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Sea bass hunting : advice (UK)

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
Oh one thought, I have been diving on this same reef for almost three years.. I think now I do almost half less dives during session, but catch about twice as much fish.. I thought about this and came to a conclusion that it must be something like diving hunch.. you just somehow know the good spots and target them rather than look for places as I dive..

How do you guys work on your home reef?
I swim most of the time.. about 3/4 of the time I am swimming... "very strong current"

Pekka
 
Pekka - I think you have to take the fish (entire - not gutted obviously !) to your local town and try to find someone with "official" scales for weighing it.

I think in Guernsey this is the fish market or the dive centre - look for a similar place.


Damn - you should have done that - could have had the record !
Got any photos yet ?

I posted one of a 9 pounder in the fish photo section - looks smaller somehow - must be the wide angle lens

//

I guess you are right about instinct. I now start looking for really specific places and am seeing alot more bass - (got two more last night - both around 3 and a half pounds) - but saw a beuaty around 7 pounds. Unfortunately he swam head on to me and I didnt want to risk a head shot. Any advice ?

He turned at the last moment and sped off. REally small target head on (and I dont like to spike them like that - I know some of you do !)

Pekka - sounds like we have very similar grounds. There is a mean current here too - certainly get fit swimming around in it - saw my second brream last night - and some gar - any tips on gar ?

Post that picture Pekka - we want to see your monster bass !

Cheers
Ed
 
Ed,

Shoot them head on. Its the best way to catch bass. Most of the time they will swerve and you will hit them broadside even though you aimed at his face.

Aim between the nose and the eyes and this will be in line with the spine and lateral line of the fish.


Both my bass over 5 kilos (11 pounds) where caught this way.

You now have an accurate gun so no excuses
 
Thanks Pekka - I'll probably contact you when we've made some firm plans, don't mind a current (within reason).

Looks like it could be the 24th/25th september

Alex
 
Cheers Shane - I guess you are right - strange, he sort of came head on, mostly they turn a decent way out and give you a good broadside but he came in pretty close. You are right - should have had a pop anyway.

How are the tuna ? Have any been coming your way ? Had a chance to try out your barrels ?!

Ed
 
Hey Ed,

I have had bass ram right into my mask. Especially the bigger ones. This is a sign that your aspetto has gone far too well

The tuna have not been seen yet. The water has been too cold. Apparently they saw a couple of biggies jumping yesterday so this year the season could be a lot later and extend til November.

Lets hope this is the case.

I will let you know how the barrels go when i give them a try.

Shane
 
Hi Alex, I'll be in US the 24th and 25th... sorry I'll be back around 14th Oct.
I dont have computer of my own and my rights here at the library dont help much.... I have some pictures on my camera and my phone, the quality of the phone pictures is rubbish so I might not post those ones, but certainly pictures of my bass.. as soon as I get them online..


In the mean time I'll be hunting some more bass! Try to catch something bigger...

-Pekka
At the moment I am totally broke.. cant afford to buy computer or get someone to develop them for me.. so you just have to wait for it..
 
secret's are out for the bass -- none shall be safe!

Is anyone familiar with the noise bass makes under the water? I'm sure you've heard it when you scared that big one off at some stage or other but have you tried to re-create it?

When bass are hunting small fish they lie and wait then pounce, this is where they make noise -- on the pounce. I only picked this up this Summer and it has helped me immensely. When doing an aspetto or just before doing my aspetto I sharply pronounce," ooh" with my mouth closed using my throat only to recreate the sound, not my voice. If you use your voice it will not work, you need the noise to be made only once and made well with your throat/tongue -- try creating pressure then releasing it in one sharp noise.

Unfortunately it's impossible for me to describe the sound you make as I would need to be speaking to you to describe it efficiently but some experimentation with noise during your aspetto will get you on your way!

If you make the noise correctly and there are bass in the area they will instantly come to see you and investigate as this is the noise it makes when it accelerates into a school of fish on it's prey and other bass will instantly think there is an abundant food source nearby.

happy hunting
 
Paddy - wow ! Are you sure you're not a fish behavioural biologist ?!

Good tips and does it work for women in the pub too? I suspect not...

Cheers
Ed
 

That's correct... I always do that and it works fine. It was on my spearfishing course that I learn to do that with the Bass. It's difficult to explain... It’s like an "ooh"...
What I didn't know was, why the bass respond immediately to that... but I guess you have answered that for me...

Thanks...
 
Cheers PAddy - tried the calling yesterday and found about 5 four-pounders surrounding me - but had a camera instead of a gun - still, got a few nice shots !
 
Pekka,

We've changed our plans to go down on 18th/19th sept now. I'll probably be over in Weymouth though, since we're staying at a friends there. If you're likely to be about that area then let me know and I'll give you a call.

See you down there perhaps,

Alex
 
Hi Alex,

You say your in weymouth soon, any ideas where your planning to go?

I went out spearing at Ringstead on saturday but only saw small wrasse and pollack, nothing worth shooting.

The viz down here is not too good at the moment, probably even worse now as the winds got up last night from the SE which always stirs things up.

Best bet at the moment is probably inside Portland Harbour as its sheltered and should still be clear enough (i.e. 5-8m viz)

Steve
 
Hi Steve,

Yeah not really sure, we'd probably just want to go where we're likely to see most fish!

It's not for another 10 days or so, maybe it will have cleared up a bit by then?

Alex
 
Hi Alex,

Hopefully it should clear up nicely for when your down here.

Best bets are probably either Portland Harbour or Newtons Cove at this time of year.

Steve
 
Alex ,

Vis at Chesil cove last night was 5m close in , reducing to 1-2m out around Tar rocks.

Stay close to the shore as it gets dark and you should see a few small bass. If you find the old pipe follow it out untill the kelp bed ends and there are plenty of larger pollock.

Chesil is you best bet at the moment with the eastly wind , If the conditions are diffrent when you come down try and get out to hte breakwater , Its worth the trip.
 
Well all my friends were hungover today (I was too - slightly...) but anyway - couldn't rustle up any buddies so went out for a quick session and landed a nice 3 pound black bream and an 8 pound bass.

Sometimes it's just better to deal with a hangover in the sea !

Ed
 
Ed

Nice one mate, wish I had come along now!! Having lamb for tea :-(

Probably heading out tomorow PM if you fancy - no beers tonight so will be hangover free!

Adrian
 
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