Just thought I'd open a topic that would give everyone a chance to share a little about themselves. So here's the big question: "How did you get started bass fishing?"

For me personally, I started fishing saltwater when I was a kid. My dad used to take me out on his boat and taught me all about fishing in saltwater. When dad was busy at work and I wanted to go, I would go down to the docks at the harbor by my house and fish for whatever I could get to bite. I was "hooked" from the first time he took me out. I guess around the time I was in my early teens, my sister's boyfriend asked me if I had ever tried fishing in fresh water for bass. I had not, so he took me to a local pond and we gave it a try. I did not catch a bass, but I did get a big pickerel. A few weeks later, we took a family trip to PA and rented a summer house with a lake close by. My sister's boyfriend was with us on this vacation and he took me out fishing on the lake for bass. This time I caught one (about 3 lbs) using a little frog crankbait. The water was crystal clear and I saw the whole thing happen. When that largemouth opened his mouth and engulfed that tiny frog, it was all over. I never thought I'd like anything as much as I liked saltwater fishing... but there's just something about freshwater bass fishing that takes the cake!

Looking forwared to reading some stories from some other members...

Good Fishing!
Brendan

For me up untill last november i had fished here and there for catfish, bluegill and did some salt water fishing but just a few times i didnt have my own fishing gear . But last november i went down to a public park with a 10 acre lake here in Myrtle Beach . I was useing a zebco 33 with a fish eagle 2 rod with pumpkin seed with chart. tail .I caught a 4 pounder and that started my bass fishing quest .

Went back and couldnt catch a cold if i tried . So i knew there was something i was missing , so i started reading . I went to bass resource and read and read . I read about habits what they do during each season . wanted to know about spawning habits pre and post spawn . Went out and got me a baitcaster a garcia revo and a tackle box and went with salt impregnated plastics . And now my personal best LMB is 9.2 pounds . Since last november i have caught 300 + LMB I know this cause i have been stockin a few ponds with 3 to 5 bass per pond or lake to get a good line of bass .Alwayz with permission. Now i help and try to teach the kids where i live and give them something else to do besides play Games on tv . well thats my story and i'm stickin to it .

oops

Well my dad loves to fish and I was always there by his side. I remember one time in BoyScouts everyone was fishin this sweet pond but noone was catchin anything. My dad and me tied on the purple worms and went to work. The first Bass he hooked actually broke his line, then he caught a second one right after. I also hooked into one and we put um both on stringers. Turns out we were the only two in the camp to catch anything and EVERYBODY was coming over too look at our fish. Very awesome and I've always wanted to go back to that pond.

Seems like I got a lil lost in my teens but Im back out there fishin with my son now and enjoying life. Today is my B-day and I got an Abu Garcia revo black max with matching poll. Not the expensive one that I wanted but I love it. I belive MbBass recomended the Garcia and I wanted to say that thx for all the great info I get from u guys.

Good stories from both of you guys... Happy B-Day BT. I often think about places that I have fished and want to go back to. Most of the time it's the little back-woods ponds that seemed like I was the only person who knew about it.

That’s funny, like Brendan I started saltwater fishing first. When I was a kid I went saltwater fishing every weekend with my dad. I still have a love for the saltwater but have since added freshwater many years ago. It all started 21 years ago when a good friend of mine Moe asked if I wanted to go for Bass. I said sure never venturing in the fresh. My first bass was a unforgettable one. It was back in the day when I used to use live bait. It was night crawlers the first time. We tried a couple of spots from shore at Lake Ronkonkoma. Nothing happening. So we decided to try the back side of the lake between a bunch of trees. I casted out and bang a fish was on. The fish was jumping like a mad dog. I was so excited. Then I realized my line was over a tree branch way over the water. I reeled in trying to get the line off the branch with no success. Finally after all the pulling and stretching, the line broke and hanging from the tree was my first largemouth bass. It was like a two pounder and there was no way to get her down. Now 21 years later look at the pics I posted. I went back to the same area using a jig and got myself a over 6 lb slob and returned her safely to catch another day. After enjoying the new love for largies I am now addicted to small mouth bass thanks to Brendan. All my fish are catch and release in freshwater and I also only use artificial baits.

Same spot years later with better knowledge and fishing skills

http://www.bassinusa.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showgallery/Number/11467



P.S. Happy Birthday BT.

Nunz

Well I am going bassin tonight and going to use my new G. Loomis 7'11" swimbait rod with the presidential baitcaster on it.

Let you all know how I did tomorrow.

Nunz

I stared fishing with my Grandpa in the clear water streams of the Ozark Mountains. We caught a lot of bass and Goggleye mostly on River Runts, Jitterbugs or live minnows. These steams were so clear we drank from them and I would swim down next to rocks and observe bass and sunfish feeding. I learned a lot from those swims. Also learned not to reach into any dark holes, lots of cottonmouth snakes in those steams. Johnnie

That sounds like a awsome place Mr. Craine . There are some crystal clear ponds around me and i will just watch sometimes to see what i can learn as well . Man its so hot here . Oh well stay safe every1

Well, how did you do with the new rod?