Monday 8 June 2009

I thought I had learnt loads at Nantes.....

  • We have had some pretty "interesting" weather out here on Belle Ile - rain like I have rarely seen it this morning, and seriously rough seas yesterday. When I have processed the photos I will put some up here when I get back home - talk about "extreme fishing" !!!
  • The fishing has been up and down, but we have spent a lot of time looking around, trying different marks, and learning a whole load about how to target bass. We have caught plenty of bass, but no real size so far. The bass show at Nantes in February blew my mind, but on this trip Graham and I have got to see exactly how these switched on French bass anglers are actually fishing with all the different hard and soft lures - the why, where and how so to speak. Honestly, this fishing is a different world - nothing turns me on in fishing as much as learning more and more, and this modern bass fishing that the guys out here are involved in is fascinating. And I thought I knew a tiny bit about how to rig and fish a MegaBass XLayer for example - I ain't got a clue !!!!
  • Belle Ile is a kind of bass fishing heaven - the fishing might have been up and down for us so far (there is always this evening...), but the fish they catch out there when it is firing is insane. One of the French lads was telling me about a particular lure he uses (and yes, before you ask, I have bought one !!) that took three 10lb plus bass in consecutive casts off a rock mark out here. When it's on, it's on big time. The potential here is scary, and not only for bass - the "general" shore fishing is off the scale - I have heard of 9lb plus wrasse, 45lb plus conger eels, huge sole, loads of bream, etc. I will be back out here as soon as possible.
  • The French anglers have been incredibly kind to us, indeed they are some of the most talented fishermen I have come across in a long time. The levels to which they have taken lure fishing for bass to are extraordinary, and even Graham has admitted that his mind has been completely blown to pieces by some of the stuff they are using. Over time I will try to post bits and pieces about the kinds of things we have learnt out here. Credit where credit is due - these guys are the real deal. Back to the UK tomorrow, off to try and smash a few more fish. One of the guys we are fishing with was torn to pieces this morning by a proper bass.....

4 comments:

Steve said...

Hi Henry,
Great write ups from your French bass adventure. Looking forward to more posts and pictures about it. Just when you thought it was safe to go near a new lure......... three ten pound bass you've just got to own one. All joking aside the lure technology is evolving at such a rate right now. Hope you nailed a few more today.

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a good time Henry. Wendy and I finally got round to our first go at fly fishing last week - what a laff - had tonnes of fun.

Do you know anywhere where we could get a few salt water flies for bass / mackeral etc. preferable in a set as we've no reel idea what we're looking for yet - or can you recommend a few?

I've had a look on Nicks shop website and in a few other places like veals but nick doesn't seeem to have any uk saltwater ones and veals are all individual.

Any help would be appreciated

And yes - we have ordered a couple of fly rods and reels each - DOH!!!!!!! I was possessed I tell you :)

Stuart
Sea Fishing and Walking in the UK

Danny Parkins said...

shame about the weather buddy!!
went out again today and had my best ever bassin session!! dont get that much time to bass with lures but nailed 5 today!!! and caught my PB bass....... sooooooo chuffed it weighed 6lb 3oz according my my rapala digis. also managed another ok fish of 4lb 1oz! the rest all simular size 2-4lb all caught off the surface on rapala Xwalks
ill send a piccy over via email buddy

Danny

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