Bass fishing - bait ideas, tips, advice needed!

[mattp_76]

Hello,

we regularly fish the south coast of England, particularly spots around Lyme Regis an enjoy catching the mullet, mackerel and Pollack etc that are around the harbour and shore.

However ... we would dearly love to get amongst some good Bass. We know they are in the area (from what others say).

So any tips, method and bait ideas, advice etc .... would be much appreciated.


Matt - http://www.artfulangler.co.uk

[geffski]

big old macky head maybe squid!

[mattp_76]

thanks mate ...

any ideas on methods?

[fishypaul]

on the piers round here i have seen them caught on whole live pouting suspended mid water on a flowing trace,
all my best shore caught bass have been caught on the bottom on either a whole squid or a fresh mackie fillet,

[geffski]

right mate! thers peaple on hesr that realy know ther stuff but ill atempt to help with my limited knowledge! if your fishing a harbour you cant go far wrong with a small live bait suspended under a float just off bottom!
somthing like a smelt, goby even better a small joey mackrel
or pout! if that not realy your scene (live baiting that is)
then a free lined mackrel head/ flank can be good!
off the beach id go for a big chunk of peeler on a pennel pulley rig!
squid mackrel etc will also do! but look at wot food couild be available to
the hunting bass! ar ther worm casts? try and match the hatch as it wer
and yous somthing the bass ar gana be activly hunting!
the 3rd breaker out is a good start, but remember ther is a chance
that the bass ar close i in carm conditions patroling the break waters!
(peaple often make the mistake of casting over bass)
when fishing like this im almost obsesive about keeping light to a minimum
and off the water! sitting in the dark and just using a small light to bait up, untangle etc!
and get ready for long wait! and moments of bordom but also be ready for when that siver bullet smashes your bait and every thing gose flying!

im sure some of the better bass fishers will be along to help you out!

[gullyworm]

Couldnt agree more with Mr Gefski apart from i always use a running leger for my live baits and when fishing in the edge use mackerel or squid ,i m sure peeler will work its just how i do it .
Good luck,and enjoy the wait

[mattp_76]

Thanks geffski,

loads of advice there to go on!!!...

definately afew things there that I would never have thought of.

Would Bass be found more off the beach ? ... than off a harbour wall near rocks ?

do they feed better during slightly stormy seas ? ....

matt

http://www.artfulangler.co.uk

[Greenheart]

Bass usually go better after a good blow, but they can turn up anywhere. As for baits, the other guys are spot on. Mackerel head or Squid.

[geejayy]

can't add much to that, i've had 2 good uns so far this year, both to whole squid fished on an up n over rig .

[nimue]

If you can get them, live sandeels are great and what the commercial boys use. Don't forget your spinning rod.....fantastic way to catch them!!!

Cheers, Jules.