Fishing for big bass on a Welsh surf beach

Join Phil in his quest for big bass at one of the best surf beaches in Wales.
The video is packed with hints and tips that should help you land a nice bass or two.
This episode was recorded and edited by Tom Jehu who has his own KZbin channel called Scaley Journal - / @scaleyjournal
We’d like to thank Tom for his great efforts and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!

[@andyreeves3796]

Another excellent video guys. You're proper thinking anglers - no showing off, just straightforward application of what you see and what you know. Seeing friends in Kidwelly next month so will give Cefn Sidan a visit. Keep up the good work

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for that Andy. We like to keep our tactics as simple as possible and concentrate on tides, weather and quality bait. We find smaller tides are easier fishing on Cefn Sidan. Good luck!

[@andyreeves3796]

Thanks for that. Missed your catchphrase though Phil - ‘What’s it gonna be?’

[@Bulldog2108]

Excellent stuff Phil! Serious level up on the production quality!

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers! We are very lucky that Tom is Phil’s brother and he has such amazing filmmaking and editing skills. He has taken this video to the next level.

[@pinnacleangling]

Was like watching an episode of a professionally filmed fishing show. Amazing work. Fantastic as always. 👍🏻

[@BanditFishingUK]

That’s how good Tom’s editing skills are! Cheers mate

[@lozzfish]

Amazing video keep up the good work. Tight lines

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers mate! Thanks for watching

[@tattoo831]

good to see you back

[@PetakDanum]

Wow amazing

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thank you

[@carldawson832]

Hi phill and lloyd you ok lads. Wow you've upped game even more . Top quality filming very professional . Thanks for all ya tips . All the best lads from grimsby on the humber.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks a lot Carl. Cheers for watching as ever 🎣

[@gary-dn4uw]

Brill video again 🐟👏👏👍

[@jamieginge7371]

Another cracking video Phil and what a session mate cracking bass well done buddy

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers Jamie 👍🏼🎣

[@nathandavies6857]

Cracking video mate nice bass too well done keep the videos coming

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks Nathan

[@kevinbuckler1085]

Love the new production and drone footage.I could feel your pain when you were reeling in !!!

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks Kevin. The forearm cramp was real!

[@adrianmcguire1930]

Really enjoyed watching keep them videos coming

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks Adrian 👍🏼

[@scottharriswestwalesfishin639]

Great video buddy with some great information and ideas keep it up

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks a lot Scott 🎣

[@andycole2672]

Well done Phil cracking bass. Another quality video guys.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks Andy

[@AJSnake86]

Excellent video again. Deffo a venue Id love to fish. Should just stop thinking and start doing 😅

[@BanditFishingUK]

Get out there! 👍🏼

[@gary-dn4uw]

Brill video again Phil thats where i fish will after try your method keep them coming 👏👏🐟🐟

[@BanditFishingUK]

It’s always worth using that method on one rod at least and use your usual way on the other one

[@danielthomas5985]

Great video guys 🎣

[@castersfishingwales2038]

Awesome as always Phil budd!! cant wait for the next

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers mate!

[@christopherramsey9940]

Excellent video , very enjoyable 👍

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for watching Christopher

[@SOMERSETBEACHFISHINGtony]

phil nice bass mate ive had a couple of nice ones lately on the channel , good to see you out there chap stay safe and all the best

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers Tony. Thanks for watching

[@ianjames8794]

Nice Bass. Top quality video. 🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thank you for watching Ian and we are glad you enjoyed 👍🏼

[@LevosAnglingAdventures]

What brilliant well presented Video Phil as always 👏👍loads of information totally enjoyed watching and a lovely Bass Phil well done 👏

[@BanditFishingUK]

Nice one mate. Glad you enjoyed 👍🏼

[@shaunchenley]

Brilliant video there guys, your skills and knowledge deserves that quality of media production. Best fishing channel out there.

[@BanditFishingUK]

High praise indeed. Cheers Shaun!

[@jamess5920]

I was thinking about you boys today when you was going to upload next. Low and behold you've turned up today! Well done Phil 🐟🐟👍👍

[@BanditFishingUK]

Nice one James!

