WHERE TO FISH

Anywhere there is structure or a potential ambush point is worth a look. Sand bars, deep holes, rocky shorelines, patches of rough ground, reefs, river mouths, steep shingle banks, breakwaters, harbour walls and groynes are all areas that bass frequent.

Small sandy patches along rocky shorelines often allow effective presentation of a bait without losing tackle to the reef. Gullies and holes in reef systems can be another great place when the tide floods into them.

A man-made structure can be well worth fishing next to, especially when it is the only structure on what appears to be a featureless shoreline. It’s very attractive to bass in these circumstances. Think piers, breakwaters, outfall pipes and groynes.

When the wind is really blowing, it is worth trying the open beaches. They may appear featureless, but it is not important in these circumstances because the bass will be traversing the shoreline close in looking for food. The key is to ensure that you are there at the right time with a bait in the water to intercept the shoals as they pass.

Open beaches in the vicinity of estuaries or close to inshore reefs are worth trying too. The local bass population will have a pattern of movement that involves visiting all the different points of interest at various stages of the tide. You can guarantee that a good blow will bring them off the reef or out of the river to forage the nearby beaches for food.

Walking likely areas at low tide is time well spent in identifying specific places to fish. Look for areas along the shoreline where flotsam collects because that is where food will be deposited. The bass may visit these areas regularly for an easy meal.