Tips From a Professional – Where and How to Catch Sea Bass
How can you spend and vary your vacation? I think you can not only swim, snorkel or dive in the ocean. You can fish in the evening or early in the morning or otherwise to hunt the “sea wolf“!
Seabass fishing is a great pleasure for the fisherman. Many fishing enthusiasts are interested in this fish. In order to fish for seabass in Tenerife, you need to buy a corresponding license for 3 years per fishing rod at a price of about 25 US dollars. Below is a sample fishing permit.
When these fish bite, a fisherman has the most pleasant feeling. The fish is the desired trophy for amateur fishermen and athletes for its taste. This predator has a cautious, even timid nature. The omnivorous glutton is able to make the fisher run along the shore. Seabass is fidget that’s why it doesn’t stay in one place for a long time and moves from one place to another as part of the pack. Sea bass is not tied to certain depths and moves freely in the water from the bottom to the surface.
How to catch the squirt? How to feel the fish on the hook? What tackle and bait to use when fishing sea wolf? How to lure and get the long-awaited trophy? Answers to these questions and not only you will find in this article. It is a nimble and fast predator. Most often this fish is caught in high tide zones where it feeds. The bottom should be stony or sandy. The fish can be found in shallow waters, which are formed after ebbs.
It is better to catch sea bass for 3 hours before the main peak of the tide. Fishing lasts no more than 3 hours. When the ebb starts, it is time to end fishing. The most optimal time for sea bass fishing is from June to December. The most active biting occurs at dusk at sunset. Excellent to catch seabass with spinning at night. Biting is often better when the wind blows. You can also experience all the delights of fishing for this fish with a spinning tackle. The most effective lures are silver spinners or white silicone fish.
It is best to catch with spinning from a rocky shore because the fish tends to these shores at high tide. A lot of small fish coming out of hiding at low tide accumulates there at this time. The catch is almost at the shore that’s why it is not necessary to make long-distance casts. When fishing for seabass, you can use both sinking and surface lures. It is also convenient to catch sea wolf on sandy beaches. In this case, the casting is done, as a rule, at a distance of 30 meters. If the depths are small, it is more practical to use surface models.
General Description of Sea Wolf
The seabass has a massive and elongated body towards the tail, the head has a pointed shape, covered with minute scales, with silver color on the sides and olive shade on the back. There are two sharp fins on the back. The fins can pierce a man’s hand without problems. Also, there are spines on the head, near the gill part of the fish. Nature rewarded sea bass with a big mouth. Most often people catch fish with a length of 30-60 cm.
Distribution and Habitats
This fish lives in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Canary Islands. It prefers to stay close to the coast, preference is given to the base of the rocks. It is best to catch sea bass there. Young seabass usually lives in a school of fish, then growing up, it becomes single. Seabass is a predatory fish and its ration consists of small fish, crabs, shrimps, and shellfish.
During hunting or search for food, sea bass enters the port area, shallow coastal areas, where it feeds on shrimp, worms, crabs, and shellfish. At dawn, if in such coastal places small fish jumps out of the water, then here you can hunt.
Age and Size
Seabass is a large strong fish, body length can reach 1 m. At the same time, the weight can be 10 kg. Seabass refers to long-lived fish. The age of sea bass can reach 15 years.
Seabass Lifestyle
The fish live in surf zones at a depth of no more than 30 m, rich in oxygen and sharp descents to deep-sea places. Sea wolf leads to a predatory lifestyle. The fish also keeps in small groups. Mature large individuals prefer single swimming. There is no real-time when to catch this fish. It can be active throughout the day and you can catch a predator all the year round.
Small seabass hunts a flock of shoals of small fish. She practically swims to the shore just behind the wave, which sometimes you can see even during the day on the beach. Large individuals attack their prey quickly, making a short and sharp throw. They pull their prey right to the bottom.
How, Where, When and What to Catch
Fishing takes place all-year-round and round-the-clock in coastal areas. The main fishing methods are fly fishing and spinning. Fishing rods should be selected suitable for fishing in seawater. As for the coil, she also shouldn’t be afraid of saltwater.
In What Weather is it Best to Catch Sea Bass?
Active biting is observed after the storm when all the small fish are carried to the shore by the waves. The successful catch will be at dawn is calm and windless weather from the piers and berths. The ideal water temperature is 18 degrees.
In What Places is it Best to Catch?
