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Hey everybody. I'm completely new to bass fishing. I just started fishing two years ago and I'm trying to focus on learning one thing at a time. The first year was ice fishing, last year was trout, now I'm looking for bass. From what I gather Jordanelle is probably the best place that's close to Provo. Unfortunately I can't travel much due to money. Lucky for me I am within walking distance of Salem Pond. I know there are bass in there though I don't know to what extent. What's a good way to go about this as a first timer? I know how to rig a drop shot, carolina, and texas rig but don't really know when to use what. Also, I don't have a boat. We're talking 100% shore fishing, not a too big a deal at a place like Salem Pond. Anyway, any tips on how to get started? Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, plastics? What rig? I'm totally clueless. Thanks for all your patience with those of us who are new to the sport. It helps a ton.
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If I was you I would focus on soft plastics (texas rigged) weighted and unweighted by far the most versitile can fish top to bottom any depth endless variety and colors pick a few and have fun.
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That's kind of what I figured. Is it just like anything else? Throw it out there and try different colors and sizes and retrieves until you get something? I really appreciate the help. Any success on a drop shot? That seems the most appealing to me but like I said, I have no clue. Thanks again!
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You can have great success with a dropshot from shore. Don't be afraid to still fish a dropshot, just twitch the line at random intervals to give the plastic a little action. A spinnerbait is also a good choice from shore. You can fish them throughout the water column also, bonce them along the bottom. For soft plastics, greens and browns are generally your best bet. Try pro-cure scents on your lures.
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Live near salem pond too. And i recomend that you don't give up on bass fishing if you're not too successful there. There's alot of bass in there but there's also a ton a pressure from the shore. Try things that they won't see too often like fishing cranks faster that normal, or fishing things alot slower than normal.
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Thanks for the replies! I hope to head out this evening or tomorrow morning and give it a shot. From what I've been reading it sounds like it's still a little early in the year to really get into it but I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again for all the tips!
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A 4" texas rigged unweighted senko type bait is perfect for Salem Pond. Use a 1/0 hook to get the right flutter and its all good.
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Well I finally did hit Salem Pond this evening. I fished over on the end away from the park. There's some sort of old dock or retaining wall or something and I fished around there and all around that end of the pond. I did get several bites and saw several bluegill or sunfish, not sure which, follow my worm all the way in. I'm not sure if the bites were bass or panfish or what. Didn't catch anything but it was a beautiful day and I had a lot of fun. I just can't imagine that there are that many bass in there. For those of you who have fished there, is that a good area to focus on? Also, how do you get decent casting distance without a weight? My bites today were on a 4" Senko but I had a bullet weight pinned to the head as well. I used watermelon and pumpkin worms. Thanks again for all your help. I'm excited to get back out there!
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Lighter line and a longer rod will get you more casting distance. I wouldn't go any lighter than 6lb. Bass love to wrap you up in any cover in the lake. Hard to pull a bass out of cover with lighter line than 6lb. I personally use 10lb. with a larger spinning reel to handle the heavier line. A 6' 6'' rod and I can get plenty of distance on a weightless senko.
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Another thing you may want to do is go up to Deer Creek in June and July and fish along the rocks near the highway. You won't probably get very many hogs, but you will get lots of bites and little smallies. More importantly, you will learn how it feels when bass hit and how to present the lure you are learning to use, while having some success at the same time.
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Its all about the grass in the "pond". I prefer to fish the senko wacky rigged in grass, but either way will work. Its still a little early, but they will get up next to the highway and spawn in about 3 weeks. Then you will see how many greenies are in that place. Dont forget about the little pond north of the highway. Nothing beats a live crawler at the pond. The best spots need to be fished by boat.
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If you are living in Provo then you have a few options.
1. The first and most obvious would be Utah Lake. You can catch Largemouth Bass in the harbors and around the Airport Dike. The bass are tight against the structure so you will need to be throwing "weedless" baits that move a lot of water. I have found that "teaxs-rigged" plastics have worked the best there. Greens & Browns.
2. Deer Creek Reservoir is "packed" with both species of Bass! Bank fishing on the west-side can produce some monsters but you have to hike in or bike in. Anywhere there is a steep ledge close to the bank can produce some monsters! 4" senkos, rapalas and 3.5" twisty-tail grubs seem to be the staple out there.
3. Jordanelle is a little too far out of the way but if you do go, find someone with a boat and pay their gas. they will take you there and you can whack the fish using textbook tactics!
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what time r u fishing? time and sunlight/heat have alot to do with what u should be fishing and where. early in the morning when its around 40- 50 u might want to try spinners or crank baits around deep strucker but when it wrms up they will start to move into shallow water and get ready to spawn. i dont know where Salem pond is but sounds like a place i should try. u need to get a tub as well. it well help u get to strucker u cant get to. why cant u get to jordenlle? try utah lake i will be soon in a few weeks. when i go ill let u know and u can meet me and ill show u a few tricks.
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