As a newbie I would like to say Hi to everyone, hope to get to know people over a period of time.
There is some information I would like to try and find out, this is about fly fishing for Bass.
I am due to start work on the Isle of Grain in Kent, has anyone any advice on flyfishing for sea bass in this area. Any information would be of help

Taing you

hi there and welcome to the FFF...i generally use a sinking line with a saltwater deceiver on the end.Tend to fish on the ebb and flow as this is when they are most active... i have found just letting the line drift around also produces fish,also try some freshwater leadheads in white or bright colours..
regs KEV

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Hi and welcome to the FFF.

Not being in the forum long myself, but picked up some useful tips and information even though I have been fly fishing for over thirty years.

However, back to bass fishing......

I have never fished in the area you mentioned, but I do a lot of bass fly fishing on the North Wales Coast.

My set up pending conditions is either a Greys GRX #7/8 saltwater rod with a clear intermediate, or a Wychwood HLS #9 again on a clear intermediate.

I do carry a floating and a fast sinking line just in case. However I notice that most of my fish have come on the clear inter line.

This allows me to fish the fly just underneath the surface.

I tend to fish on a rising tide with high as close to dusk as possible. The fish tend to come in a lot closer and makes for exiting action as they snap at the fly.

Remember don’t strike straightaway. (It’s hard not too) Allow the fish to come back as I and many other believe bass strike at their prey to stun them and then come back to take it.

The types of flies I use are similar to that on the sportfish website as detailed below.

Saltwater Surf Candy Olive - Sportfish
Saltwater Sea Bass Blue - Sportfish
Saltwater Sea Bass Chartreuse - Sportfish

However, one word of warning if you haven’t fished the sea much, take care of the tides, ensure you have a clear exit when venturing out on sand flats or wading, and if on rocks they can become very slippery. If you are on your own, try to tell someone where you are going, and what time you are likely to get back home. I also have a collar style life jacket for more adventures fishing areas , and finally watch for freak waves. (It has happened to me and I was lucky to get away with it).

Don’t let this freak you, just be prepared as this can be great type of fishing and when you catch a bass you feel you have earned it and you’ll be very chuffed , plus if you catch a good sized bass on the fly they can give a good account for themselves.

Don’t forget to check the size limit for that area, but try really to return all bass as they do take a very long time to grow.

Tight lines.

Dyl.

Hi Guys

Sorry its been a while before this reply,but I've been busy settling in my new accomadation and new job.
Thanks for all the tips and advice, they will be a great help as I have only flyfished for bass twice, one of those was with a friends friend in Pembroke, we didn't catch, but he explaned the basics, and also the safety aspects as well.
Kev, Will try your tactics, sounds easier than pumping a fly out every 2 mins lol
Dyl Thanks for your avice on safety, this will this will be heeded. With regards to life jackets, I bought an All England fly vest with a built in boyancy aid built in around the collar, as soon as it gets wet it inflates, I once got caught in a tremendouse and sudden downpour and the jacket inflated, this was rather infuriating as it cost me £30 to replace the gas bottle inside the jacket.
Didnt realise about size limits, thanks. Dont worry about the bass, I've to catch one first. If and when I do, it will go staight back as I am not a big fish eater.
Will keep you both informed on my outing, when I can get.

Many thanks to you both

Steve

Hey dyl, interesting reading your post and some good tips there too. I live on anglesey and was wondering where you fish for the bass. Also, do you fly fish for mullet or mackeral as im sfter some tips or information for this too

Any info will be much appreciated

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Jonathan

If you have an iphone or ipod touch then you may want to check this out.

Marine Tides Planner 10 for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

Very handy for working out the best tides and I've found it quite accurate usually within 10minutes and works without needing a net connection (otherwise you could just use the BBC wesbite on the go.)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/tides/

The free version will give a single day. Paid for version will give 7 days and this can then be upgraded to give a full year by purchasing a UKHO license within the software.

One word of warning is that the time preference of the software can throw predictions off so ensure it is set correctly for your area by comparing it to what you see and the bbc tables.

Combine this with a decent weather forecast and you set to go. Just remember that if the wind is blowing in from the sea you can get some very big swells and surprise waves even on lower tides although if it is that windy then fly fishing is probably the last thing on your mind .

Hi Jonathan,

First thing I have tried fishing for Mullet and surprise surprise no luck. They can send someone demented can’t they!! You get your fly right into the middle of them and they completely ignore it.

Mackerel are fun on the fly and, no one would fish for anything else if mackerel grew larger, as they can fight hard for their size.

As to fishing spots lots of people would say don’t give away hot spots, but as you know all the marks around Anglesey are well known, are mentioned on other sea fishing forums, and are fished by someone all the time, whether local, visitors or people on holiday.

I have fly fished a few times around the gullies at Trearddur Bay, and Wylfa Head. Not fly fished Bull Bay but been there with a spinning rod, but it does look like a place at you could use a fly rod.

One of the things I was intending to do was to try Ravens Point and areas around Rhoscolyn for Pollack on the fly. (I bet that would be fun trying to stop one of them) I have fished them with bait, and had Pollack and wrasse by the dozen. So catching one on the fly is next on my agenda.

Other marks I have heard about but not fished yet are the Menai Straight, and Four Mile Bridge.

I bet both these marks would have good Mullet in them as well.

However, as Anglesey has such good fishing marks, I would try any of them. Probably the rock marks you would need a fast sinking line, but for shallower areas use an intermediate (preferably a clear one).

My main fly fishing areas which I can get to quicker are areas around the Orme in Llandudno (both Great and little Orme).

A night like tonight being a still night coming to dusk would be ideal, and with the tide coming in. One other thing, you do need the sea state to be quite clear so don’t try during or straight after a strong swell. Leave the sea to settle for a few days first. It’s the same rules as if you’re plugging for Bass. (Well that’s my opinion, and it works for me, but I’m sure someone will put me right!!)

Also, call in to see Gaz at Anglesey Tackle Centre in Menai Bridge. He’s very friendly and will give you up the minute useful advice on how the marks are fishing.

All the best and tight lines, and post something on the sea section of this forum on how you got on.


Dyl