South West Reckon its bassy?

[mojitojon79]

Found a little spot at the mouth of a bay on milford haven estuary. This is at low tide. Other side of the rocks is flat muddy ground, but there are a few gullies between the rocks. You reckon they'd be worth trying some lures or stick to worm baits beyond the rocks?

 

[mojitojon79]

 

[Mr Fish]

Yep I’d say definitely, target the gullies on the flood.

As to what works there and best time, it’s not an area I know and don’t have a scooby doo about lures anyway.

Estuaries can be quite bait specific so you might find peeler crab works better, if only because the crabs won’t strip it TOO much!
Generally I’d match the hatch so use whatever worm lives in the mud/sand there.
Most estuaries have some lug or you might find there’s a lot of harbour rag there.

Mostly I’ve found king rag is a waste of time if it can’t be found in the estuary.
Not saying you’d never catch on it but the few times I’ve tried it or seen people use it, the results are pretty dismal.

 

[mojitojon79]

There's loads of sign of lug worm on the mud there. Also a few guys round here recommended muddies for the flounder in the estuary so you're pretty much bang on there mr.fish. im gonna pop down the tackle shop tomorrow and see what theyve got. If i cant get fresh peeler is frizen any good?

 

[John Mitchell]

Lures would be worth a go when the water us reasonably clear

 

[mojitojon79]

Lures would be worth a go when the water us reasonably clear

I've brought a spinning rod with me along with beach caster so may as well chuck a few lures around. I'm brand new to spinning so I'm keen to get started. So far I've only caught the bug for buying stuff. No fish on the lures from shore yet.

 

[Mr Fish]

There's loads of sign of lug worm on the mud there. Also a few guys round here recommended muddies for the flounder in the estuary so you're pretty much bang on there mr.fish. im gonna pop down the tackle shop tomorrow and see what theyve got. If i cant get fresh peeler is frizen any good?

It’s the right time of year, you might find some fresh crabs in the weed, if you have time to look.

Otherwise personally I think quality frozen peeler is a good substitute.
Obviously fresh is always going to be better but some quite look down their nose at frozen when in fact I’ve still caught on it okay.
The only drawback when buying it is the quality ie are they put in to freeze when prime peeler, or not quite ready, or even refrozen, some places can be a bit naughty with their bait.
But no way of knowing until you buy it, just a chance to you to take.

 

[mojitojon79]

I'm heading down Tuesday morning around half four. High tide is 6.15. I'll let you know how it goes. Knowing my luck I'll catch an oil tanker ...thanks

 

[Mr Fish]

I'm heading down Tuesday morning around half four. High tide is 6.15. I'll let you know how it goes. Knowing my luck I'll catch an oil tanker ...thanks

If you haven’t already it would be a good idea to suss out a gully or two you want to fish up/into?

 

[mojitojon79]

If you haven’t already it would be a good idea to suss out a gully or two you want to fish up/into?

I went today at low tide to look at some landmarks/areas to aim at. Don't think I'm accurate enough to put a weighted bait into a gully, so figured I'd cast beyond the rocks into the muddy ground with a pulley rig or up and over, and then try with weedless lures over the gullies

 

[Mr Fish]

I went today at low tide to look at some landmarks/areas to aim at. Don't think I'm accurate enough to put a weighted bait into a gully, so figured I'd cast beyond the rocks into the muddy ground with a pulley rig or up and over, and then try with weedless lures over the gullies

I wouldn’t go too big in the estuary - a 1/0 peeler bait would be fine, or 2/0 max.
For shorter range stuff like that I’d probably just use a running ledger and hang the hook on a lead spike to cast.
It doesn’t matter too much though, a pulley etc is fine too.
What size weight depends on the tide run there.

 

[mojitojon79]

I wouldn’t go too big in the estuary - a 1/0 peeler bait would be fine, or 2/0 max.
For shorter range stuff like that I’d probably just use a running ledger and hang the hook on a lead spike to cast.
It doesn’t matter too much though, a pulley etc is fine too.
What size weight depends on the tide run there.

Would the spike ie the grip weight not catch in the rocks if I miss the gully? Would I be safer with plain torpedo shaped weights? Good shout on small hooks. I've got some 2/0 hooks with me.

 

[Mr Fish]

Would the spike ie the grip weight not catch in the rocks if I miss the gully? Would I be safer with plain torpedo shaped weights? Good shout on small hooks. I've got some 2/0 hooks with me.

Yes true, if you don’t need a gripper I wouldn’t worry, but depends what the tide is like. Probably two hours before high it should be easing down somewhat

 

[Cfish]

Sometimes the grip wires stop the lead falling down cracks and holes in the rocks

 

[Trampster]

Sometimes the grip wires stop the lead falling down cracks and holes in the rocks

True Tommo, but sometimes a plain Torpedo lead will allow the bait to roll with the tide until it finds a gully out on the Mud.

Which is best is always a difficult question.

 

[mojitojon79]

Sometimes the grip wires stop the lead falling down cracks and holes in the rocks

Good tip. It never would have occurred to me

 

[Beach]

It’s the right time of year, you might find some fresh crabs in the weed, if you have time to look.

Otherwise personally I think quality frozen peeler is a good substitute.
Obviously fresh is always going to be better but some quite look down their nose at frozen when in fact I’ve still caught on it okay.
The only drawback when buying it is the quality ie are they put in to freeze when prime peeler, or not quite ready, or even refrozen, some places can be a bit naughty with their bait.
But no way of knowing until you buy it, just a chance to you to take.

I have brought some fresh peelers, due to weather conditions didn't use them and stuck in a plastic box in the freezer. Used them when the weather played ball and caught plaice and bass from the shore with them. Best to collect your own though.

 

[Wolf]

i would be tempted to use a crab bait ,on a long trace ,with a rolling lead,or work a lure or two over the area

 

[mojitojon79]

Just got back from bait shop in Pembroke dock. Lovely bloke in there. Bought some great looking rag and lug but he didn't have any crab. Said its still a bit early round here for peelers. Maybe ill get a minute between hauling in all the bass on my lures to look under some rocks. If I find hard shell crabs do they work or is it only worth using peelers?

 

[Muskins]

Just my view but fresh peeler for bass, fresh or frozen for codling. Looking at that ground I'd be happy with peeler and lug..... even a whole squid for the larger fish

Musky

PS and although I tried I never caught a tope....... having been a Clive Gammon disciple in the late 70's