JUNE 2026

 

MAY 2026

 

APRIL 2026

 
Featured
The thrill that never, ever diminishes - catching the first bass from a new mark
The thrill that never, ever diminishes - catching the first bass from a new mark
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-27 at 10.50.34.jpg
Thank you so much for so many kind comments and messages, it’s rubbish without a dog in the house
Read more →
Screenshot 2023-11-09 at 14.55.47.jpg
I’m going to miss you Storm
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-22 at 10.25.03.jpg
Favorite Skyline 902MH 9' 12-35g (£289.99) and Skyline 902H 9' 26-56g (£309.99) lure rod reviews - this amazing Ukrainian company does it again
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-17 at 09.11.54.jpg
Ever find yourself a bit undergunned because you underestimated the sea conditions?
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-15 at 09.24.25.jpg
I do love it when changing something up a bit then produces a fish
Read more →
I am not suggesting that around £100 is in any way throwaway money, but a cheapish pair of breathable waist waders makes SO much sense to me
I am not suggesting that around £100 is in any way throwaway money, but a cheapish pair of breathable waist waders makes SO much sense to me
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-10 at 08.08.24.jpg
If there is actually a “bass season” these days, it always feels so good to catch that first open coast bass of the new season
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-08 at 08.17.31.jpg
Didn’t think I’d find myself underhand casting for bass!
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-06 at 07.58.18.jpg
Some thoughts from France on lighter/longer leaders for the more finesse side of things
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-04-03 at 09.13.38.jpg
10% off everything at Veals Mail Order until midnight tonight (03.04.2026), use the code EASTER10 at checkout
Read more →
I love it when an interesting and relevant fishing video pops up in my YouTube feed and really gets me thinking
I love it when an interesting and relevant fishing video pops up in my YouTube feed and really gets me thinking
Read more →

MARCH 2026

 

FEBRUARY 2026

 
Featured
CleanShot 2026-02-27 at 10.25.21.jpg
Hope to see some of you at The Big One fishing show this weekend
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-25 at 10.33.42.jpg
February might not traditionally be the best time to try and scratch an estuary bass related itch, but it worked!
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-22 at 17.51.08.jpg
Emotionally damaged from Saturday’s rugby, had no intention of going fishing, but then the sun came out. Glad I went, lovely fish was landed…….
Read more →
Westin W4 Super Finesse (lure) bag review - around £65 (I’ve given up trying to get another HPA Chest Pack, can’t find them anywhere)
Westin W4 Super Finesse (lure) bag review - around £65 (I’ve given up trying to get another HPA Chest Pack, can’t find them anywhere)
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-12 at 14.24.14.jpg
Grundens Full Share waterproof jacket (£120) and Grundens Transmit X waterproof jacket (£180) review
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-11 at 10.01.04.jpg
It’s official - Cornwall had its wettest January on record. But bass are still being caught in estuaries. Do you ask yourself what you’ve been missing?
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-09 at 10.20.35.jpg
A couple of years ago I’d never have caught the two bass I landed yesterday. But how do you know these things Henry?
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-06 at 08.03.11.jpg
Don’t let my wife read this, but I am admitting to having some faults - I need to push shallower water more and stop walking away from it
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-04 at 10.12.40.jpg
What’s your go-to leader strength or diameter, do you think that going lighter can make a difference?
Read more →
CleanShot 2026-02-02 at 04.53.35.jpg
These incredible fish will never cease to amaze me. February estuary bass after biblical amounts of rain?
Read more →

JANUARY 2026

 

DECEMBER 2025

 

NOVEMBER 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-11-28 at 08.07.57.jpg
Favorite Skyline '25 862M 8'6'' 8-24g and 862ML 8'6'' 5-18g lure rods review - around £270 (but there is 15% off everything at Veals Mail Order for a few days!)
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-11-24 at 10.24.46.jpg
A few lure related Black Friday offers I found on Veals Mail Order
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-11-21 at 08.40.45.jpg
So interested to see what might happen this winter……….
Read more →
With how thin many braids are these days, is there much advantage to going lighter/thinner for the more finesse stuff? (frigging labelling!)
With how thin many braids are these days, is there much advantage to going lighter/thinner for the more finesse stuff? (frigging labelling!)
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-11-17 at 09.39.05.jpg
Can or does a rattle in a soft plastic produce more bass? Previous sneaky behaviour stuff comes to light!
Read more →
Awful conditions, but my mate got his first bass on a creature bait, lovely fish as well
Awful conditions, but my mate got his first bass on a creature bait, lovely fish as well
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-11-10 at 06.12.52.jpg
Fishing like this makes me so happy!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-11-07 at 10.31.01.jpg
I do love a good hard lure, but I do feel extra confident with soft plastics and that bigger, single hook
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-11-05 at 09.39.49.jpg
This potentially wonderful time of year for bass fishing can often be a juggling act!
Read more →
Putting your head above the parapet means you’re going to cop it from time to time, but I’m going to call some stuff out as unacceptable (Monday rant!)
Putting your head above the parapet means you’re going to cop it from time to time, but I’m going to call some stuff out as unacceptable (Monday rant!)
Read more →

