Freelining for Bass

Alright lads,

Whats the best way to free line for Bass???? What size hook is best? Is using Sandeel the best bet??? Also what about tactics? Obviously I would be very discreet, would I just let the sandeel come in with the tide, and try cast it as far as allowed, with no lead?

Cheers

Codswallop

I am not sure I know the answer but couldn't resist having a pop. I guess the main difficulty is casting far enough and the amount of time the bait is in the water. It may be best to use a very large Launce type sand-eel for weight. However this type of fishing would mean that you would not be able to cast to far from yourself and that you would need to be in constant contact with the bait (holding the rod) as it rolls in with the tide (reducing the time your bait is in the best feeding zone in the water), otherwise you run a great risk of not hooking any fish as there would be no resistance. I have not tried this from an open beach as a very light rolling lead (2oz) appears to me to be more practical, as I doubt if it would spook the fish or make the presentation much different. A light lead is a nice way of fishing with a bass rod and has the bonus of getting a good fight even from a founder. When doing this I think its best to cast with the tide, but maybe some people would disagree. The tide runs across a beach not directly in and out and casting with the tide covers more ground. Its also a good method to get sea-trout. A friend of mine free lines mackerel strips or sand eel from piers (deep water) without any weight and finds this a brilliant method for coalies. He has consistently caught bigger fish while those around him are casting out on the bottom. Also the hits (bites) are pretty severe. I can't see an advantage of not using a lead on an open beach unless the water is quite deep, but those beaches don't tend to be the best Bass beaches. Good luck Anyway and let us know how you are getting on.

i found coalies hit a moving bait quite well too. used to flick out ragworm on a small trout rod with one or to split shot on 4lb. line. worked well for them. myself and friends often floatfished the same spot and never caught coalies consistantly until started fishin this way.

Cheers Lads, heading down to Wexford next week to give it a try. Myself and John D are heading to Ringsend today at lunch from work for an hour to do a bit of spinning, anything to get out. Although, hope I dont smell to fishy when i get back, no actually, I hope I do!!! :D

Codswallop

So do you smell of fish :?: :D

Heading down tomorrow Quarter Flounder so hopefully I will. Myself or John D will post a report at the weekend.

Codswallop