bass bait size??

[Amystichrani]

I've had them floating with live sand eel,and with head hooked monster ragworm.I've had them spinning for mackerel,and plugging for them.So there's no hard and fast rule-the harder you try,the more chance there is that you'll pick up a bass when you're least expecting it.The only thing is I think you have to take into account what sort of ground you are fishing over.

[JuanPablo]

yes I agree with the above post.
it is often worth checking out the ground at low tide and see what natural food sources are available. if its rough ground littered with crabs and small rockpool species this will give you a good idea as to what the bass are scouting the area for. unfortunately this is not a hard and fast rule!

[bouncer]

Hi i am going fishing in 3 days for the last of the bass. Iv got bass of about 3 pound off the beach in hale about 3 weeks ago and im going again.How do i catch the big bass? ps i will bring back some pics

[JuanPablo]

well ur obviously using the right bait so i would advise GO BIG. Bass have huge mouths and are greedy buggas! Using a big bait doesnt guarantee that a 1lb bass wont gobble it but it does increase ur chances of hooking a bigger specimen coz the very small pout and whiting wont gobble it b4 anything else! incidentally if u do hook a small whiting and u have depths of more than 3ft infront of you get it back out on a livebait rig - the late bass gorge on these early whiting like fun. cant cast them very easily so need a bit of depth or darkness, i hook them thru the back just behind the neck as this enables the whiting to swim around fairly unrestricted and increases hookups. Use a short shank hook in a very strong pattern. you will notice the livebait goes nuts when there is a predator around - this method also works with live gobies over rougher ground especially.
using a livebait will decrease ur chances of catching lots of fish but will pinpoint any big bass in the area. if the small whiting shoals arent there then stick to whatever bait is natural to the beach - worm baits normally mixed with shellfish such as razorfish after a storm. good luck and remember the camera!

[devondave]

well i fished today on a beach with razor black lug squid and macky didnt get any bites but...
on what i thought was a sandy beach i caught on my first cast a large clump of mussels i thought it was a big crab when i was winching it in.
then towards low tide i noticed a large number of mussel shells in the surf being washed up the beach also a couple razor shells and clams but i think mussels was by far the majority.

so off down the tackle shop for some bait elastic then mussel collecting before i visit that beach again!

[JuanPablo]

unlucky u didnt hit the bass but clearly a worthwhile trip because if theres beds of mussels the plaice will definately be there - perhaps worth a try a dead low water in the spring mate...

[Phil the Float]

I caught a 6 1/4lb bass sometime ago on a piece of float fished sandeel. The bait was no longer than 1 1/2" long and the Bass was just over 2' long.

Yes, I can see that a big bait might work but also consider small baits.

[anglingbarry]

I fish for Bass in the Thames estuary a lot and the best bait round here is small whiting, out fishes everything else by far, fish them high in the water, about 6 foot under the surface and close to snags, bites can be very delicate, if you feel a tap give a little line then hang on, my best Bass on this method is 13.4lb

[Ben]

thats quite some masive bass, well done, gotta catch the bait 1st (could be a prob for me)

[anglingbarry]

Thanks Ben, It was a great moment for me but i have seen Bass boated by trawlers fishing the Thames estuary that went into the mid twentys so I'm far behind the best for this area.