COME ON!!!! Got a BASS !

[devonutopia]

I'm pleased as peach! I got my first bass!



3 of us went out in a small blue speedboat this afternoon, for a spot of fishing, and we reeled in loads of mackerel in various random spots, from right off Dawlish, to various points around Teignmouth harbour mouth.

But the pearler came when we went up the river and "borrowed" a bouy in the main channel, just off from the quayside with all the cranes. From there, I was able to whip a rapala into the main channel, and as well as some much smaller bass (the first one I caught EVER was too small - but was a monumental part of my fishing "career") but the next two to come up were like the one above.

By the way, for offical purposed, can someone tell me the minimum length of bass to keep? I thought the one above looked long and FAT enough to keep. We're eating it on Tuesday night. Looking forward to it!

[Plod]

Well done mate!! I think the minimum size limit is around 40cm, so that one looks fine if they are normal sized bricks. On the downside, if you were fishing on the river Teign, then I think there are restrictions on where you can fish from a boat, as it is a designated nursery. Some of the others will be along soon an tell you exactly.

Don't let that detract from a great fish. Well done.

Darren

[devonutopia]

Well, I was not far from the spit. I would say around 1/2 way between Shaldon bridge and the spit, upstream. I knew about the live sandeel thingy. I could see Shaldon bridge from the mooring we pinched, but thought it would be OK.

Would like to be put right, if I was in the wrong though. I did think it was around 15" the limit, which is why I chucked the first two back, and kept the one below and another the same size.

[Plod]

I wouldn't worry about it now, as you didn't get caught but you do need to verify where you stand if you are looking at going back. I'm gonna have to get down to Teignmouth now and have a go. What time of day and state of tide was it?

Cheers, Darren

[welsh wizzard]

the minimum landing size for bass is 36cm but its recommended not to keep fish under 41cm.

very nice fish you have there mate

[devonutopia]

LOl - Well, hats good, as the fishnwas too long to fit in my fridge lengthways, and still shut the door - It ended up being bent a bit at the tail to get it to fit.

The only problem with catching this bass is now I want BIGGER ones! I was using rapala, but with even a semi decent following wind, I was lucky to get more than about 35 yards distance. Is it possible to attach small weights to them? I'm worried that would upset the intended "diving" performance of the rapala. I think its hell of a design for a lure, but at £10 a pop, expensive if it gets snagged.

Where do you guys go for the big bass, but using Rapalas?

[wellyfish]

looking at the bricks that the fish are on and the size of your foot the bass looks about 60 cm so it would be around the 6-7lb mark (nice one ) but where you caught it from is illegal.......eat it quick

[devonutopia]

Its not 6 or 7 lb, thats for sure. picking it up, I doubt it weighs little over 1kg, so I'd say is around the 2.5 lb mark, and about 43/45 cm long in all.

And yeah, it would seem after finding out where the "Ness" is, I was fishing in an illegal area.. Would have been nice to see some signs. We were fishing opposite the slipway we launched the speedboat, and there was nothing there but rules for Jetski users (being ignored by one nutter who flew past us in the river doing about 40mph!)

[Norfolkboy]

Well done on the bass, looks a cracker

[pingu]

nice fish, and good way to get back into the fishing, enjoy tommorrow night