Help a noob outfit a tackle box?

[Spoonminnow]

With all that in mind, anyone wanna give me some pointers on bait types & sizes? I see a gojillion plastic baits- all the jig styles, worms, craws, bugs, minnows, etc., but no idea where to start. I'd imagine jig heads in sizes from 1/64oz up to 1/8 or 1/4oz need to be stocked & I can guess at colors,

KISS! though I'm not calling you stupid by any means. I'll address the words in bold.
If you want to exclude fishing for panfish, use larger lures: examples
spinnerbaits and skirted weedless jigs with action trailers, 3/8 oz or larger; large silver or black blades
large crankbaits - shallow and deep dive
large swimbaits on 1/8 oz jigs

Smaller jigs catch most fish in all sizes and species. The variety of soft plastics that catch all fish is enormous. (search my posts regarding soft plastics). Find a few colors in each type of soft plastic and worry no more about color selection. Remember one thing: color and color brightness give a lure its shape and emphasize its action.
Note: I make clear soft plastic lures and do as well as colored ones. Clear hard plastic lures also do well with or without rattles.

Don't fall for sale's pitches. Find fish - #1/catch fish on a huge variety of lures that strike your fancy. Fish are wild, dumb bullies, like all predators, but hyper-sensitive creatures that think not-at-all when it comes to striking moving objects not of their world. (It would be like you or me biting an alien - one from outer space, of course.)

Lures, in general, are unnatural in all respects but get under their scales in a flash - hunger having nothing to do with it generally speaking. Humans eat things they're not supposed to -why not fish attacking something no fish in its right mind would put in its mouth?!But wait, fish don't have minds capable of thinking which makes lure selection so easy.

There are just too many words of wisdom when it comes to tackle and boating. Common sense is basically experience based - the more you try, the more you discover. What you will discover is that keeping it simple catches fish.

Good luck.

[CrazyCarl]

Thanks, fellas. I do truly appreciate it. I'm hoping the fish finder will at least rule out the variable of whether or not the fishies are even home & save me the time & aggravation of throwing baits at empty water.

Last go round, I basically bought 4 of every type of lure/bait, one each in a natural-ish color & another in a "flash" color like chart or pink & then both of those in both a small, crappie/panfish size & a bit larger size for bass/walleye/what have you. Of the handful of fish I caught that summer- one eater sized crappie & one eater sized channel cat fell to 1/8oz jigs & the 15" or so drum decided it wanted to eat the 2 1/2" chrome Rat-L-Trap that I was hoping to find some whites with.

I fished a little as a kid, but was limited to fishing my grandparent's .nasty cow ponds for stunted bullheads or occasionally a neighbor's pond for stunted bluegill. Opportunities for "real" fishing were basically nonexistent & I've only ever caught fish on bait (worms, crickets, minnows, chicken liver, etc.) under a bobber, a few with crappie-type jigs & that goofy drum. Otherwise, every single rooster tail, crankbait, spinner, beetlespin, popper, etc. that I've thrown was a complete waste of time & money. Just trying to avoid that this time around.

[Ketchn]

a handful of pinch on pencil floats from Comal , find them at Walmart
some tiny jigs , some medium jigs and some larger jigs .....
sashy shads for the striped fish , soft small plastics for the lesser size fish ....
i like bright colors most of the time as do the fish most of the time ....
charts , oranges , white and etc.
a handful of natural stuff in the mix too ....
a bottle of Berkley crappie nibbles in Glo white
pm me and I will cover all the panfish plastics you need ...
send me a spot to deliver them with some jigheads too ....
no worries we got this

[canebreaker]

Find some auction houses in your area. Never know what a vendor will have. Know the prices of items before bidding/buying. I've got some great deals at the ones in north MS. Some have facebook groups and post photos of items that will be at the auction.
Watch walmarts. They will change their line of tackle. Place items in totes in the sporting goods area sometimes. Dig thru to find what you want at good savings.
ebay and amazon are good for bulk items.

[Rojo]

I'm just getting freed up Carl and will packing you some of the stuff I inherited in the next couple of days. Been whirlwind busy around here.

[CrazyCarl]

Y'all are much too kind & generous. I can not tell you how much it is appreciated.

[gabowman]

Lots of great information. Welcome to the boards.

[Spoonminnow]

Fishing checklist:

Boating:
1. anchor heavy enough to hold position; enough rope for the deepest water fished
2. battery charged for trolling motor and sonar
3. if using a motor, check gas level
4. BOAT PLUG IN PLACE!!!!
5. tow vehicle gas, license and reg.

Tackle:
1. file to sharpen hooks, pilars to pull out hooks
2. sharp scissors to cut line
3. lures - soft and hard matched to presentation(s)
4. jigs of the right weigt and hooks of the right size
5. rod(s) of the right length and action
6. bird nest pick
7. ruler to measure fish; fish scale to measure weight.
8. jaw grapper for monster fish and those with sharp teeth

Personal:
1. sunscreen SPF 30-50 (use it even if tan)
2. hat and sunglasses
3. New Skin for inevitable cuts
4. cell phone in case of trouble
5. digital camera to record catches and unusual stuff you'll forget about in a year; good memories and fishing buddies
6. bug spray and fly swatter (damn horse flies and mosquitoes)
7. piss can when too many boats are around
8. note book and pen or pencil to record what you forgot to bring or other useful stuff
9. wallet: fishing license, money, boat reg., etc.
10. life vest(s)
11. rain gear if forecast calls for it
12. rag to wipe off fish slime
13. binoculars (you never know when you'll need them)
14. if fishing alone I bring along my SanDisk mp3 music player. It keeps me focused.