OCTOBER 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-10-31 at 08.03.47.jpg
Amazing how this bass hit me in such shallow water and so close to the beach, all this estuary fishing is also helping my open coast fishing
Read more →
I convince myself that this sort of lure colour works best for me in a specific situation, then this goes and happens
I convince myself that this sort of lure colour works best for me in a specific situation, then this goes and happens
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-23 at 14.24.25.jpg
Favorite Black Swan 772ML 7'7'' (2.31m) 4-18g lure rod review - £259.99 in the UK, weighs almost nothing at 84g
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-22 at 08.30.48.jpg
As much as I am enjoying the discovery of so much more estuary fishing than I ever realised, heading for the open coast is always magical
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-19 at 11.28.52.jpg
It might be “just a hook”, but this brilliant Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp L12 Weedless hook with moulded keeper is so good for TPE soft plastics especially
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-17 at 10.06.51.jpg
It’s an emotional day when a band you have loved since you were 16 - Coroner - releases their first album in 32 years. I feel old!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-14 at 17.33.34.jpg
We took a bass from the open coast out in Ireland for our anglers to eat, guess what it had in its stomach?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-09 at 15.15.28.jpg
Some more photos from fishing with our first group of anglers out here in Kerry
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-07 at 20.33.03.jpg
Our anglers are enjoying some glorious bass fishing out here in Kerry
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-10-03 at 09.31.44.jpg
25+ years of taking ferries over to Ireland and I reckon that’s the first time my sailing has been cancelled
Read more →

SEPTEMBER 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-09-29 at 10.19.40.jpg
Are we close to being able to call our bass a legitimate all year round target species, on lures, from the shore?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-26 at 09.25.10.jpg
Sakura Sensibraid 12 braid review - around £40 for a 150m spool, this is a high-end mainline
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-24 at 08.16.02.jpg
How on earth do you know where to go bass fishing in a massive estuary system?
Read more →
Such a confidence boost when a good bass turns up on a new mark which you are just starting to fish, throws up various questions as well
Such a confidence boost when a good bass turns up on a new mark which you are just starting to fish, throws up various questions as well
Read more →
Do bass feed differently at night compared to how they do so during the day in estuary based current?
Do bass feed differently at night compared to how they do so during the day in estuary based current?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-15 at 11.20.40.jpg
Retrying the first 8-strand braid I fished with (Varivas Avani Sea Bass Max Power PE X8) to see if it’s as good as I remember
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-11 at 16.14.46.jpg
They work! I do get such a kick out of catching bass on a lure or technique I haven’t fished with before
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-10 at 09.35.14.jpg
I know these Savage Gear Dragon Tail Slug lures slay for wrasse, really interested to see if they do the same for bass, love trying different stuff
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-08 at 10.19.46.jpg
Does your headlamp shining on the water actually spook bass when you are fishing at night?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-05 at 11.57.52.jpg
Every hit seems to be subtly different when I am fishing like this, you ain’t going to win them all!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-03 at 09.58.14.jpg
BKK Fast Snap-41 lure clip review - a bit more expensive than the regular paperclip style lure clips, rather nice though
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-09-01 at 09.29.52.jpg
Felt so good to get back out on the coast, how quickly has autumn arrived? Never seen this before though………….
Read more →

