bass tactics

[Red5]

Think this topic may have been raised before but I'll ask anyway. I've never deliberately gone out and targetted Bass before, but have had the odd small schoolie while I've fished the shore in the winter.

I'm looking for tactics to target them as am planning on having a session with my oldest once the school holidays start.

1. What's the best time i.e. sunset, sunrise, dark, daytime?
2. High water, low water?
3. Does the sea need a bit of a churn or can I still nail them if it's been flat calm for days.
4. Best rigs, do I use bombs or grip leads?
5. Bets baits, peeler, mackeral strip? do I need worm baits and tip off with crab or mackie or do I just use crab or mackeral on it's own?
6. distance...Do I launch to the horizon or a gentle lob of 50yds?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tz500]

this is my opinion only and i fish the west coast.
1. ive had them at all times of day as long as the conditions are okay they seem to feed.
2.low water and the first two hours of the flood.miss the middle two hours then two up and one back.
3.a bit of wind maybe 10-15mph with sun so the water isnt too dirty and the sun can warm it.flat calms can fish at low water though.
4.twohook flapper.2/0 hook .grippers for me as there is usually a tide run.
5.peeler.rag.lug.
6.youll have to figure this one out yourself on your own beaches and good luck.

 

[codnot]

hi m8

hi m8

just play in the surf for them that is were they feed 2 hook flapper on a float lob it out & let it drift in mick

 

[willywetegg]

I would agree with pretty much all of the above Rory. Mind that said I have never tried for them with a float but will be putting that right the next time, cheers codnot.

As far as your lob of 50 yards goes Rory that can quite often be too far mate.

Jim.

 

[RobAdair]

Got to agree with Jim about the distance Rory, even 50ft can be enough when you find "the spot". Look for shallow water (<5ft deep) with rock and/or weed cover as that is where they will be hunting crab, sandeel, blennie, shrimp etc. Look for the obvious; tide rips, sand bars and gullies (they are predatory ambush specialists and wait for the prey to be brought to them, especially the bigger, wiser fish) and the not so obvious (a pair of binoculars and a few minutes watching the water can also produce the goods as they can be clearly visible in the top layers of the water and you can often spot the water "boiling" when they are herding sandeels in for the kill). Dawn and dusk are probably the best times on our coast, especially if it coincides with a bit of tide movement as this triggers them to hunt/feed.

 

[gazzawill]

rob is spot on there low tide /just as its floodig back in .
with abit of a swell on'
perfect feeding conditions for the bass
they tend to move closer inshore at my spot right after a good drop of rain and a bit wind ive caught the schoolies in the summer but around begining of september / till end of november is prime time
the biger ones seem to move around my spot

mark xz lol

 

[The Great Wallsendo]

just play in the surf for them that is were they feed 2 hook flapper on a float lob it out & let it drift in mick

How would you set that up? have it dangling under the float or would you fish it like a running ledger with a float? I'm intrigued coz I actually read about float fishing in the surf this week (good old Observer's Guide to Sea Fishing circa 1982 eh?)...

 

[Red5]

Cheers lads some cracking advice in there. Just a case of getting the conditions right now and picking a tide.

Thankyou all!

 

[willywetegg]

Best of luck Rory, let us know how you get on mate.

Jim.

 

[codnot]

How would you set that up? have it dangling under the float or would you fish it like a running ledger with a float? I'm intrigued coz I actually read about float fishing in the surf this week (good old Observer's Guide to Sea Fishing circa 1982 eh?)...

hi the great wallsendo :use a round float attach to a swivel at the end of your line then clip it to the float. then a two hook flapper to the float then lob in 2 the surff let it drift the surff makes the bait work

 

[davem2005]

Read this thread with great intrest.

I mainly fish from boats and have never caught a Bass.

So I logged on to put a thread on about a trip I have booked next tuesday evening.

Have a look and see if you fancy it for a few hours.

Cheers
dave