Drifting for Bass

Bass fishing from a Charter Boat is much the same as Bass Fishing from the Shoreline, be that an Estuary or rocky headland everyone wants to keep secret - location and state of tide can be everything, but even then you need to present the right lure / bait and in turn present that at the right speed and depth. Get those factors right without a doubt your have a great days fishing.

Getting it Right, Bass on Valkyrie

Getting the location right is something for the Skipper to worry about, both Zac and Glen have fished the grounds out of Hayling since boyhood and both have marks and tricks that produce fish year on year. You could say getting on board Valkyrie is the first steps in you getting the Location right. Mostly likely you'll be fishing the French Banks, the Overfalls, the Middle Ground or one of the many other marks to the East of the IoW (East of Wight) along the Hampshire Coastline.

Over the last few years we've seen more and more anglers reverting to light gear for Bass fishing, something the French have perfected and something that should be encouraged in the right conditions. The Rod should be in the 6-8lb class with a forgiving tip but able to move 2-4oz leads around the bottom with bowing over. Oddly enough the gear used for Plugging Bass from the sure isn't too far wrong for fishing over shallow banks with light 15lb braid and 20lb Fluorocarbon leaders.

Light & Balanced Gear

The best reel you can afford is a must as the smoothness of the drag will improve your fishing experience and result in less fish losses. Setting the clutch to match the gear can equal so much fun. Yes, you'll catch plenty of Bass on a multiplier fished under a 12lb class Boat Rod or Uptider, and on some days when the tide is running hard and the 'Big Bass' are playing you'll probably need them to fish live Mackerel.

Whilst balance gear is key, triplicate it's the terminal tackle that does the real talking. You can have the best Rod / Reel and the most expensive ultra strong and fine Japanese braid money can buy, but connect that lot to a heavy weight and just drag an inviting lure through the bottom gravels or sandbanks with no conviction will result in very few fish.

Big Bass on Light Gear, anything better?

Braided lines will help you stay connected to the lure and give you the paddle tail vibration back to the rod tip (in a poetic World anyway) but most importantly allow you to fish lighter leads, lighter equals smaller and smaller equals less spooked fish.

Spooking fish is also why we use Fluorocarbon snoods, about 8ft is a good starting point and you can on some days end up fishing twice that! It's down to personal preference if you use a Fluorocarbon leader down to the leader, some do and some don't. Clearly there's an advantage in doing so, but keeping every simple is just as important. The only thing I'd add it ensure you use the same leader as you do for your snood, you'll reduce tangles and achieve a better presentation in the turbulent and often confused waters that Bass love to predate in.

Savage Gear and RedGill Sandeels work well