Sea Bass fishing help

[sfj21]

Hi all. I want to try and catch a Sea Bass this year and was wondering what gear/tactics to use. I normally target Cod with a 8ft pier rod, 6oz weights (you know the drill). Would this be of any use to catch Sea Bass or do I need to get a spinning rod? Imagine if you will that I know nothing about fishing!!! What is the complete set of gear that I would need? Also what type of bait is best (I've heard Mussels are good)? Any marks close to Seaton Sluice would also be appreciated. Thanks for your help.

[The Great Wallsendo]

I've been told that LONG flowing traces with single large ragworm on 1 to 1/0 hooks will do the trick - or even fish baits...

As to set up why not invest in a carp or flattie type rod? your 8ft Pier Rod is prob a bit cumbersome...you don't need to spend more than £40

Location wise there's no reason why a good surf type beach won't have Bass about - if you catch my drift

[Sheepy]

Interested in a bit of bass fishing myself. Is it worth spinning for them off the rocks up here? Would like to catch them on the lightest tackle posible.

[5150]

Had Bass off Sluice & Blyth beach in the past mate, never in quantity but just taken on Rag at high tide.

[willywetegg]

You can quite often pick up a Bass off Blyth beach but they are not really consistant. Try fishing pretty close in as you will be surprised how close they can be. Try a rolling weight with a long trace with Ragworm or fish baits but only when the sea is not rough or you will be washed onto the beach, if there is a bit of sea running use a gripper. Don't use great big hooks as it will give you more chance but I have caught them regularly on 4/0 and 5/0 hooks when fishing for Cod.

You will catch them with the gear you have but if you can get hold of some lighter gear it is much more fun. Once again, have a look at low tide, find where the holes and gullies are and fish into them as that is where the fish find scraps of food.

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

Jim.

[RossW]

I have caught a couple of Bass at The Astley Arms on Seaton Sluice Beach in the autumn. I was fishing for codling/whiting at high tide and not casting very far. Seem to recall that they were caught at dusk - that's a good time (and dawn if you can be bothered)
Like Jim says, they're pretty thin on the ground but they are great fun - great little scrappers.

[micky]

hi m8 u can get them of whitley and tynmout beach my fav mark for tem is cambois ramp and sandy bay just on the mouth of the river! i foud the best time is when there is a bit of a sea runing dont need a massive chuck fishin in the surf i found works best and use a long flowing running ledger rig with rag crab fish baits etc il give u a pm wen i go out to fish for them and if ur free ur more than welcom to come out with us

[RONVIK]

http://www.nesa.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/149

Where was this photo taken?(from gallery)

ive caught loads of bass but that was at portsmouth/gosport. on rag and peeler-crab. they love hunting in the breakers/surf, and in estuaries and harbours or around rock marks.

[brash1]

http://www.nesa.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/149
Where was this photo taken?(from gallery)

ive caught loads of bass but that was at portsmouth/gosport. on rag and peeler-crab. they love hunting in the breakers/surf, and in estuaries and harbours or around rock marks.

looks like seaham north pier.

[Kentish Bassman]

I haven`t fished for Bass up here yet, but I used to target them a lot when I lived down South. The Bass could be caught just about everywhere, from clean, sandy beaches to rock marks and, my favourite, piers and groynes. I would always take frozen sandeel which I would fish on a long, flowing trace and the bigger Bass seemed to love them. I rarely spin for them but if the mackerel are about it can be worth putting a large Rapala on and if you can get past the mackerel the Bass are quite often underneath them so you need to fish quite deep, piers are great venues for this. Piers are also brilliant for float fishing, again with sandeel on a long trace. I have had Bass up to 11lb on an 8ft telescopic rod using float fished sandeel. Although I really rate sandeel just about any of the usual baits will temp a Bass, from rag and lug to a whole side of fresh mackerel. If there is a good surf running find a clean open beach like Druridge bay and cast to around the 4th or 5th breaker out. Bass love patrolling close in on surf beaches so long casts aren`t necessary.
I will definitely be targeting the Bass this summer and there are some very good looking marks along the stretch of coast North of the Tyne.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Beachlover]

I don't honestly think it's worth tageting bass as there are so few around these shores, a bit like cod really

Just go fishing with the gear you have and if they are there you will catch them, they always seem to take rag whenever I've caught them.

[sfj21]

Thanks for the help/advice. Excellent as usual. From what everyone is saying, Bass isn't really a species that is worth targeting due to lack of fish. What is available in the summer months apart from Mackerel?

[The Great Wallsendo]

Thanks for the help/advice. Excellent as usual. From what everyone is saying, Bass isn't really a species that is worth targeting due to lack of fish. What is available in the summer months apart from Mackerel?

Wrasse, Pollock, Red Cod, Specimen Flatties...

Setting myself to catch a few of these this year

[sfj21]

Wrasse, Pollock, Red Cod, Specimen Flatties...

Setting myself to catch a few of these this year

Years ago I went fishing for Red Cod up at Berwick. I was told they were only available in that area. Is this still the case or can you get them closer to home?

[SIXFOOTSTEVE]

Much closer to home mate , you'll find them in the weed beds in most areas ,personally had them from St.Marys and Cullercoats .