Starting to SWFF

the_edge · Joined: Mar 18, 2008 Posts: 4

I've trawled through the posts on this section....and I really need to get my fly kit down to the beach!
I've been fishing lakes for trout for a few years - absolutely love it - but had a couple of questions for SWFF
1. I normally use a 6lb clear mono leader about 9'(rod is 9'6" 8-9 / line 8 WF).....has taken fish up to an 8lb brownie : is a 3 or 4lb bass going to be more of a handful than a similar weight trout (given waves / tide etc etc) or similar?
2. I live in Peacehaven (near Brighton) and the typical marks near me are chalk gulleys onto pebble beaches - although I have plenty of access to concrete groynes. Is it better off the beach or using the groynes to get out further? There are a couple of marks over pretty havy boulders...are these likely to be better?
3. Do the same rules apply about fish depth - just "suck it and see" between slow / fast retrieves and vary depth....or is there some tried and tested formula??
Many thanks for any advice - and I hope I haven't duplicated too many questions already asked!!!

MJB · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject:

I'll have a stab at answering your questions:

1) Your rod and flylines will be ideal for Bass. I would step up your leader to 12lb-15lb bs though. 9' is a practical length, but I have no qualms in going down to 3' if conditions dictate (fishing in strong winds mainly)

2) No set rules. Sometimes fishing off the groynes can help, but I would probably fish alongside them first. Chalk ledges will produce as will bouldery ground. It's a case of finding the fish and at some stage of the tide they will be feeding. There's a direct relation between time spent on the water and success. If you can get hold of a copy, Lou Tabory's 'Inshore Fly Fishing' has a wealth of information on 'reading' a beach (Based in the US, it's all relevant to our own Bass).

3) There's no tried and tested formula and stripping flies back will catch, but remember that the sea is a moving body of water and fishing a dead drift or wet fly swing are deadly tactics to employ. I'll use a floating line when line control is paramount but will switch to the intermediate when depth is more important than control.