[Ben Field]

Has most of the successful Wrasse fishing taken place in very calm conditions so far? (from the photos it looks like it)

Like bass, will we eventually end up looking for more turbulent water - or somewhere in between?

Any patterns showing over in Jersey?

The sun has been said to make a difference, but what about the water? I'm assuming that they do in fact hunt by sight and sound and perhaps less on the vibration (or less importantly so) that bass do? So is more turbulent water (at least near the surface - blocking light) in fact less attractive to them?

 

[Keith White]

Has most of the successful Wrasse fishing taken place in very calm conditions so far? (from the photos it looks like it)

Photo's don't always record weather or sea conditions accurately.

Like bass, will we eventually end up looking for more turbulent water - or somewhere in between?

Go find out.

Any patterns showing over in Jersey?

Yes.

The sun has been said to make a difference, but what about the water? I'm assuming that they do in fact hunt by sight and sound and perhaps less on the vibration (or less importantly so) that bass do? So is more turbulent water (at least near the surface - blocking light) in fact less attractive to them?

Colour is very important as is contrast imho. Water clarity etc also to varying degree's. Vibration is important. Ask anyone who fishes xlayers.

 

[Ben Field]

Found the contrast stuff interesting actually. Suppose Emeraude is a reasonable match when mussels are present. Must play more with colours when I next get chance. It was a bit difficult concentrating on the wrasse yesterday when I knew I had 20,000 pollack in front of me.

I'll get back to you in 5 years time about the rest. Fishing by myself I'll struggle to put enough hours in to properly figure it out - in amongst the bass and LRF.

 

[Andy Marquis]

I'll get back to you in 5 years time about the rest. Fishing by myself I'll struggle to put enough hours in to properly figure it out - in amongst the bass and LRF.

I can relate to you on that one!!

Nothing but hours I guess will tell us the answers as I suspect that a lot of the fine points of those things you mention will be mark/location specific.

 

[Keith White]

Guys...

All will be shared as we discover what is local and what is generic.

Yes, Purple has been very, very effective....

But in deep water, not so good. Dark greens and browns have been better. Is it a pattern ? Unsure yet but more fish will provide that data.

Absolutely tons of stuff we could show you in person that will require a book to write down.

That latter idea might be a realistic target if this carries on as is a full blown Rockfish tournament in 2011.

 

[Ben Field]

Sounds good.

Just so you now mate, I'm not after secrets, just confidence boosters to get me rolling. You must know by know that I actually like working things out for myself, so I definitely don't mean for the above to sound funny. I just know what I'm like, and constantly sitting in front of 50 catchable pollack while I try to nail single wrasse probably won't keep me at it for long. Specially when i do figure a few Wrassey things out, I'll still know that I'm actually 12 months behind you guys. Suppose its location jealousy (or a lack of friends! lol) mostly :muttley:

 

[Keith White]

No Ben, there aren't any secrets, just discoveries.
We don't have it sorted yet even though it seems like the results (to me anyway) are stunning.
I think we are just scratching the surface.

Like I said on my blog, showing you would be way easier than writing it all down.
It sounds a simple method but, in reality, it actually requires considerable skill to be consistent.

 

[Keith White]

Oh, and it's lack of friends Ben, nothing else.

New phrase like "All the gear, no idea" could be "All the gear but, no friends".

LOL

 

[Ben Field]

Approaching a 4 day bass window here, but after that I'll be back on it.

I make it sound like I'm totally inept, but I will obvioulsy be planning a trip over there asap to catch up. Once I've caught a few hopefully I'll be able to bring some of my own thoughts to the table as well. There's already lots I want to try. Just need the time (and motivation).

 

[jamo]

Ben, i've been catching wrasse in both calm conditions and water with a slight chop, have noticed a drop in catch rates when there is a lot of colour in the water. I tend to use lures which will send out a vibration and fish close in to ledges and deep gullies, as Keith said the darker colours seem to work best, though have to say i struggle to catch wrasse over 2lb but still working and love putting in the hours as wrassing seems to be a game of wits.

 

[Keith White]

planning a trip over there asap to catch up. Once I've caught a few hopefully I'll be able to bring some of my own thoughts to the table as well.

Do it. Just do it. Honestly, You will learn more in a day here than a season running blind.

have to say i struggle to catch wrasse over 2lb but still working and love putting in the hours as wrassing seems to be a game of wits.

Your use of paddletailed smaller lures was unique here Jamo but Paul B has been playing as have I.
I just think that you need to wait longer between making the lure vibrate and the results will follow on bigger fish.
Bass are no different in this respect. Bigger fish I think are generally more wary so waiting longer makes sense.
Only fools rush in.

 

[jamo]

Do it. Just do it. Honestly, You will learn more in a day here than a season running blind.



Your use of paddletailed smaller lures was unique here Jamo but Paul B has been playing as have I.
I just think that you need to wait longer between making the lure vibrate and the results will follow on bigger fish.
Bass are no different in this respect. Bigger fish I think are generally more wary so waiting longer makes sense.
Only fools rush in.

yeh sounds right if you think about it, I just struggle to control myself.

 

[Jeremy Taylor]

Keith are the wrasse sitting close to the bottom?
And has anyone tried float spinning for them ?

I would think an xlayer under a float with a few twitches would get the rattle going, but I have not idea just pondering in those idle moments
Possibly even a float with 2 feet of line between 2 swivels which might make it possible to get an OTD presentation without hitting the bottom?

Is this worth a try or would it be a complete waste ?

The wrasse I caught on Sunday definitely hit the lure mid water. I was acutally messing around with a quicker retrieve as I had just lost a lure and wanted to keep the next one for atleast a few casts ;-) and maybe catch a BASS, but the wrasse was most welcome.

 

[Keith White]

I'm always open to new approaches.
But, I've not had many bigger Wrasse far from the bottom.
It has happened though so, don't rule it out.

OTD has produced a number of Wrasse though but, the bigger ones nearly always after varied periods of bottom contact 'after' you've set the lure up to get hit.

Me and Kev already fish float jigs but mostly in current for Bass.
We have discussed suspended float jigs for Wrasse over heavy kelp fields.

But, I love being deep in boulders. Gives me confidence.

 

[Ben Field]

Oh, and it's lack of friends Ben, nothing else.

New phrase like "All the gear, no idea" could be "All the gear but, no friends".

LOL

Lol, sounds about right.

Although location wise, I know they're here, all I mean is that rather than having friends here (which I obviously don't - imagine Nathan LRF or wrasse hunting... I don't think so! Lol), it'd be easier over there just for the company. Not necessarily the fishing.

 

[Keith White]

imagine Nathan LRF or wrasse hunting... I don't think so! Lol

Why ?

How many Bass have those boys had recently ?

Fish for what is there and available or it'll be a short guiding season.