Bass Interest, Missed Opportunities and Facts of Life, South East Wales

“The experimenting and hard fishing of the seventies confirmed for me that (common sense) light tackle together with “species specialisation” was the best way to achieve improved “Job Satisfaction”, more consistent catch results and management of the vagaries of the upper reaches of the Bristol Channel, along the south east coast of Wales.  The idea was to single out the individual prey species (Rays, Bass and Cod) that appealed to me, taking every practical step necessary to ensure that only the species of the day was caught by using the correct technique, gear, bait in the known habitat, at a precise time and state of a particular volume (height) of tide, plus the compatible weather and sea conditions.  The extreme tidal range, clouded waters (solids in suspension) and closed geography do not immediately conjure up a picture of an archetypal bass habitat, ensuring that consistency in any form would only come from a more detailed awareness of the prey species, and the influences the “unique” habitat and “unusual” environment had on their behaviour.  The combination of this acquired knowledge and the tide table predictions were invaluable when adopting the “species specialisation” approach, providing a means by which forward planning became a viable option.  The sacrifice was to restrict fishing for the chosen species to only those occasions when all the factors in the equation came together, the reward was the luxury of a level of consistency on a scale rarely achieved with random fishing.” 

If you think about it, most bass claimed as “caught” when using a rod rest of any description, technically owes little to any “skill” or input by the angler apart from baiting the hook and the initial despatch of the bait to a destination, often as not, decided by chance as against design.  It could be argued that the act of baiting and casting is sufficient to justify the claim “caught”, but the fact that the rod is then placed in the rod rest, actually negates any further contribution by the angler until the nod of the rod or the tinkle of the proverbial bell signals a “hit and run” attack or that a luckless fish has stumbled across the bait.  If “alert”, the angler will respond to any indication on the tip, strike and if prompt or lucky, will only confirm what has already occurred; the obliging fish has hooked itself. Often as not, the delay between awareness, picking up the rod, followed by the pause of indecision, is enough to sponsor a lost opportunity.  The end game of bringing the bass to the anglers’ feet can “legitimately” be claimed as a “Landing”. Alas, without that direct, “hands on, holding the rod” participation from the point when the lead weight settles on the seabed, through maintaining continuity of contact with the terminal tackle, recognising and interpreting the subtle interest of a bass, and the subsequent, instinctive, reflex strike action; all of which are confirmation of the REAL battle of wits between angler and fish, a question mark must hang over whether the angler has contributed sufficient skill input to justify claiming that he or she “Caught” the fish. 

It is impossible to calculate how much “bass interest” goes unnoticed as a result of a rested rod.  The experience of decades of holding the rod and the attending sensitivity and communion with the end tackle, through the line passing across the sensitive pad of the index finger, confirms the almost imperceptible delicacy with which a bass can investigate the bait, so subtle that no way would the presence be expressed on the rod tip.  The exhilaration of sensing a bass interest at the hook, developing as a slight increase in the tension of the line on the index finger, prompting a measured and calculated response, translating into a hooked fish, is a sensation likely to be experienced only by those who are diligent and hold their rod.  This description, commonly described as a “ghost” bite is no exaggeration, and is a factual account of numerous encounters I have had over the years with mature bass up to 9 ½ pounds.  Such scenarios occur more frequently than the reader may suspect.  The resulting strike is often no more than a subconscious, reflex reaction rather than a conscious decision.  When questioned about the bite afterwards, it is impossible to describe what triggered the instinctive reaction.  The degree of “aggression” of a bite is no indicator of the size of the bass showing an interest in the bait.  Often as not, the softest, most delicate and difficult to discern “touches” translate into large, mature bass whereas, the positive, hard, vigorous hits will usually signal   the  “suicidal” attack of immature, junior “school” bass.

The culmination of many years of serious bass fishing, holding the rod and frequent encounters with mature bass, has resulted in my own assessment of the “thrill and skill” element.  From the moment a bass presence at the bait is recognised, to the strike and the setting of the hook, when compared with the final stage, the subsequent playing and landing of the fish, is 60/40 in favour of stage one.  Relying on a rod rest is to be denied the largest portion of any satisfaction to be derived from a very personal, one to one battle of wits with an alert prey.  With experience, playing a large, mature bass is, relatively speaking, the easy part provided the angler remains calm and has a predetermined strategy for landing the fish. 

