Saltwater Boat Angling — December 2017

Saltwater Boat Angling 13

The intention is to prevent the decline

of bass numbers and safeguard the

species for future generations. There

has also been an evident positive

change in the attitudes of anglers and

sport-fisherman alike, we seem to be

becoming more conservation-minded

and get more fulfilment from

releasing one of nature’s awesome,

but slow-growing, marauders.

FAVOURED FLY

My favoured fly pattern for bass,

which has accounted for hundreds of

fish, is an EP Minnow. This is tied on a

2/0 or 4/0 hook, ranging in length

from 4-8 inches and is based on a

large bait-fish representing

something similar to what the bass

feed on ie mackerel, smelt, herring,

pouting etc. The flies have a good

profile so they can be seen from

below and are able to catch the bass’

attention, whilst looking realistic. My

favourite colours or patterns are:

mackerel, chartreuse/white, olive/

white and grey/white. The flies are

tied on an SL12 Gamakatsu hooks, EP

fibres (Enrico Puglisi) are used for the

body in conjunction with EP Eyes;

these flies are simple and effective

(requiring few materials).

These flies can be fished with an array

of techniques. Retrieves can be slow

and jerky (my preferred method,

especially in cooler months) or rapidly

stripped back if the bass are in an

aggressive mood.

This can be very exciting when you’re

getting loads of bangs and taps. They

can also be fished on different lines at

different depths, my most successful

and personal preference is to fish with

an 8# fly rod, di7 sinking line and 20lb

fluorocarbon leader. This allows me to

get my fly down deep and quickly.

It is important to explore the depths

and locate where the bass are

feeding. Bass are fish that live in

shoals so, find one fish and you’re

likely to catch more. Quite often

sessions with up to twenty to thirty

Bass like this one put up a great scrap on a fl y rod

Another bass falls to the EP minnow

An example of an EP minnow

Issue 019 1-47.indd 13 09/11/2017 10:09: