Four of us set out on a flat calm morning. With very clear water and blue skies, we were expectant of a strong bass showing.

As the tide was still on the turn (just starting to come in) we decided we'd start with surface lures. Getting out onto the water, it wasn't long before a shout of 'BIRD ACTION' echoed from the bows, as our fish-spotter-in-residence got rather excited. There is no more exciting sight for a bass fisherman in a boat, armed with lures and flies galore, than seeing terns and gulls diving into the water picking off small fish. It could only mean one thing. Bass! Impatient grins went round the boat, as we hastily tackled up.

Getting out to the mark, the shoals of baitfish were breaking the surface and the water was clear enough to make out the shapes of the grey shadows darting around underneath them. As skipper did a great job of aligning us on the drift, the first lures were already splashing out on the surface. Small taps and stabs on three rods but... nothing connected. However, patience is a virtue, as skip pulled out a great gold surface lure, launched it out and connected straight away. Three more followed before the rest of us began to connect, and we must have pulled out 10 fish on that first drift on a combination of plugs and small droppers.

The next drift we aligned with the diving birds again, and it drew similar results, including a double shot and a few contenders for smallest fish of the day:

As soon as the action started, it stopped. After a couple more drifts, we decided to change mark and went on a short recce over to a known sandbank. Correct decision! We simultaneously struck the jackpot, another group of seabirds were working this patch. The bait fish were being corralled, and there was only one reason: more bass! Again, tactics stayed on the surface with plug and dropper tactics pulling in fish. At any one time, at least three of the four rods were connected to fish, it was a tug-a-cast!

However, in similar fashion, the bait fish dissipated and our spotters, the sea birds, disappeared. However by this time, the tide was about right to start a few bigger lure drifts, so we headed out into the channel and dropped the larger 60-100g jellies. Savage sandeels and Fiiish were the order of the day, with feather droppers in case. We began to pick off fish near the drop-offs and though they were few, a couple of good sized mackerel came out to. Interestingly, the majority of the fish caught here went for the droppers, despite likely being able to see the larger jellies. However, the latter did account for a few, with both Fiiish and Savage Gear taking their share of fish.

By this time, we'd wracked up 39 bass, so were keen to break the half century. Alas, it wasn't to be, as despite trying a number of different spots and more drifts, post lunch only yielded a further 5 fish.

However, 44 fish and smiles all round with some more good lessons learnt on tactics to try in changing conditions. Once I've got round to editing it, there will be a short video to complement this trip!