First Bass of the Season by Accident

The start of the bass season is always a special time, filled with that unique mix of anticipation and determination. This year, I headed down to the stunning Dorset coast for a 'vanlife' adventure, determined to land my first bass of the season. I spent a long Monday covering several miles of coastline, casting until my arm ached, but had nothing to show for it but a few nibbles and a beautiful sunset. The fishing was tough, and after another few fruitless hours on Tuesday, I knew it was time for a change of plan.

A Tough Start on the Dorset Coast

As any angler knows, blanking is part of the game. You can have the best gear and all the knowledge in the world, but sometimes the fish just aren't biting. I put in the hours, exploring different marks along the rugged coastline, but the bass remained elusive. While the main prize was avoiding me, I did manage to tempt a few beautiful wrasse from their rocky homes. They're stunning fish and always put up a great scrap, so it wasn't a total loss!

Bass fishing Ringstead bay — The Dorset coast looked incredible, but the fish weren't playing ball.

Wrasse fishing dorset — At least the wrasse were providing some sport!

From Blanks to Beers

By around 6pm on Tuesday, I’d had enough. My casts were getting sloppy, my motivation was dipping, and the pub was calling my name. Sometimes you just have to admit defeat and enjoy a different kind of liquid gold. I headed into town, found a cosy spot, and settled in for a couple of well-earned beers. It was the perfect way to reset after a couple of hard days on the bank (or in this case, the beach!).

A well deserved beer after a long day of fishing. — Sometimes, you just have to know when to call it a day!

Saving the Day: The 'Bacon Bass' of the Harbour

Feeling refreshed, I left the pub and started walking back to the van. As I passed the harbour wall, I heard an almighty commotion. A group of about twenty kids on a school trip were screaming, shouting, and pointing at a crab line that was bent double and tearing line. They were in a state of complete panic and excitement – they'd hooked a fish, and a big one at that!

I wandered over like some sort of fishing superhero, announced I was a fisherman, and a wide-eyed kid handed me his line. After a short, chaotic fight, I carefully landed a rather sizable bass. I swiftly and expertly unhooked it, much to the amazement of the crowd of kids and their teachers. The cheers were epic! It was a truly beautiful fish, and the sheer luck of it all was just incredible.

Wilson holding up a large bass caught on a crab line in a harbour. — My first bass of the season, and one I'll never, ever forget!

So there it is! After two days of trying my heart out, my first bass of the season was caught by a group of school kids on a crab line, and I just happened to be walking past after a couple of pints. Huge thanks to their teacher, Miss Whitely, for snapping the photo! It just goes to show, you never know what’s around the corner in fishing. You can see more of our adventures on our blog.

A view of the harbour wall where the bass was caught. — The scene of the crime! Who knew the harbour wall held such a surprise?

What a trip. These 'vanlife' style fishing adventures are just the best, and this is a memory that will stick with me forever.

Tight lines, and I hope your next session is as memorable as this one was for me.