Sea Bass..Mackerel

[VMALLOWS]

On the way back to the Solent from Studland I usually put out my mackerel line for supper and it's rare that I don't get at least one fish.... especially passing Hengisbury.

Last time I got a nice mackerel, but also another fish that more resembled a trout.
I of course cooked it and was surprised to find it was a white fish. It was exceedingly good. Subsequent searches on the net made me conclude it was a Sea Bass, confirmed (I think) by seeing a similar-though rather palid- example at ASDA-WallMart. (£11.99/kg).

QUESTION:

Is it normal to catch a seabass on a mackeral line.... or was it a fluke?
If so, how do you go about catching them normaly? I'm not into fishing....just like nice fish to eat.

 

[LadyInBed]

It's not normal, but it's also not uncommon.

 

[Gunfleet]

I used to live in the bay of Mt St Michel and my neighbours (and I, once they'd showed me how) used to catch them on long lines. First you dig for worms. Then you bait the lines, say, three hooks every 10 metres, with the worms. Your lines are perhaps 50 metres long - three lines, one behind the other. Next is the important bit. Get there before the bloody seagulls do. Voila. Eels and sea bass (loup de mer) for supper. Good fishing.
John

 

[VMALLOWS]

Thanks! Well at least I know why they're so expensive!.... will just put up with mackeral untill I get lucky again!

 

[Gunfleet]

Expensive? They're free!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Flatties and dog fish

Used to do this as a lad in Eastbourne. We called it sand lining. Put a line out with maybe 50 baited hooks tied off it, and a rock around each end. Bury the rocks in sand when about knee deep at low water. Tie on a small piece of cork to act as a marker. Return at next LW, with a large bucket. Usual catch was various flatties (dabs, flounders, plaice, sole), plus dog fish (aka Rock Salmon!). Never lucky enough to get a Sea Bass which I don't think are bottom feeders.

There's now a marina where I used to fish!

 

[WayneS]

I have caught a few in this way. I have a spoon (I think that is what the call it) at the end of the mackerel feathers and that is what they normally chomp. In fact, when I bought the line and feathers etc, the chap in the fishing shop suggested I do this to catch Sea Bass so it is obviously not uncommon.


Cheers

Wayne

 

[steveh]

Bass chase and eat whitebait and sandeels ( as well as crabs, prawns and small bottom fish) so will take feathers. Best way to catch them is to tow a silver lure or a rubber sandell (Redgill). Once caught a six pounder off Bournmouth. Had a great meal at Poole town quay!

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Indeed
All you have to is buy a boat
Fuel it up
By some fishing tackle and bait then get out there and wait for a bite

I have spent may hundreds of pounds pursuing free mackerel, bass, salmon and lobster.
To date Ihave had about 20 lobster 1 sea bass lots of mackerel and a few mullet

If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[WayneS]

>All you have to is buy a boat

>If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

A bit contradictory don't u think

 

[Gunfleet]

Why don't you read what I wrote? The most expensive purchase is gumboots, not a boat.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

Ah *coughs*
Yes

We have a little silhouette for pottering that we use for a bit of fishing, but it cost nothing, literally. I do not really class that as a viable cruiser as the girlfriend finds it too cramped and there is no loo. We are looking at a trip to Peelyweely in August tho' weather et al permitting.

If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[sailbadthesinner]

*slaps forehead*
Yes sorry
There is a great Beach near us, Llandwyn at the top entrance of the Meai Straits. Regular sea bass catches there still apparently, long rod lines in the surf. Have to time the tide right tho'.

If it Cooks Flys or Floats, Rent it.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Flatties and dog fish

<<Never lucky enough to get a Sea Bass which I don't think are bottom feeders.
>>Probably you're right. I know very little about this. Maybe it's a peculiarity of the bay, Ken. The water comes in shallow for miles there, then empties. And they definitely were bass/loup de mer. I know so little I went and looked them up!

 

[wrr]

Re: Sea Bass..Mackerel SIZE AND THE LAW

I hope that the bass was of a good size because if less than 35cm LOA it was illegal! Bass are a slow-growing species and local stocks can and have been fished out. There are regulations with regard to size and fishing in nursery areas, including significant areas of the Solent, is banned. In Ireland, all commercial fishing and sale of bass was banned because of decimation of stocks.

 

[mtb]

Re:Stop notices here in the wash

Saw council signs saying no cockles to be picked gib point across the wash.
Apparently a recurring poison has been detected !!!!.
The sign said a clear test needs to be for a two week period .
Bad time of year !!!
Mick

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v / cheap or swap for tug

 

[mtb]

Re: hang on a mo

We were there well Anglesey any way caught nothing not even a freeking bite.
Tried worms spinning spoons feathers , all times of day and states of tide two years running and nufink.
I heard no read that a Yank nuc sub hit bottom somewhere around there and the fishing went !!!.
Also while looking at wreck fishing I found a dive site which warned divers and fishing boats about munitions and chemicals up north there's that great big trench / which was a dumping ground for any thing and every thing , trouble was the contractors dumped it any where so stuff gets washed up on beaches as well .

So along with the over fishing its no wonder fish are hard to find.
Mick


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v / cheap or swap for tug

 

[longjohnsilver]

So what.......

One bass caught on a line really is no big deal compared to the tens of thousands a trawler can catch in a day. All for conservation, but let's be sensible about it.

 

[graham]

Re: So what.......

Minimum sizes only result in undersize dead fish getting thrown back.The real issue is foreign trawl;ers cleaning out our waters while local trawlermen sign on the dole and chainsaw perfectly good boats.

 

[billmacfarlane]

Lucky you ! Sea bass is definitely one of the best fish to eat. They are normally caught from beaches casting into the surf where they will hunt for sand eels at night. I suppose yours thought the moving lure resembled a sand eel. I've caught one with a rag worm , anchored off Studland Bay but never with a mackerel lure.