Some sessions stay with you long after the tackle is packed away. This one ended with a personal-best bass on a 10cm / 15g Drift Shoal Shad in Sparkling Khaki, and a huge grin. It also left me with important things to reflect on about the conditions and how I landed the fish.
I have caught bigger fish as I have spent more time fishing, and I put a lot of that down to learning through experience. Every session teaches me something about the water, the tackle and myself. That includes recognising when excitement has led to a decision that should not be repeated.
Wind, swell and a change of lure
The day began with a strong onshore wind and a solid swell. The moon was nearly full and the tides were large. There was plenty of water moving, but that did not make the conditions perfect or automatically safe.
I started on the sand with metals, but the surf was pushing them around and I struggled to get the presentation I wanted from my light setup.
The Mustad representative had dropped off Drift samples before the session. I tried a 12cm / 20g White DRX Sandeel, but was still struggling in the swell. I then switched to the 10cm / 15g Shoal Shad in White Silver.
That lure cast well and held its presentation better for me during this part of the session. Its weedless rigging was useful, although no weedless lure is completely snag-proof.
The switch to Sparkling Khaki
As the tide rose, I moved from the sand onto the rocks and boulder-strewn gullies. I took a breather, my shoulders were feeling the session, then changed to the 10cm / 15g Shoal Shad in Sparkling Khaki.
I worked it through a tight gully that was around 10ft deep. Then, bump. The drag gave line and the rod bent over. At first I thought the lure had caught in a crack, until whatever was on the other end started moving.
A powerful fish in tight quarters
The fight was intense. Every time I gained line and tried to bring the fish towards the ledge, it surged back into the white water. I was talking myself through it, trying to stay calm.
In the original account, I described jumping into the water to land it. That is what happened, but it is not something to copy or recommend. A hooked fish does not justify entering a wave-washed gully or moving into an exposed position. If a fish cannot be landed safely from where you are, do not put yourself at risk to reach it.
I eventually brought the bass onto the rocks. It was a thick, dark, magnificent fish, and I sat for a moment taking it in with a massive grin. It was a personal best at the time of this session.
The release
Both the fish and I were tired. After a few photographs, I returned it to the water. It did not swim away immediately, so I stayed with it. Eventually, it moved away over the ledge and disappeared into deeper water.
Seeing it go was a wonderful end to the catch. The difficult landing and release also reinforce a lesson: prepare a safe way to land, handle and release a fish before casting, rather than trying to solve it during the fight.
The tackle from the session
- Rod: Tyrants Estuary 8ft 6-inch, 7–35g, as named in the selected rod option.
- Reel: Brown Bear 3000, also offered in the Estuary Rod & Reel Combo. Check the current combo details rather than assuming every specification is identical to this session’s setup.
- Braid: Green X8 Ultra Smooth, 16lb.
- Leader: 14lb fluorocarbon, as recorded for the session.
- Lure clip: Seadra Mini Speed Clip, 10mm. Choose the size on the product page.
- Successful lure: Drift Shoal Shad, 10cm / 15g, Sparkling Khaki.
What I would take into the next session
The lure change was part of this catch, but it does not prove that one size or colour will always outperform another. Watch how the lure works, adapt to the water and use the experience to guide future choices.
More importantly, choose a position with secure footing, a safe exit throughout the tide and a realistic landing plan. Check the forecast and swell before travelling, and reassess at the mark. If the conditions are beyond your ability to fish safely, move or stop. No lure or tackle upgrade makes an unsafe position acceptable.
This catch remains a special memory. The best version of the next session is one that ends with a safe return, whether or not another personal best comes along. Tight lines!