To be truthful we do are inclined to catch a couple of bass round right here in early to mid January if we are able to get the best situations – and it’s been a giant if this winter – however I at all times count on that it’s going to take a bit of additional effort to search out fish. Final Friday I drove a great few miles and did a great little bit of strolling in what appeared like some good situations, however we by no means had a sniff and all I got here away with was a couple of photographs when the sunshine went off a bit simply earlier than we left. Andy kindly grabbed the rod I used to be utilizing – overview to come back, I would like critical assist! – and I shot a couple of photographs of him fishing with it, as per under………………
I wasn’t planning to exit fishing on Saturday however I’ve made a acutely aware resolution to cease worrying about water readability a lot and simply get on with fishing if the ocean state is okay. I do know that weed will mess me up at numerous occasions of the 12 months, however there may be so little of it round on the open coast for the time being. I additionally plan to place correct time into dirtier water within the estuaries this 12 months once I would extra often have walked away and gone someplace else. I feel it’s far too straightforward to get locked into particular methods of lure fishing for bass as a result of they’ve labored for us prior to now, however how about altering issues up and approaching one thing like extra colored water with a special mindset and ways? I’ve acquired numerous particular issues I’m going to attempt, and if there may be one factor I by no means thoughts it’s blanking if I’m studying and bettering for the long run. One of many largest highlights of the job I do is getting to speak to and talk with a spread of various anglers with a spread of various ability units.
Anyway, so I headed out alone on Saturday to go and see what I’d discover on the market. Storm and I made our method down the mark and I used to be moderately happy to see a bit extra swell rolling in than the forecast had steered. Not remotely large, however there was sufficient white water to make it fascinating, and I at all times observe how John Quinlan who I work with in Kerry does like a tinge on the water after we are fishing sure marks with our shoppers. Does a little bit of a tinge give the bass a bit extra confidence when the solar is shining particularly?
I clipped on a Savage Gear Sandeel V2 14cm/33g within the lemon again color. The place I used to be fishing was not going to be about any distance work in any respect, certainly the make-up of the mark very a lot suggests close-quarters fishing. I very intentionally let my lure hit the underside earlier than beginning my retrieve, and I did this within the comparatively colored water as a result of sufficient anglers I belief and/or examine will typically speak about getting your lure tight to the underside when the water is extra colored. I used to be alone so it wasn’t going to be a case of a few anglers making an attempt a barely completely different strategy to see what would possibly work, however I belief a lemon again color in additional colored water, and I clearly belief the Sandeel V2 lures.
My second forged was intentionally positioned simply off a rock, and once more I let the lure hit the underside earlier than retrieving it. A number of turns into the retrieve and every thing went delightfully strong, shortly adopted by a few thumps which I shortly wound into. In a couple of seconds I used to be lifting a chunky trying bass across the 3.5lb+ mark up onto the rocks I used to be standing on, and since there was no one else round I appeared to Storm and beamed a smile. What on earth my canine considered me is unknown, however no less than she appeared mildly quizzical!
I didn’t even attempt to get a photograph of the bass in my hand or of me with the fish, not with the place I used to be fishing and an absence of rockpools. I shortly unhooked the fish – SO straightforward with a barbless hook – and returned it right away. Both I used to be in for a blinder of a session with it being solely my second forged, or else that was going to be it for the session. A number of hours later and not using a single signal of one other bass and I now knew the reply, however that’s January up and working. I shall be out and about on the hunt for a couple of extra, after which we’ve got February and March that are by no means going to be straightforward occasions in any respect………………..
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