Christchurch - Big Bass

[MurphyAtkins diet]

Fished off Christchurch on Friday night into Saturday midday; Best trip yet, although a little rough with thewind overnight.
The Bream had moved from my last mark and only managed one small fish during the Sat morning.
Overnight had two Smooth Hound to soft back crab; one small Bass on ragworm and numerous Pouting. Three small Tope on fresh Mackrel and lost count of the Dogfish around 35 !!!!!!!
During daylight on Sat had 4 more Tope on mackrel and several Dogfish, culminating in a 9lb 1oz Bass (weighed by the wet fish shop at Mudeford Quay) on mackrel. This is my biggest Bass yet and truly awesome fight on light tackle.

Can you post photos on this site ? I have a photo of me and the said Bass, which I am desperate to show off. I have tried to use the link above and it doesn't work !!!!!

[JT]

Hi Murphy,

Nice Bass. I don't wish to get on my high horse and I'm not having a pop at you, but why is that most bass over 4Lb are killed? Especially in light of currect pressure on Bass stocks.
Wht don't skippers promote C&R?

JT

[Gordon]

I agree with you in principle but theres always a feeling of releasing it so it can go straight into somebodys net.
We need proper nursury areas where its illegal to keep ANY bass. That way you know its WORTH releasing them and you arent just giving them away to netsmen.

[Webmaster]

E-mail the picture to me (not too big) and I'll put it onto this website for you.

[JT]

The problem I have with systematically killing Bass is that the larger fish (over 5lb) are all females. The larger the fish the more eggs they produce and therefore they spawn more young.
Also the genetic strain is weakened if it just small bass that are breeding.

Just because the French/Spanish/Irish/British boats/netters target them doesn't mean we have to. I say lead by example! Get the £20 license and therefore get a voice and pressure government and the EU and everyone else to stop decimating the sea.

How can we stop the netting of spawning grounds etc. if we kill every Bass caught? The fishing companies just use the argument that we want more fish for ourselves.

It has also been shown that angling generates much, much more revenue than fishing. Only a fraction of fish caught in UK waters ends up on UK tables.
So we are supporting foreign fishing industries that contribute nothing to the UK and don't give a crap about our fisheries.

Also industrialised fishing is decimating all the bait that Bass, cod and birds feed on. Sandeels are taking in huge numbers by Denmark and Norway in UK waters to make protein rich feed for fish farming. This doh s the entire food chain up.

And just because sandeels, bass, mackeral etc. aren't cute and can't balance a ball on their nose, no one gives a crap about them. That is until they are all gone.... Just like Tuna that disappeared because their foodsource was wiped out.

Greed and ignorance is not an excuse. How long do you think Bass can last under the current pressure? It's a no brainer. Take a picture if you need proof, don't kill your sport.

Catching a 9lb Bass is awesome. If it was returned you could catch again. That fish took well over 10 years to get to that size.

Just think about it, catch and release, you know it makes sense.

JT

PS. Join B.A.S.S (http://www.ukbass.com/) and get a voice.

[mURPHYaTKINS]

Bloomin Heck !!!!
Didn't realise the trouble I would cause. But I have to say that it has made me think.
I only got my boat in August and the reports I have made have been since then. My fishing used to be confined to Mullet and I had a strick Catch & Return policy; photo and back in the water. I used to be a member of the Natonal Mullet Club and I know the pressure that Mullet are under from netting; years ago it was as casualties in the quest for Bass and in recent times it as food for our Asian Community, who curry them.
At the time I caught the Bass in question I didn't have a camera that I felt safe taking out on the boat. I have since bought two of those waterproof disposable cameras to photograph my fish and now the lot go back - I don't like eating fish. I got the cameras because I know that people get REALLY upset if you kill Tope and I wanted some photos of them for the album.
From now on the Bass go back.
You are quite right about the chater boats though, they wouldn't tolerate a Tope being killed and yet they allow their customers to kill Bass without question.
I have just seen the response from the Webmaster, so I shall try and send the photo, although it seems a shame now as it was a fantastic creature that would have been better off living
Cheers - Nick

[JT]

Hi Murphy
You doing the right thing

I know what you mean. Caught an 85Lb Tarpon in Cuba last year, we lifted it out for a photo op and then the guide tipped it back in.
What I didn't relise was I obviously knocked the fishes gills when lifting it up so it was bleeding. I've since been told the fish wouldn't survive as once the gills are damaged they typically bleed to death and obviously attrack sharks. I felt like rubbish. But now I'm 'enlightened' and always insist Tarpon etc. are unhooked and revived in the water.

Cheers

JT