but you don\u2019t need it to catch bass. So if you\u2019re looking for a good base model to start building around try out this<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s a steal for the price and will be a rod you\u2019ll keep for years to come even if you develop an entire arsenal of rods.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Which brings us to another point – do you need more than one rod? Most bass fisherman have multiple rods for the different kinds of fishing they\u2019ll do. Heavier rods for big baits, light rods for small ones, and all different lengths.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Do you need that to start out? Frankly, no. Just get a medium power rod that can handle most light and heavy lures, and get a good length that you prefer. You are going to find what feels right and what you want the more you fish. Don\u2019t buy a bunch of different rods right at the start, just to learn you want something else when you actually start fishing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Bare bottom price: $40<\/strong><\/p> Ideal beginner: $80<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t You\u2019ll also decide what type of fishing reel you want to buy before settling on your rod choice. This is because the type of reel has to match the type of rod you put it on. <\/span>If you\u2019re bass fishing, you\u2019ll want one of two different types of reels. A spinning reel or a baitcasting reel. Depending on which you get, make sure you get either a \u201cspinning\u201d or \u201ccasting\u201d rod to match.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Most beginner fishermen start with a spinning reel. They are easier to use and can work with a lot of different baits, species, and types of fishing. Baitcasters are something you\u2019ll grow into if you enjoy fishing and I highly recommend getting them eventually – but for beginning let\u2019s just look at spinning reels.<\/span><\/p> Spinning reels generally have a handle on the left side (to be reeled with your left hand, right hand on the pole) though you can get it the other way around if you prefer. Just remember you will be casting with whatever hand you don’t reel with. They also feature an open face where the fishing line goes. A bailiff covers it which you can click over to open the spool and let line out (so you can cast). And then click back over to hold it tight (once you’ve casted and you’re ready to reel).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t There are many different factors that play a role in what a spinning reel will cost. Size, brand, ball bearings, and other advanced technologies can all have a factor. But really, even the cheapest of spinning reels will work fine out of the box.<\/span><\/p> The Pflueger President<\/strong><\/a> is probably my favorite, and I even have it on a few rods of my own even though I am an advanced fisherman. It\u2019s just a great priced option that is smooth and reliable.<\/span><\/p> The keys to look for are at least 5 ball bearings and a size that feels comfortable in your hand. Most reels you can even test in stores, so imagine throwing and winding it and see how comfortable and smooth it feels to you. If it feels good, buy it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Just don\u2019t spend over $50 on a beginner reel. Sure, it will be nicer and reel more smoothly. But you\u2019ll be better off spending your money on new baits before going to $100 or more fishing reels. Particularly with spinning reels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Bare Bottom: $30<\/strong><\/p> What to look for: $40-50<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t You\u2019ve got a rod, you\u2019ve got a reel, last thing to do is put some line on it. And you really have a lot of options you can go with.<\/span><\/p> Generally, bass fishermen will use monofilament, fluorocarbon, or braided line. They all shine in different scenarios, and learn more about them here<\/strong><\/a>. But for a beginner fisherman, monofilament is in my opinion by far the best choice.<\/span><\/p> This is because it stretches and isn\u2019t as prone to knotting or looping. Stretching helps because you can fight fish easier without breaking your line. And less knotting means as you\u2019re learning to cast and reel, you won\u2019t get frustrated quite as easily. So it\u2019s just going to be your best bet to start with and you can upgrade later on.<\/span><\/p> Best of all, monofilament can be found pretty cheap. Trilene XL<\/strong><\/a> is always my recommendation and you can find it in most any store. It\u2019s been a standard for years and while it is not necessarily the best line out there, it\u2019s great for its price. Try either 8 or 10 lb test to start with and you\u2019ll have a line that can last all season.