[@jamess5920]

@@BanditFishingUK no problem Phil. Thought you went missing for a second 🤣🤣 well done though mate!! 💪

[@lucylilly526]

Great video keep em coming mucka

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@mattcoates3243]

Always look forward to a new episode, excellent footage and sound quality. Keep it coming Gents 👍👍

[@BanditFishingUK]

Nice one Matt 👍🏼

[@richiethespark]

Well done Phil, lovely silver bar. Shame the bigger fish never showed. Thanks for sharing

[@BanditFishingUK]

A 5lber will do me just fine haha. Thanks for watching Richard

[@ianoliver977]

Great video mate, top drawer production , tight lines mate 🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Tom did a cracking job on the editing. Cheers Ian

[@kristofrugi5051]

Lovley video as usual spot on Keep them going mate Maybe try explaining more about reading the beach and surf

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for the feedback mate. We will definitely include more tips on that side. Cheers!

[@01devilboy]

What a great video realy well filmed keep up the great work

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thank you very much!

[@HaplessPlugger]

Outstanding bass there, and as always a great video at one of my favourite venues. Thanks for putting together amd uploading!

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for watching and for the nice comment!

[@tarmac1697]

That bass would have been going home with me

[@grahamcowell7130]

Well done phil great video great fish🐙

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers Graham!

[@nigelmurgatroyd5027]

Really good to see you back, excellent video as always, many thanks for sharing 👍

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers for the comment and thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@thegoldennugget59]

We get mullet down there too, great video

[@gavinthomas7375]

Interesting fact!Most anglers think bass are shoal fish but after a couple of years in the shoal they become solitary feeders.

[@lukesweeney2680]

Excellent vid guys, love the good example set for fish care too - top stuff!

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks Luke!

[@joaquimduarte5592]

Brilliant video, great spot and awesome advise 🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for watching mate 🎣

[@MrTommyc33]

Brilliant video Phil, loads of good tips there, good stuff mate, and an absolute beauty of a Bass, well done man 😎👍

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks Tom. Glad you enjoyed 👍🏼

[@paulbailey4730]

loved your handling of the fish

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers Paul. Fish welfare should always be the priority

[@paulbailey4730]

@@BanditFishingUK so agree

[@3wolves110]

Really enjoyed watching that episode - thanks!

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for watching 👍🎣

[@markfahey3921]

Another great video, for a struggling leaner like myself, I really appreciate your close ups of setting the bate etc.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Glad the bait up helped you out 👍👍

[@SJLAutomotive]

Incredible production and great fishing 🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks a lot mate 👍🏼🎣

[@davidwilliams6525]

Love the way you guys treat the fish.

[@FromTheWatersEdgeTV]

Some lovely shots in that chaps, a great edit and a cracking fish! Proper job! 😊🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thank you very much 👍🏼🎣

[@PerchRockFishing]

Top quality video Phil....brilliant stuff. 🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks mate 👍🏼🎣

[@BeneathTheWavesFishingJersey]

Top video ❤ I can relate to the finding time to fish with work. But it’s the moments on the stones we cherish ❤ great video

[@saltwaterborn1295]

Awesome bass mate. Brilliant footage 👍

[@GaragE36uk]

Great work. I fish down that direction at least once a week at the moment. llangennith mainly.

[@BanditFishingUK]

It’s a lovely area. Some brilliant fishing to be had and the scenery is amazing

[@GaragE36uk]

@@BanditFishingUK its like a different world down there.

[@geoff738]

When you mentioned walking back with a big bait made me think of a Cardiff Sea anglers comp in 86. I had read that a big Bass become scavengers and pick up anything so with that in mind I put on a double Sand eel bait and did the walk back and had a 12lb Bass which was a club record. We fished a night time comp at Monknash it was a crazy night as my mate had pb Small Eye ray and we witnessed a catch of a Monkfish which had to be 20lb plus…happy days. Great vid thanks for posting 👍

[@mickola777]

Enjoyed the video, the content is excellent, as is all you guys do.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thank you!

[@chrisponsford1327]

cracking filming and clear audio ,well done Phil and brother .excellent .definately a step up in quality.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thank you Chris. He’s good at this filmmaking business!

