IT seems the more you work in the fishing industry, the less you get to fish – go figure!
I shouldn’t complain though, ’cause if I’m not actually on the water throwing a line – I’m talking about it or at least thinking about it. Towards the end of last week I managed to slip out for a few hours and target what I call backyard bass. I can leave home and make my first surface cast within fifteen minutes, generally picking up a few bass and be home by dinner time. Yes, I’m one lucky angler!
The Illawarra South Coast region is home to an assortment of rivers, streams and small creeks and most are populated with a number of native bass. Many are of average size, but now and then you’ll be stumped by the unstoppable. This in itself makes it all worth while and keeps me yearning for more.
Last week I caught up with a good mate Anthony Scocca, whom I grew up with targeting all sorts of species from our many rocky ledges along the South Coast. We’ve caught everything from luderick, drummer, salmon, kingfish, snapper, tailor and bream, but it had been a decade or so since he’d landed a bass from shore – too long in my book! After grabbing a few choice surface lures we headed down the road for a fish.
The light was perfect and the heat from the day created a buzz in the air – literally. Bugs of all sorts made their presence felt and it took all of three casts for Anthony to hook one of my local inhabitants. Was he happy? You bet! He’s usually at home chasing kings, marlin, tuna and wahoo out of the big boat, but not unlike myself he can also appreciate the finer aspects of fishing – plus the chance to get out in the wilderness and soak in the fresh air – priceless.
I also used this opportunity to test a couple of new Black Label rods from Daiwa and I even managed a few bass of my own before we headed back. It’s a great way to spend the evening by escaping the stresses of work and life. However, if I didn’t forget the Aeroguard we would’ve escaped the plague of mozzies and bugs too!
Anyone else been finding a few bass in these warm evenings?
If you don’t have dark lures in your collection – grab a texta and colour them in!
