Anyone got any knowledge on fly-fishing for sea-bass from the Isle of Wight? Places, etc. Don't want to use a boat.

Hi I've spent many hours fishing for bass on the Island around the Yarmouth area- Yarmouth pier itself is an excellent bass mark- tip Don't go down to the end with the chuck and chance it lead fishers- best spots are from 2/3rds of the way to half way down at the start of the ebb tide up to about an hour into it- rip tides are very strong but perfect for presenting a fly- keep it moving behind and in front of the piles- further down the coast towards Cowes is Shalfleet harbour/estuary- this spot is a bit of a hike to reach- but is worth it if you check out a map- fish the yarmouth side and about a km along a very stoney beach from the estuary mouth (also a good spot) towards Yarmouth is a natural reef (used to have piles on it from the war)- Fish this on a big spring rip tide and bass (mainly schoolies but with odd ones to 6lb plus) almost beach themselves chasing shoals of baitfish- Fantastic sport on the fly rod- Use a popper as well- very effective.
Himalayan Fly Fishing in Paradise on Earth
Regards Jonfish

Looks like us swffers should have a meet on the isle.

Thanks jonfish123, very useful information.

Might be worth putting a post here as well

UKSWFF - Saltwater Flyfishing In The United Kingdom

On holiday ?

If so when ?

Or are you living here ?


Dave

Have a look at st helens iow on google earth. The mouth of the estuary is a cracking place for bass, just be carefull of the boat traffic. Also some of the biggest mullet I have ever seen run into the mill pond at high tide. The mill pond can be seen to the left hand side of the marina, behind the long straight wall. It is empty at low tide. If you stand on one of the two bridges that form part of the wall at around half an hour before low tide, as the mill pond empties, and have a look under your feet .....................birdsnest

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Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

Thanks for information, folks. We're just a few mates thinking of doing 3 or 4 days fly fishing down there by way of a short break. Haven't decided when yet, but we'll look at tides and try to choose a good time out of school holidays! I have never been on the island, but one of the guys goes there a lot though not to fish.

I know I live here and am ashamed to say I have yet to have a go at some SWFF, I keep saying I shall and I hope I will soon.
Try some of these places at low water.

Forelands. Bembridge. Park in the car park at Forelands and fish the lagoons that get left at low water, always looks good.

Try the point at St Helens by the old ruin at around half tide coming up.

Priory Bay, Seaview. Now that does look good.

On the other side of the Island take a look at Totland to the left of the pier and keep walking and casting towards Brambles, again at low water, I have seen plenty of activity there.

Hope some of this helps and don`t take all the fish.

Have fun

Dave