FishingGuernsey

There's quite a few bass down here now, well for me anyway... Had a 6-0-0 on the plug last Thursday, 3 schoolies to about 2lb Saturday and one of 3-12 on Monday. All fishing with the shallow divers in full darkness.

Well a Bass rod would be the first choice!! I love my Fox Estuary Bass for that sort of fishing. As for technique, no idea what Henry does but I normally fish only an ounce or 2 of lead with the bigger baits. Any movement whatsoever, slight pull, gentle rockling type tap, could be the biggie so you have to treat every movement as such. My best bass (8lb 12oz) gave two very gentle taps (like a goby or something) and then a gentle pul, gave a couple of foot of line til it went tight, did the same again but then the pull was more positive so I struck into it. The bigger bass are very shy and often very loathe to pick up a bait, then when they do, taking it in their mouth is even more frustrating. Different story if using live baits of course...

Mullet is often seen for sale down here. I have tried Golden Grey mullet and that actually quite tasty, mainly because of the different diet. Thick Lippeds tast pretty rough though. But saying that, the flesh seems to vary from fish to fish depending I guess on what that particular fish has been eating. That is why Bass has become popular because you get a very good flesh consistency of flavour and flesh quality.

BUT, if for some obscure reason they do bring this in, I reckon we should all report ALL we catch and see how many 2oz pout their system can handle before it crashes!!

Or a rockie I've seen those weird things in boxes of squid before, no idea what they are. No good for bait though...

PM on the way...

Yes, had it tailored for sea fishing shore guide off rocks etc as well. Cost about £450... Ouch.

I just gave up being a guide after 3 years in the firing line..... 1. Insurance. DEFINITELY needed. A signed disclaimer will NOT stand up in court according to my legal friends. There are too many get out ways and another lawyer will rip it to shreds, plus it's a contract and an under 18 cannot legally enter that contract. 2. Expectation. If you advertise or suggest a bass/cod/whatever trip, they WILL expect to catch a double figure no matter what you say. 3. Safety, always a problem and only had a couple of problems but remember that when someone falls and breaks a leg, no matter how nice he/she might be, inshore rescue costs a packet, IF their holiday insurance covers it, and you all know what insurance companies are like for paying out, they will get the 3rd degree and it will return to bite you whatever and however nice someone was until they are out of pocket big style. 4. Kids. I refused to take anyone under 16 without an adult unless I had taken them before and knew how they acted, their capabilities etc etc. 5. jealosy, professional and otherwise, get used to having it against you... Forgetting all the above, I am completely gutted that I can no longer afford to make a loss (despite the 50 people I take per year) as it's so good to see someone catch their first/best/first of a species fish knowing that you helped them do it and they will be eternally grateful!!!

But, just to add, Guernsey is definitely open for angling tourists. The tourist board hasn't a clue how much money they bring into out community which is all very much appreciated byt the locals. Same old story as the UK whereby not recognising anglers input to the economy in coastal regions.

I'll mention that to the organiser. He'll be gutted!! Bloody politicians...

Bit of a shameless plug here really so if it doesn't comply, sorry... The Guernsey Open Bass Festival is coming up fast and the prize list has now been finalised. There is no way that we can continue to offer a list like this without the support of those who come and enter, so, it you're in or near Guernsey please come play!! And remember there are daily prizes so it doesn't matter if someone weighs in a double on the first weigh in!! Full details on this pdf: www.fishing-guernsey.co.uk/GBASS/brochure.pdf which is about 2MB (couldn't get it smaller, sorry!!) Also see the club website at www.gbass.co.uk. Cheers Andy

Err no. Depends on the mark but a lot of places fish better on the drop or the first 2 hours after high.

There are fish feeding here now. Had a 3-4 on saturday, didn't see many though, only the one bite which turned into a nice fish.

Bass fishing is very local, you really need advice from your local area (lancs?). Down here there are fish around now, had one myself last weekend and some larger fish to be had this time of year as well. In many places the bass are there all year, just not so many and not so many schoolies, just people are too busy fishing for cod Bait fishing, use big baits and big hooks, double squid on an 8/0 pennel, 2 velvet peelers on 6/0's sort of thing or the kind of baits used for cod, big and juicy. No need to throw them 100yds unless trying to hit a gully or feature, close in, in gullies, areas which are large rockpools at low tide or in the surf as well. Lure fishing is more summertime, try surface poppers like the cotton cordell or shallow jointed divers, deeper divers like the Rapala J13B work well (hot tip with one of those... If you're fishing somewhere too shallow and it's clean sand, maybe wading in a gantle surf, use them anyway, pull them in as normal letting the bib push into the sand and throw up puffs of sand etc, very attractive to hunting bass!!)

Depends who you are. If it's me there's no fish, anyone else there's loads... plenty being caught down here, just not by me.