December Bass Lure Fishing Blog

December Bass Fishing in Cornwall: Estuary and Coastline Lure Strategies for Success

December brings colder temperatures and tougher conditions for bass fishing in Cornwall, but the region’s warmer waters, milder than most UK coasts, though not as warm as Guernsey or Jersey, offer unique opportunities. We’ve had success in December on both estuaries and the open coast, despite challenges from wind and swell. This guide shares lure strategies and safety tips for December, optimised for anglers searching for bass lure fishing, with the right approach, you can land big bass, even in winter. You will 100% catch less but we’d swap 20 x 50cm bass for one 70cm. 

December’s Bass Fishing Challenges

December is generally calmer than November but colder, with sea temperatures dropping below 14°C. Wind and swell are major hurdles for lure anglers, making coastal fishing risky. Safety is paramount. Avoid fishing in large waves, wear a life jacket in rough conditions, and never take unnecessary risks. Estuaries offer safer, more consistent fishing, especially for big bass (6-7lb), bulking up on baitfish and crabs. Water clarity varies; cloudy or “chocolate” water calls for bright lures, while clear water suits natural colors. Constant movement and reading tidal flows are key to finding bass in shallow or deep water.

Estuary Fishing: Targeting Big Bass

In December, estuary bass swim deeper, making surface lures less effective, especially in murky water. Soft plastics, particularly weedless paddle-tails and creature baits, are the go-to for bigger bass. Cast up-tide, letting the lure sink to the bottom, then drag it slowly (1 reel turn every 2 seconds) to mimic small fish or crabs near the weeds. Hold your rod at a 45-degree angle with a tight line to detect strikes. The takes might be slower, so being patient is really important rather than striking like you would in the summer.  In cloudy water or at night fishing, use white, black or bright lures (e.g., chartreuse); in clear water, natural-colored soft plastics excel. Longer pauses during retrieves are crucial to entice sluggish winter bass.

Top Estuary Lures

• Weedless Soft Plastics: Paddle Tail (white). Rig with weighted hooks to skim the seabed.

• Poppers: In fast fast-flowing tide with long pauses. 

• Tip: Drag soft plastics slowly along the bottom, mimicking crabs or small fish, and cast into the tidal flow.

Open Coastline: High-Risk, High-Reward

Coastal fishing in December is tougher due to wind and swell, but fair weather windows can yield bigger bass. Focus on sheltered beaches or rocks with tidal flow, fishing 2-3 hours before/after high & low tide. Murky water limits surface lures, so use weedless soft plastics, dragging them along the seabed to mimic baitfish. White/black or sparkly lures work best at night under moonlight, while black lures suit clear water at night. Avoid risky areas with large waves and prioritise safety with a life jacket.

Top Coastline Lures

• Weedless Soft Plastics: Paddle Tail (white) for seabed dragging.

• Shallow-Diving Plugs: Black for clear coastal waters.

• Tip: Use bright lures in murky water and retrieve slowly with pauses.

Tips for December Success

1. Prioritise Safety: Avoid rough seas, wear a life jacket, and fish in fair weather. Estuaries are safer than exposed coasts.

2. Read the Tide: Fish with the tidal flow, targeting 2-3 hours before/after high & low tide. Bass hunt in as little as 2ft of water, so don’t overlook shallows.

3. Stay Mobile: Move every 20 minutes if no bites, reading the estuary’s flow to find bass feeding zones.

4. Stealth Approach: Cast from shore first, wade quietly, and avoid spooking bass in shallow water.

5. Soft Plastic Technique: Cast up-tide, drag weedless paddle-tails slowly along the bottom, and use white in murky water or black in clear water.

6. Night Fishing: Use white/black or sparkly lures under moonlight, minimising headtorch use for stealth.

7. Log Catches: Record tide, lure, and location in a catch report to track winter patterns.

8. Gear Prep: Tie strong knots, set drag to 25-30% of line strength, and check line for wear to handle bigger bass.

Why December is Worth Fishing

Despite the cold, Cornwall’s milder waters and big, hungry bass make December a rewarding month. Weedless soft plastics, dragged slowly in estuaries or along coastal seabeds, unlock 6-7lb catches. Stay safe, fish tidal flows, and leverage night fishing with Bass Lures UK to end the year strong. Tight lines!

Handmade 4.5” Cornish Shads 

A 65cm Bass (below) caught on a brown lure with a tail being dragged along the bottom of an estuary. 

Open Water: Occasionally, it can be a beautiful day in December where everything aligns. Clean surf and clear blue seas happen once in a Blue Moon, but when they do you must take advantage of these conditions. We generally use a a natural or colourful hard plastic to fly out into the surf in December. The shoals of bass are larger in Dec and they will be looking to capitalise on bulking up on fry. Cast your lure into the white water and wait for those huge takes when the bass hit. If you get no hits after a few casts then move to another spot.

They are either there or not. They won't come to you, you must find them yourself. Before you start casting think “if I catch a large bass how will I land it” really think about that before you cast your lure.

Please take care on the coast in Dec and wear a life jacket if you own one. If you don't then buy one and use it. 

Medium Sub-Surface Shorline Running Bass Lure 120mm

There may be a few squid still about on the open coastline or even an estuary, so its always worth a chuck with a snax lure, retrieving it deadly slow. 

5" Cornish Snax

Take care and tight lines....

Thank you for your support this year...

Merry Christmas and HNY...