AUGUST 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-08-28 at 15.58.29.jpg
I would not have caught this bass six months ago - never stop learning!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-08-27 at 06.08.15.jpg
You want to know if something different is going to work? Gotta get out there and do it to gain that confidence (night creatures)
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-08-21 at 12.07.33.jpg
It makes me so happy when this kind of thing happens in fishing
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-08-20 at 11.33.45.jpg
This is where I am currently at with choosing and rigging creature baits - somewhat cheaper options that catch bass and give me more control
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-08-18 at 08.59.27.jpg
I find it so exciting when you suddenly “see” a bit of ground in a somewhat different light
Read more →
56g 04.JPG
Review - the three 9’ Favorite Black Swan rods - 902M 6-24g (£280), 902MH 10-36g (£290), 902H 16-56g (£320)
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-08-08 at 10.50.05.jpg
Exactly two years since my heart attack, really rather glad to still be doing this living thing!
Read more →
BKK Titan Rider and Titan Diver weedless hooks review - not particularly cheap, but they are rather good
BKK Titan Rider and Titan Diver weedless hooks review - not particularly cheap, but they are rather good
Read more →
There’s estuary fishing for bass, and then there’s ninja-style estuary fishing for bass (nice fish!)
There’s estuary fishing for bass, and then there’s ninja-style estuary fishing for bass (nice fish!)
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-08-01 at 10.43.12.jpg
Can a stealthier approach sometimes pay off in bass fishing? (nice fish!)
Read more →

JULY 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-07-30 at 09.41.04.jpg
Can I blame it on a bluntish hook? (The MegaBass Sleeper Craw is such a clever lure, but I do think the hooks could be better)
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-25 at 08.43.36.jpg
I had almost forgotten how much I like this YGK Nitlon DFC fluorocarbon leader, but has anybody got a clever way to decant it onto smaller spools?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-23 at 07.43.39.jpg
RIP Ozzy Osbourne
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-21 at 11.05.08.jpg
When you aren’t expecting many hits, it kinda helps if you don’t go missing them!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-18 at 09.51.26.jpg
Some handy lure boxes for the smaller stuff - IMA Lurecase 3010 and the HTO Double Latch Box 20.5cm, both under £10
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-16 at 11.18.02.jpg
Why do we assume that if there are loads of bass around they’re going to hit literally anything? Match the hatch?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-14 at 08.36.57.jpg
A blast with our second group of anglers out here in Ireland, so good to see so many signs of life
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-09 at 08.33.32.jpg
Such fun with our first group of anglers
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-04 at 11.22.20.jpg
Out in Ireland for a couple of weeks of guiding
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-07-02 at 08.59.23.jpg
Heard about another double figure bass on the Gravity Stick Paddletail, it’s always such a buzz when these lures work so well for an angler
Read more →

JUNE 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-06-27 at 09.28.03.jpg
Westin W2 SBass 9' 9-35g lure rod rod review - at £94.99, another very interesting sub-£100 rod
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-06-25 at 09.53.39.jpg
Moving a little bit of weight to the front with some of these smaller twitchbaits is really interesting
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-06-23 at 09.25.18.jpg
Easy to get locked into your localised bass fishing bubble, when in fact things can be so different all around the UK and Europe
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-06-18 at 07.40.41.jpg
I am at Gerry’s Fishing tackle shop this Saturday (21st June) for an Open Day, hope to see some of you there!
Read more →
A load of bass around, could see them busting on bait, they took some working out though
A load of bass around, could see them busting on bait, they took some working out though
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-06-11 at 07.59.57.jpg
When a good bass continues to refuse my offerings, I sometimes wonder whether seeing the fish I am chasing is good for my health!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-06-09 at 09.51.54.jpg
Is there a bit of a move back towards some of the slightly shorter lure rods again? How do you gauge what’s going on out there?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-06-06 at 09.02.57.jpg
Sometimes a touch hasty to add weight to paddletails? Could the “naked” approach help with a specific situation?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-06-04 at 09.08.12.jpg
Why do so many anglers make it so awkward to change a lure when you’re fishing?
Read more →
The Gomexus TPE Power Knob 27mm is doing a touch more for me than just being a replacement spinning reel handle
The Gomexus TPE Power Knob 27mm is doing a touch more for me than just being a replacement spinning reel handle
Read more →

