Help for a beginner

Hello all, I am starting out in Bass Fishing, and am eager to learn about it. This weekend, we are having a school tournament at Lake Shabbona. Could any body offer some advice? It would be greatly appreciated and mean alot. thanks basskicker

bass resource watch the vids presented by gene, great info with no guff

i fished that lake last year for a high school tourney. i would toss almost everything you have. i caught fish on wacky worms shaky heads spinner baits and rattle traps just watch out for the muskies. we ended up catching more of them then bass during tournament day hahahaha

Hey What high school do you go to because me highschool hosted that tournment

Badgerbass gave you some great info! Like he said wind blown points, bluffs, rip rap, or even thick weedlines pretty much anything that will both concentrate bait and hold heat will in return hold bass. My personal favorite fall baits are jigs of all kind depending on structure and species of bass i am targeting (football head, flipping jig, skirt no skirt etc), jerkbaits are key especially if fish are in that 2-6ft range, rattle baits one of the best search baits around if you are finding fish on flats, points or sitting in the weeds just rip it past em and you will know if they are there and lastly deep cranks they flat out catch big fish!

Never fished that lake, but I'd probably throwing a suspending jerkbait, a spinnerbait if its windy, or a paddle tail swimbait. Fish are still shallow and catchable. Shakeyhead with a finesse worm or a chompers are also a good bet. Look for changes in the bottom like sand patches, rock patches, or small weed patches. Fish are feeding heavily for winter right now. Your better fishing isn't usually right away in the morning like summer time, its whenthe sun has had a chance to warm the fish a little later in the morning. Docks will also hold fish this time of the year.

If you're new to bass fishing you might want to change your handle to: Junior Assistant Basskicker In Training... Anyway, start on the intertnet and do some research. Try typing in "bass fishing techniques." Once you get some basic information, check out you tube for tutorials on the various lures and techniques. If you have a boat, make sure you have a good locator and trolling motor as those will help you a lot. Learn to master spinning gear before you try baitcasting. Go to a local bait shop and ask what lures and techniques work best in your area. That should be a good start.