Which lure??

[martinw]

This morning i went out bass hunting on the yak off penmaenmawr, post will follow later!

When i got to where i wanted to be i didn't have a clue which lure to start with, i was in about 15ft of water over rough ground, the water was clear and flat calm. I was sat there on the yak looking at all my lures and thinking where the hell do i start?

Anyway, i started with a rapala sliver to cover near the bottom, nothing, then i went on to a shallow diver the j13, nothing so then i ended up with a bass buster surface lure in mackerel colors and again nothing!

It was only when i switched to the trusty old dexter wedge that i started hitting into the mackerel, but i wasn't there for them, however they save the day again!!

So anyway, thats my dilemma, where do you start? or aren't there any rules for all this and is it just a matter of trusting your judgment??

[kickingk]

Martin,
know what you mean, I've got a box of them that cost a fortune, usually try em all, catch nothing, swap back to the Dextor Wedge or ABU Krill and straight in to at least a mackeral - I might as well leave the rest at home!!

[tobasco]

Clouser!!

[tobasco]

Martin,

Yep - you got it, well done
It's got be one of the the best lures going for bass. Just change the size, colour and weight to suit the occasion.

Cheers
Steve

[tobasco]

Aye,

It does take a wee bit of practise and determination. But once mastered it will probably take over your life. I normally only go armed with a fly fod. However, if general conditions, etc do not allow fly fishing (really deep water, etc) then there is always a spinning rod at hand.
The good thing with fly fishing, and fly tying, is that you can really 'work' the lure without too much fear of losing 10 quids worth of Rapala, etc. especially if you venture into the fly tying world, but once you go that far its too late and you'll be really F£$%$.

[martinw]

My old form teacher in secondary school used to tie his own flies, did them very dinnertime in the office at the back of the class, was fascinating to watch, he said he'd tied hundreds but only used a handful. I always fancied a go at tying must be really therapeutic!

At a guess id say that purpose made sea fly fishing gear will be pretty hefty on the old wallet? but cant you start off with a half decent fresh water combo deal? and as long as you look after it, it will last, at least last until you have mastered it and then you can go out and get the all singing all dancing salt water combo. To be honest Ive not really looked into whats on offer, and don't even know what i would need, What size rod? and then theres all them different types of fly line, thats it my heads gone numb!!

Tobasco mate, can you shed some light on it for me? and anyone else that cant get their head round it!!!

Cheers martin

[tobasco]

Martin,

I will (should) be at the Cemlyn Bay meet this sunday and seeing as though I will have my daughter with me I will not really be kayaking. Therefore I have offered to demo and explain some fly fishing gear, techniques, etc. to those that may be interested on the day. I may even bring the fly vice and knock up a fly or two aswell.
Regarding initial costs: It is not necessarily overly expensive to get started, but as you say purpose made sea reels and the likes are expensive and not worth the cost IMO unless you intend targetting overseas warm water species. However, saying that a good quality rod and/or reel will come with a genuine life time warranty.
I use relatively cheap kit as I'm a bugger for leaving all my gear in the back of the car and not rinsing reels, lines, etc after use in the salt.
As a rough guideline my first outfit (Rod only - had all the rest) cost me £60, it is not the best of rods but was good enough to get me hooked.
A few of the reels that I now have I actually paid £11 for from Mullarkeys (I think), all good enough to hold the line and enough backing to get you on the water and actually fishing. What you have to remember about the reel is that it is only a tool for holding the line on (especially when dealing with the relatively small fish that you are likely to tangle with in the UK). The quality of the line is important because if you think about it is the smoothness and ease of cutting through the wind that determines how far and accurate the cast will be.
You can also go out and buy the most expensive rod on the market but if you have not got a well co-ordinated casting technique then you as well have not even bothered. My advice to newbie fly fishers is to go and get a casting lesson from a professional instructor. This does not have to be expensive and is worth every penny as by doing so you will not pick up bad habits which once learned are almost impossible to shake off - believe me I still have them all and have not been for any lessons. I know quite a few other SWFF boys from down South who are probably some of the best, and most experienced, SWFFers in the country and they still have lessons from time to time. It's a bit like a golf swing - there is always room for improvement and bad habits slowly creep back in unnoticed.
Anyhow, I should see you Sunday and will be more than willing to answer any questions (no matter how stupid you or any else may think they seem).
All the best
Steve