>>2274994Absolutely take Skid's advice here but I implore you to spend the extra money and start with braid as your mainline over mono. It is more limp and doesn't have memory so issues with line won't be off-putting to a newbie where fluorocarbon would make you rip your hair out and mono falls in between. With your braided mainline take time to learn how to tie a mono leader. You can start with a uni to uni connection knot, but challenge yourself to tie an FG knot.
A 6-8lb mono leader will serve you well until you're ready to upgrade to a copoly or fluoro leader, but don't worry about the when since you'll know you're ready when you're ready.
As for the lures for shits and giggles go out of your way to get 5" Senkos and 4" finesse worms. The Senkos can be wacky rigged and the finesse worms can be drop shotted. These 2 presentations are the most simplistic and effective ways to catch large and smallmouth bass.