[@kerryfoster1]

Excellent video Phil. Your patience is impressive! I've caught very few decent bass on worms, those razors could produce though. All my biggest bass came on slipper limpets, fish (only) baits and many on white rag. I will be trying uncooked king prawns this year as an experiment. Looks like the perfect surf for bass to me - not too big, not too weedy. Tight lines

[@leightongroves1509]

Fantastic video very well presented all the information i would need to fish a surf beach 👍

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers Leighton. We do our best with the info 👍🏼

[@kuangle8422]

Nice to see you out fishing again

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers mate 🎣

[@richardparkhouse9571]

crackin video down to earth no nonsense showin it like it is brilliant you know its getting serious when you say your arms are hanging off

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

I fish cardigan bay alot had some cracking bass great vid and yes keep it simple

[@pacman4568]

Put the hook onto the grabs to cast, it will come off when it hits the water, less damage done to the bait. I found the first 2 hours dead opposite the deters row beach entrance to be a waste of time, a lot of weed gathers in the dip between bank and beach as the tide comes in. If you go further to the right at low tide, there is less weed. I tend to move to the left as I move back, getting closer each time to the beach exit. If you are using the deters row entrance. I love Cefen Siden beach, I've had some fantastic bass off that beach. And my fair share of blanks as well. May to late June, lots of smooth hounds on that beach. EDIT also keep a sharp eye out for large queen cockles, they are incredible bait for Bass.

[@Kevin-zg2wm]

Nice video well done

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thank you Kevin!

[@Masterfisherman]

Fantastic stuff Phil mate. Tom has certainly worked his magic on this episode, nicely put together, now we are expecting the same for the future episodes haha i ll check Toms channel and give him a sub. Tight lines guys 👍🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks Hakan. He knows is stuff

[@Labraxsquad20]

That method there in massive sea gets absolute monster bass.

[@thecodfather4425]

Nice bass good skills mate.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks a lot buddy!

[@colinpritchard777]

Superb

[@andymanx2466]

Looks like your time away from the lense you have been practicing on the production and post editing side of the videos too! Awesome job, and an external mic makes a massive difference... look forward to whats to come!

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for watching and for the comment Andy. This is all Tom’s doing. He’s an excellent filmmaker. Check out his videos at Scaley Journal 👍🏼

[@lloydcollins2963]

Well done thank you,,,,,I fish borrow and brean beach but get to many Thornback

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers Lloyd. We don’t get much else on bigger baits from the west Wales beaches

[@thomaswilliams8328]

love the videos pal. been wanting to get in to sea fishing for a long time but with it being so confusing knowing what set up i need rigs etc then knowing where to fish and nobody will give away there marks ive just just thought boll**** to it. but ive been buying some kit here and there so hopefully get out and start this week at some point. you are local to me by the looks of it. im in pontarddulais

[@gebear1]

Phil thoroughly enjoyed the video been missing your videos. Could you tell me your setup on rod and reels? cheers keep them coming.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Hi Bear, in this video I used a pair of Zziplex M4GTs with diawa Slosh 30 type reels

[@nickmawer5098]

Quality film enjoyed watching that, have you ever had a tope pick up those long distance mackerel baits?

[@BanditFishingUK]

We haven’t had a tope pick one up yet but I can’t see why they wouldn’t. Thanks for watching.

[@derekhawkins7290]

Good fishing mate you know your stuff like you to give me some pointers on catching bass on the fly down bury port way I don't know the area very well good video btw

[@JustinSmith-xx4gy]

Informative video as always....thoroughly enjoyed it. Out of interest...what dimensions is your wessex rig....do you include your bottom snood in the 7tf?

[@BanditFishingUK]

The rig body alone is 7ft in total. The snoods make it even longer. It would be very awkward to cast any distance but on this beach we we Wade up to our knees and lob it just a few yards

[@JustinSmith-xx4gy]

@@BanditFishingUK cheers Phil...appreciate the feedback mate 👍

[@cormacbarry8273]

Great fishing mate , can I ask which jacket model that is you are using. Was looking at their more expensive stuff but might be outside my budget??

