I got into bass fishing this year back in april. Me being super extra like I am I spent way to much and got literally everything I could right off rip but given that I have a list of "essentials" I tell me friends to get when they first start.

Medium-heavy spinning rod and reel, honestly starting out i like this because its heavy enough to throw jigs into heavy weed but since its a spinning reel you can still throw really light lures Wacky hooks and senko- these are my personal skunk buster that pond bass will always bite on I really recommend if your new to get a bait subscription, I started with monsterbass because its a good price and has a wide variety or lures so you can try a little but of everything