DaveyP
Well-known member
I've been holidaying on the IoW at Bembridge Bay for over 20 years and done a bit shore fishing, catching the odd school bass, bream and mackerel, and plaice and thornback from Sandown pier.
I stayed a the Old Mill Caravan site and got to know Hugh the owners son very well.I retired 3 years ago bought a motorhome and now holiday at Nodes Point Camp Site.
Last year Hugh bought a couple of Prowlers and we would go out early morning at 5am to target bass.The set up was a spinning rod with a bubble float and a small eddystone eel, either white or silver.
The idea was to look out for flocks of gulls who were diving at the bait fish the bass had driven to the surface, you would then paddle towards and cast over the birds and slowly retrieve, and 9 times out of ten this ended in a hook up and a hard fighting bass on the end.
This year the fishing was very different. The first evening I set up my bubble float and eel and fished the groins along the shore, I had a few heart stopping moments where the the bass would chase the eel but at the last moment all you would see was a flash of silver as the fish turned away.
On the way back I stopped to talk to a guy who had been kayak fishing with his son and had, had success using 4" sidewinders drifting from the yellow buoy towards St Helens Fort.
St Helens Fort
That night Hugh rang and we made arrangements for 6pm the next evening.
Heading towards the fort and hopefully some bass.
The guy I bumped into the night before with a nice fish. I had not managed to get to Scotties in Sandown for some sidewinders but was grateful for the one he gave me. On one night him and his son had 20 fish between them.
The Fort at dawn
The old church. A great landmark when it's putting in dark.
The van and yaks arrive.
Tackled up and ready to go.
One of three bass that morning.
This one threw the hook just as I got into the yak. Photo took and promptly returned.
Last one of the morning on a Sidewinder.
On the way home. Hugh was using the bubble float method, but didn't catch anything.
Due to his busy work schedule Hugh decided to drop a yak off for me to use.
Owing to strong winds I didn't manage to get out as much as I liked, but when I did I picked up fish. I had on average 3 fish a trip.
Big gob bass.
I hope he turns left.
Bass are a stunning looking fish.
Looking past the yellow buoy towards the shore at sunset.
I had another heart stopping moment this night. I was just about to lift my lure, when a bass shot from under the yak took it and bent my rod double as it hurtled back to where it came from. The bite was so aggressive it resulted in a snap off.
Last holiday bass.
This year the weather was colder, which is why I think there were no bait fish about and the fishing different.
Early in the morning and late at night you can walk out in ankle deep water at any state of the tide, and watch as the feeding bass scatter in all directions. Great can't wait for next year.
Dave
I stayed a the Old Mill Caravan site and got to know Hugh the owners son very well.I retired 3 years ago bought a motorhome and now holiday at Nodes Point Camp Site.
Last year Hugh bought a couple of Prowlers and we would go out early morning at 5am to target bass.The set up was a spinning rod with a bubble float and a small eddystone eel, either white or silver.
The idea was to look out for flocks of gulls who were diving at the bait fish the bass had driven to the surface, you would then paddle towards and cast over the birds and slowly retrieve, and 9 times out of ten this ended in a hook up and a hard fighting bass on the end.
This year the fishing was very different. The first evening I set up my bubble float and eel and fished the groins along the shore, I had a few heart stopping moments where the the bass would chase the eel but at the last moment all you would see was a flash of silver as the fish turned away.
On the way back I stopped to talk to a guy who had been kayak fishing with his son and had, had success using 4" sidewinders drifting from the yellow buoy towards St Helens Fort.
St Helens Fort
That night Hugh rang and we made arrangements for 6pm the next evening.
Heading towards the fort and hopefully some bass.
The guy I bumped into the night before with a nice fish. I had not managed to get to Scotties in Sandown for some sidewinders but was grateful for the one he gave me. On one night him and his son had 20 fish between them.
The Fort at dawn
The old church. A great landmark when it's putting in dark.
The van and yaks arrive.
Tackled up and ready to go.
One of three bass that morning.
This one threw the hook just as I got into the yak. Photo took and promptly returned.
Last one of the morning on a Sidewinder.
On the way home. Hugh was using the bubble float method, but didn't catch anything.
Due to his busy work schedule Hugh decided to drop a yak off for me to use.
Owing to strong winds I didn't manage to get out as much as I liked, but when I did I picked up fish. I had on average 3 fish a trip.
Big gob bass.
I hope he turns left.
Bass are a stunning looking fish.
Looking past the yellow buoy towards the shore at sunset.
I had another heart stopping moment this night. I was just about to lift my lure, when a bass shot from under the yak took it and bent my rod double as it hurtled back to where it came from. The bite was so aggressive it resulted in a snap off.
Last holiday bass.
This year the weather was colder, which is why I think there were no bait fish about and the fishing different.
Early in the morning and late at night you can walk out in ankle deep water at any state of the tide, and watch as the feeding bass scatter in all directions. Great can't wait for next year.
Dave
.................
cracking pics them Davey this is what its all about m8
