Artificial bait - Bass are quite happy to take lures, try spinnerbaits such as an Abu Toby , the Dexter Wedge or jointed plugs such as the Storm Chug Bug or Rapala J13. You can also use softbodied shads such as the Storm Wildeye Casting Shad or a white or a black Redgill eel. Specific bass lures have been designed in recent times called bass bullets.

Fresh bait rig - choose a basic one hook paternoster rig with 20lb mono line as the main body of the rig and a 15lb mono hook length or invisible fluorocarbon hook length such as Berkeley Vanish Line. You'll need a weak link to your lead as in the rotten bottom formation and at the end of the hook length use a Mustad Viking 79515 between size 1/O and 5/O. A Kamasan B940 Aberdeen can be used for worm baits or a wide gape Circle hook for crab baits. and don't forget to use the correct rating of swivel for your intended catch.

Artificial bait - Baited Mackerel Feathers which are kept moving especially with a short, sharp movement once in a while to attract their attention. Bream take a moving bait more readily than a static one.

Fresh bait rig - choose a two to three hook paternoster rig with 25lb mono line as the main body of the rig with a 10-15lb mono hook length. You'll need a weak link to your lead as in the rotten bottom formation and a small hook as the Bream have small mouths. Keep the hook size to a Mustad Aberdeen 3261BLN size 2 to 4 or upto a size 1/O from the boat. If fishing from the shore a bait clip rigged just next to each of the junctions on the rig will allow you to clip the alternate baited hooks to the centre of the rig streamlining your rig for extra casting distance and keeping your bait intact. You will see a clipped rig setup on our 'Rigs' page.

Artificial bait - use a baited attractor spoon rig with a watch lead. This will have the effect of stirring up the sand as it drifts and will work effectively in catching their attention. Use the added attraction of beads for colour and charm.

Fresh bait rig - from the shore I'd always use the baited spoon rig with 20lb mono as the main rig body and a 15lb mono hook length ending in a small Mustad Aberdeen 3261BLN hook keeping the size down to 1/O or 2/O. Use an attractor spoon and watch lead as in the normal spoon rig setup with plenty of beads for added attraction and baited with a strip of mackerel or sandeel. A bait clip will help you to cast that extra distance from the shore and the use of a boom should reduce tangles if you are fishing more than one hook. From the boat you could use the heavier Kamasan B940 hook in a bigger size than from the shore with just enough weight of lead to keep your bait on the seabed or in fact a grip lead should you be uptiding.

Artificial bait - try a fluttering bait effect on a long trace using Redgill eels or jellyworms such as the Rippletail Wiggler jellyworm especially red for clear water and plain white in murkier waters. Pirks, Muppets or Feathers also work well especially baited feathers and softbodied Shad lures such as the Storm Wildeye Casting Shad or deep diving plugs such as the Rapala Deep Down Husky. From the shore you can try spinning with a 1oz silver Abu Toby, Dexter Wedge or Mepps lure.

Fresh bait rig - start with a 40lb mono main line for your rig with a single hook length of 25lb Amnesia Clear or maybe even braid to increase the feel for a bite in deep water. Then attach a Mustad Aberdeen 3261BLN size 3/O to 6/O together with a Mustad Viking 79510 Pennel hook in the pennel rig formation and bait this setup with a strip of mackerel or 5/6 ragworm. It may also be a good idea to use some coloured beads above the hook for added visual attraction. At the other end of the hook length tie the appropriate strength swivel. Now taking your main line, thread a French boom or zip slider on to the line, then a few beads and then attach the end of the line to your hook length swivel. Finally attach your lead to the boom with a rotten bottom link. This is called the flying collar rig and is the standard Pollack fishing setup.

From the shore, although spinning is probably the most popular method here, you could try float fishing. Use just enough drillet bullet lead beneath the float so that just the coloured tip is showing above the water. Use a lighter line than for boat fishing such as 8lb to 12lb clear mono line with a mid sized Mustad Aberdeen 3261BLN hook baited with a Sandeel or small ragworm.

Artificial bait - not often successful with Wrasse, they prefer fresh bait but if you want to give it a go the Wrasse which are mostly like to take it are the larger specimens. Try a Jellyworm or Redgill eel.

Fresh bait rig - as Wrasse are quite strong and powerful fish with sharp teeth, go for a Mustad Viking 79515 size 2/O to 4/O hook. Use strong tackle as they live amongst rough ground and weeds. A ledger rig works well here using a 25lb mono line with the lead attached to the end on a rotten bottom setup and a length of 15lb mono leading to a hook attached from the main line at a position approximately 2 feet above the lead. You can use the same setup in deeper water but increase the main line to 50lb mono with a 30lb mono hook length.

You could also try a small cigar float rig from the shore with drilled bullet lead beneath it being just heavy enough to hold the float so far under the water that just the coloured tip is visible. The main line should come to a halt just beneath the lead where you can attach a size 6 swivel and from this your 20lb mono hook length. Finally end this setup in a strong hook such as a Mustad Viking 79515 in sizes 1/O to 4/O but ultimately matching your bait size.