Hi Guys,

I'm planing go fishing on lake temescal this sunday. I only have rod and reel. I know it won't work to fish only have rod and reel. So I want some of really nice person to help me for free to buy other equitment, because I'm not sure what I want to buy.. to many chooses, of course I will pay for the equit. My goal is to catch Trout and Bass.

Not only that.. I need someone to help me to teach me how to set up the spool, weight, hook.. and ect.. I really have no idea about fishing.. So please.. someone help me..

I bought book Fishing for dummies.. it is a good book, but it's easier for me to learn by looking at how usually people to set them up.

So, If you think you are a nice person and willing to help me with it, we can met on sunday, and I will bring you lunch.

Btw The following week I will go camping and near by water.. , and I want to go fishing there.. so I want to practice on lake Temescal this sudany.

Get a spinning rod for 6-10 pound line and learn how to drop shot. You can do a search and see how to tie the knots and how to rig it. that will catch you some bass I would think. Get some plastic worms like Roboworm. (they should have them at WalMart or SportMart) AArons Magic color is a good bet to catch fish almost anywhere. You should be able to figure it out very easily .

Where you from?? I can help you on that matter.. info in fishing is always free, Bass if you are a catch and release I'll even show you my spots, trout, They are having a Family day in San Pablo this saturday they will stock 2000lbs of trout on the main rec,,,

Your best bet is to find a local, independent tackle store in your area. They can show you what's available and how to rig it for how you want to fish, and they know what's right for your area. They are in the buisness to help get you fishing and should ba a valuable asset for you. I'm not familiar with your area but maybe someone on the boards is and can give you advise on where to go.

Sorry, I can't make it out but I can give advice.

1. Focus. If you are spending a day fishing, clearly decide what you are pursuing, trout or bass. The tackle required for each fish is quite different although there can be a little over lap.

2. Rod/Reel. Line? You want to fish for both trout and bass? You can get away with using 6-8 lb test. The heavier line is better suited for bass. You will need it for firm hooksets and the possible "hawg". Trout spook easily so use a light leader (2lb test) for your baits. Don't buy cheapy line. This site sums it up well. You will get nothing but upset. There are a few philosophies in selecting line...clear or green. I really don't have a preference but some people claim that clear line works like fiber optic cable conducting light into the water. Personally, I have not had problems with either.

2. Trout. If you are planning on fishing for trout, you will need to fish early or deep especially since the water is warming up. Temescal is a small impoundment that receives a few plants a year. Trouting that lake is limited. The fish size will be small and quite possibly non-existent this time of year. Also, I'm not sure if they cleaned up the contamination, so you may not want to keep any of your fish.
San Pablo is a better option. With deeper, cooler water and planting throughout the summer, you stand a good chance at getting into some fish. One draw back is the pressure...lots of people love fishing this lake.

Another option is Lafayette Reservoir...although it too is coming to the end of it's trout season. They have stopped planting trout because the temperature is getting too warm. (Rainbows typically like water below 70 degrees) But they do plant bass and catfish in the Summer months.

For the basic bait set up, look at http://www.yapplefishing.com/index.htm. It's a decent site for an introduction into bait fishing for trout including gear, rigging, and other tackle needs. If you are lure fishing, I like Thomas Buoyants especially the perch finish. At Lafayette Reservoir, there is a stable population of yellow perch. I'm not sure how or who brought them there illegally, but needless to say they have adapted to the Res and the small fry are like trout candy. My personal best (8lb 2oz) was caught off the docks fishing this lure. The other standby lure is 1/4oz gold kastmaster with yellow reflector tape. Kastmasters are great because you can cast these things in the wind for great distances. The buoyant does not fair so well on windy days.

3. Bass. It's been a strange season. With all the rain, the water got really stained. Usually, bass fishing is easiest in the spring (my personal experience) especially from shore. Shallow fish cruise looking for beds to nest and they are hungry. Post spawn fish can be a little more tricky. I have always like finesse for bass i.e. dropshotting or splitshotting small 4-inch plastic worms. But I got my start fishing bass with a simple night crawler flylined without weight. I used #1 mustad worm hooks. The key is to run the hook through the nose of the worm about 1/4-inch and then come through the side of the body. Reimbed the hook into the body of the worm so that it lays flat and straight. Do not "gobb" the worm up. A flylined crawler is not the easiest thing to cast nor is it a fast fishing method. It's slow and methodical but effective. One downside is that you will catch a lot of "dinks" and sometimes the hook is swallowed. But crawlers are universal baits catching bass, trout, panfish, catfish...I have caught all of these fish using a crawler fished in this method.

4. OK, That's a lot of words. Really, someone offered great advice by going to your local tackle dealer. If you fish Temescal, I assume that you live in the East Bay somewhere. Two stores that come to mind in your area are Discount Bay Tackle in El Cerrito and Outdoor Pro Shop in Oakland. These people are knowledgable and will help you get started. Just don't let them talk you into buying too much gear...it is after all there business to sell.

I can answer more questions by email if you have them.

Good Luck, Klutch

What rod and reel do you have? Please include as much info as possible to give us a starting point.
Tight lines,
Wade