- Rocky areas;
- Sandy bottom with algal vegetation;
- Zone of the breakwaters;
- Coastal cliffs;
- Piers;
- Berths;
- Seaport (especially in places of the release of food waste).
What Tackle is Best to Catch Sea Bass?
If fishing occurs from the pier, from the berth, or with big stones, the best tackle will be an afloat rod for long-range casting, equipped with a sinking sinker. It is better to use a thin fishing line when using a spinning rod or wicker, as the “sea wolf” by nature is timid and easily notices the snap. A carp fishing rod length up to 3.5 meters, with a small fixed-spool or multiplier reel, is quite suitable for fishing. The fishing line is used with dough for a gap of up to 10 kg.
Example, equipping rods:
- Tackle length not less than 4 m with dough from 50 g
- Fixed-spool reel with salt protection;
- The main fishing line length from 0.20 to 0.25 mm, transparent, fast-sinking, and durable;
- Weight 45-65 g (elongated and flat);
- Sharp hooks numbers 6, 7, 8.
Advice:
- It is possible to use different types of fishing cords (slow, floating, fast-sinking).
- The rod is recommended for spinning fishing, elastic which allows you to throw the bait far.
As bait you can use:
- Pieces of fillet of small fresh fish
- Crustaceans (shrimps, crabs)
- Chicken pieces
- Mixture: special paste marked ” for sea bass», sardine oil, black granules for lubina
- A variety of bait based on mixtures of flour, oil, dough, processed cheese, bait for sardines, pasta with the smell
Method of preparation of bait: finely chopped pieces of crab (shrimps) and fish are mixed in a capacity. In this mince, you can add aromatizers, for example, the juice of the fish meat, best-suited juice from sardine meat.
Next, the mixture is laid out in the feeder, from which in contact with water is gradually washed away, leaving behind a long and fragrant trail of fish smell. The feeder is equipped with a sinker for lowering to the seabed.
On What Baits and Nozzles Sea Bass is Caught?
Animal baits:
- Live bait – any small fish with a light color. This bait is hooked on a hook under the dorsal fin. It is recommended to use a tackle with two wires, where one hook is attached near the edge of the ridge and the other on the lip. The sting of the hooks should be free so that it could definitely enter the bony jaw of the predator.
- Shrimp. Bait should be alive or fresh because when the shrimp spoils it loses its pink color and fishing efficiency is reduced.
- Pieces of squid.
- Worm (Nereis, Dendrobena).
- Cuttlefish.
- Octopus.
- Pieces of chicken fillet.
The main types of artificial baits and lures:
- Metal lure length from 5 to 15 cm with two tees for adult fish weighing more than 2 kg.
- Plastic lure length from 5 to 10 cm.
- Silicone baits size from 5 to 9 cm, white or gray shades (maybe glowing);
- Castmaster;
- Foresight;
- Spoon (flat and silver);
- Poppers;
- Octopus;
- Artificial fish (they are applied when fishing from rocky areas).
Tactics of using baits in different weather conditions:
- In calm and with a wave up to 0.5 meters – soft silicone lures
- Wave from 1 meter with foam – wobblers from 70 to 100 mm
What colors of nozzles to use at different times of the day?
- Dawn-white, silver, white-yellow;
- Early in the morning – red, white, blue;
- From lunch to evening-white;
- In the dark time of day — glowing purple color nozzles.
Advice:
- Interrupted wiring when you use artificial tips,
- it is better to use slowly sinking artificial shrimps and foresight when fly fishing.
The search for the school of fish and catching better start with the use of more small nozzles and gradually increase their size.
How Do the Fish Get Hooked?
Seabass cautiously tries and studies the bait before getting hooked. Then the fish sharply attacks and captures. It has no teeth, that’s why immediately swallows the bait.
How to Catch “Sea Wolf»? Basic Technique.
Wiring should be carried out until the end because the “sea wolf” is able to chase prey to the shore. When using a floating tackle, the landmark of throwing is the “wave of the sea wolf». This is a water area on which the water foams from the waves. Throwing should be done at 5 or 10 m for this foamy area.
Secrets of fishing float tackle:
- Places are rocky shores, boulders;
- Small wave;
- To use sensitive tackle, but high quality and durable;
- To use a strong fishing line;
- To use not large and sharp hooks;
- Sensitive and lightweight float.
