Bristol Channel Bass, Summer Smoothhounds and Exciting Times Ahead

The year seems to be flying by. I can hardly believe we're already halfway through June, and even more surprisingly, that it's been over a month since I last updated the blog.

Then again, perhaps that's not so surprising. Life has been as busy as ever, and a flare-up of an old back injury kept me away from the shoreline for a couple of weeks. Thankfully, that's now behind me and I've been able to get back to doing what I enjoy most.

Bristol Channel Bass Fishing Continues to Impress

Since March, the Bristol Channel has been in outstanding form. Large numbers of bass arrived early, and both the average size and overall numbers seem to improve year after year. In a time when we're constantly hearing concerns about declining fish stocks, it's genuinely encouraging to witness.

While the Bristol Channel may no longer offer the cod fishing it was once famous for, the quality of the bass fishing more than makes up for it. Targeting these wonderful fighting fish on light tackle is one of the most enjoyable forms of sea angling available, and it's been a pleasure introducing several guests to this unique style of fishing.

Traditionally, the Bristol Channel has been associated with heavy tackle and large leads, but modern bass fishing here couldn't be more different. Simple rigs, balanced tackle and fresh peeler crab are often all that's required. I've lost count of the number of quality bass I've landed so far this season, and there are still plenty more months of fishing ahead.

The Importance of Good Bait

As any experienced sea angler knows, bait can make all the difference.

Peeler crab remains the number one bait for bass, although it becomes increasingly difficult to source with every passing year. Thankfully, as the season progresses, availability generally improves.

Ragworm remains an excellent alternative and is readily available from local tackle shops. Reel Fun Fishing in Portishead continues to be my preferred supplier for quality wild ragworm, although I'd always recommend calling ahead and placing an order to avoid disappointment.

On the subject of bait, I'm delighted to announce that both myself and The Gambling Angler are now officially sponsored by Riot Baits.

James and Josh have built a fantastic reputation for providing high-quality frozen sea fishing baits, and their enthusiasm for both fishing and innovation is infectious. With plans to continue expanding their already impressive range, it'll be exciting to see what new products they introduce over the coming months.

Guided Fishing Expands on the South Coast

Meanwhile, on the South Coast, our Chesil Beach specialist, Ben Stockley, is expanding his guiding operation and now offers dedicated guided sessions targeting gilthead bream and bass around Portland.

Alongside these new trips, we've also added additional dates for our increasingly popular plaice and sole fishing sessions, many of which are filling quickly.

Ben is an exceptionally knowledgeable angler with years of experience on the South Coast, and he's equally talented when it comes to helping others improve their fishing. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced angler looking to learn new marks and techniques on Chesil Beach, you're in excellent hands.

You can find all of Ben's available sessions on the website.