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What techniques and lures do you recommend for a beginner?

Question:
What kinds of techniques and lures do you recommend for a beginner? I have bought alot of different lures and worms and have a baitcaster and spinning reel. (I'm still trying to master the baitcaster) I just recently acquired a boat and its opened up a big window of opportunity for me. I live in Pheonix AZ and fish mostly Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake, Saguaro, and occasionally Alamo Lake. This is the winter season and I know that bite is slow. I've only caught one largemouth this season. When the lake temperatures rise and the bass begin spawning, what do you recommend for a beginner to start out with?

-Tammy

Answer:
While I have not fished those lakes I am familiar with them and they fish similar to the Colorado river lakes(Mead, Mojave, Havasu), which I have fished. Clear water, deep canyon style resevoirs with mostly rock structure and some wood in the form of brush. Finesse techniques rule the west. First of all a Drop shot is by far and away in another class by itself for overall effectiveness and versatility in any season. 6-8lb. Flourcarbon with a finesse style worm and a drop shot weight from 1/8 to 3/16oz will cover most depths. Watermelon, green pumpkin are hard to beat. This technique works well anytime as long as you define the "depth" the fish are using. Its effectiveness can be from 1' to 100'...Literally! It can be done with a spinning rod or a baitcaster and my recommendation is NOT to over work it. This is a subtle technique that requires patience and that is about it. One of the most effective zones is that depth where you can no longer see the bottom easily. Fish the drop shot their around points, humps, rock slides, etc.

Hope that helps you out!

James Niggemeyer