Newbie fisherman question

What species will you be targeting? Better yet, where u goin?

Have you considered snagging?

For a beginner I'd say you can't go wrong w a minnow under a bobber . Ask the guy at the local bait shop for specifics they're usually friendly and helpful.

Re: snagging - they're playing with you, but it's an old steelhead/salmon method and it works!

For pike try some Daredevils, (red & white), or Williams and/or Pixie spoons early in the morning as sun comes up or later in the evening (about 4:30 on) after wind dies down - cast out, let sink a few seconds - start your retrieve - crank about 5 times - jerk your rod to give erratic motion - crank about 5 more turns, repeat proceess - works for bass too.

For bass try Big O, flatfish, 3" Gulp, or tube jigs. Minnows (sucker real good), crawdads, helgramites are all excellent baits! Good luck - Tight lines!

at this time of year the fish have moved to deeper water, especially in water without weeds.  so you should fish on or near the bottom.  also the fish are not necessarily in the deepest part of the lake, so look for specific structure that may attract a fish.  look for drop offs, humps, points, rock piles, weeds, change in bottom type (like from rock to mud), etc.  the most versitile presentations for deeper water is a jig.  you can tip the jig with a minnow, crawler, plastic, pork rind, hair jig, anything.  use different retrieves until you find what is effective.
 
the best thing is to get on the water and experiment.  the more time you put in the better fisherman you become.  conditions change. fish mood change, weather change, these all affect how fish react, so you have to change with them.  experience is the best teacher and the only way to get that is to fish.

inland lakes are 30ft or less this is simple to catch