Bass - when are they around?

[crumpled]

When do the Bass return, or did they never leave? I usually visit the West Country in the summer, had little success in May and better in June/July. I fish from the shore, mainly spinning, might try fly fishing for them this year as it sounds interesting. When is the earliest time worth trying and when is it time to give up?

Any info much appreciated and any location suggestions, within a few hours of London, would be great.

Thanks
Scott

[Ben]

from my experience they were never around

[audiracer]

welcome to the forum scott
if you want to try fly fishing for bass, you need to talk to 'old smoothound' he's your man.

[wellyfish]

welcome to the forum scot , my opinion is that they are always there but not in any great number or size in the colder months(as there prefered diet isnt around)ie..sand eel ,prawn and sprats , which invade the shores at different times throughout the summer ... the best time for them is from may -october but its possible to get them in january (ask pingu) ..they will also eat squid,crab and makeral......just about anything really .....cant wait till the summer when i catch a double figure from the shore

[gullyworm]

Welcome to the forum Scott.
They should start to turn up round about April-May with the bigger fish coming later.
There are lots of good Bass spots within a couple of hours of London,most of the south coast marks can produce good Bass ,Brighton,Beachy head,selsey,hayling .portsmouth etc....GOOD LUCK.

[crumpled]

Thanks for your replies and encouragement. I can't wait to get going this year! I had many other questions, but this forum had a lot of the answers already. I'll let you know how I get on.

Scott

[Old Smoothound]

Welcome aboard Scott

Wellfish is right they don't really leave, but move into deeper water, where the food is.

Up here its April to October but this year it was November! (Global Warming) Now that the sea temps have gone down they have moved off shore, but in Cornwall they never leave.

Good luck with the Bass hunting, if its fly fishing for them just ask any questions mate.

[bigfish]

Scott the tidal Thames is full of bass all year round,you can catch them from Docklands down to the open sea,I have seen them up to 4lb caught off Erith pier (just down river from Fords Dagenham)

[crumpled]

Interesting. Will investigate and might give it a try. Not quite as pretty as the west country coastline though. Thanks, Scott.

[steve devon]

they are still around here

speakin to someone the other day who has had loads lately to 8lb