It is recommended to do the wiring slowly from the foamy water to the coastline when spinning fishing. The best option in choosing a fishing spot is rocky shore at high tide and time of day are evening and night.
Important!
Hooking fish is necessary when you are sure of its strong hook. Seabass is a cautious fish. Don’t make a rush wiring. The most important moments when catching sea bass.
In the process of fishing, you need to be in constant search of fish in coastal areas, fishing in one place may not bring results. Bait is better to throw over the crest of the wave and lead to the next. if it was covered by a wave, then wait for a little and continue wiring. It is better to put everything you need in a bag on your belt because fishing occurs in constant motion.
I live in Tenerife (Canary Islands) for the last 10+ years and share my daily fishing experiences on my website. Many years of personal experience as a fisherman and the vast experience of my friends allow me to write professionally on any fishing topics (from choosing a flashlight and equipment to deep-sea fishing).
All of my advice is based on practical real-world experience and will be useful to both novice anglers and professionals. Read more about the author.
Affiliate Disclosure: FishReeler.com sometimes gets paid for listings, through sponsors or affiliate programs like Amazon, Ebay, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop, Shimano, Daiwa, Rapala, Renn, Okuma, KastKing, etс. Clicking a link helps keep FishReeler.com free, at no extra cost to you!
About the author: Each article is verified by the fishing expert Sergio Smirnoff. The articles are written by professional and amateur fishermen with 20+ years of fishing experience.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency. The articles are for informational purposes only, share your opinions in the comments and join the fishing discussions, let's share our fishing experiences together!
I absolutely love catching bass! The great thing about these fish is that they can be caught with almost anything – whole small fresh fish like sprats or fish strips are fantastic choices, especially with mackerel, herring, and squid. Sandeels, shrimps, and hermit crabs (claws removed) also work wonders.
Fresh bait like crabs (peeler or softback), prawns, and shellfish can also be used to catch bass. Interestingly, ragworms and lugworms are perfect for night fishing. For artificial baits, rubber or plastic sand eels, plugs, and devon minnows are excellent choices.
The good news is that bass can be caught all year round, with the best results being between May to October. During November, the bigger bass migrates to deeper southern waters and returns during May and June.
Bass can be found in rough, turbulent inshore waters along rocky shorelines and they also feed over reefs and fast tidal currents along sandy shores. It’s fascinating that they can even be found feeding in river estuaries, harbors, and even meters up tidal “freshwater” rivers.
I absolutely love fishing for bass! Even though they may not be as plentiful as they were 30 years ago, you can still find them throughout the UK, Ireland, and European coastal regions. So, if you’re planning a summer holiday near the coast, chances are you’ll be able to go bass fishing.
Estuary bass fishing is an excellent choice for beginners. Bass often frequent areas where freshwater meets salt, so do some online research before your trip to learn more about spring and neap tides.
In the past, I used to fish during very high tidal changes known as “springs,” but now I look for steadily building tides, falling tides around changing moon phases, and even relatively small tidal changes known as “neaps.” These conditions usually mean less suspended weed to foul your lure and provide predatory bass with ample time to hunt among the gullies and mussel beds often found in estuarine areas. It’s a good idea to keep a basic diary recording tide, wind, and weather conditions to establish a pattern for your chosen location.
Early mornings are an excellent time to go fishing, especially while the family is still asleep. An ebbing tide also provides the opportunity to fish without worrying about being cut off by rising water. However, be aware of strong currents, and take note of when the tide will change and begin to flood, as this can be an excellent time to fish. It’s easy to become so engrossed when the bass is biting that the water covers the route back to shore, so keep an eye on the tide.
When fishing for bass, make sure to cast along gullies and across them while searching for fish-attracting weed beds. These features offer shelter for crabs, shrimp, sand eels, and other fish that bass feed on, and they’re also areas in which bass camouflage themselves to unleash surprise attacks on their prey. You may be surprised to find bass in shallow water, so always fish your lure up to the last few cranks of the reel!
I find boulder-strewn beaches to be exciting locations for bass fishing. However, I do acknowledge that this can be a challenging task, especially if your time is limited by family holiday commitments. Locating successful marks can take years of dedication and meticulous note-taking. But worry not, online research and local tackle shops can offer a source of information on popular locations such as Kimmeridge in Dorset and Morte Point in North Devon.
