Like it mate.
Targets this season are,
Not to fall over on a reef ( in the back of beyond) and nearly being knocked unconscious.....at low-water !
Obviously to beat PB on lure and fly.
Finding new marks.
And finally....to keep up the night sessions.... bloomin difficult during weekdays with work...

 

Well with the new regulations i will not be focusing on catching 'lots' of Bass this year, i will be using this year to find new marks, and mess around with saltwater fly fishing, there are stacks of mullet round here i will be having a go at.

 

Sounds good to me mate! I’m the opposite in that I’m always fishing top waters so one of my targets this year will be to fish more with subs and softs.

Last year was the first time I’ve cracked the 100 barrier but this year I’m going to have a lot less fishing time with a wedding and tons of work to do at home so I’ll mainly be out early mornings and evening/nights.

Instead of getting too hung up on numbers I thought it could be fun to try and catch on as many different lures as possible (and try and take at least one fish of the top per session if I can ) :BigGrin: and if I could beat my pb along the way that would be the icing on the cake!

Still looking for that double!

 

Sounds good to me mate! I’m the opposite in that I’m always fishing top waters so one of my targets this year will be to fish more with subs and softs.

Last year was the first time I’ve cracked the 100 barrier but this year I’m going to have a lot less fishing time with a wedding and tons of work to do at home so I’ll mainly be out early mornings and evening/nights.

Instead of getting too hung up on numbers I thought it could be fun to try and catch on as many different lures as possible (and try and take at least one fish of the top per session if I can ) :BigGrin: and if I could beat my pb along the way that would be the icing on the cake!

Still looking for that double!

Agreed on the differing lure tactics.....I’ve come to the conclusion that two rods are better than one.....A quick rod change makes a blank day come good!

 

This year I plan to get out more. Might seem simple, but I live a 90 minute drive away from the coast. If I'm out more often then chances are my catch total will improve (I hope!).

As a stretch goal, I also want to nail a bass on my fly gear. Fingers crossed.

 

It’s easy for myself as I use a NorthFace Backpack......I can strap a rod on the side....lure or fly...
It depends on mark..I’ll take a lure and fly or two lure rods.
My line tray is no problem as I use a William Joseph.... the tray retracts back....

 

To target bass over 70 cms ..........bigger lures on big bass tides help .........

To enjoy Ireland ,,,, what a place ..............

The years fly by ,,,, time to appreciate such beauty , and the great bass fishing they have ,,,,,,more ,,,,,

To go loads less till they sort out the eu mess were in

 

To target bass over 70 cms ..........bigger lures on big bass tides help .........

To enjoy Ireland ,,,, what a place ..............

The years fly by ,,,, time to appreciate such beauty , and the great bass fishing they have ,,,,,,more ,,,,,

To go loads less till they sort out the eu mess were in

To my failure....being an Irishman...have never fished the south of Ireland.
Fished North Wales...loved it!
Going to I.O.M. fer T.T. week so a rod will be stashed.....obviously!....:thumbsup:

 

Target for this year is to get out twice and do my best. (baby is due at the beginning of May...that's my season over... before it even started grrr)

Had 11 bass out in 3 outings last year with PB of 8lb ( at night to albie snax) ... so I'd be very naive thinking I can beat that this year
But with all the gear I've bought this winter I deserve a double figure fluke

 

My target will be to get out loads and continue enjoying my fishing . Suffered ill health last year and plans
were often scuppered , when i did get out it was usually easy marks in my immediate locality , often knowing
that better fishing was likely slightly further afield ...going on previous knowledge .
Looking forward to getting to grips with a few new to me lures ...Asturie , TM lipless minnow , SG line thru sandeel ,
Albie Snax . And plenty of old favourites all re armed and ready to go ...
Catching consistently shouldnt be too much of an issue , its those elusive better fish i would like to see ...
Oh and im really hoping to drag my old mate Manictoo back to Dorset for a fish , after he absconded to Cornwall ...
But i wouldnt mind a trip West myself , so maybe that will be on the cards to .

 

My target will be to get out loads and continue enjoying my fishing . Suffered ill health last year and plans
Oh and im really hoping to drag my old mate Manictoo back to Dorset for a fish , after he absconded to Cornwall ...
But i wouldnt mind a trip West myself , so maybe that will be on the cards to .

This will be the year of our reunion, after a dismal last year (1 Cornish & 1 Devon bass), I need to fish Easy Dorset.
Last years meet up was scuppered at the last minute.
Only managed a few trips, lack of transport.

This year will be different, can't get any worse, the only way is up.
Size and beating my PB is the only real target, numbers will come to achieve it, try more marks.
But most of all to beat my old mate Rod.44 on his home ground, will be as easy as climbing Everest.
Until then practice for the return match in the West.

