Well, here is the first draft of the list.  Please feel free to comment or make suggestions on the contents.  Don't worry about the structure as I brought this in from "word" and that does some strange things to it.  I hope to place this in the handbook so that New Guys can go out and buy the basics to get started.

Thanks, Rich

                                 SO YOU WANT TO FISH FOR BASS.

Thanks to the members of Western Bass Club, we have put together this checklist for getting started.  (Warning:  This will by no means be the end to your purchases.)

Basic Terminal Gear:
     Hooks:  The main hooks used for bass fishing are worm hooks.  The main sizes
                   are 2/0, 3/0 and 5/0.  Also, you will need some size 1 dropshot hooks.
     Weights:  These are a preference and situation item.  Therefore you will need
                several sizes and types such as bullet weights (for Carolina and Texas
                 rigging), split shots and drop shot weights.
     
     Swivels:   Very small barrel swivels for Carolina and Texas rigging.  (These will
                help eliminate line twist).

Basic Baits:
     4 inch to 6 inch Plastic Baits:  These would include Senkos, Zoom Worms, Brush Hawgs
                  Lizards, grubs, etc.  These should be in natural colors, ie greens,
                   browns and blacks. (Suggestion:  Check out Bass Pro Shops
                               bait kits.  These are usually pretty generic but are in the ball
                               park and will give you several choices of baits).
     
     Crank Baits:   Chrome, gold, orange and other natural colors are good choices.

     Spinner Baits:  Whites, chartreuses and blacks are good color choices.

Rods and Reels:
2 spinning setups and 2 baitcasting setups:  (suggestion:  Look at Bass Pro Shops 
combinations):  Two suggestions from members are:
           1.  Bionic Blade Rod, 7’M, with the Shimano Sedona 2000 spinning reels.
2.  Tourney Special Rods, 6’6”M & 7’M, with Tourney Special round     baitcast reels.

Tackle Box:
You will need a box with plenty of compartments for worms, plugs, spinner baits  and terminal  gear.  (Suggestion:  Bass Pro Shops soft tackle totes with trays).


This list will get you started.  As you fish, especially with our members, you will learn and develop your own techniques and specialties.  From there you can refine your choices of tackle and equipment. By that time you should have a good idea what to buy and what not to buy.  GOOD LUCK and "Rip some Lips"

Rich,

Don't forget the Viagra for the elbows.
Russ

Ahem........."The Western Bass Club" is not sponsored by, nor requests sponsorship by the aforementioned "Viagra" and any/all subsidiaries therein.......just in case....... he he he he he......

Hi Rich,

I think your summary is a great start, but as read from the perspective of someone that knows nothing about bass fishing (I feel WELL QUALIFIED to have that perspective, by the way  ), I came up with these comments/questions:

- Worm Hooks... I went to the store the other day and found several different types of "worm hooks", which ones are you talking about?

- What are Carolina and Texas rigs? I speak from experience here. My dad and I were scratching our heads about this the first time we bought a pack of power worms and the back of the bag said, "Texas Rig them".

- I would be careful about suggesting certain brands of bait. It might be better to just suggest general classes of bait (lizards, crawdads, etc). The reason I say this is because if someone goes into a tackle store and doesn't see the brand of bait you mention (i.e. Zoom), they may be even more confused about what to buy.

- If possible, a picture next to each type of terminal tackle or bait would be awesome. Maybe fellow club members can bring these things to a meeting, and we can take digital pics. I would be happy to help with this, just let me know.

It's always easy to make suggestions on what someone writes, but always harder to actually go about writing something. Thanks for putting that together! I hope my comments help a little bit.

Chris

Chris,  you best get busy writing this #$^%$@ thing yourself.

Just kidding.  This is just the type of comments that I like.  And as you said this is for NG's and may need some further explanations.  I was trying to keep it real simple (thought maybe some of Larry's family might read it,  course then the pictures would help a lot)

As you said it is tuff to just start writing something but this is the first draft and won't be the last.  Everyone please keep the suggestions or comments coming.  Especially if you think of something that would have helped you when you were just beginning.  (Larry, did they have Senkos chiseled out of stone?)

Rich

Rich

I am in possession of a new member handbook from a few years ago, is this still being used?

It contains a well written article by Don Wirth called
"Back to BASICS"  If you do not have access to this handbook I will gladly get this one to you.  It could be helpful.

BillB

Hey all,
Rich sent me a Word doc of this, which contains pics and revisions. He asked me to post it for y'all.

http://www.westernbassclub.com/Equipment1.doc

Please send your comments to Rich.

Looks good, Rich!!! But you ain't gonna keep my mouth shut! 

On the pictures, speaking from newsletter experience, make sure you have the best clarity possible, and if you can do it, switch them over from color to black and white. It was always depressing putting the newsletter together and seeing nice, clear pictures go to fuzzy, hard-to-see pictures. You may also want to up the size of the pictures a bit.

Smitty - people making old-age jokes about Larry doesn't make you a spring chicken!  I upped the font size here so you didn't have to put on your "other" reading glasses.

Thanks, Rich!
Chris