Bass conditions - Weed

[daveyboy]

I always hear a good surf is needed for bass on the beaches but most times I fish (north county dublin) when there’s a surf I find it almost impossible to fish through the weed. Anyone got any tip on timing trips like this so as not to be wasting money on bait etc? Is it best to go when it’s just starting to stir up and has been weed free?

[kieran]

Hi Davey

If you are talking proper beach fishing, an old fisherman gave me the TADA rule: -

three days without rain (ha!)
after a storm not before
dawn or dusk
a three foot swell

The angler who gave me the TADA rule caught literally bucket loads of bass from the beaches at Lahinch, Fanore, Quilty... and a few rock marks too.
The conditions on the east coast would be different. Estuary fishing is different too and I only ever caught bass in Rogerstown and down in Wexford.

Hope this helps...

[daveyboy]

Cheers Kieran, Yeah it’s beaches I’m talking about alright. Rogerstown is on my doorstep but I can’t catch a bass there to save my life! Never got one there. No, it’s just clean shallow sandy beaches on the open coast I’m on about.. I’ll try after the winds die down maybe and hope the weed has cleared.

[greg]

daveyboy
used to fish the beaches around the same area always fished well in an easterly blow when there is a good surf on the beach.i found big king rag a great bait.around corballis sandeels and big peelers or softies.rogerstown crab and livebait ie joey mackerel.but the key to all those beaches is always the wind easterlies really stir things up and get the bass feeding.dont worry about coloured water if you put a big enough bait out they will find it.dont fish to far out try and read the water in front of you spend some time checking out the beaches and rough ground around you on low water.take pics on your phone or camera you will be surprised at what you will find close in to shore.then say to your self if I was a bass where would I be looking for food then fish them spots hard fish them at all states of the tide day and night then you will find the best times /bait/wind direction for each venue.best of luck with it it is hard but will be worth it.

[daveyboy]

Cheers Greg yeah that's what I've been at recently. taking notes of gullleys, lugworm casts, pools etc. Just find as soon as it gets rough, it's near impossible to fish through the weed!

[Deleted User 3488]

Cheers Greg yeah that's what I've been at recently. taking notes of gullleys, lugworm casts, pools etc. Just find as soon as it gets rough, it's near impossible to fish through the weed!

The weed will ease off from now on,, that green crap stops growing as the weather cools down,
Standing in the surf with a light rod is another option. Hard on the arms in one respect but easier than reeling in a raft of weed.

[daveyboy]

That's a good tip cheers might try it. I've noticed sometimes when you wade out there's loads of that brown floating mushy weed close in but only the 20/30 yards sometimes.