 

My aim this year is to fish at least the 30 sessions I managed last year.
Try out some new Hard plastics.
Catch on my Zclaw phelps, use my SP's a lot more and continue using the metals.
Fish all the Meets.
The Cornish Lure Festival.
Catch a Welsh Bass.
Maybe even a trip to Ireland to see what all the fuss is about!

 

Mine's just to get out

Two ops last year flattened me and got another two this year. Had one two weeks ago and other to come in April. Nothing major, but enough to stop me driving or fishing. Should be up and hitting the ground running by the end of May, so timing should work out okay.

Still, plenty of prep time and hoping to get some soft and hard lure projects made that I've had in mind.

George

 

Great post Kevin :thumbsup:.

Like you, last year I had my best season number wise but I was also fortunate to catch a new PB, as far as length goes. I'm under no illusion that it will be difficult to top that this year, but I'll give it a damn good go :BigGrin:.

After a later than usual start, due to a nice break down under with some fishing thrown in of course , I'll be aiming to kick on again this year, I'm not that bothered about the numbers game but I won't complain if I hit the half century.

Last year I was fortunate to learn about some new marks, which turned out to be quite productive, so in 2018 I would like to continue widening my circle of marks so that hopefully I will end up with somewhere fishable in all weathers.

As far as lures go I've always favoured hard plastics myself, but after seeing my mate Dan do very well last year on Sunslicker lures, and after loosing what felt like a seriously big bass on a DoLive stick I've finally relented and decided to give SPs a proper go myself in 2018.

 

From Carrickfergus mate....NE direction....not renowned for its Bass fishin’.....too bloody cold.
Great for Pollack, Coalies and the occasional Cod...
Residing in Jersey (past 29yrs)....mustn’t grumble....spoilt over here...lol..:BigGrin:

 

From Carrickfergus mate....NE direction....not renowned for its Bass fishin’.....too bloody cold.
Great for Pollack, Coalies and the occasional Cod...
Residing in Jersey (past 29yrs)....mustn’t grumble....spoilt over here...lol..:BigGrin:

Lovely place , fished jersey a lot ...
Far better for me on boats than shore though ..............

Can't go back ........,,,,,,, chain mail wet suit waiting for me ,,,, a PM , Told me ,,,,,lol .....
Stunning place and best weather in British isles .........
Your very spoilt for sure ..........

I loved the dolphins ........surface dream land when tide goes out in the gullies ........
Loved the safety towers to climb up in .............mad ...

 

To build on lessens learned last year and stop walking past places without trying them on my way to places I think the fish should be, but aren't. Learned that lesson too late to be much use last year.

50 bass (regardless of size) and at least one bream and one mullet on hard plastics would be nice.

Some trips out before work rather than just in the evening after work....NO planned all day trips as the weather always stitches me up. That 200 meter walk to the beach to end up getting blown out is such a chore.:BigGrin:

 

Correct mate.....the mark shown above is extremely treacherous.
Basically fished down with tide to low and then vacated when tide turns.
Knowledge of gullies/high areas of ground permit experienced anglers to fish on that bit longer.....it’s a mark to be respected!!!

 

Been thinking about this long and hard during cabin fever...

I am going to chill out and forget the numbers game. I am lucky enough to live 5 minutes from one of my marks, but seriously I don't think I understand it properly. That applies to the 10 miles of coastline on my doorstep. I worry too much about water temperature and clarity and miss too many good tides. Also I travel to other marks rather than fish my own doorstep.

So my target for 2018 is to fish and understand my local marks. Plenty of walking, observation and fishing in all conditions. My pb is 61cm at a travelling Mark, I know there are local fish bigger than that, so why do the miles?

 

Great point there Gazza :thumbsup:. I live a 10 minute walk from a proven bass mark and within easy walking distance of several more which look ideal for lure fishing. I'm also a 15 minute drive away from many more productive marks but I hardly ever fish them.

I usually drive to Anglesey, at least 30 to 45 minutes away, when I should really put the effort into learning more about those marks on my doorstep.

 

me i want to hit the 200 mark and best 7lb
could have done it last year but to much work on again

 

me i want to hit the 200 mark and best 7lb
could have done it last year but to much work on again

200 lol ....come stay with me for two weeks .....be nearly job done .......

Can't say for sure about the 7 pound plus , but hit good numbers , your hit good fish for sure here ........

Rods 6 , bass over 60 cm is testament to that ......

I was gutted my 75.5 cm bass didn't go double end last year on the meet .....
Truth is it didn't even quite go 9 pound , and it was a full on , good looking bass .........

