Your first bass setup
One rod, one reel, one line and a handful of soft plastics. Where to start on the dams around Pietermaritzburg, and what you can leave for later.
· Rochester Tackle
The bass wall in the shop is big, and that can put people off. You don’t need most of it to start.
One rod
A medium spinning rod, around six and a half to seven feet. It throws light plastics and small lures, it forgives bad casts, and you’ll still use it after you’ve bought a baitcaster.
One reel
A spinning reel that balances the rod. Hold them together in the shop before you decide. A setup that feels heavy at the counter feels heavier at three in the afternoon.
One line
Braid for strength and feel, with a few metres of fluorocarbon as a leader where the fish can see it. Ask us for the knot.
A handful of plastics
Soft plastic worms and craws in a couple of natural colours, some hooks and a few light weights. That covers Texas rigs, wacky rigs and fishing weightless in the shallows. Ask what’s been catching on the dam you’re going to.
What can wait
Baitcasters, crankbaits in every depth, a boat. They’re all worth having eventually. None of them is why you’ll catch your first bass.
Come in with the name of the dam and a budget, and we’ll put it together.