Bass are not really wreck fish. But saying that I once caught an 8lb Bass whilst
fishing for Pollack. Probably just a fluke, because that is the only one I have
seen caught on a wreck.
REEF FISHING
Now
reef fishing for Bass is another story. This species shoal around reefs in great
numbers and there
are areas around the country where they seem to dominate the
reef structures. Some of these areas however have been desecrated by gill net
fisherman, almost wiping out the shoals. Some of the areas have also been hit by
the Scotsman pair trawling and of course the French who are experts in
this field.
So where are these areas? I suppose the most famous was the Eddystone Reef in
it's heyday. Other areas are the Manacles, Wolf Rock, Portland Race, Start Point
and I could go on.
For drift fishing my favourite rig for bass fishing is a 15 to 20lb Rod at least
eight feet in length with a fast tip. A small multiplier loaded with 15lb main
line and a "flying collar" rig as shown in our diagram on the left.
Attached to this is a long flowing trace of
about
10 to 15 feet. I like to have at least two swivels in the trace to avoid any
chance of twisting. Weights attached to the flying collar only need to be
somewhere between 2 to 8 oz depending on tides and the winds. Sometimes a
freeline rig can used, with any weight in the form of lead shot being attached
to the main line.
Other favoured methods of Bass fishing are trolling. However this method limits
the number of people who can fish at any one time.
The favoured baits for Bass are it's normal
staple diet which is the Sandeel. Live sandeels being the most deadly. Close
behind are "joey' mackerel which are favoured by some over sandeels. These can
be kept alive on your vessel by having a baitwell through which sea water is
circulated. When it comes down to dead baits these are no so effective but do
catch at times in tidal races.
Strips
of fresh mackerel or squid may be used.
Artificial lures are used to great effect for Bass fishing.
The favoured lure is the Eddystone Eel or a lure of similar design. Colours seem
to be of a personal nature
but white with a blue back seems to be No1.
In France they use yellow only. I personal prefer red or an orange colour.
One lure you might consider using is the new Eddystone PlugEel which comes in
about 20 different colours. These can be used in tidal races of cast from the
boat.
Our picture on the right shows a Bass
captured on an Eddystone PlugEel White/Blue Back.
are areas around the country where they seem to dominate the
reef structures. Some of these areas however have been desecrated by gill net
fisherman, almost wiping out the shoals. Some of the areas have also been hit by
the Scotsman pair trawling and of course the French who are experts in
this field. 
about
10 to 15 feet. I like to have at least two swivels in the trace to avoid any
chance of twisting. Weights attached to the flying collar only need to be
somewhere between 2 to 8 oz depending on tides and the winds. Sometimes a
freeline rig can used, with any weight in the form of lead shot being attached
to the main line.
Strips
of fresh mackerel or squid may be used.
