Won't anyone here laugh at 'ya! If it were me (and I've done it), I'd be spending my spare time reading as much here as I possibly could. Your bass gear will likely be a bit heavy (especially line), but it's never bad to have an excuse to buy more/new gear, right? Jigs and minnows will be your friends.

How far south/west are you? I'm heading south this fall (with Kayak) and will be looking for some members to meet-up with and fish (or just shoot the breeze), just not sure I'll be that far south/west.