We've all been there. Fishing on a budget is hard if you don't know how to shop wisely. I can tell you how to get basic fishing equipment that you need to catch bass consistently for around 100 bucks.
Rod and reel
A basic spinning rod and reel combo can go for 40-60 dollars (60-80 dollars for a baitcasting combo). It sounds cheap but if you're on a budget, it's what you can afford. Sometimes the inexpensive combos can be just as good as a 100-dollar rod and reel, you just got to shop wise. Don't buy something that's going to break when you first cast it, but rather go for what I like to call, "Cheap but functional equipment" go for inexpensive quality Combos.
A Few Good Lures
All you need are just a few good lures. Don't go for the fancy lures that cost as much as a house, but rather for just a basic assortment of lures. Again I say, "Cheap but functional equipment." All you need to spend on a basic variety of lures is 20-30 dollars.
Here are the basic lures that every fisherman needs.
Spinnerbaits - A spinnerbait is one of the most productive lure there is. Spinnerbaits run from about 2-4 dollars. Buy a few of these in different colors. Don't spend allot!
Worms - Plastic worms are another great lure. You can get worms from 2-4 dollars. Buy a few packs of worms in different colors like watermelon seed, grape, and black.
Crankbaits - Crankbaits come in a variety of colors and shapes that can sometimes intimidate anglers. So just stick with colors that imitate shad, like purple/silver, white, chartreuse, and there's even a color called shad. Buy a few of these and your set on crankbaits.
Topwaters - Now when I say topwaters I mean poppers. The color is not that important, but it helps to stick with the natural colors like a green or gray. Buy a few of these in different sizes.
Jigs - Jig-n-pig is great for bass in heavy cover. A jig imitates a crawfish so your color selection should be the natural colors of a crawfish. Colors like brown, camo, white, and black/blue. Your trailer should match the color of the jig your fishing.
Terminal Tackle
Hooks, sinkers, swivels and line are terminal tackle.
Hooks - A good assortment of hooks is very important to an angler. Hook size #2-4/0 sproat is perfect for Texas- and Carolina-rigged worms.
Sinkers - Sinkers come in lots of different styles and sizes. Sliding bullet weights are what you need to fish Texas and Carolina rigs. Buy one pack each of 1/8-ounce, ¼-ounce, and 1/2-ounce weights.
Swivels - Swivels are not that complicated. Swivels are what you need for a Carolina rig. Buy a pack of swivels and your good for a while.
Line - Line is what connects you to the fish so it is very important to have good line. 8 pound mono is perfect for good size bass, but if you are fishing with heavy cover try 12 pound test.
Tackle Box
Every angler needs a good tackle box. A small tackle box for what I suggested in this article is what you need; they can run from 3-10 dollars.
Rod and reel
A basic spinning rod and reel combo can go for 40-60 dollars (60-80 dollars for a baitcasting combo). It sounds cheap but if you're on a budget, it's what you can afford. Sometimes the inexpensive combos can be just as good as a 100-dollar rod and reel, you just got to shop wise. Don't buy something that's going to break when you first cast it, but rather go for what I like to call, "Cheap but functional equipment" go for inexpensive quality Combos.
A Few Good Lures
All you need are just a few good lures. Don't go for the fancy lures that cost as much as a house, but rather for just a basic assortment of lures. Again I say, "Cheap but functional equipment." All you need to spend on a basic variety of lures is 20-30 dollars.
Here are the basic lures that every fisherman needs.
Spinnerbaits - A spinnerbait is one of the most productive lure there is. Spinnerbaits run from about 2-4 dollars. Buy a few of these in different colors. Don't spend allot!
Worms - Plastic worms are another great lure. You can get worms from 2-4 dollars. Buy a few packs of worms in different colors like watermelon seed, grape, and black.
Crankbaits - Crankbaits come in a variety of colors and shapes that can sometimes intimidate anglers. So just stick with colors that imitate shad, like purple/silver, white, chartreuse, and there's even a color called shad. Buy a few of these and your set on crankbaits.
Topwaters - Now when I say topwaters I mean poppers. The color is not that important, but it helps to stick with the natural colors like a green or gray. Buy a few of these in different sizes.
Jigs - Jig-n-pig is great for bass in heavy cover. A jig imitates a crawfish so your color selection should be the natural colors of a crawfish. Colors like brown, camo, white, and black/blue. Your trailer should match the color of the jig your fishing.
Terminal Tackle
Hooks, sinkers, swivels and line are terminal tackle.
Hooks - A good assortment of hooks is very important to an angler. Hook size #2-4/0 sproat is perfect for Texas- and Carolina-rigged worms.
Sinkers - Sinkers come in lots of different styles and sizes. Sliding bullet weights are what you need to fish Texas and Carolina rigs. Buy one pack each of 1/8-ounce, ¼-ounce, and 1/2-ounce weights.
Swivels - Swivels are not that complicated. Swivels are what you need for a Carolina rig. Buy a pack of swivels and your good for a while.
Line - Line is what connects you to the fish so it is very important to have good line. 8 pound mono is perfect for good size bass, but if you are fishing with heavy cover try 12 pound test.
Tackle Box
Every angler needs a good tackle box. A small tackle box for what I suggested in this article is what you need; they can run from 3-10 dollars.