Bass rod

[Just one last cast]

Bass fishing rod

So still yet to wet a line this year. For the first time since being diagnosed eight years ago Parkinson’s disease owned me this winter rather than the other way around. That and the passing of my father have meant a bleak winter.

As I m sure it does for many of you in similar situations health wise fishing remains one of the main motivations to keep us going.

Looking to lighten the load this year, fish shorter sessions and continue with lure fishing which I started some what unsuccessfully last year,

Bass fishing seems to have its own category and again I have rarely caught many in my time beach fishing.

For anyone still reading here comes the question.

If you want to take a single rod bass fishing do you go with the 11ft 2/4 max oz rod for sensitive takes on worm or sandeel OR go for my previous Third rod on chesil set up an old daiwa supercast. Or similar capable of lobbing out a 6ox lead and sardine or Joey mackerel, without it being washed in every 10 seconds .venues likely to be west bex seaton & Lyme as easily accessible.

TIA

 

[flappy]

 

[Reevsey]

I'd have one of each then you can choose which one you take depending on the conditions on the day . Most of the bassing on chesil involves dropping a big bait in the gutter so I would have thought the heavier of the 2 would be best . I use AFAW Bass pro & AFAW estuary rods to cover all my bassing plus a lure rod .

 

[Just one last cast]

I'd have one of each then you can choose which one you take depending on the conditions on the day . Most of the bassing on chesil involves dropping a big bait in the gutter so I would have thought the heavier of the 2 would be best . I use AFAW Bass pro & AFAW estuary rods to cover all my bassing plus a lure rod .

Good point. Better to plan to cover all options & try to be flexible on arrival or during the session even if it means a change of approach or venue and a trip back to the car. That’s the tricky part for me it’s too easy to turn up & sit in the same spot each week with the same method rather than trying something different.
As for the conditions at Bexington I always bank on it being worse than it looks on the.weather forecast & webcam either Rough,very rough or too rough
Thanks for the advice

 

[Beach]

I always take a scratching rod with either lures or similar and a beach caster with fresh bait, as you never know what may turn up.

 

[OldGreyDog]

Sorry to hear you had a really tough winter, what with losing your dad and your own health battles.

I’m also an oldie, over seventy, lost my own dad last spring, and have boggled hips, although they will hopefully get ‘the fix’ when I can get myself organised.

My solution for keeping fishing has been avoiding long sessions in cold weather as it plays havoc on iffy’ joints. I have switched pretty much exclusively to lure fishing for bass through the warmer months. I do only short sessions of a couple of hours max’, carry just a very light rod and reel, a few lures in a box in a small bum-bag , a multi-tool with pliers for removing hooks, sunnies, Tilley hat etc, I’m enjoying this way of fishing so much that I kind of regret not having done it decades ago.

 

[Just one last cast]

Thanks for the advice. As you say it seems to be the lightest way to travel & try to fish at key times plus would probably be better exercise for me. Gave it a go last year but until I get a few fish it’s hard to leave the other gear behind. Good luck getting the knees fixed will tap you up for some lure advice later in the year if I can get my legs working & get back out there.

 

[OldGreyDog]

Thanks for the advice. As you say it seems to be the lightest way to travel & try to fish at key times plus would probably be better exercise for me. Gave it a go last year but until I get a few fish it’s hard to leave the other gear behind. Good luck getting the knees fixed will tap you up for some lure advice later in the year if I can get my legs working & get back out there.

Once you get a few it builds confidence. I had more confidence of catching on lures than on bait last year.

Edit. Should have added that last year was only my second season lure fishing and I mainly fish muddy/gravelly estuaries. I was lucky enough to catch a couple of small schoolies on my second ever attempt early in 23’ and from then on, I was hooked. I used mainly soft plastic lures in 2023 but persevered more with hard lures last year as I had built up a bit more confidence where, when, and how to fish my marks.

 

[Just one last cast]

No pressure then. Going to sort my kit out once the kids go back to school Hopefully be back out there soon even if only To get back into the swing of things iron out the wind knots etc. will keep you posted!