The best sport I've experienced in 25 years - Brett Davies
“My mate Adam Jones and I took a break from perch fishing to try for bass in West Wales using topwater lures.
“They had pushed the baitfish on to the shoreline and were decimating them among the seaweed!
“For the next 90 minutes every single cast resulted in a take.
“Adam had a beautiful 63cm-long PB and I took one of 55cm.
“We caught more than 120 fish, with at least 40 being over the 40cm mark. It was simply the best sport I’ve experienced in more than 25 years of fishing.”
Brett Davies – 5lb bass
The record bass that almost was!
WHEN charter skipper Lee Hall took a customer out for a spot of cod fishing he had no idea he was about to battle a colossal bass weighing 20lb on the nose!
The Black Rock Charter owner’s unbelievable catch pipped the previous British bass best of 19lb 9oz 2dr, but due to current UK regulations for the species Lee’s effort had to be returned alive – meaning a record couldn’t be claimed.
He didn’t let it dampen his spirits though.
“My late father taught me how to fish for bass and he was so happy when I caught my previous PB of 12lb 2oz,” he told us. “I’m pleased knowing he will be up there celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime catch.”
Lee’s 20-pounder took a cuttlefish deadbait from a mark off The Needles.
Good news for bass anglers
FROM 2020 recreational sea anglers will be able to keep two bass for the table instead of one after the EU Council of Ministers amend catch limits for the species.
In a double delight the open season for ‘catch and keep’ seabass fishing will also be extended from seven months to nine months (March 1 to November 30 2020).
The changes have been made thanks to lobbying from the Angling Trust, European Anglers Alliance and the Save Our Sea Bass group, who since 2015 have pressed DEFRA ministers and officials to ensure a fairer deal for anglers.
David Mitchell, Head of Marine at the Angling Trust, said:
“This is great news for bass, as the science shows that the stocks are recovering as a result of the restrictions on commercial netting. It's also great news for the fishing public whose right to take a few fish for the table has been severely curtailed in recent years.”