I'm glad wet weather warrior and a good few other mates were with me to witness it ,,,
Cause was a good eye opener for them to see a 75 , plus cm bass not go ANY WHERE near double ..........
Was not a skinny fish at all ...........goes to show can't assume 76 cm guarantee s you a double ...........
It really don't ..........had loads 73s 74s 75s, 77s not go no where near 9 pound in winter months ................
Know of a 81 cm that went 9.13 ,,,,for a mate in September ,,,,,,how GUTTED was he .........81, cms ...........

Which is why the claimed one's at 73s 74 s always will make me smile ..........

It's still the fish of a life time a double .......imho

I'm due one this season .........one every 2, to 3 years normally .....
Will be doing the big bass tides with big bass lures ..........
Can get my head around the stupid rules then , cause would never take a big bass , 6 pound or over .............

Love to put manictoo on one ........
Rod 44 would do his nut lol .....

 

Don’t believe too much in targets- can finish up chasin your ass and getting frustrated!
Just want to go and enjoy.
Oh and make it to the meets and have a laugh-Perhaps even get a decent bass.

 

Don’t believe too much in targets- can finish up chasin your ass and getting frustrated!
Just want to go and enjoy.
Oh and make it to the meets and have a laugh-Perhaps even get a decent bass.

My thoughts exactly, for me fishing is less about fish and more about getting out of the house...Most of my fishing over the years has been fly fishing for trout although as a kid I did everything including coarse and a little bit of sea fishing on holiday. We moved to Anglesey 2 years ago and I have done as much sea fishing (mainly shore fishing) as I can but not started on lures other than a few short tries.

This year I aim to be out of the house more than last year, catch more fish and if not, eat more bacon and sausage sandwiches cooked on my stove on the beech and watch as little TV as possible

 

To get out more ! Explore further West than Gower, and definitely more night sessions.

 

I'm with Barry - Just to keep enjoying the fishing (OR NOT!) really and to get more familiar with my Marks.
Would be nice to shed my shameful "Plastic Virginity' and to UP MY PB.
Just absolutely love getting out and giving it a go,

 

Think they are intent on making Man a bass fishing destination, having banned commercials around it (I think), so be great if you did an in depth report of your huge hauls there.

Haha...lol...not if the Missus has anything to do with it.....she gets the strop when she sees my not so cunningly hidden gear in suitcase....

 

200 lol ....come stay with me for two weeks .....be nearly job done .......

Can't say for sure about the 7 pound plus , but hit good numbers , your hit good fish for sure here ........

Rods 6 , bass over 60 cm is testament to that ......

I was gutted my 75.5 cm bass didn't go double end last year on the meet .....
Truth is it didn't even quite go 9 pound , and it was a full on , good looking bass .........

I'm glad wet weather warrior and a good few other mates were with me to witness it ,,,
Cause was a good eye opener for them to see a 75 , plus cm bass not go ANY WHERE near double ..........
Was not a skinny fish at all ...........goes to show can't assume 76 cm guarantee s you a double ...........
It really don't ..........had loads 73s 74s 75s, 77s not go no where near 9 pound in winter months ................
Know of a 81 cm that went 9.13 ,,,,for a mate in September ,,,,,,how GUTTED was he .........81, cms ...........

Which is why the claimed one's at 73s 74 s always will make me smile ..........

It's still the fish of a life time a double .......imho

I'm due one this season .........one every 2, to 3 years normally .....
Will be doing the big bass tides with big bass lures ..........
Can get my head around the stupid rules then , cause would never take a big bass , 6 pound or over .............

Love to put manictoo on one ........
Rod 44 would do his nut lol .....

So its roughly a double every 2 to 3 years for you Mark ....
Im all excited now as i have been at it seriousely now for 6 years , so by my reckoning if im half as good as
you are and we fish the same areas then im due one this year ...
And would be over the moon if you could put Manictoo onto a decent fish ...as long as its no bigger than 72 cm ...

 

So its roughly a double every 2 to 3 years for you Mark ....
Im all excited now as i have been at it seriousely now for 6 years , so by my reckoning if im half as good as
you are and we fish the same areas then im due one this year ...
And would be over the moon if you could put Manictoo onto a decent fish ...as long as its no bigger than 72 cm ...

Same here Rod.
6 years at it and I think some of my learning is starting to fall into place.
still looking for a plus 60cm though!

 

Targets? 100+ bass. Had 89 last year drove me nuts... A few 5Lb+ fish and a lonely double.

 

After my whole season was wrecked last year after breaking my hip. Target. A full season and a new pb. So needs to be 8lb plus.

 

Hmmm, 3 doubles and an extra 76cm in the last 2 years for me in easy Dorset . Don't know what you lot are on about :stirpot:

My target this year is to get back to fishing some of the places that I haven't fished for ages. i'm getting lazy fishing the same old easy marks.

Ah yes and then theres Adrian , theres no questioning your prowess when it comes to big Dorset bass . Our paths are bound to cross again this year ...have a good one .