The tackle used will inevitably have a profound influence on an anglers’ assessment of the sporting qualities of a bass.  Appreciated and applauded if “light”, practical, sensible tackle, appropriate for the ground being fished, is used, so that the natural survival instincts of the bass sponsor a level of resistance that demands an intelligent and skilful response from the angler.  The use of “standard” beach casting gear could diminish the appreciation of that resistance to a level where the beaching is little more than an academic exercise. 

Bass, the Facts of Life!

It is not the intention of this piece to enter into any debate, discussion or argument about catch and return or the unfortunate despatch of bass just inside the accepted, minimum size.  Such decisions are personal and the sole property of an individual anglers’ conscience.  Ignorance or lack of knowledge often are the culprits, hopefully not greed or ego, so an explanation of the various facets of a basses lifestyle including breeding behaviour may not contribute to improved catches, but could nurture an awareness of the slow growth rate and delicate spawning balance, encouraging a more responsible attitude to the welfare of the species. 

Breeding Behaviour and Growth.

The waters off the coast of Wales have always been promoted as the extreme, northern edge of the bass’s range.  This has had a direct impact on both the rate of growth and the spawning success when compared with the species found in the warmer, Mediterranean waters.  This declaration has stood the test of time but, of course, there is a “new” and serious influence, global warming.  The impact of this phenomenon on the bass in the Bristol Channel has yet to be assessed, and, as far as I am aware, stands as speculation rather than fact at this time.  Isolated populations of bass have been found as far north as Iceland but whether this is the result of global warming or a delay in recognising that this species was resident in small numbers, awaiting discovery, is not clear.  In the “cooler” waters off the southeast coast of Wales the slow growth rate was to some extent offset by the longevity of the bass, whether this is still true following the increase in commercial, recreational fishing, the intrusion of foreign trawlers and the “warming” of the Bristol Channel is an unanswerable question at this time.  Confidence is further undermined by the reported landings of tonnes of bass at Dutch and French Ports, fish driven south from the Irish and North seas by the extreme cold weather during the early part of this year (2010).Accepting that the status quo prevails until revised, updated, information becomes available, the following generalities explain the natural difficulties the species bass (Dicentrachus Labrax) has had to accommodate over the centuries in order to survive and maintain a sustainable presence in the waters that it has explored and found habitable.Male bass reach maturity (ability to procreate for the first time) between the ages of four to seven years, and females from five to eight years, with subsequent spawning occurring every year between April and June, the success of which is dependent on the climatic conditions and water temperatures prevailing at the time.  Reportedly, the majority of mature bass that the angler encounters are likely to be females and their lifespan statistics are outlined in the following table.  Male bass growth is even slower.    

Don Cook’s Welsh record bass caught on the 13 th. July 1980 at Aberthaw weighed 17 lb. 6 ozs. (circa 36 inches/ 92 cms)

As a guideline, a sensible minimum size for bass which would “ensure” at least one spawning sequence, is 45 cms (circa 18 inches/ approx 2 ¼ lb.) 

A measure of a Bass!

It has to be said that in this day and age, there is a wide spread acknowledgement of the virtues of  returning bass after capture and many anglers have “signed up” to this idea on a regular basis.  It is quite natural to want a reasonably accurate weight of the fish to be returned, to go with the digital photographs as a record for posterity, but this usually translates into a relatively bulky set of scales and additional stress on the fish.  The Bass Anglers Sport Fishing Society supply a very good alternative to the scales in the form of a “Measurement to Weight” Tape Measure.  The tape is 104 cms. (42 inches) in length, and made from a material called “Tyvek” which is claimed to be tear resistant, rot proof, salt water proof and can be crumpled up and stuffed in the pocket without ill effect.  One edge of the tape is marked with the measurements in cms, the other edge carries the weight to length in lbs and inches.  To achieve an accurate measurement reading, lay the bass on the tape and measure from the tip end of the nose to the closed, flattened down tail.  The tape could be of great use to marshals supervising catch and release bass competitionsThe address for ordering the tape is as follows:John Morgan, 30, Thomas Street, Aberavon, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan SA12 6LTAll proceeds from the sales of the Tape go to the B.A.S.S. Restoration Project which actively promotes the protection of the Bass.  The Tapes are £2.00 each plus 50p p&p up to three tapes. For example: I Tape total cost £2.50, 2 Tapes £4.50 and 3 Tapes £6.50.  For carriage costs of quantities above 3 Tapes, please contact the above.   As yet B.A.S.S. do not have a facility to process credit cards etc., so payment is via a cheque made out to the “Bass Restoration Project”.