MAY 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-05-30 at 08.48.02.jpg
Sakura Ryokan 902MH 9' 9-35g lure rod review - under £100
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-05-28 at 08.58.49.jpg
Slowing down with this subtler estuary fishing is causing me to see a lot more interesting stuff going on, embarrassing language though!
Read more →
When you haven’t fished a particular method for a while, I sometimes wonder if I can really feel it. And then you get hit!
When you haven’t fished a particular method for a while, I sometimes wonder if I can really feel it. And then you get hit!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-05-23 at 09.26.29.jpg
If you use a leader, what influences which one you use? Trust or price or availability or whatever you have lying around?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-05-20 at 15.33.36.jpg
Sakura Iconic RS “Distance Finesse” 802ML+ 8' 5-15g (but easily fishes 25g) lure rod review - around £275 in the UK
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-05-19 at 10.37.06.jpg
Far more experienced anglers than me tell me that these are bass feeding holes
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-05-14 at 08.02.54.jpg
So much “feel” with this lighter gear that I felt a bass literally pick up (inhale?) my lure and then reject it
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-05-12 at 05.53.29.jpg
Was it a fluke? Only one way to find out - get back out there!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-05-09 at 05.24.58.jpg
So pleased to catch my first bass on a creature bait which wasn’t the (rather amazing) MegaBass Sleeper Craw
Read more →
Pretty sure that was my first, purely sight-fished bass in an estuary, what a buzz!
Pretty sure that was my first, purely sight-fished bass in an estuary, what a buzz!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-04-29 at 14.31.50.jpg
Tailwalk B-Breamer SSD S710M/SSL (short solid tip) 7'10'' 5-21g lure rod review - £239.99 UK price
Read more →

APRIL 2025

 
Featured
As good as paddletails are, over some ground it sometimes feels like only a “twitch stick” will get the job done and produce fish
As good as paddletails are, over some ground it sometimes feels like only a “twitch stick” will get the job done and produce fish
Read more →
Working with the people you’re fishing with to find out what the fish want, and how they want it presented
Working with the people you’re fishing with to find out what the fish want, and how they want it presented
Read more →
That one small bass from yesterday morning might end up being the most exciting fish I catch all year
That one small bass from yesterday morning might end up being the most exciting fish I catch all year
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-04-22 at 09.07.53.jpg
Letting lures wash around in turbulence, I don’t do it enough
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-04-17 at 15.24.40.jpg
Saw a US fishing video where a bloke said something like “let’s be honest, paddletails are all pretty much the same”. Is that really the case?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-04-15 at 13.24.56.jpg
Very cool to see some keen youngsters fishing so well
Read more →
Our brand new Savage Gear Defiance SG8 and Defiance SG4 lure rods are on the market
Our brand new Savage Gear Defiance SG8 and Defiance SG4 lure rods are on the market
Read more →
A fascinating new video from Ultimate Fishing specifically about fishing for bass with the MegaBass Sleeper Craw lure
A fascinating new video from Ultimate Fishing specifically about fishing for bass with the MegaBass Sleeper Craw lure
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-04-07 at 09.54.48.jpg
Most gorgeous start to spring since we were first locked down in the pandemic?
Read more →
When rigging soft plastics for shallowish water, what are your reasons for going with either a belly-weighted weedless/offset hook OR a weedless jig head?
When rigging soft plastics for shallowish water, what are your reasons for going with either a belly-weighted weedless/offset hook OR a weedless jig head?
Read more →
Scaling down and getting subtler to catch more and/or bigger bass?
Scaling down and getting subtler to catch more and/or bigger bass?
Read more →

MARCH 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-03-28 at 11.37.19.jpg
I know it’s March, but this morning’s blank is going to niggle me for a while
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-26 at 10.44.50.jpg
There is so much more to jig heads than I realised, I am still finding stuff out about them that I didn’t know
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-24 at 09.22.05.jpg
I know it’s still March (easy to get overexcited), but I am interested to see what might happen when the conditions change, later in the week?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-21 at 10.45.13.jpg
Do you make any modifications to the fishing tackle or gear that you use? (would love to hear your ideas, I’m always up for messing around with stuff)
Read more →
Could a mainline like Berkley FireLine make any difference at all around the really rough stuff?
Could a mainline like Berkley FireLine make any difference at all around the really rough stuff?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-17 at 09.25.11.jpg
Favorite Totem 842M 8'4'' 6-24g lure rod review - £159.99 (remarkably close to the incredible Favorite Black Swan 8’5’’ 6-24g rod)
Read more →
More bass on the creature baits, itching to experiment with different lures and presentations, feels like there needs to be more fish around for that
More bass on the creature baits, itching to experiment with different lures and presentations, feels like there needs to be more fish around for that
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-11 at 14.11.54.jpg
Was I really going to catch? Had to have a go, conditions were lovely, the light went loopy, and I got to play with some lures I bought over the weekend
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-10 at 10.27.11.jpg
Great few days at the Glasgow Angling Centre, yapped to plenty of anglers and saw far too much nice gear
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-05 at 20.44.28.jpg
Never has the one tiny bass meant so much! Hope to see some of you at the Glasgow Angling Centre today and tomorrow
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-03-03 at 05.36.26.jpg
The Big One Show was better than ever for lure fishing
Read more →

