Bristol Channel Light Bass Fishing

With winters becoming warmer, the bass fishing season seems to be starting earlier every year. In fact, it’s highly likely that in some areas the bass never actually left inshore waters as the water temperature simply did not drop enough. 

This means that now is as good a time as any to make a start. Jansen Teakle tells us how he tackles the Bristol Channel bass population.

For me, the bass is a prime sport fish and for that reason I like to fish as light as conditions allow. The Bristol Channel is known for its savage tides, but it’s possible to target bass away from these areas and use really light kit to do so.

Tackle

I like to use a light carp rod or heavy lure rod matched up with a fixed spool reel of between a 2500 and 4000 size. The reel is loaded with 30lb braid (the only time I’ll use braid for shore fishing) and a cut down tapered shockleader tied to it. 

To the end of the leader I will thread on a Gemini Premium Pulley Swivel, then a bead. I’ll then tie a small swivel to the end. The 30lb clear Amnesia snood line is tied to the swivel and a 4/0 Varivas Circle hook attached to the end with a perfection loop. An 80mm length of 1mm braid with a big knot in the end is attached to the hook and the set up is complete. Lead weights in the region of 1-3oz can be attached to the Gemini Pulley Swivel with a Breakaway Fastlink or similar. Once put together at the start of the season, my bass outfits remain assembled, only broke down in to two pieces and secured by Velcro bands for travel purposes. 

It’s simple tackle that requires little thought.

Bait

For this style of fishing, I really do believe that peeler crab is the only bait you will need here. 

The fish you will be targeting are generally between 2lb and 6lb in weight, though a bigger specimen could be on the cards. For this reason, we’re fishing for bites rather than sitting it out with huge fish baits like anglers might do on the south coast when putting the hours in for one biggie. Live crab is far superior to frozen, though bass are the only species that for me show a preference to fresh over frozen. 

Location 

Bass are one species of fish that could show from just about anywhere, but look for areas of rock and weed giving way to mud and cast your baits in between the two. This is where bass will generally patrol and very often it might not be very far out at all. If in doubt, cast your baits in close and cover some ground.

General advice

Travel light and be prepared to move every twenty minutes or so. Fan your casts out, cover some ground. Hold your rod when you can. 

Bites can be really savage, but often will start with just a short jab on the rod tip. If I feel this happen, I’ll drop the rod tip to offer some slack and wait for the line to tighten again before turning the handle on the fish. Remember, we’re using circle hooks, so no need to strike. 

Don’t ever leave your rod unattended as a bass can take a bait at lightning speed. If you do have to leave your rod, loosen the clutch or deploy the baitrunner. Take a landing net, if a bigger fish comes along it can be very useful to have. 

Be aware of current bass fishing regulations that may or may not be in force at the time of you reading this article.