Beginners guide to Saltwater fly fishing for European Sea Bass

An introductory guide for anyone just getting into, or thinking about fly fishing for European Sea Bass.
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Thanks for watching!

[@briancorcoran7027]

Hi there. Fair dues on an excellent intro for anyone considering taking up swff. Well done!!

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Thanks Brian!

[@rizzsaeed3941]

thank you i am new and getting my kids into fishing you are a great help

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Glad you found it helpful :)

[@kevinsteele7232]

Great video mate. Thanks for sticking to the bare essentials, so as not to make things over-complicated. This video will save a lot of people a lot of money.

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Glad you like it. There is never any need to over complicate things in fishing, I always abide by the keep it simple principal 😉

[@blindhowlingdrunk]

Instant sub. The thought of taking a Bass on a fly outfit makes me giddy.

[@janbundell6434]

Terrific vid Chris....a far cry from trying to winkle out a double from you know where...hope you and yours are well...your old buddy...Bob

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Cheers Bob, yes times have changed for sure. Take care my friend :)

[@slhibbs]

I've been fly fishing for Bass for the last 15 years, around Southampton. That was one of the best videos not just for newcomers i've seen, for saltwater fly fishing here in the UK. PS if you want a good fly line, not cheep but for most things, the Rio versitip is my first choice. I've been using the same versitip line, with non welded loops for the last 10 years. Like you said look after your kit and it will last for years, i'm also still using my 2 piece 8wt sage xp. Thanks

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Thanks Stephen much appreciated. I hope to do some more in depth on location one's once we can get back out!

[@mikekelly321]

Hi Stephe, is there a regular meetup for SFF in Southampton?

[@alanyoung3012]

Brillinantly clear and helpful. Thank you.

[@toonead]

Really good video mate, thanks

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

You're very welcome, glad it was helpful :)

[@nevillebroad6718]

Nice job Chris - thank you

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Thanks Neville!

[@johnnicholson4862]

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

[@ExplorerJust]

Thanks for the insights.

[@krisbower8345]

hopefully i can get down to anglesey aftre lockdown and try for bass on the fly again, had plenty on lures but both fly trips i blanked lol, great video by the way sent it to a freind too watch he fancies trying for bass on the fly cheers

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Kris, Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for sharing. Good luck on Anglesey, fingers crossed it will be soon!

[@broadwater5218]

Great and very helpful video

[@tyanez]

Thanks, man! I am new to the Netherlands, so fly fishing for pike is new. Then I discovered the pike offseason (what!?). We can go after sea bass during the offseason! I'm looking forward to the new challenge. Thanks for the tips.

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Really Glad to hear you found the video helpful, Good luck! :)

[@hyltespey]

Thanks for this, good to be back on the water i am sure

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

It is indeed!

[@lesmilnepropertyinvesting7576]

Very useful - thanks🙂

[@user-mg8wv7tz9y]

very nice video! i wanna try fly for bass too. i think outbound short is more of a shooting head

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Thanks and yes the Outbound is a normal fly line but has a shooting head profile.

[@luvenacantik1789]

Firs sight, love it, tfo

[@aiwayamaha]

Thanks

[@andreashaase1540]

Really awesome, informative video. Exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much!!!! One question, do you loop to loop both leader sections to each other or do you use a knot to combine the 20 pounds part to the 30 pounds part?

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Andreas, Loop to loop both leader sections ;)

[@andreashaase1540]

Silver Scales Fly and Lure thx chris

[@johnevans382]

Thank you for video just found your channel I live on isle of Anglesey where do you live ? Many thanks John

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi John, glad you like the video. I am on the Isle of Wight 🙂

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Peter, no I haven't unfortunately, I only fish from the shore and I'm guessing I would need a boat to access them. Maybe it's something I should look into ;)

[@ZZ-ek7mx]

Great videos to help get back into saltwater fly fishing, thanks. One small point, please drop the music across you videos as it gets a bit monotonous and winds the Mrs up 😳

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Haha I'll leave it in there then ;) :) You're right though It didn't need it but I was still learning then with regards to how to format the video's :)

[@ewanmacgregor3056]

Hi, i just enjoyed your video very informative film for a newby like me. Can i ask what knot you use to attach your fly to your leader? Many thanks, Ewan.

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Ewan, glad you enjoyed it and found it informative. I use figure of eight loop knots to join the leaders loop to loop then it's easy to change them.

[@ewanmacgregor3056]

@@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing Thanks for that Chris. You should do a little video of the knot you use. Cheers, Ewan.

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

@@ewanmacgregor3056 Good idea!

[@johncarrigan9352]

Obvious question but how do you match the hatch? How would i know they were feeding on sand eel for instance?

