first bognor bass !

[luffers]

Hi All,

After a wasted round trip from Bognor to Telford today with work I arrived back home at 1530.

A quick check on the beach showed wind 3-4 SW but I needed a fishing fix so it was straight home and within 30 minutes I was back on the beach with my Yak and underway out at low-water !.

I have decided to sacrifice one of my trout rod and reels to do some saltwater fly fishing and I started with this just drifting the line of the rocks as the tide started to flood !. After 4 long drifts and nothing I decided to switch to my spinning rod and on the first drift I caught my first Bognor Bass about 1 lb 12ozs. The next drift I hooked a much better fish that came off close to the kayak which I estimated at 4-5 lbs. Next drift nothing and on the last drift I had a hard fighting Bass of 3lbs 5ozs!

This is just what I have brought my yak for hit-and-run 2 hours concentrated effort!! Brilliant!

 

regards

Luffers

[YakDiver]

sounds like a good trip

[Starvinmarvin]

Nice one luffers, image if you had managed one on the fly first time out, what flies were you trying. I have had most success with a white Schminnow size 6, but have accumulated a box full of flies to try over the coming months.

 

SM

[Simon Everett]

Well done Luffers, chuffed for you.

 

Now, compare the lure you caught on and use a fly of a similar size, or a little larger - then you'll get them on the fly too! There are some times when a fly will work better than a lure.

What fly line are you using - most of us use a gost tip as it is the most versatile - floating main section with 15' of clear intermediate on the end. Use that with a furled leader and about 8 feet (max needed) of mono - 8lb 10lb or 12lb depending on the ground you are over.

 

You can get furled leaders from here - they are brilliant ones too. Self explanatory:

http://www.furledleaders.co.uk/sst.htm

 

keep at it - but try not to tell people where you catch them or you will find that your own bass fishing is knackered by a local with a net.....loook at what happened in N. Wales.

[luffers]

Nice one luffers, image if you had managed one on the fly first time out, what flies were you trying. I have had most success with a white Schminnow size 6, but have accumulated a box full of flies to try over the coming months.

 

SM

 

Hi sm,

Well i just decided to use my 7-8 wieght trout fishing set up with floating line and the biggest dead chicken in the box !!

Were did you get your schminnows from ?

From comments my fly even thou it had a small plastic sandeel tail is too small so i need to move up in size !!

regards

luffers

[luffers]

Well done Luffers, chuffed for you.

 

Now, compare the lure you caught on and use a fly of a similar size, or a little larger - then you'll get them on the fly too! There are some times when a fly will work better than a lure.

What fly line are you using - most of us use a gost tip as it is the most versatile - floating main section with 15' of clear intermediate on the end. Use that with a furled leader and about 8 feet (max needed) of mono - 8lb 10lb or 12lb depending on the ground you are over.

 

You can get furled leaders from here - they are brilliant ones too. Self explanatory:

http://www.furledleaders.co.uk/sst.htm

 

keep at it - but try not to tell people where you catch them or you will find that your own bass fishing is knackered by a local with a net.....loook at what happened in N. Wales.

 

Hi Simon,

Thanks for the link!

When i am at low water the depth i am in is about 3-4 feet and very rocky , so i decided to use a floating line to start with and see how it went but i may have to use a sink-tip ? . I have a whole wallet full of big trout flys but i am interested in your comment about the size of fly i should be using and i will try your suggestion and let you know how i get on !!

What weight rod do you use ?

Bit late for keeping it quite as there are nets and pots every where BUT alot is not netted so there is room for all !!

regards

Luffers

[Neil]

Just wait until the FPO gets at them Luffers. You will never live it down if she boats the the big one you lost.

 

 

Neil.

[luffers]

Just wait until the FPO gets at them Luffers. You will never live it down if she boats the the big one you lost.

Neil.

Hi Neil !

Please dont tempt fate !! she already asked me if i get some bass flys she want one ! i may just give her some of my old trout flys ???

mind you knowing her luck se will bag a double on a size 14 buzzer

[Starvinmarvin]

I tye the Shminnows myself, very easily done.

 

The Ghost Tip as Simon has already mentioned was a turning point for me and my bass fishing, was using a floating line before that, but wasn't having much luck.

 

The furled leaders that Simon mentioned are superb, I go for the option of tapered leaders 9ft, rarely bother with a tippet until the the tapered leader starts getting a little short. Many just use mono straight through with no taper.

 

I find the smaller flies work best for me, nothing bigger than a size 1 although there are plenty bigger in my fly box.

 

Keep at it.

 

SM