Estuary Bass Fishing in Cornwall: Night Lure Tips and Tactics for Success
Estuary fishing in Cornwall has been a standout this year, delivering consistent bass fishing with stunning sunrises and sunsets. At Bass Lures UK, we’ve been experimenting with new soft plastics and achieving excellent results, catching bass mainly over 50cm on soft plastics (SPs) and smaller fish on surface lures.
Why Estuaries Shine for Bass Fishing
Cornwall’s estuaries are bass hotspots, offering a mix of tidal flows, shallow weeds, and abundant baitfish like sprat and garfish. This year’s consistent fishing has shown that estuaries produce bass of varying sizes, with larger fish (50cm+) favoring soft plastics and smaller ones hitting surface lures. Night fishing has been particularly productive, accounting for 70% of our catches compared to 30% during the day. By fishing all tidal stages—day and night—you’ll quickly identify the best tides for your area. For example, we’ve found outgoing tides outperform incoming tides in our local estuary, but this varies by location.
Best Lure Colors for Night Fishing
Night fishing in estuaries relies heavily on lure color, especially under moonlight, which enhances visibility. White and black lures are the most successful, with sparkly lures also effective when the moon shines brightly. Here’s why these colors work:
1. White Lures
Why It Works: White reflects moonlight, mimicking vulnerable baitfish like sprat. It’s highly visible in clear estuarine waters.
When to Use: Ideal on bright moonlit nights, especially 2-3 hours before/after high or low tide.
Pro Tip: Use a twitching retrieve to imitate a struggling fish.
2. Black Lures
Why It Works: Black creates a stark silhouette against moonlit water, standing out to bass hunting in shallows.
When to Use: Best in calm estuaries during outgoing tides at night.
Pro Tip: Try black-and-white combo lures for extra contrast.
3. Sparkly Lures
Why It Works: Glittery lures catch moonlight, adding flash that mimics garfish or sprat scales.
When to Use: Effective on bright nights in deeper estuarine channels.
Pro Tip: Pair with a fast retrieve to enhance sparkle.
Top Tips for Estuary Bass Fishing
Fish All Tides: Experiment with all tidal stages—day and night—to find what works. Outgoing tides often fish better, but test your local estuary.
Move Frequently: Don’t stay in one spot longer than 20 minutes if it’s quiet. Cover ground to find active bass, and move after a catch to avoid spooking nearby fish.
Stay Stealthy: Approach the water quietly, as bass are often just feet away. If using waders, enter slowly to avoid disturbances.
Test Shallow First: Cast from shore, dragging a soft plastic through weeds to check for shallow bass before wading in.
Cast with the Flow: Cast sideways into the tidal flow, retrieving with the current so bass see the lure’s tail first, not your line.
Lure Choices: Soft plastics are top for larger bass (50cm+), with surface lures like poppers or stickbaits ideal for smaller fish.
Night Focus: Fish 2-3 hours before/after high or low tide at night, using white, black, or sparkly lures under moonlight.
Log Catches: Record tide, lure color, and location in a catch report to track patterns, as bass habits are consistent yearly.
Gear Prep: Tie strong knots (e.g., Palomar) and set drag to 25-30% of line strength for larger estuary bass.
Why Estuaries Are a Must in Cornwall
Cornwall’s estuaries offer unparalleled bass fishing, with 70% of catches at night highlighting the power of night fishing. White and black soft plastics, paired with stealthy approaches and tidal flow casting, unlock larger bass. Experiment with tides, cover ground, and leverage moonlight to make this season your best yet.
4.5" Ribbed Shads (New)
