Return of the old Bass man

**Old Bass Man** · 30-03-2008, 02:10

Hi Guys.

Having spent a life time fishing between Dunge, Eastbourne, Seaford and Newhaven, I had to give up a few years back due to a problem with the old ticker. Having since had a quad by-pass, the old urge has hit me very hard to start fishing again.
So can anybody whose gone through a similar experience give me some advice and tips about the physical considerations. What concerns me most is the question of casting and the obvious strain this might put on the rib cage etc. I have tended to use a multiplier reel and and 12' beach caster in the past and I am just wondering if I could still use this rig without doing myself some serious mischief. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Geeze. I have to say that the kit has really moved on into the 21st century and I am fascinated by the latest hardware. Not too certain about the cost though - seems pretty expensive these days, but considering the beautiful engineering put into the equipment it isn't surprising. Thank Goodness the DEFRA clones have dropped the sea fishing licence proposals. I did write to them and was most surprised to actually get a reply acknowledging my concern. What a disapointing world we live in today. It's definately the age of the bureaucrat. What dim witted jobsworth decided to close off access to the Newhaven west wall and try to block the east side? I fished both for the last fifty five years and have some wonderful memories fishing there with my dear old Dad and his mates in all sorts of weather. The fishing used to be great, Bass, Cod,
flatties, Sole, Conger, Mackeral and Wrasse to name but a few. we also use to go prawn fishing and winkle collecting, not mention crabbing and lobstersing. It's sad to see subsequent generations denied these harmless pursuits and something should to be done to re establish the status quo. I always thought the the shore line belonged to the people but obviously not anymore. I got to say that I'm dead chuffed in finding this website. There are some brilliant articles and stories on it - so long may it prosper! Any advice regarding my problems would be most gratefully received

Cheers everybody! ;-)

Old Bass man

**fiskman6666** · 30-03-2008, 08:59

Originally Posted by Old Bass Man

Hi Guys.

Having spent a life time fishing between Dunge, Eastbourne, Seaford and Newhaven, I had to give up a few years back due to a problem with the old ticker. Having since had a quad by-pass, the old urge has hit me very hard to start fishing again.
So can anybody whose gone through a similar experience give me some advice and tips about the physical considerations. What concerns me most is the question of casting and the obvious strain this might put on the rib cage etc. I have tended to use a multiplier reel and and 12' beach caster in the past and I am just wondering if I could still use this rig without doing myself some serious mischief. Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Geeze. I have to say that the kit has really moved on into the 21st century and I am fascinated by the latest hardware. Not too certain about the cost though - seems pretty expensive these days, but considering the beautiful engineering put into the equipment it isn't surprising. Thank Goodness the DEFRA clones have dropped the sea fishing licence proposals. I did write to them and was most surprised to actually get a reply acknowledging my concern. What a disapointing world we live in today. It's definately the age of the bureaucrat. What dim witted jobsworth decided to close off access to the Newhaven west wall and try to block the east side? I fished both for the last fifty five years and have some wonderful memories fishing there with my dear old Dad and his mates in all sorts of weather. The fishing used to be great, Bass, Cod,
flatties, Sole, Conger, Mackeral and Wrasse to name but a few. we also use to go prawn fishing and winkle collecting, not mention crabbing and lobstersing. It's sad to see subsequent generations denied these harmless pursuits and something should to be done to re establish the status quo. I always thought the the shore line belonged to the people but obviously not anymore. I got to say that I'm dead chuffed in finding this website. There are some brilliant articles and stories on it - so long may it prosper! Any advice regarding my problems would be most gratefully received

Cheers everybody! ;-)

Old Bass man

having had the ticker warning myself i realised i needed to modify my approach to my angling .The days of the two mile Yomp loaded down with gear are now over,but that does not mean i have packed in anything.As regards casting ,cut down on the ambitions to cast to the horizon and you should be ok,likewise with the weight you are using,scale it down a little,you will prob find with the reduced diameter of modern day monafilament lines that you will notice little difference anyway.Rationalise your tackle box/bag and carry less gear ,take it easy and don't rush around ,you should be fine ,most important tho please try if you are going alone to at least have somebody else there on the beach.To my mind the benefits gained from being out in the fresh air doing something you enjoy far outweigh anything else anyway.
Get on with it and enjoy ,best wishes mate.
Dave.

