beginner in the central valley in California

Question
I am hooked on fishing but fairly new at it there are about five different lakes around here and about four rivers and in  them there is smallmouth bass,largemouth bass, crappie, blue gill, rainbow trout, carp and catfish. I would like to learn how to fish for then, were they are usually found in lakes and rivers and what to use and also how to set up my pole.  

Answer
Largemouth and smallmouth you can set up basically the same.
I like spinning tackle but some guys use casting tackle depends on how you are going to fish. IF you are fishing with jigs and heavy crankbaits the casting reel is better. If you are fishing lighter stuff then spinning reels are better. By light stuff I mean 1/4 ounce or less. I like a 6' 6" long rod myself in medium heavy to heavy for casting and a 7' for spinning in medium or medium heavy.
Crappie can be caught using light line on the spinning rod, as can bluegill and rainbow trout.
Carp and catfish you will want to use heavier line and use a casting rod.
Largemouth and Smallmouth will hit all kinds of artificial baits.
Crappie tend to like minnows, insects or local crustaceans, like grass shrimp if they are around. Bluegill like worms, crickets and grasshoppers. Both Bluegill and Crappie will hit small 1/16th ounce jigs tipped with a piece or worm or a wax worm, or a spike. (Spikes are what are called fly larvae in some places)
Carp and Catfish will hit nightcrawlers, doughbait and stink baits.
Blue Catfish and Flathead catfish will eat small bluegills as well. You want to check local regulations on using live bait you catch.
Largemouth and smallmouth can be caught on live baits too. Large shiners, minnows and even nightcrawlers will work.
Let me know if you want more specifics.
A good all around fishing line is Monofilament in 10 to 12 pound test on a casting reel or 6 to 8 pound test on a spinning reel.
I like to use Power Pro Braided line for catfish and carp. It comes in an 8 pound diameter testing at 30 pound test.
You never know what size of catfish or carp you might catch.
Jim Dicken
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