Chindelly
Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2021
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 256
- Points
- 53
- Location
- Hampshire
- Favourite Fishing
- Shore
After some recent fruitless sessions in locations that produced the goods last year I was left unfulfilled. Was the water temperature still too low, was the bait selection correct, were the tides optimal, did the air pressure matter? Whatever the answer was, the fish were simply not there taking the bait. Its never been simply the case of turning up at the waters edge, casting a line and then pulling in fish after fish, not in this current climate of over fishing our dwindling resources. So we use our knowledge and experience to try and gain a measure of success. To stack the cards in our favour.
I choose a local fishing mark inside Langstone Harbour. The harbour consists of mud flats and weed covered stones, perfect habitat for crabs. As the tide covers the crabs habitat, the bass follow, hunting these tasty treats. The mark I choose starts to get covered three hours after low water and the best fishing is during the hour or two afterwards. Any longer than this and the fish have moved on elsewhere.
Only light tackle is required using a 3 oz weight and a simple running ledger. I have found success with both rag worm and lug worm baits. I don't bother with peeler crab as it is often difficult to come by. Four or five worms lightly hooked through the head seems to do the trick.
A short cast of twenty to thirty yards into water between waist and knee deep and then wait. The fish make themselves apparent with their swirls and wakes as they cruise around rooting out the crabs. Its only a matter of time when one finds the juicy bunch of rag worm sat waiting to be eaten.
About 4 hours after low water, a bass found my bait, took it and the rod bent savagely. I sprang from my perch and tightened the line into the fish. It swam towards me at first, then when its nose got into the shallows turned about and swam away rapidly. I kept a fairly tight drag, it wasn't a big fish by any means and the fight was over rather quickly.
50cm and my first of 2021.
I fished on for another hour and caught 3 tiny bass that replace the decent fish that have moved on. When this occurs, its time to go home. Its was a good start and I am sure better fish will follow.
I choose a local fishing mark inside Langstone Harbour. The harbour consists of mud flats and weed covered stones, perfect habitat for crabs. As the tide covers the crabs habitat, the bass follow, hunting these tasty treats. The mark I choose starts to get covered three hours after low water and the best fishing is during the hour or two afterwards. Any longer than this and the fish have moved on elsewhere.
Only light tackle is required using a 3 oz weight and a simple running ledger. I have found success with both rag worm and lug worm baits. I don't bother with peeler crab as it is often difficult to come by. Four or five worms lightly hooked through the head seems to do the trick.
A short cast of twenty to thirty yards into water between waist and knee deep and then wait. The fish make themselves apparent with their swirls and wakes as they cruise around rooting out the crabs. Its only a matter of time when one finds the juicy bunch of rag worm sat waiting to be eaten.
About 4 hours after low water, a bass found my bait, took it and the rod bent savagely. I sprang from my perch and tightened the line into the fish. It swam towards me at first, then when its nose got into the shallows turned about and swam away rapidly. I kept a fairly tight drag, it wasn't a big fish by any means and the fight was over rather quickly.
50cm and my first of 2021.
I fished on for another hour and caught 3 tiny bass that replace the decent fish that have moved on. When this occurs, its time to go home. Its was a good start and I am sure better fish will follow.
