ESTUARY BASS

Bass fishing inside smaller estuaries is the perfect way to target these prized fish. They use the estuary channels as access routes from the open sea to the more productive inner estuary feeding grounds. This kit will help you to ambush the fish as they pass by. RODS

Bass rods around 11ft 6in in length and rated to cast 2oz to 4oz have the length to cast a good distance when required but are also perfect for very close quarter fishing when casting just a few yards. They are also light enough to be held all the time to react to bites quickly, which can often make the difference between success and failure. Try to choose a rod with a supple tip. Bass can be shy feeders in shallow estuary channels, and a supple tip allows the angler to feel the initial interest of a bite at close range, but without alerting the fish that something is wrong.

■ TRONIXPRO BANZAI BASS 11FT 6IN 2-4OZS – RRP £107.99

BAITS

Worm baits, such as lug and rag, are obviously consistent baits for estuary bass, especially when fishing the main channel. Razorfish and whole medium sized sandeel are great too. Chop the head and tail off the sandeel and push the hook in through the tail and round the bend of the hook and up the hook shank. Add a few raps of bait elastic to keep it there. Best bait of all for estuary bass is peeler crab in chunks the size of a 50p piece. Add a few wraps of elastic to secure it. Don’t be too neat with crab baits for bass, let the body juices ooze out for maximum effectiveness.

REELS

For ease of use, a fixed spool reel in the 5000 to 6000 sizing (depending on manufacturer) holding around 250m of 15lb line is ideal for all forms of estuary bass fishing. As for multiplier reels, look to a 6500 sized reel holding around 275m of 0.35mm (15lb) line. Multipliers with no level-wind system should be chosen for longer range casting with shock leaders as if using a level-wind multiplier the shock leader knot can catch in the levelwind eye and cause a crack off.

■ PENN WRATH 6000 FIXED SPOOL REEL – RRP £58.99

■ AKIOS S-LINE 656 CTM MULTIPLIER RRP - £115.99