what rigs

[baitmaster]

ok as it coming up to the time when the bass are more abundant along the east coast (probably for all i know they never ever left ) is there any particular rig that is more widely used than another ?

if its any help i,m not going to do nothing bar use the old sit and wait behind the rod method and wait for it to arch right over then i know its a take

so if there is any little tip which might help would be grateful

also bait consideration does certain baits work better early season than others that or is it any thing goes



tightlines
kevin

[gullyworm]

I ll tell you what methods i use on the south coast but they may differ from your area and other peoples methods but they work for me.
First when i m bass fishing i always fish close in ,sometimes stupidly close about 5-10ft out in inches of water.
The rig i use is very simple,a snood coming off two ft above the lead 3 ft in length ,this may differ slightly but is usualy pretty similar.
As for bait i think when the bass first apear they seem to be after the peelers and cuttlefish, as the summer gets late they can be caught on live baits and large mackerel and squid baits,if theres mackerel about the bass will be feeding on them.
Most of mine last year fell to squid baits,one or two whole squid,i had a few on lug worm but these tended to be smaller fish in the 1-3lb area,i think these bass will take worm anytime of year.
I used to fish like this of the E Yorks coast and i had plenty of bass so it should work were you are.
The biggest tip i can give you is dont be afraid to fish so close in you could pick your bait up without getting your feet wet Keep your tip low,noise down lights out and the double is yours
Hope ive not waffled to much,good luck

[baitmaster]

thanks gully
thats most helpful and i will take that on board and log it in the grey cells

tightlines
kevin

[cod head]

if you can get hold of some king rag that works well,
but watch out for their pincers,they can give you a good nip

[Rob M]

Hi Kev, for bottom fishing I use a Pennel/Pulley, size 2/0 hooks. The snood is about 4 foot long, 50lb Amnesia line. Bait is a whole squid or a (freshly caught) mackerel flapper bait, or a small mackie livebait, hooked through the lip. However they'll take ragworm too, either on it's own or with a squid/mackerel cocktail. Float fishing is very effective particularly from piers/breakwaters, with a hooklength of around mid-water in the summer , any higher and you'll get mackeral or garfish on the hook, mackies are cannibalistic and will eat they're own You can buy float fishing kits from tackle shops, very similar to pike set-ups.

Cheers
Rob