lure surf fishing, ?help?

[gareth]

hi lads, always wondered if it is possable to catch bass in the surf with lures, i've never tryed this aproach before and surpose that it would work, but all my lure fishing has been kept to off the rocks around anglesey and never thought of doing a bit of the beach, so please lads leed me in the right direction...

Gareth...

[fishinchef]

you most definetley can, as they will come in fairly close, read the post about casting in a star shape as the bass swim alog the shore line, not straight in, im no expert, but know you can..

[fester]

Hi mate,

If you are fishing in the surf then I would suggest using a metal spinner 18-28g similar to a Toby, Chest waders or a dry suit is essential!

You need to be casting across the surf and you need to be at thigh to waist deep (Safety First) Some marks will have rocky outcrops that you can scramble out to and fish across the surf from there, otherwise just wade out, often you can cast towards the shore with some success, people don't realize how close bass come to the shore. Especially when you can see shoals of sandeel around you.

Work the lure, don't just cast and retrieve, a quick sink and draw works for me, and make sure your hooks are super sharp!!

I once fished a mark in the surf and as a wave would rise and form a crest, you could see bass swimming along it through the clear green water! A sight that will stay with me forever!

So don't be afraid of the surf, use waders, spinners, and common sense!

[gareth]

nice one fester, does this work when the sea is calm or will the fish move out to feed.

[fishinchef]

fester gone on holiday...luck man.

[cliffnorry]

Bass do not swim in the surf''' they like the water deep enough to swim under the turbalance
and bait fish that get caught in the surfe are soon spoted and taken, think like a bass and move your lurs or spinners over the top of them, then you will stop wishing and start catching,
a damaged bait fish will swim in iratic movements fast a short distance then slow untill it starts to sink then fast agine, good init.

[gareth]

very good work cliff, your right there mate, it's hard to think like a bass because there so unpredictable when you think that the conditions are perfict for them it's totaly the opposite they also like to play hide and seek with you aswell no wonder they are one of the hardest fish to catch they are too intelagent.....

[cliffnorry]

so Gareth' what you are saying is that bass are femail'' I wonder if a box of chocks would help,
what they do like is to ambush' they will hange about down tide of reefs or rocks or any structure were they can wate in calm water out of the race, wating for that bait fish that has been strugaling aginst the current to come infor a rest, they have plenty of sense and don't work more than they have too.

[gareth]

no not female, just a pain in the backside when it comes to catching them, they either want to play or they just laugh at you.

[cliffnorry]

that is what I said femail,

[grahamedood]

Hi - I'm new to this forum so hope my message lands in the right place!
I desparately want to go spinning for bass too but after purchasing a few lures wondered how on earth I was going to cast these flimsy things any useful distance. Granted, I havent actully tried yet, but is it really so simple as tying on a lure and casting/retrieving etc , or do people add on weights of some sort ?

[kastonfly]

Don't fall in to the trap about having to cast far. I can assure you the Bass are a lot closer than you think. Most of the fish I have caught using bait, plugs, spinners and flies have been within 50ft. The most important thing is to think about the venue, why would a fish come here what would they be looking for. as an example Bass are lazy and do not always swim round looking for food. They position themselves behind structures to ambush prey. Or if there is a strong current look for the back wash from rocks under the surface as there will be a place that the down stream current and the back wash cancel each other out. Bass will sit here just waiting for food to be washed along.

On Surf beaches as Fester said you need to fish along the face of the waves. I prefer a wet suit for doing this but then again I will take any chance to dress up in rubber . I have fished Kilty Catcher lures to great effect in the surf and once again you will be surprised at just how close the fish are. I suggest you fish the clock as they say cast to 8 o'clock and then with each cast move round 9, 10 ,11 etc until 4 o'clock this should be slightly behind you.
The experts say fish behind the third breaker. If you are like me I can't work out which one is the third breaker because they will not stay still to allow me to count them Just fish on the boundary were the waves become clear of suspended sand.

Look at the a whole posting without mentioning fly fishing


Tight lines

[JohnK]

Hi Graham,

As long as you've got a fairly light and whippy rod then casting most lures isn't a problem, especially as most of the time the bass seem to be at your feet! anything over 10g can be cast a reasonable distance, but if you go up to 20g+ then a decent spinning rod will send them more than far enough to catch fish. Weights are used in some instances, but generally only to get the lure down to depth rather than to add casting weight.

Tips to help you get some extra distance are:

1. Make sure your reel is loaded properly with line, not too full and not too empty. Just inside the rim of the spool is usually about right.

2. Use the finest line you think you can get away with. For most spinning and plugging 8-12lb mono or 30-40lb braid are ideal.

3. Think about your technique and make sure you use the power of the rod to best effect.

4. After releasing the line, point your rod along the direction the line is traveling, not at an angle to the line, this minimises drag from the line passing through the rings.

Just some basics which you probably know already, but if not then I hope they help.

John

[grahamedood]

Many thanks for all the tips guys - busting to try it out now - shame I live so far from the wet stuff. Hoping to go to Llandudno/Great Orme soonish though - ( not just spinning )
All the best.G.

[fester]

Bass do not swim in the surf''' they like the water deep enough to swim under the turbalance
and bait fish that get caught in the surfe are soon spoted and taken, think like a bass and move your lurs or spinners over the top of them, then you will stop wishing and start catching,
a damaged bait fish will swim in iratic movements fast a short distance then slow untill it starts to sink then fast agine, good init.

Fair enough! I saw what I saw, and I learn from that. You should too!

[nifty]

Spot on Fester,
I've seen Bass in the surf when the water clarity is good less than 5 yds out in waves 3 or 4 ft high. It makes you realise how much power these fish have to be able to cope with such conditions.
nifty.

[kastonfly]

Fester

I too have seen the Bass swimming through waves chasing sand eels in water that is no more than knee deep.

[funkydylbo]

I am agreeing with the last few posts here.

I've also seen a few bass in water that I really didn't think was deep enough.

In around weeds and boulders that where half exposed.

[fester]

Hi Funkydylbo,

And I bet that was in broad daylight, on a sunny day? The books all say 3rd breaker at night after a storm, which is OK, but I have caught more bass in calm seas and during daylight. Find the fish, and you will catch them! Places like this.....

[shootist]

the straits? somewhere.

[fester]

Right again Shootist!

I know it's hard for you Shootist, but living just 25mins from here I am lucky enough to see what goes on at the waters edge. I have seen bass so close here I could have scooped them out with a landing net, and anybody else that takes the time to study the water and put the time in will also say the same, I'm guessing Kastonfly and JohnK and the likes will back me up on that.

If you are looking for a fishing experience, which includes world class scenery, crystal clear waters, and a chance of a bass, you won't do wrong in discovering the delights of the Menai Straits!

[kastonfly]

Fester

Yes I agree they do come very close I have had them swim behind me when wadding. With a bit of luck they will be close in tonight ;D ;D

[fester]

Any joy??

[kastonfly]

Yep a good night no wind no rain and crystal clear water had 4 bass to 3lb all taken on fly about 40ft from the shore on 5 inch deceiver . All released to fight another day ;D.

[moniar]

Well done Kastonfly, - was that in the straights or elsewhere? Have tried 4 different marks in the straigths over last few weeks and blanked so far! lovely scenary tho and great therapy after a days work!!

[kastonfly]

Secret mark on the Llynn

[shoreleebassey]

Monair

I fished the south end of the straights last weekend and blanked, what method are you using? Seem slow this year

Kastonfly what type of venue are you fishing? Don't want the exact spot???