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Post by Iberian on Jun 25, 2003 9:10:01 GMT -5
What is considered to be the optimum range of water temps for bass fishing in Europe? After reading the chapter on striped bass in Lefty Krey´s book on saltwater flyfishing (in my opinion, a great book) I was struck by the effect of water temperatures on fish behaviour and got the impression that knowing the water temperature is at least as important as knowing the tides etc., at least for these fish. Maybe the same could be true for our bass as well? I have learned that in central and Northern Portugal, water temps range from a low of 12 celsius in late winter to a high of about 17-18 celsius in late summer. For Algarve, the water temps range from 15-16 degrees in winter to 20-22 degrees in summer. Does anybody know how these or other temperature ranges relate to good bass fishing?
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Post by Gonzo on Jun 25, 2003 10:15:49 GMT -5
Good question.....
As a rule i don't take water temps, never have done. But i'm sure that there is a range that is optimum for the Bass... Only if i've made the hours journey to get to the said beach, i'm not going to NOT fish because it's 1 degree to cold!
Because the Stripers migrate large distances up and down the Eastern US coast depending on water temps, then i feel that it is more important on that side of the pond. On the beaches of Southern UK and probably Portugal also, we have the gulf stream which keeps our waters reasonably warm. Spawning takes fish out for a while but they are about somewhere for most of the year.
This is only my personal feelings on water temps, others might feel differently.
Gonzo
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devon
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by devon on Jun 26, 2003 3:19:56 GMT -5
Absolutely no idea what temperature is ideal. However, as a small boy I used to fish the old Poole power station cooling water outfall which was absolutely heaving with small Bass. You could catch them on anything from ragworm to a piece of bicycle valve tube - the days of plenty! This is more than forty years ago and the power station no longer operates so there is no research possiblity. The water was noticeably warm to the hands and perhaps created an all year round eco system - who knows. For what it's worth. Mike.
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Post by Hambo on Jun 26, 2003 3:58:04 GMT -5
I suspect that as long as there is a consistent period of temperate weather the bass will take.
I don't know of anyone catching bass around our coasts in freezing weather, but I did catch one on the fly last November. Given the milder winters we get nowadays, this should mean they are catchable most of the year.
It would be interesting to find out if anyone has caught bass at below 5 deg C and what was the coldest temperature someone has caught them.
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Post by MJB on Jun 26, 2003 4:06:29 GMT -5
Hambo/All, I have seen Bass caught in Poole Harbour all through the Winter. Admittedly not monsters( mostly Checkers )but Bass all the same. They were becoming a pain when targetting the specimen Flounder that inhabit the harbour and as I'm sure Devon ( i've just realised who you are  )will agree , the best weather to fish Poole in the winter is during a cold spell as the bait robbing crabs are suppressed by the frosts. Martin |
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Post by Guernseybass on Jun 26, 2003 4:57:37 GMT -5
Local lore here is that the bass move inshore in numbers when the water temp rises above 10C.
this has been the case since April this year, but catches are only just picking up now for the bait fishers from the shore.
I've been out five times and not seen a thing.
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Post by Gonzo on Jun 27, 2003 13:16:19 GMT -5
I' ll echo that, as i was over at your neck of the woods on the 18th June. One Bass caught between 3 anglers (fly) and one other was seen to follow a fly. Other than that all we saw were Mullet in the harbours. Hope they show soon!  |
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devon
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by devon on Jun 27, 2003 18:29:33 GMT -5
Hi Martin - When fish and fly changed their set- up some time ago I was refused entry. I really could not understand what was going on, so I changed my name and password which seemed the simplest option at the time.
As you will see from my postings - the Bass are either there or they are not. It must be a waiting game untill they turn up. If they were there last year you can be sure as hell they will be there this year - they like the spot - simple as that! I would not give up on your favourite mark yet. That is , of course, assuming that the pair trawlers have not had all of them before they had a chance to get there.
Best not to dwell on that one.
Best wishes Mike.
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)will agree , the best weather to fish Poole in the winter is during a cold spell as the bait robbing crabs are suppressed by the frosts. 
