May 2026 Session - Matt and Declan

Several months ago, Matt got in touch to enquire about a guided bass session for himself and his mate, Declan. After some correspondence, and due to Matt living relatively close (2hrs away) to the area I fish, I was keen to keep pressure on those areas to a minimum. We agreed that the day would be more of a bass fishing tuition session, with the possibility of some pollack thrown in, rather than a traditional guided trip where I take clients to my best marks.

Matt has a fair amount of varied fishing experience, including carp and freshwater fishing, as well as boat and bait fishing in the sea. More recently, he'd dabbled in shore lure fishing but felt he needed some guidance. More than anything, he wanted reassurance that he was approaching things correctly and to build confidence in his methods. Declan, meanwhile, was a self-confessed novice, having previously caught only a few small brownies and some mackerel.

The date had been set well in advance, but the ever-changing wind direction we've experienced lately meant the exact location wasn't decided until a day and a half beforehand. I wanted to give them a reasonable chance of success while also providing a gentle introduction, with clean water and the wind at our backs. The forecast suggested overcast conditions with the occasional light shower. As it turned out, we enjoyed bright sunshine for most of the day.

We started by fishing some shallow wrack beds with weedless soft plastics (Megabass Spindleworms). I wanted to show them just how shallow bass will venture, particularly in low-light conditions, while also demonstrating how effectively these lures can be fished through snaggy ground.

Next, I introduced them to surface fishing and handed each of them a Patchinko 140. The weight of the lure made it easier to work in the slight crosswind we were experiencing. Matt quickly got to grips with the walk-the-dog retrieve, while I spent a little longer with Declan, helping him coordinate the reel speed with the rhythmic rod taps required to work the lure properly. It's a bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time - it takes some practice.

At the second mark of the day, which featured large structure and light current, Declan had the first hit when a good fish slashed at his lure around 15 metres out. After a couple more casts with no further interest, I switched him over to a Tide Minnow Slim, a shallow-diving lure. I explained that in bright conditions early in the season, diving lures often draw a better response than surface lures. It usually takes slightly warmer water temperatures before bass fully commit to surface presentations.

A cast later, Declan shouted that a fish had followed the lure right to his feet and nipped at the rear treble hook. It was an encouraging sign that bass were definitely in the area, and showing some signs of interest.

After a period with little activity, I switched both Matt and Declan onto Fiiish Crazy Eels to fish deeper water. I demonstrated the desired retrieve and before long, we lost count of how many small pollack Matt had caught. I continued working with Declan on retrieve speed and how long to allow the lure to sink between draws. As he paused for a couple of seconds on one drop, I noticed a subtle tap on the rod tip and told him it was a fish. He wound down and connected.

As the rod continued to bend against the fish in the slight current, I knew it wasn't another small pollack. The fish quickly surfaced, head-shaking, before eventually sliding into the net. A beautiful 60cm bass rested briefly in a nearby rock pool while we grabbed a couple of quick photos before releasing it safely.

A 60cm bass is a milestone that many anglers spend an entire season, or longer, trying to achieve. Declan managed it with his very first bass, and in May no less.

Not long afterwards, the fishing slowed considerably, so we moved to a nearby beach to show them another type of terrain that bass regularly inhabit. I pointed out rips, and sandbars and and likely holding areas. The weed was a bit of an issue, sitting thick within the first 20 metres of shoreline. Fortunately, both lads were casting around 50 metres, leaving a good 30 metres of productive water where the lures could work effectively. I explained that the bass were likely holding beyond the worst of the weed anyway and encouraged them to maximise their casting distance and cover as much water as possible.

Within three casts, Declan was into another bass, this time a small schoolie taken on a Savage Gear Seeker. Matt also received a solid tap followed by a couple of head shakes. Unfortunately, he reacted by striking to set the hook, which actually pulled the hooks. In the small surf, bass generally hit hard enough that the rod does all of the work for you. After a small mishap involving a treble and a thumb, Matt was straight back out into waist-deep water. First-cast back, a few turns of the handle into a full-range cast, his green seeker was clobbered by a spirited little schoolie bass. For what turned out to be a small fish, it put up a really good account of itself. A fantastic little capture, in perfect condition, and very well deserved. A new species added to Matt’s list, and one he really deserved after all the effort he put into the session. I’m sure the next one he finds will be somewhat bigger.

One final move took us to an area of stronger current and larger structure to fish into the evening. A combination of surface lures worked over the structure and 20g weedless Fiiish Black Eels fished behind the structure and through the deeper holes produced a few more small pollack, but the bass failed to make another appearance during the final 45 minutes.

Both lads did brilliantly. They picked up the techniques quickly, fished hard throughout a long day and were rewarded with their target species. I'm sure they'll take what they learned and apply it successfully on their local coastline.

I look forward to hearing about their first bass catches on their own stretch of shore.

Review

I came across Coastal Luring on a YouTube video and booked a guided session back in January. After looked forward to it for months, it really didn't disappoint.

The session lasted around 12 hours, but it never felt rushed. Lewis was fully committed to making sure we got the most from the day, covering a range of marks and ground and explaining how to approach each one. It wasn't just a case of being shown where to fish, he explained how to identify productive ground, read the water, and understand why certain areas hold fish.

Although our lure fishing knowledge was pretty basic (all the gear, no idea), Lewis made learning easy. His patient and encouraging approach meant we were constantly picking up new skills and understanding not just what to do, but why it worked. Over the day we learnt about lure selection, retrieves, fish behaviour, and adapting to different conditions.

The fishing itself was brilliant with 3 bass and plenty of pollock landed across a range of marks, including a monster 60cm bass! A very special fish for the lucky guy that landed it and a testament to Lewis's guidance and knowledge. Seeing the techniques we'd been shown produce results throughout the day made the whole experience even more rewarding.

What also stood out was Lewis's genuine commitment to conservation. His respect for the fish and the marine environment was obvious throughout the day.

Beyond the fishing, spending a full day out on our beautiful coastline was a highlight in its own right and added another aspect to an already fantastic experience.

Overall, it felt more like spending the day fishing with a knowledgeable mate than being on a guided trip. A fantastic experience from start to finish, excellent value for money, and I'd highly recommend Coastal Luring to anyone looking to improve their lure fishing while enjoying some of Scotland's most beautiful coastal scenery.