If you’re interested in guided fishing, shore-based bass guides are becoming more commonplace, offering access to secluded rock fishing in exchange for a fee. A good guide will ensure that you are safe, hold insurance, carry equipment, and teach you how, when, and where to fish. Do your research beforehand and choose a guide who has a reputation for entertaining and informative services with satisfied customers who have left positive reviews on their social media pages.
If hiring a guide is not feasible, then refer to books and websites. When visiting a rock mark, always observe your surroundings and take note of the features just like in estuaries. Pay attention to pinnacles which are often surrounded by the fizzed-up water bass crave.
The presence of bait is also a good sign, especially when gulls begin to dive, often signifying bass attacking from below. Work a lure through these areas and you will almost certainly be rewarded, but act fast because both bait and bass move quickly, offering fleeting opportunities to benefit from such an obvious sign of their presence.
When it comes to fishing in a lake with no major structure, my go-to setup is an ultralight spinning setup with 10lb or less mono. However, if I’m fishing in heavy cover or lilies as we do here in the Everglades, I recommend a medium-heavy bait caster with 40lb braid or higher.
For bait, I always start with worms. I use 2/0 offset worm hooks and some bullet weights, trying both weighted and weightless options throughout the day. As for worm color, I switch between darker ones and green ones, sometimes even using junebug or watermelon pumpkin seed depending on the day.
The key to fishing with worms is to go slow, slower than you would think. Dragging the worm all over the bottom and giving it little flicks and flourishes along the way is usually the most effective. And when I feel even a little weight on the line, I’ll always set the hook. Sometimes it’s just a weed, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
To really get to know a new fishing spot, I’ll fan cast from the bank every 20 feet or so, working every section to make sure there aren’t any fish or that they aren’t eating what I’m throwing. If I go over three sections of the bank without a strike, I’ll switch out baits, trying a different soft bait or maybe a hard bait like a spinner bait or jerk bait. Once I figure out what they’re eating, I stick with that bait until the bite turns off and then readjust from there.
That’s what I love about bass fishing – it’s a mental game. What color do they like today? Top water or bottom? Fast or slow retrieve? Sometimes they’ll eat the same thing all day, and other times I’ll be scrambling to find what they’re eating next and only really getting 20 minutes of a “bite” until their mood changes and they want something else.
Some of my favorite baits include Speedworms, Senkos, Spinnerbaits, Jerkbaits, Squarebills (great for rock cover or riprap), Ribbontail worms, and Creature baits like fake crawfish or lizards. And for almost all soft bait applications, I use 2/0 hooks and 1/8oz bullet weights. If it’s windier, I bump up to a 1/4oz weight, and if it’s calmer, I drop down to a 1/16th weight.
I also recommend watching YouTube videos to learn more. I personally enjoy Flukemaster for starting from scratch, but any of the other hosts mentioned are fine too. And subscribing to a service like Mystery Tackle Box can help widen your tackle selection and skill set.
Overall, with just $25 at Walmart, you can go from having nothing to landing a ten-pounder in just a few days. It’s a great hobby that anyone can get into with a little bit of practice and patience.
I would highly recommend using a heavy weedless jig with a soft plastic crawfish attached for weedy ponds with lily pad cover. Additionally, bring some heavy bullet weights (around 1/2 oz) and a variety of worms in different shapes and sizes.
When fishing along the edge of heavy weeds in more open water, I suggest using a topwater lure like a Jitterbug. While I’m not a huge fan of hollow-body frogs, many people have found success with them in heavy cover.
For versatility, I recommend using a medium power, fast action rod with 15 lb fluoro and a ~7:1 bait caster. In terms of classic bass fishing baits, my go-to lures include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, poppers, buzz baits, hollow-body frogs, jigs, and plastic worms (Texas rig, drop-shot rig, wacky rig, and Carolina rig).
To keep it simple and not get overwhelmed, I suggest focusing on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Get some spinnerbaits in the 3/8 oz range with different colored skirts/jigheads and blade colors. For plastic worms, grab some 3/0 hooks, assorted bullet weights in the 1/16 – 3/8 oz range, and Gary Yamamoto Yamasenko in 4 and 5-inch sizes. Black and blue work great for overcast days, while pumpkin or watermelon colors work well for lighter days.
By focusing on these two types of baits, you can hone in on the fundamentals of bass fishing and increase your chances of catching some fish. Cast the spinner bait parallel to the shore and retrieve it back at various speeds, while with the worms, try a pop-pop reel-in-slack retrieve.