PB smashed twice in a trip - loving the bass in Holland

A while back I had an invite from some mates out in Holland to join them for some bass fishing. Compared to some, I'm pretty new to the sport but have found it really addictive over the last year and a half.
 
My previous PB of around the 7lb mark had come from a trip to a different location with the same guys, so I was hopeful of a good result!
 
We had some pretty phenomenal weather for the 2 days we fished, and got some periods of great action. The knowledge of the guys I was fishing with was key to the fishery - knowing which places to be in at which parts of the tide - and I think it's a place that you could easily go to and blank time after time if you didn't know what you were doing.
 
Nevertheless, we ended up with some awesome fish. I was using a Yamaga Blanks Early Plus 92XML which I've been using all of the place recently and once again, it did not disappoint. At times we had patches of wind particularly on the second day, and the rod let me smash out long casts even with the lighter baits straight into the face of the wind. With bass of this size and fishing from a boat, the 9'2" length could be seen to be a bit longer than is ideal, but I found that the extra length did help me really get into the nooks and crannies of the rocks along the shore with that little bit more distance than I'd have had with a shorter rod.
More specs available here for anyone that's keen
 
We spent some time using soft baits also, but the main action was on the hard diving minnows. Once again, the standout for me was the Megabass Zonk 120, but the small Rapala X-Rap also got a lot of love.
 
I've only included photos of 3 fish - one which nailed a lure right at the boat and fought well above its weight and so deserved a photo and the last two of these were both my new PB, with the later and biggest being taken in very skinny water and putting up a seriously awesome fight. A very visible strike which certainly made for exciting fishing! The bigger fish weighed in at 9.45lb. A bit short of the 'double' (i.e. 10lb+ bass that everyone craves over here), but a fish I was very happy with nonetheless. Looking forward to next season to get back over for another trip!
 
Cheers,
 
Dan
 
All equipment used available at www.adventureangler.net

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When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 

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Madmerv's picture

Posts: 672

Date Joined: 24/01/15

Great Catch

Thu, 2015-11-05 06:46

 Looks like you had some fun there.

Always good to get that PB.

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 Sometimes when the water is quiet, you can hear the fish laughing at you !

Posts: 755

Date Joined: 29/03/13

great looking fish.

Thu, 2015-11-05 15:29

 do you eat them? Do you need a licence to fish the salt water? What part of the Netherlands are you fishing?  

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Down the Line

 

Catch the Experience 

Dale's picture

Posts: 7930

Date Joined: 13/09/05

Fri, 2015-11-06 18:09

 Good fish there Dan.

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"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."

Mr Wolf

 

 

Ben Derecki's picture

Posts: 1926

Date Joined: 10/10/07

They're a nice looking fish,

Sun, 2015-11-08 21:45

They're a nice looking fish, look like they'd taste quite oily though?

I had a good time there a few years ago chasing zander, they're a funky looking fish.

dkonig82's picture

Posts: 2091

Date Joined: 06/07/10

Cheers guys - nah they are

Mon, 2015-11-09 21:04

Cheers guys - nah they are not oily tasting. Very white flesh and delicate to eat. Really popular in restaurants over here, but to me the fish taste is not quite as strong as I prefer.

Better than the cod that most places serve up though that's for sure.

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 

Posts: 345

Date Joined: 04/01/12

Very Nice

Sun, 2015-11-22 09:55

 Well done Mate

I was in Europe a couple of months ago. Had fish & chips (cod) in Budapest. Worst fish i have ever tasted in my life 

Every other fish meal i had throughout Europe was brilliant.