How much longer for Bass ?

Anyone got an idea of how late into the year the Bass might be with us on the East Coast ? Had some joy recently after plugging for first time around Roney Point and I hear reports of Bass in plentiful supply at the warm water outlet in Poolbeg. Just wondering whether to replace the couple of lures I used and lost last month or wait till next year !

Soc.

depends on the wether soc. strongs winds of recent mean big smelly baits would be your best bet. bass should be around until end of nov. if you replace them you might catch a few fish on them, maybe even your biggest yet! you will be well prepared for start next year if you don't!

Cheers MB,

Funny you should mention that about smelly baits. I heard today that bass were falling to lugworm south of Cahore in Wexford as recently as last weekend. Good to hear they are still around for a while yet, although it'll be hard to go back to bottom-fishing after the excitement of catching one on the plug with a light spinning rod and 10lb line. It was small for a bass (3lb) but some buzz all the same. :D

Anyway I hope you're right about maybe getting a bigger one before end of season. I suppose the longer they hang around the bigger they are likely to get !!!

soc.

P.S. I compromised and just replaced one of the 2 lost plugs today !

Only use expensive plugs if you have to due very shallow reef. Tobys, kilty catchers, dexter wedges, german sprats and flying cs will all take bass depending on what their feeding on and are easier to cast. Some of the plugs being sold for bass are deep divers more suitable for trolling.

Donagh

Three words on plugs. "Storm Jointed Thunderstick", the only place still selling them on the planet I think, is Henry's Tackle in Dublin. Seriously, get the two he has left in stock. The firetiger and the spotted trout. Both are excellent Bass plugs that you can even use for pike. They are the longest casting shallow running plugs I have, and I have a lot of plugs. I was very doubtful of the firetiger colour until I attended the angling show last Feb and saw a pic by Bob Moss of a nice Bass with one hanging out of it's mouth. I have caught 2 bass both around 6lb this year on this colour. Only use during low light. The spotted trout is good during the day especially during a bright day as it has a very natural colour. I'll leave the decision to you guys but, if you like plugging you would be mad not to have at least one of these in you plug box.

Kev

PS Let me know if you need Henry's number

Thanks for the tips Donagh and Kev. Food for thought on the plug front. One of the ones I lost was a Storm plug (yellow and orange) but not jointed. The other was a mainly blue jointed Rapala. Going to nip down to Henry's today to see what he's got left. I definitely think the yellow/orange/red colours fished at either side of dawn is a winner. I agree about the Storms and casting, found them to give a much longer and smoother cast. Any opinion on which is best for attaching - loop knot or swivel ? Swivel gives a little extra weight but I reckon the loop knot gives a better action.

soc.

Rapala recommends a knot to their plugs as the weight of a swivel modifys the action of the plug. I follow their advise unless going for pike where a bite trace is needed.

Donagh

I always use a swivel. No particular reason, just always have. Maybe a swivel might hinder the action of some of the smaller plugs like the Rapala j9, but I use a small berkley swivel. They are very light and strong, they are also very small. I've never tank tested and no doubt the boys at Rapala do but I cant think such a small swivel would mess with the action that much.

Kev

a swivel could actually tap off the plug as it moves through the water giving of vibrations, and so could enhance the lure?

There was a run of bass in December last year on Greystones south beach at night. I had one. So did Ed Burke and some others on the beach... 8)

Got the Storm jointed thundersticks from Henry's today Kev (and cheaper than the rapala I got yesterday). Looking forward to using them. Interesting point about the swivel bangin' off the lure MB but have you heard the racket the thunderstick makes ??!!!!!

I reckon a knot still probably gives the purest action but I take your point Kev about swivels. I reckon the swivel is just that bit handier and quicker when you want to change lures so I've been using them meself recently. I've found Greystones fishes well in December DF (the odd codling, flats, dogs and small pollock) but first I heard of Bass there during that month ......will watch with interest this year.

Anyway, mission accomplished on getting good replacement plugs, now all I need is a chance to try them out. Better be nice to the missus. :wink:

Cheers lads,

soc

Yo Zuri, Yo Zuri Yo Zuri!!!
Lads I got some yo zuris from http://www.affordablefishing.com. havent got a bass yet, but they really look the business. I have their catalogue her in adobe format. If anyone wants a copy just pm me your email address.
JK

I have a few of the Yo-Zuri's alright. The MAG minnows are really good in the evening time. I find I get best results when, as I'm reeling in, I jerk the plug quickly towards me with the rod. This accelerates the plug causing it to vibrate hard. Just after the lure stops the fish hit. I've had bass to 7lb and pollock to 6lb doing that with the Yo-Zuri minnows. Still Can't beat the thundersticks for working that difficult shallow ground and for the catchability.

Kev

Just to let you know rapala recommend the following knot:

http://www.sdhookandline.com/knots/rapalaknot.html

To allow good lure action. They also say line strength can make a difference to the action of the lure :!:

Donagh