FEBRUARY 2025

 

JANUARY 2025

 
Featured
CleanShot 2025-02-06 at 07.31.26.jpg
A few bass coming in, a few bass lost, broken rods, broken reels, bloody knees, lost lures, what’s not to love about fishing in Portugal?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-31 at 08.04.10.jpg
Off to Portugal for a week (hope my flight goes this time!), thank you for all your feedback to my previous post
Read more →
Are you interested in audio or visual types of blog posts?
Are you interested in audio or visual types of blog posts?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-27 at 09.24.54.jpg
Creature questions - are these lures really imitating a crab, or is it more important that they are something vaguely appealing fished tight to the bottom?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-24 at 09.13.47.jpg
Fenix HM65R ShadowMaster headlamp review - around £100 in the UK
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-22 at 09.22.31.jpg
Catching my first few bass on creature baits - is it really a game changer or am I just getting overexcited?
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-16 at 16.19.16.jpg
I broke my creature bait virginity yesterday and I’m heading over to Guernsey today for some fishing/filming, brain won’t shut down!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-15 at 08.12.56.jpg
Favorite Totem 842MH 8’4’’ 12-36g lure rod review - £159.99 (SO close to the £269.99 Favorite Black Swan 8'5'' 10-36g)
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-13 at 05.54.49.jpg
I never go fishing without a few metals in my lure box, doing so got me a long-range bass yesterday
Read more →
Daiwa J-Braid Expedition X8 braid review - around £38 for a 150m spool or £60 for a 300m spool
Daiwa J-Braid Expedition X8 braid review - around £38 for a 150m spool or £60 for a 300m spool
Read more →
More January bass and a very early contender for my fishing photograph of the year
More January bass and a very early contender for my fishing photograph of the year
Read more →
Off and running for 2025 with a chunky January bass - the thrill is as great as ever!
Off and running for 2025 with a chunky January bass - the thrill is as great as ever!
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-03 at 08.12.38.jpg
I caught my best bass of 2024 on 26th March, so I see no reason not to keep giving it a go at this time of year
Read more →
CleanShot 2025-01-01 at 06.45.58.jpg
Stunning New Year’s Eve bass session, absolutely bouncing, Happy New Year!
Read more →

DECEMBER 2024

 

NOVEMBER 2024

 
Featured
CleanShot 2024-11-29 at 07.34.44.jpg
Major Craft Seabass Custom Marc Cowling Edition 88ML 8'8'' 6-32g lure rod review - £479.99 (£408 at Veals for the rest of this week)
Read more →
Help, it’s 15% off at Veals Mail Order for the rest of this week!
Help, it’s 15% off at Veals Mail Order for the rest of this week!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-22 at 10.30.23.jpg
When you probably should walk away, but specific little areas look just about fishable and you can’t resist
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-22 at 09.52.52.jpg
Keep moving and fishing and moving and fishing, or stick and twist?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-20 at 08.34.30.jpg
If I’d been on my own, would I have fished this far up a creek so early into the flood tide?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-18 at 09.52.09.jpg
Broke my “creature bait in an estuary” duck (crab imitation lure?), but it wasn’t with a bass……….
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-14 at 14.36.20.jpg
Anybody out there who fishes for bass and doesn’t love a great big boulder field?
Read more →
Is there anything more exciting in fishing than taking a calculated punt on new ground and then catching fish?
Is there anything more exciting in fishing than taking a calculated punt on new ground and then catching fish?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-07 at 09.40.02.jpg
Shimano Stradic C5000XG (2023 model) spinning reel initial impressions - around £220 here in the UK
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-06 at 07.54.57.jpg
Haven’t been broken off by a bass for a while, gutted!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-02 at 10.16.32.jpg
Such an effective technique which I sometimes almost forget about, it so often produces bass
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-11-01 at 04.39.26.jpg
Fascinates me how pink lures seem to work so well in deeper water, wouldn’t it be amazing to know what the fish are actually seeing?
Read more →

OCTOBER 2024

 

