More Midwinter Bass on the Creature Baits…
As I write this, I am still coming down from the ‘high’ that is achieving not only a 56cm bass in February, but also a magnificent 62cm fish the very next day – oh, and I lost another decent bass too but I won’t say anymore about that one! Trust me me when I say that you do not want to miss the blog post and Audio Clip regarding my largest February bass to date, as the story behind it is compelling to say the least! I am still buzzing here!
Thank you
First of all, I would like to say ‘Thank you’ for all of the positive comments in relation to the Audio Clip Format that I have started incorporating into my blog posts. By the look and sound of things, I think this is definitely the way forward, as it not only allows me to post more regular content, but also more information that I hope is useful to my readers and followers.
The Gallery(s)
Onto the photographs and release videos that I have divided into separate galleries below, and further down the page:
Besides one 50cm capture on a Fiiish Black Minnow, during the 11 sessions that I completed in January, the 14 bass that I have landed have all been caught on a Megabass Sleeper Craw. What’s more, this impressive haul includes 3x 60cm fish, 2x 59cm, and a further 8 all over 50cm.
As you’ll notice in the slideshow images above and below, plus those from my previous posts this month (here, here, here), 11 of these fish were landed and released in daylight – something that if you’ve followed my winter bass lure fishing forays over the past 5 years or so is noteworthy considering the high proportion of my catches in winter are ‘normally’ achieved in darkness…
Why all the ‘fuss’
Without a doubt, the catches provide food for thought. Yes, if you come from a freshwater lure fishing background then you might be thinking what all the fuss is about, as creature baits are used all the time in the rivers, lakes and canals. Furthermore, our cousins on the continent have been using these lures for years to much success – particularly the French anglers whose videos I very much enjoy.
But when it comes to my personal fishing, and the guiding (where both my 2nd Guide Joe and I have guided our clients onto creature bait caught bass of up to 64cm here, here, and here) plus that of a massive percentage of saltwater lure anglers in the UK, catching bass of a very good average-size it has to be said, in the middle of winter, with a lure that requires a significant amount of confidence to fish with, although dynamic, is also extremely daunting in equal measure.
Reflection
Therefore, in the Audio Clip below I will expand not only on the technique and types of environment (that I have spoken about in all of my posts since the turn of the year) but also some of the background as to why I believe so many bass are falling to the Sleeper Craw – not just for me, but to other like-minded anglers as well.
Moreover, although it is very amateurish in terms of its production, I have embedded the three-and-a-half minute video I recorded and placed on my YouTube Channel in relation to how I am retrieving these lures, as I am sure many of you will also appreciate the more visual aspect to what I writing and recording.
As ever, I am open to any feedback you may have.
Thanks for reading, watching, and listening.
Marc Cowling
Marc Cowling - Bass Lure Fishing 