[@BanditFishingUK]

It’s the Guy Cotten Chinook Heavy Duty

[@markfahey3921]

I can only dream of casting 250 yards, let alone 300.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Same here! It’s up to 300 yards out after leaving line out as the tide floods in 👍🏼

[@Run-w2l]

Very nice! What is the brand of the jacket you are wearing? Looks great

[@BanditFishingUK]

It’s a Guy Cotten Smock. They’ve got some very good gear. This actually keeps you dry unlike other smocks we’ve had

[@Run-w2l]

@@BanditFishingUK thank you! Look great quality and a good price 👍

[@sbcebu]

Love your videos but I think you might have it wrong here. For Cefn Sidn it’s a one rod setup which you hold all the time, the tide runs in too fast for two rods, & you’re casting way too far. Wading to the second breaker & casting to the third, almost horizontally produces the best results. Same as Llangennith which imo is a better beach with more variety of fish. Haven’t fished there for forty years but probably not changed too much.

[@BanditFishingUK]

Thanks for the insight Steve, fully aware on the distance required to catch bass and if you want to target the smaller ones as you said fish just past the breakers however the bigger fish patrol further out and as this method shows it works and had produced double figures bass in the past.

[@welshknight6250]

Hi guys, going on a evening session down penarth beach Friday the 20th of august any tips on the best places to go down there? Used to do a lot of fishing when I was younger and now just getting back into it any tips would be gratefully appreciated! Keep up the brilliant videos 🎣

[@BanditFishingUK]

Hi mate, Penarth is very hit or miss. Personally think there are more productive venues at this time of the year.

[@welshknight6250]

@@BanditFishingUK where would you recommend not to far from Cardiff? The last two times I’ve gone I’ve caught two very small bass and two green eels

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cardiff foreshore can be a very productive venue with lots of different marks that suit certain tides. You can search google and find a map which shows all the marks pinned with info there. Also you’ve got the Barry area nearby and all the headlands produce good fish. The Knap can throw up all sorts of fish too and if you go there a few hours either side of high water you should get rays, dogfish, conger and lots of other species mixed in

[@ansowaemancing]

If so, what bait did you use?

[@BanditFishingUK]

This fish was caught on a whole joey mackerel

[@studay1007]

Thank god your back!!

[@BanditFishingUK]

Cheers Stu. We will do our best to keep them coming. Life gets in the way of fishing sometimes. Thanks for watching as always 👍🏼

[@studay1007]

Great vid as always Phil, life does get in the way sometimes bud, glad your back

[@686bim]

no chance,straight in the frying pan!

[@BanditFishingUK]

We (especially Phil) like to keep the odd fish but with bass, the ones just in legal size taste better and a 5lb bass is a breeding fish. Obviously we won’t preach to anyone on what you should or shouldn’t keep, it’s just what we like to do. Sometimes seeing them swim away I’d as good as landing one! Cheers.

[@686bim]

@@BanditFishingUK no offense,but have u seen bycatch,its desgusting!tons and tons,of bass thrown back dead!fck em,its goin home butt!

[@BanditFishingUK]

I understand that totally. But I still prefer the 3lb size 👍🏼

[@686bim]

@@BanditFishingUK how about limpet mines on trawlers! your thoughts!lmao

[@BanditFishingUK]

I don’t think we can comment on that one! 😂

[@freeman6147]

Why did you release the 5lbs Bass?

[@BanditFishingUK]

The question is, why not? In my opinion if you want to keep a bass for the table a 3lb fish is perfect. It’s just the right size for a variety of ways of cooking. Also larger fish often have many guteral parasites (gut worms) so I prefer not to risk it. Most importantly fish of this size are breeding stock so it’s also nice to do your bit for the future by putting them back

[@freeman6147]

@@BanditFishingUK Good reasons. Thank you for your explanation.

[@stuwelshcoastangling6612]

My local beach it fishes better at night for bass

[@BanditFishingUK]

That’s very true Stu. But videos look much better in the day. You can’t beat a bit of night time bassing though!

[@stuwelshcoastangling6612]

@@BanditFishingUK your right cracking bass for daylight well done 👍

[@narcsurvivors2445]

Hello there , wondering if you can help me identify the raised platform looking thing I saw at low tide along the line of the mouth of the river at aberavon , I tried walking out to it but got pushed back by the tide