SEPTEMBER 2024

 
Featured
Driving over to Ireland today for some guiding work, hoping the ferry sails!
Driving over to Ireland today for some guiding work, hoping the ferry sails!
Read more →
Favorite X1.1 902MH 9' 12-36g lure rod review - a rather incredible £89.99
Favorite X1.1 902MH 9' 12-36g lure rod review - a rather incredible £89.99
Read more →
Toit Fishing 7 inch scissors review (yep, I am reviewing a pair of scissors because they are so damn good) - £26.99 in the UK
Toit Fishing 7 inch scissors review (yep, I am reviewing a pair of scissors because they are so damn good) - £26.99 in the UK
Read more →
Last minute cancellation has opened up a short-notice spot on one of our Irish lure fishing trips
Last minute cancellation has opened up a short-notice spot on one of our Irish lure fishing trips
Read more →
Samson '36 Strong braid initial impressions - £34.99 for a 300m spool or £24.99 for a 150m spool
Samson '36 Strong braid initial impressions - £34.99 for a 300m spool or £24.99 for a 150m spool
Read more →
Quite possibly the most savage ground I have lure fished for bass in the UK
Quite possibly the most savage ground I have lure fished for bass in the UK
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-09-15 at 08.25.59.jpg
Very un-epic session, but catching the one bass in the dark with a lot of moonlight shining on the water gave me a boost
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-09-13 at 11.15.53.jpg
How many types of lure might you carry for a typical bass session? (note the word “type” here, carrying too many variations of the same type of lure?)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-09-11 at 08.01.48.jpg
Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say yep, I fished like a tit!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-09-09 at 10.40.29.jpg
Why do you like a specific braid? Is it purely the price, do you trust it implicitly, does your mate use it etc.?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-09-06 at 08.12.31.jpg
I want to get better at fishing the waves as they tumble around the shoreline
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-09-04 at 10.18.15.jpg
If I had broken this lure rod it would have been my fault completely, only realised my error when I zoomed into a photo
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-09-01 at 16.21.52.jpg
HPA Chest Pack back in stock in the UK - I’m essentially tied to carrying my lures like this, it’s the best side-bag I can find
Read more →

AUGUST 2024

 
Featured
CleanShot 2024-08-29 at 14.21.19.jpg
APIA Foojin'RS Art Magic 90ML+ (UK Custom) 9' 5-36g lure rod review - £399.99 UK price
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-08-28 at 09.24.45.jpg
Feels strange to do, but I need to try and keep getting better at taking photos of myself fishing
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-08-23 at 11.04.11.jpg
The new HTO Kamikaze 125 surface lure (125mm, 18g) - I really like surface lures around this size and weight for our bass fishing
Read more →
I tend to keep a casting jig or two in my lure boxes, sometimes they get me fish when nothing else does, best way to rig them?
I tend to keep a casting jig or two in my lure boxes, sometimes they get me fish when nothing else does, best way to rig them?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-08-19 at 09.18.12.jpg
Deliberately went to a lighter Seeker in some lovely surf yesterday morning, it worked!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-08-16 at 12.54.46.jpg
I think I need to play around with the weights of my Seekers for different marks
Read more →
Split rings made from braid - worth a look? Can’t beat testing stuff out by fishing with it, just like this morning
Split rings made from braid - worth a look? Can’t beat testing stuff out by fishing with it, just like this morning
Read more →
Yesterday was one year since my heart attack, I am very glad that I am still here!
Yesterday was one year since my heart attack, I am very glad that I am still here!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-08-06 at 18.44.03.jpg
Lovely 70cm bass yesterday morning on the lethal little, not very expensive, and very long-casting Berkley DEX Strider 9cm surface lure
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-08-05 at 08.26.42.jpg
Caught my first Isle of Wight bass!
Read more →

JULY 2024

 
Featured
CleanShot 2024-07-29 at 08.57.02.jpg
With my family, no blogging this week, anybody else struggling with so much weed around?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-07-26 at 11.21.13.jpg
Do you ever get that “pulling” feeling?
Read more →
Walkie-talkies - one of the most important items of fishing tackle I own and use
Walkie-talkies - one of the most important items of fishing tackle I own and use
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-07-21 at 10.30.49.jpg
Do you ever sort of see a fishing spot all over again, almost like you’ve got a different set of eyes?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-07-19 at 07.15.00.jpg
Favorite Black Swan 852MH 8'5'' 10-36g lure rod review - £269.99 - ridiculous amount of rod for the money, wand!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-07-15 at 07.06.26.jpg
Greys Tital and Kinetic X5 breathable chest waders initial impressions - both can be found for well under £200
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-07-09 at 18.38.28.jpg
Heading back home today, we have had a lot of fun out here, learnt loads more as always, so much food for thought
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-07-08 at 18.30.31.jpg
Good few days on the bass, it’s almost silly how often the Savage Gear Sandeel Pencil sorts the fish out
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-07-03 at 08.37.48.jpg
It’s remarkably helpful to shout “bloody hell I love watching fishing” right behind one of your anglers when they go and hook another bass!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-06-30 at 18.19.02.jpg
Travelling over to Ireland today for a couple of weeks of guiding work, managed to get some fishing in last week
Read more →

