Friday 13 February 2015

How lite can you go?


I seem to have blown up a storm over in the World Sea Fishing Forum where the local inhabitants have got very excited (and a tad too personal) about a Blog of mine that is posted there. (Find it here http://www.worldseafishing.com/columns/tim-harrison/). I chose to call the piece 'Bass don't fight', knowing as I did so a title such as that would challenge entrenched preconceptions and stimulate grey matter. I believe that it is right that those of us that write about lure casting for sea bass do so in a manner that challenges convention and promotes discussion. After all, discussion stimulates ideas and by using ideas we anglers all better what we do.

I am now firmly of the view that it is better to fish lite for bass. And that equals using lightweight rods and lightweight lines. Braid technology is advancing quickly with some of the new on the market (and often Japanese) 8 weave lines having an incredible strength to diameter ratio. These materials are strong and when teamed with the right rod more than able to handle any bass that still swims. Five years ago I was using 20lb bs Powerpro. I am now spooling some of my main reels with 15lb and the HRF stuff with 10lb. Remember though that I don't use leaders and as such feel totally confident in lite line running through to the lure (as above picture shows).

The argument for fishing heavier than this is that you might get broken by a big bass. Truth be told I can not remember being broken by a bass? Must have happened I guess but it does not stick in my memory, so its so infrequent as not to be an issue at all. As I am boat fishing, bass don't seem to fight mean, they don't run for cover and the only time I am ever fearful of a lost fish is if one is taken across a barnacled reef. Then cut off's do occur but no matter how strong your line, it will always shear when taking on barnacles.

Lite line casts better, cuts through the water better, produces better feel and allows for more skill full fishing - thereby more chance of a bass hook up.

So I stand my ground. Those of the closed and blinkered minds that are unable see the advantages, I implore you; please stick to your firmly held views and beliefs and keep doing what you are doing. You are quite correct you will catch plenty of bass: But my clients and I will catch more.