If you want to catch fish as a beginner use the one inch gulp minnows. You can throw them on a 1/32 to 1/64 jig head with or without a bobber. They seriously catch everything from bluegill to big catfish.
Are the bruises from leaches, or a disease? I have caught 6 fish so far, and they all the have the same bruising? Safe to eat? Posted by Ok-Weakness3465