When is the Right Time for a Rest?

In an ideal world there would be NO Rod Rests!!  The paragraph “if you think about it” at the start of this blog, clearly demonstrates just how little input the sea angler has in the actual “catching” process, and the heavy burden of success is firmly and undeniably put on chance and the benevolence of Lady Luck. 

I suspect that the U.K. is the capital of the world when it comes to the use of rod rests, which is not intended as a compliment, more an indictment of how sea fishing in G.B. has drifted away from the far seeing concepts of the 1960’s/ 70’s.  “Holding the Rod” is not the requisite of bass fishing alone, but can be equally effective and satisfying when used with other species such as Rays, Cod, Smoothounds, Flounders, Plaice etc., in fact, virtually any species found in British waters.  This concept is not new and was given an airing some 25 to 30 years ago, when adaptations of the “Fighting Butt Pads” as used in Deep Sea fishing, were developed for shore fishing. 

Observations of a typical “rod rest” scenario played out around the coast on a daily basis, could go something like this,

“Cast, set the rod in the rest, tighten up any slack line, watch the rod tip intently for a few minutes, nothing happening, wander off, talk to the mates, have a cup of coffee, infrequent glances at the rod tip to confirm no visible activity, continue as before, was that a nod on the rod, indecision, stand by the rod hoping the obliging interloper will flag up another trip of the rod tip, fervent rush to the rod, pick it up, grasp the line, more delay while seeking confirmation or otherwise of any feeling of activity, either strike and reel in or return the rod to the rest in the hope that the prey will signal a second show of interest. Discuss the phantom bite with the mates etc.”

The likely reality is that either the movement of the tip was the result of crab interest or weed, or if indeed fish interest, the potential prize has long gone, having mutilated the bait in the process.

The uncertainty, delays and lost opportunities could be dramatically reduced by the adoption of direct contact with the line, accommodated by the body rod support, irrespective of the species or the length of the rod.  The principle is to cast in the normal manner, then place the rod butt in the “cup” of the “Waist Rod Support”, holding the rod vertically, in direct contact with the line through the index finger, ready and prepared for immediate, no delay due to indecision, reaction to the fish interest.     

Float, Fly and Lure fishing are all techniques that require the total involvement of the sea angler from tempting to landing, why exclude bait fishing on the bottom?

Fishing Rod Belts.

Any sea angler interested in the idea of replacing the rod rest with a fishing Rod belt for more direct contact, or just wishing to understand the concept, “Google” in “Flag Carrier Belts” which will present pages of information on the subject and lists of suppliers.

One particular supplier of the “Flag Carrier Belts” which displays a good cross section of belts is the Band Shop. Link: http://www.drum-sounds.co.uk/slings-harnesses-belts-and-leg-guards-106-c.asp

As always, shopping around is the most sound idea, not only to search for the best price but to evaluate the different designs before making the final decision.

In this day and age of the tangible shortage of  the popular prey fish stocks, with forecasts suggesting that this situation could become even worse, it makes sense to adopt strategy’s and advance any techniques that dramatically raises the probability that awareness, sensitivity and direct contact will maximise any fish approaches to the bait.      

Imagine!!

Imagine, standing on the beach or rock platform, beach rod vertical with the butt end resting comfortably in the “cup” of the Rod Belt, securely wrapped around the waist, the rod supported by a hand at the reel with the index finger in contact with the line, poised to react instantly or appropriately to the first sign of interest from a bass, smoothound, thornback or small eyed ray!! 

Read Mike Thrussell’s review of Derek’s book “Bass Fishing from the shore in South East Wales and More”

Click here for “Review”.

Buy the book” Bass Fishing from the shore in South East Wales and More” by Derek Townsend Click here for Details.