First Bass of the Year: A Two-Night Lure Fishing Session in the old Barrel Pod

There’s nothing quite like the first trip of the year. Two days staying in the barrel pod, chasing bass with lures – cold, knackering, and absolutely brilliant, even, if it did have a bit of winter mould and damp, it, was warm with the heater on. I don’t care.

Night one – the lures that delivered

The standout performers were the 125 Patchinko lookalike and the Sasuke Bora Mullet 140. The Patch looks more white than Nacre, but when you’re paying three quid, who cares? It worked.

As the sun went down the fishing switched on

I met up with my Cornish mate Darren to kick things off. Gear-wise, he’s on another level. His van is absolutely jam-packed with lures and all sorts of quality fishing kit. Darren is relatively new to lure angling, he’s, picked it up well.

As soon as it darkened, the fish switched on. The Patch 125 accounted for a lovely 61cm bass – you can see it here:

It was bitterly cold that night, but it felt great to be back out. Really productive too – we ended up with ten bass each, a mix of sizes including some feisty early 50

Daytime lull

We tried an estuary in the day, but it was awfully cold and windy. No bites at all – wrong time of year with cold water coming down from the mountains. A reminder that timing isn’t everything, but it’s a lot. Practicing Claw Bait fishing is on hold for now.

My new Loop Jacket from Twinpeakes kept me reasonably warm it was bitterly cold. This is why I bought it, those easterly wind bite.

Night two – mullet colours shine

We went back to the same mark as the first night and picked up another ten or so bass between us, the biggest going 53cm. This time, mullet-coloured lures did the damage – namely the Hunthouse 155 and the Sasuke 140 Bora mullet copy.

Feeling the fitness gap

I use the local gym and feel fit, but there’s no such thing as “gym fit” – only “fishing fit”. I felt it badly on the second night and the day after. I was absolutely knackered. Glad to be in that barrel pod by the end.

It’s always nice to finish a nice couple of days fishing with a pint in my all time favourite pub. Nothing fancy just my happy place.

Cheers all and tight lines