Re: Intro & Beginner Advice Needed!
 

Thanks for input

I hit Turkey Swamp this weekend for an early evening session. Some Sunfish & Crappie and as it got later, a couple of catfish. Is it just me or is really hard to get the hook out of a catfish???? All on my old faithful of slim jim!!!

Tried a bunch of different plastics and spinners but no success - in fairness I was in pretty open water so not a lot of cover for bass....

Simon

Re: Intro & Beginner Advice Needed!
 

Yes, hard to get the hook out of cats. Very bony mouths with lots of cartilage. You should invest in a pair of long forceps. They're available at most places that sell fishing gear. Incredibly useful for swallowed hooks, catfish, etc..

Re: bass, you really won't catch them in open water. You'll catch them three feet offshore more often than you'll catch them in the open where there is no "structure".

Look for fallen trees along shorelines. Often bass hiding around them.