Bass | Fish Species Guide | Angling Direct

Bass

Bass

aka Dicentrarchus labrax

European sea bass or more commonally referred to as just ‘bass’ are a very sought after fish both for its fighting nature and for food. Bass are commonly found near-shore, around estuaries and upstream rivers in warmer months and offshore during the winter. It is widely disrbuted in seas around West Africa, the Mediterranean to the North Atlantic. With a sleek, black/blue body, Bass have distinct silver scales with a straight lateral line, a dorsal fin that contains sharp spines over its gill and a distinctive black mark on the gill cover.

FactLabelled as one of the most intelligent fish species in the world, bass can learn from their mistakes and remember lures and lines that have fooled them before meaning changing up your tackle regularly for bass fishing is a must.

Stats

Habitat

Habitat

Occupying shallow waters, estuaries and out into deeper waters.

Bait

Bait

Mackerel, shads work & worms.

Fishing Tackle

Fishing Tackle

Native or Invasive

Native or Invasive

Native

Where

Where

North Sea, along the Atlantic coastline of Europe. Bass also live on the south and western coasts year round.

Catch Experience Catch Experience

With dusk and dawn being the key feeding times, larger bass live in deeper water and provide a challenge for even the most knowledgeable and experienced angler to catch. Bass are a cautious species so it's best to stay away from high-visibility lines and opt for clear mainlines and leaders of mono and fluorocarbon. Bass are often shy biters when fishing over rough ground. Anglers will often feel a light tap on the rod tip as the bass bite the bait. Bass are armed with spiny dorsal fins and sharp gill plates, so be cautious when handling and unhooking. Most bass anglers come prepared with pliers to remove hooks and handling the fish by clamping the lower jaw with your forefinger and supporting the rest of the fish’s body with your other hand.

Video

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