**steve w** · 30-03-2008, 09:58

The few months after I had chest surgery I went fishing at marks where you could catch close in and used my bass rod,and light line/weights.Really gave me a lift,especially being out in the fresh air,after 3 months in hospital.

**fishyrob** · 30-03-2008, 10:34

HI Mr Old Bass Man. Good on you for getting back into it. For much of the spring (if it shows....!)summer and autumn, there is a hell of a lot of fishing to be done in our area on carp/bass rods, all light stuff, and the fishing can be mostly under your feet. If you fancy having a look at this lighter fishing, check out my website, (as per the signature) and I will happily give you a free outing somewhere easy going, like the marina, to welcome you back to our glorious sport.

**gs425e** · 30-03-2008, 11:57

hi ..hi and welcome back to the fishing scene .i to suffer with a heart/bp problem and have tried not to let it get in my way i have good and bad days but the though of the next fishing trip spurs me on i have not need to make compramises yet in my tackle choices indeed i have just got my second boat..but in the future i will have to make some sacrifices but until then i carry on regardless ..there are so many great people on this site who willing lend a hand to help..this forum is a wealth of information and will help you make the right choices as to what you need..a fantastic offer from rob a local ace and top fella.. i wish you well and look forward to reading your posts and threads your welcome to pm for a chit chat if you so wish take care and welcome cheers andy

**stillfishing** · 30-03-2008, 19:01

Hello. I suffer with emphysema for the last ten years but I still manage to go fishing. It is getting harder now and it takes me a long time to walk to and from a fishing spot and I cant go to some of my favourites anymore but I can still fish it just takes longer. I go on my own now because I dont want people to have to stop and wait for me but thats ok. So if you want to go fishing you still can even with a bad heart or some other disabilities.

**Old Bass Man** · 31-03-2008, 00:15

Hi Everybody! Wow I am really touched by your answers and you have all given me a hell of a lot of encouragement. The thought of getting back on a beach again has given me a tremendous lift and sure beats all the drugs and chemicals I have to take.

The game sure has changed since I last threw a cast. Interesting to note the articles in the fishing press and elsewhere about braid. I used it for years and much preferred it from monofilament. My old Dad used to reckon I was daft using it but I seemed to cast no worse than anybody else and believe I caught a lot more due to its lack of stretch. I used to use a 60lb shock leader with it, all loaded onto string backing to a Mitchell 6000 multiplyer and twelve foot beach caster. Probably all old 'tat' now but boy did we enjoy the sport it provided. One of the most memorable days fishing I ever had was at Borth in Cardigan Bay,Wales, spinning off the rocks for Bass with a mevergissy rubber sand eel. Had two brace on a turning high tide. Absolutely true, all over three pounds. Took one back to the Hotel and ate it after releasing the others. All the other guests were subsequently hollering for fish. The wife thought I had a cheek asking for it to be cooked but soon changed her mind when she tasted it.
I reckon the sea bass is one of the loveliest fish in the sea. It's a beautiful creature and deserves better protection than it gets at present. I heard a rumour that the east and west wall at Newhaven might be opening again. Has anybody heard similar stories?
Again, Many thanks for your replies - Brilliant!

Wishing everybody tight lines

Old Bass man

**stillfishing** · 31-03-2008, 20:04

You are very welcome. When I go fishing nowadays I like to spin and float fish off some rocks or a pier in the summer, it means I dont need to carry much gear also its nice to talk to other fishermen enjoying the sunshine last year I caught a Bass and someone went down on the rocks and got it out for me. Hope you have lots of luck.