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi John. Sometimes it's a bit of guesswork. If you think the fish are present, cycle through a few different patterns to see if one works better than others. Other times if you happen to catch a bass they can often cough up their most recent meal which can give the game away and allow you to match the hatch and maximise on your results. The type of ground you're fishing over can also give you a clue as to what they might be feeding on. e.g, sand = Sandeel, sand smelt, rocky areas can be crab, gobies, small wrasse etc.

[@Danzwain1]

Thank you sharing your knowledge. Could you help me as I am stuck making a decision for my first rod and reel for this type of fishing, would you recommend a setup thats on the market at the moment id really appreciate it

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Daniel, it really depends on your budget. Can you give me an idea of what you're looking to spend? If you don't want to discuss it here email me instead. [e-mail]

[@Danzwain1]

@@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing £200-£250

[@Danzwain1]

@@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing I have found this on amazon but unsure if it will be effected by salt water - Berkley Greys GRC Predator Pike Combo #9 9ft Fly Fishing Rod with QRS 7/8 Fly Reel & WF9 Pike Floating Line www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KKGW1RD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KA0SWTAF9FEZ6H994520?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Looks a good combo but I would say the reel is unlikely to be anodised and saltwater resistant, however I can't be sure. Might be worth getting in touch with Greys to find out. The reels seat on the rod, again I can't be sure if it's anodised but it does look like it may be. Again Greys themselves will be able to advise you. The line will be fine either way it doesn't have to be Saltwater specific as long as it is designed to throw larger flies. Personally I recently bought a couple of new reels from amazon under the Maxcatch brand which are both Anodised. High quality builds and very reasonably priced. I am quite impressed with them. I know the Maxcatch rods are also catching on well in the Saltwater and Pike fly fishing community. Rod wise I also recently bought a Scierra Salis saltwater fly rod. It's absolutely beautiful and has saltwater proof fittings and performs exceptionally well. They retail for less than £200 if you look around. Try ebay if you're interested in one of those. The Tfo BVK is also an excellent rod for the job. Hope that helps. Chris.

[@Danzwain1]

@@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing Thanks for your help Chris and for taking the time to reply, I hope the greys setup is anodised other wise I’ll be sure to look into your recommendations

[@petermacconnell5380]

Hi There - what line do you recommend to go with your Snowbee spectre 11ft switch?

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Peter, I am actually using a #10 line with it because although the rod is rated as an #8, the grain rating is actually 395-425 I believe which equates to a #10 weight line. The rod handles it really well.

[@johnnicholson4862]

Thanks again for info, watched a few times now. I intend to fish for sea bass, but I am new to the fly side, so please bear with me. What do you use for tippet to go with the 30/20lb leader, how long, and do you use a tippet ring?

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hello John, you don't need a tippet, just tie your fly straight to the 20lb fluorocarbon. The 20/30lb leader is designed to offer a nice balance between stiffness and turnover of the fly whilst still allowing the fly movement in the water. Anything less than 20lb and it won't turn over properly at the end of the cast. Make sense?

[@johnnicholson4862]

@@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing I see, that makes life much simpler. Thanks again, Chris.

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

No Worries, happy to help :)

[@jespernrgaard6016]

What is the reason for primarily using 8 weights? Here in Denmark we tend to use 7 and even 6 weight rods.

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Jesper, We are often contending with wind here in the UK, we get very few windless days. Also possibly fly size, I have tried using 6wt but they just don't seem powerful enough to cast and turn over the larger flies for Sea Bass.

[@tarekahmad8884]

Do you flyfishing for mullet ? If yes what flies you use ?

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Mullet have never been my focus as I am obsessed more with Bass! Perhaps one day I will fish seriously for Mullet.

[@kevinturner8343]

I live in the Winchester area and have been fly fishing for trout and carp for a number of years but really want to have a go at fly fishing for bass - given I am close to the coast. My problem is that I can't find anyone willing to tell me where to go (apart from very roughly like "Chichester Harbour" or "Hayling Island" both of which are fairly big places. Not only am I looking for tips on location, but also what conditions are good/bad (weather and tide). Any help you can send my way gratefully received :)

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

Hi Kevin, probably not enough space here to answer your question. Drop me an email at [e-mail] and we'll have a chat and I will do my best to try and help. Chris.

[@kevinturner8343]

Hi - sent an email - did you get it? :)

[@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing]

@@kevinturner8343 Hi Kevin, I've been looking out for it but haven't seen anything, even checked my spam box. did you get the email address right? [e-mail]

[@kevinturner8343]

@@SilverScalesFlyTyingandFishing Pretty sure I did - but I will try again

[@kevinturner8343]

OK - resent it to [e-mail]. My email domain is @kpturner.co.uk