<\/span><\/p> Do know that most reels will hold about 100 to 150 yards of line, and most fishing line comes in spools of 300 yards. So you only need one spool and can outfit two rods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Base Price: $10<\/b><\/p> Max Price: $15<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t You\u2019ve got your rod all figured out, so now it\u2019s time to get into hooks, sinkers, and the other things that fishermen call terminal tackle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> This is where you can really be minimal or go crazy. If you read every type of bass fishing rig there is – you\u2019ll end up with over $100 of weights and hooks easily. Many types of terminal tackle exist for very specific uses which, as a beginner, you probably should refrain from until you\u2019re more advanced.<\/span><\/p> So what you need to just start is pretty simple. You probably just need two different types of weights, and one type of hook. There will certainly be certain techniques or baits you can\u2019t use with this setup, but you can still use 80% of them, which is a good place to start. Then you can grow into more specialty setups as you learn more.<\/span><\/p> First, get a pack of 3\/0 worm hooks<\/a>.<\/strong> These are long shank hooks that work well for a variety of soft plastics (or rubbery, fake imitations of things fish eat). You can use lizards, worms, senkos (a great beginner bait you can learn more about here<\/strong><\/a>) craws, or many other baits with this one hook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Hooks come in different sizes where the preceding number (3, in 3\/0) grows as the hook size grows. So, a 1\/0 is smaller than a 2\/0, on up to about 5\/0 usually. 3\/0 is a great medium, all-purpose size that can be used with most baits.<\/p> Also, you will find that there are EWG hooks and straight or offset hooks. The simple difference here is the width, or how the hook bends around to the tip. EWG stands for Extra Wide Gap, which gives more room for a soft plastic to breathe, and more room for a fish to chomp down. It’s why I recommend it for beginners.\u00a0<\/p> But you\u2019ll likely need a weight to go with this hook. Without weight, it\u2019s hard to actually cast a lure and it won\u2019t sink to the bottom of the water where the fish are. It will just float on top or sink very, painfully slowly. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t I recommend getting two types of weights to start with. A bullet weight and a split shot. Bullet weights<\/strong><\/a> are triangular or bullet-shaped and will move freely up and down a fishing line when placed in front of a hook. This means when you cast, the weight will lead the hook (and bait attached) down and where you want it to go.<\/span><\/p> A split shot<\/strong><\/a> is more ball shaped and can be clamped into place on your line so that it doesn\u2019t move freely. This allows the bait to stay behind your weight if you don\u2019t want it directly on the bottom and can be used in a variety of fishing applications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Good weight sizes for both would be \u215b ounce or \u00bc ounce if you are beginning. If you fish shallow water (under 5 feet) then try \u215b ounce. Deeper than that, go for \u00bc ounce. Or get a mix<\/strong><\/a> if you like, thankfully weights are one of the cheaper things to buy in fishing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Base Price: $10<\/b><\/p> Most you should spend: $15<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Some baits to put on your hooks is the next important step and the one area where you\u2019ll probably have to check your spending. There are hundreds of baits, made by hundreds of manufacturers, in all different sizes and colors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> But I\u2019ll tell you something everyone else won\u2019t – they\u2019re mostly all pretty similar. It\u2019s not like one bait will catch bass and another won\u2019t. And chances are not only one bait will work on your fishery. Multiple will if you fish them correctly.<\/span><\/p> So don\u2019t complicate this too much. Think about what types of baits you like and want to use and all the things that bass may eat. Try to get a small sampling of each, and just start with that.<\/span><\/p> To me, that means I\u2019m going to be getting the following. This encompasses a lot of different techniques, colors, and presentations in a small sample that won\u2019t break my budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> 1 pack of green pumpkin senko<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p> 1 pack of black\/blue ribbontail worm<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p> 1 pack alabama craw speed craw<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p> 1 squarebill crankbai<\/strong><\/a>t<\/strong> in baitfish color.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> 1 whopper plopper<\/strong><\/a> in loon color.<\/span><\/p>Rod<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Reel<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Fishing Line\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Terminal Tackle\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Baits<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t