JUNE 2024

 

MAY 2024

 
Featured
CleanShot 2024-05-31 at 09.49.59.jpg
This lad’s first ever cast in Ireland - and he goes and hooks a bass!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-29 at 07.06.42.jpg
If you want to catch bass on creature baits, it helps if you don’t fish like a tit!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-23 at 17.08.09.jpg
Heading over to Ireland today, going fishing where I do my guiding work - we also have a few spaces left on our guided fishing trips
Read more →
That was a slightly different kind of follow!
That was a slightly different kind of follow!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-20 at 10.36.39.jpg
How much do you add no extra weight to those paddletails you swim over shallow ground? I think I need to do this more…………..
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-16 at 10.06.29.jpg
Sometimes the one, rather modest size bass means everything (plus initial impressions of the new £199.99 Greys Tital BCWs)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-14 at 11.32.22.jpg
Anglers Only Performance Fishing Shirts - reviews and info, various prices for different tops, great value for money
Read more →
Longest casting, very shallow-diving hard lures?
Longest casting, very shallow-diving hard lures?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-08 at 09.16.35.jpg
Huge congrats to a thoroughly nice lad who caught his double figure bass of a lifetime on a creature bait a few days ago
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-02 at 13.11.31.jpg
Favorite Black Swan 852M 8'5'' 6-24g lure rod review - £259.99 (at 97g I am sure this is the lightest lure rod I have used for bass fishing)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-05-01 at 07.27.10.jpg
Very excited to be at the Irish Spring Angling fair this weekend, hope to see some of you there
Read more →

APRIL 2024

 
Featured
CleanShot 2024-04-26 at 09.32.34.jpg
Rather liking these (heavier belly-weight) OMTD Big Swimbait Weighted Hooks
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-24 at 09.02.11.jpg
A bunch of Savage Gear lure fishing gear is on sale at the Art of Fishing
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-22 at 08.12.15.jpg
HTO Nebula IKA Hunter 2.65m, 2.5-4.5 egi (squid) rod review, makes for a lovely 8’7’’ 30g bass rod - around £100
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-19 at 05.19.17.jpg
Catching good fish on a new lure absolutely wrecks my head! (Craft Bleak)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-17 at 09.30.01.jpg
Some interesting thoughts from Z-Man on choosing and rigging paddletails
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-15 at 11.12.02.jpg
Gosen Roots PEx8 braid review - £23.99 for a 150m spool
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-12 at 06.45.14.jpg
Luxuriating in glorious weather as if we've never seen it before, heading back home today
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-08 at 06.23.22.jpg
Savage Gear SGS6 (Long Casting) 9’6’’ 10-35g lure rod review - wasn’t going to review this rod but it’s on sale at an amazing £99.99
Read more →
Gotta love how the Japanese have had a think about the cheb weight system, then came up with this - Decoy Switch Head
Gotta love how the Japanese have had a think about the cheb weight system, then came up with this - Decoy Switch Head
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-03 at 09.11.35.jpg
When you do actually hook that fish of a lifetime - be honest here - is there a tiny bit of panic and worry?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-04-01 at 06.20.25.jpg
Nothing like fishing to bring you crashing back down to earth!
Read more →

MARCH 2024

 
Featured
You obviously go fishing feeling confident, but I didn’t think I’d catch a 76cm bass from the shore in March!
You obviously go fishing feeling confident, but I didn’t think I’d catch a 76cm bass from the shore in March!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-24 at 12.45.07.jpg
SuRPpa lure cases - an interesting way to carry your lures, £9.99 for ten of them
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-21 at 12.43.27.jpg
Oh yes, I caught my first ever UK open-coast bass in March!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-20 at 09.24.21.jpg
How to successfully lose a perfectly good lure!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-18 at 10.17.57.jpg
Daiwa BG MQ 4000D-XH spinning reel review - around £200 here in the UK
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-15 at 07.27.54.jpg
With so much extra freshwater in our estuary systems, I wonder how long it might be until things kick off?
Read more →
How much do you love the walking, scrambling, wading etc. that’s part and parcel of shore based lure fishing?
How much do you love the walking, scrambling, wading etc. that’s part and parcel of shore based lure fishing?
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-08 at 07.15.20.jpg
Hope to see some of you at the Glasgow Angling Centre’s “Spring Open Weekend” this weekend, flying up today
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-06 at 09.26.00.jpg
I am pretty sure it’s not going to catch me any more fish, but I’m really liking white coloured braid
Read more →
A lot of interesting lure fishing gear at The Big One Show……….
A lot of interesting lure fishing gear at The Big One Show……….
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-03-01 at 08.09.31.jpg
One of the most humbling comments I have ever received, plus I hope to see some of you at The Big One Show this weekend
Read more →

