Not much change in conditions since yesterday, but there has been a lot of Bass caught in the past 2 days. Mostly on lures. It seems that they have come in after the huge shoals of Mackerel.
Wind forecast SW 10mph
Water Temperature: 14.2*c Weymouth High Tide: 11.53am, 1.67m
Sea Conditions:
Chesil Beach: Calm with a slight swell. Water is clear
Portland Bill: Calm with a slight swell. Water is clear
Portland Harbour: Calm; water is clear
Weymouth Bay: Calm; water is clear
Chesil Beach forecast: It looks great on the beach. When I had a look at it earlier I could see a massive bait ball making the water boil all the way from Chesil Cove to half way down the beach road. Where there is Mackerel and bait fish the Bass are sure to follow. Lots of Dabs and a few Plaice from West Bexington, Abbotsbury and Cogden. Rays from Burton Bradstock and Seaton, and Smoothound all along the beach.
A few Bream are finally showing from the Chesil beach car park area. Float or lure fishing will produce Garfish. Use a size 4 or 6 long shank hook with a sliver of Mackerel on a very short trace beneath a float. Small surface lures fished slowly will also get great results.
Portland: Fishing really well for Pollock and Wrasse, with the odd Bass coming to lures around the Bill. For the Pollock use White Sidewinders or Megabass Metal X bubbleheads. For Wrasse it has to be soft plastics, if it is overcast use blue, purple or red. If it is sunny try gold, green or brown. Snowbee Stingers, Slug-go’s and X-Layers are really good. I am trying a couple of new designs out and I will let you know if they are any good. If you don’t want to use lures then float fished Ragworm or Mackerel will work. Local’s tell me that they catch Bream from the Bill. I have never tried in the past, but I can’t see why it would not be possible as it is perfect Bream habitat. When I find out the technique I will let you know. If anyone does know and wants to share please drop me an email [email protected]
Portland Harbour: The area from Ferrybridge to Sandsfoot Sailing Club is a good choice for Bass and Gilthead Bream. Crab and Mussel are the best bait for Gilthead Bream. You will also pick up Bass on Crab or Ragworm, though worm does not seem to attract the larger specimens. Try shallow or surface lures along there for the better Bass.
Weymouth Bay: The Piers are fishing much better this week for most species with the exception of Bass. I have seen Smoothound, Plaice, Pollock, Wrasse, Mackerel, Garfish and Sea Scorpions all caught over the past couple of days. Mackerel and Ragworm have been the most successful bait recently.
Boat and Kayak fishing. Fantastic inshore and offshore fishing a the moment. Bream are around in good numbers and there are still plenty of Turbot and Brill around. Pollock and Bass are being caught from Kayaks inside Portland Harbour.