Devonshire fishing..

Danlardin · #1 09-11-2011, 10:27 AM

Hey Everyone!

Just to give you a little background my names Dan and I started fishing when I was 7. My first fishing experiences were with my Dad on our little boat (off the coast of bournemouth) just catching Mackerel and whatever else just so happened to be swimming by. We used hand-lines, rods, and every possible set up you can imagine. I loved it!

Okay so now i'm 24, and I just got back from Canada (I was there for four years). Over there I fished all sorts but it was only on the rivers and lakes so i've got a hankering to fish the sea again and relive some of my fondest childhood memories. Since I got back I bought myself just a cheap nasty rod just to see how I like it (10ft). I currently am living in Exeter and heard a few things about Budleigh Salterton so I decided to check it out. I did a little research and decided to catch mackerel under the cliffs would be a good idea... and it was!! I've been 4 times now and everytime i've been i've come home with Mackerel for tea! I caught them all on feathers and to be honest I was made up because I felt a little uncertain fishing the ocean after all this time away.

Now to cut to the chase! I've done Mackerel now and i've selected the legendary Sea Bass as my next target. I'm looking for some good solid fishing reports of where I need to be fishing. I don't know south Devon very well so if you have any pictures or directions I would greatly appreciate it. Right now i'm not bothered if I only catch schoolies but i'd like to catch something!

My prefered method is with feathers and lures. I like casting and reeling. Sitting on a beach just waiting for my rod to twitch does nothing for me. I like to get into it. I have been to try and catch Bass twice now and failed on both occasions (At Budleigh Salterton again by the estuary). Please if anyone could help me i'd really really appreciate it. I don't mind traveling but obviously the closer to Exeter the better. Thank you for your time :)

MRG2000 · #2 09-11-2011, 10:36 AM

Welcome to the forum Dan , couple of guys from your area ,so im sure advice isn' t too far away..........

Danlardin · #3 09-11-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG2000

Welcome to the forum Dan , couple of guys from your area ,so im sure advice isn' t too far away..........

Yea that's what i'm hoping for ^^ I'm a complete novice when it comes to sea fishing and so any help is welcome. I've done a fair bit of research on actual Bass fishing etc but i'm just wanting some good current advice. I've read that Bass are now on the decline in the UK after a massive boom several years back? Is that true?

MRG2000 · #4 09-11-2011, 10:53 AM

[quote=Danlardin;239287]Yea that's what i'm hoping for ^^ I'm a complete novice when it comes to sea fishing and so any help is welcome. I've done a fair bit of research on actual Bass fishing etc but i'm just wanting some good current advice. I've read that Bass are now on the decline in the UK after a massive boom several years back? Is that true?[/
QUOTE]

Still plEnty about ,well at least here in S.Wales,i think its a case of knowing where, when and how to fish for them........

Danlardin · #5 09-11-2011, 12:09 PM

Umm so MRG2000, you've caught Bass in South Wales? If I fail miserably down here in Devon I might have to make a trip up your way because my Sister and her Husband live in Pontypridd in the Rhonnda valley and it might just be worth paying them a visit! Know any good places near there?
p.s. anyone readying this from Devon please respond. I'm still looking!

scottish_and_mental · #6 09-11-2011, 12:12 PM

plenty bass about mate - and plenty round the exe and dart !
Pingu is your man for local info as its his neck of the woods .. if you google 'devon bass fishing' or similar terms you will get links to hundreds of forum threads

pingu · #7 09-11-2011, 02:28 PM

welcome, try a good old dexter wedge type lure on a spinning rod along budliegh especially towards the river mouth..or along the exmouth seafront for the bass

dave

geejayy · #8 09-11-2011, 09:33 PM

hi m8, just to add -dusk or dawn has to be favorite,

Danlardin · #9 09-12-2011, 08:25 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the replies! I have a few further questions though... firstly, I've been using a Dexter Wedge and fishing the estuary but i'm obviously doing something wrong because i've not even had as much as a nibble yet. Where is a good place to cast? So far i've been stood on the right side of the river (the side town would be on) and casting on my left into the deeper water. Secondly, is it ever beneficial to put bate onto a dexter wedge or will it catch either way? Thanks again! p.s. I normally fish in the evenings as mornings aren't really an option for me.

Danlardin · #10 09-12-2011, 09:23 AM

Oh and one more thing I forgot to ask! What size Dexter Wedge is best? I've been using a fairly small one (don't remember the exact weight off the top of my head) but I've watched a few videos and there's some people using huge lures and plugs so I was maybe thinking of going bigger? It seems like the Sea Bass have got big enough mouths to go for almost anything?

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