FEBRUARY 2024

 
Featured
CleanShot 2024-02-26 at 10.20.56.jpg
A few options and costs if you want to have a bit of a play with these creature baits/crab imitation lures
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-23 at 08.00.17.jpg
Fantastic news - there will be no net based fishery in the Salcombe estuary, well done to all of you who got involved!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-21 at 08.39.37.jpg
I know that some anglers get frightfully overexcited about this - but leader or no leader? (the lads in Guernsey got me thinking about this again)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-19 at 05.19.12.jpg
Savage Gear SGS5 9’ 12-46g 2-piece and 4-piece lure rod review - under £150
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-15 at 11.26.16.jpg
Had such a blast over in Guernsey - amazing ground, what a fascinating winter bass fishery
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-11 at 19.34.03.jpg
Caught a bunch of February bass out here in Guernsey, I’d almost forgotten how exciting it is to fish these waters, the ground and currents are incredible
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-09 at 06.08.51.jpg
Heading over to Guernsey today to check out some of their winter bass fishing
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-07 at 10.08.19.jpg
51 might well be a nothing kind of birthday, but I am so glad to still be around for this one!
Read more →
Absolute monster of a bass landed on the Portugal trip I was meant to be on, check out this report with photos (guest blog post)
Absolute monster of a bass landed on the Portugal trip I was meant to be on, check out this report with photos (guest blog post)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-02-01 at 14.00.04.jpg
Winter bass aren’t easy, so it’s always extra special when you do see one………..
Read more →

JANUARY 2024

 
Featured
CleanShot 2024-01-31 at 05.31.37.jpg
Which do you prefer - a waterproof jacket or smock? (plus the best wader tip ever?!)
Read more →
Guest blog post - Marc Cowling catching bass at this time of year by using a soft plastic lure to essentially imitate a crab
Guest blog post - Marc Cowling catching bass at this time of year by using a soft plastic lure to essentially imitate a crab
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-01-26 at 06.10.13.jpg
Penn Overseas II Inshore 9'10'' 30-60g 4-piece lure rod - under £100 (plus it comes with a hard tube that fits in a typical holdall)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-01-24 at 08.38.23.jpg
I’d love to be showing you photos of blue skies, impressive swells, and big bass - but my flight never went so I’m at home
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-01-19 at 06.23.09.jpg
Off to Portugal on Sunday for a week, fully expect to be humbled again, but a friend who is already out there did catch a 10lb+ bass yesterday
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-01-17 at 09.45.23.jpg
What’s the one thing we don’t really imitate in bass fishing, and what’s the one thing so many bass feed on? Rabbit hole warning!
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-01-14 at 12.47.10.jpg
APIA Foojin'Z Testamatta 88MH 8'8'' 8-56g lure rod review - available in the UK, horribly expensive (not exactly an increased cost of living thing, sorry)
Read more →
CleanShot 2024-01-10 at 10.43.37.jpg
Smith’s Diamond retractable sharpener review - really handy little hook and knife sharpener, around £12.00
Read more →
I got my January bass, I’m coming for you February!
I got my January bass, I’m coming for you February!
Read more →
Screenshot 2024-01-04 at 15.03.37.jpg
You may have noticed that I shoot a few photos of myself fishing these days - apologies for this, but there are reasons for doing so!
Read more →
Screenshot 2024-01-03 at 08.28.01.jpg
Please sign up and “attend” this online forum on Thursday 4th January at 6pm, it’s all about the proposed netting that threatens the Salcombe estuary
Read more →
Screenshot 2023-12-31 at 17.21.51.jpg
Happy New Year 2024 (and I notice that a load of white Surf Seekers have come into stock)
Read more →
OLDER BLOG POSTS - CLICK HERE