Don't buy a rod under 6.5 feet. Most lures, especially "new" lures (usually way over priced) attract fishermen and not so much large mouth. Think like a bass and the lure you use. Half ounce chrome/blue top Rattle Traps and most any plastic worm bait so long it is green, red or blue in color works good. 3/8 ounce spinner baits with white/green skirts do good. Chatter bait is a great choice. Top water frogs in a light green pattern are really good. Remember the bass are looking at the underside of a frog, not the top. Keep your line tight when reeling that golly-whopper in. Use a fish net until you develop a technique. Use good fishing line probably 10 pound test unless you are fishing Lake Guntersville. For what it's worth, my youngest daughter won the Georgia BassMaster Casting Kids Tournament first year it was out. Came in 2nd in the regional. Beat out by Hunter Ingram who is Charlie Ingram's son. Good luck! Have fun! Make sure your reel drag is set.
Rattle Trap Chatter bait
Hey i won for our region in 2000 i believe it was.