First Session of the Year (LRF Bass Fishing Report)
Haven’t really been fishing much over winter. Life got busy and the rod stayed pretty much untouched, which always makes that first proper session of the year feel a bit special.
Now bass season is back in full swing, I decided it’s time for me to get back out on the water. So I dusted everything off and headed down to my local spot around 8pm, timing it so I’d be on the water as the light started to fade.
High tide was around 10pm, so everything lined up for a proper evening session.
Starting Light – Gobies
When I got there it was still a bit too bright for bass, so I started off with gobies while I waited for the light to drop.
I’ve always had time for these little fish. They’re not the main target, but they’re perfect for switching on, getting your rhythm back, and reading the water properly after time off.
I tied on a small lure clip so I could switch setups quickly, added a 3g Cheb with a size 12 hook, and tipped it with a tiny bit of Isome.
It didn’t take long before I was into a few gobies. Simple bottom contact, slow movement, nothing overthought. Just letting the bait sit where it needed to be and letting fish find it.
It’s the kind of fishing that quietly gets you dialled in before the main session starts.
Switching Over – Searching Deeper Water
As the light started to drop, I switched over to a herring dropshot setup to see if anything was showing in deeper water.
A modified two-hook dropshot rig, Isome bait, working slow through the deep water.
I searched for around 30 minutes, but there was nothing obvious showing. No signs, no surface disturbance, nothing pulling my attention in. At that point it felt like bass were going to be the main focus, so I moved on rather than forcing it.
Moving Into Bass Time
Once it felt right, I switched again to a 4g Cheb setup with a size 8 hook and my usual white Bugsy soft plastic.
This is where the session properly started.
I worked the shallows slowly and controlled, keeping everything tight to the bottom and letting the lure sink properly before starting each retrieve. No rushing it. Just covering likely ground and letting the lure sit in the zones where fish should be holding.
It didn’t take long before the first hit came through.
First Bass of the Year
First bass of the year
The first bass of the year always feels bigger than it is.
This one wasn’t large, maybe a couple of pounds, but on light gear, it came alive straight away. Strong runs, quick direction changes, and that proper early season energy you only really get on ultralight gear.
I played it steady on my HTO Rockfish rod (1g to 7g), kept pressure controlled, and brought it in clean through the net.
Quick photo, then straight back.
Perfect way to start the season.
Micro Bass Activity
Micro bass
After that fish, things stayed active. I started getting lots of small taps and follow-ins, but no takes.
It felt like a shoal of smaller bass had moved in and were reacting aggressively but not fully committing. Classic early season behaviour when fish are switched on but not fully confident.
A few missed bites later, I slowed everything right down and dropped hook size slightly. Less movement, more time in the zone.
That made the difference.
Before long I was into another fish.
Adjusting Down
The tiny bass were just as enjoyable on light gear. Short bursts of power, quick control, then straight back out again.
Bites stayed fairly consistent but a fair few not fully converting.
Slowing everything down and letting the lure sit longer in front of fish which paid off with more consistent hook ups and a few more micro bass.
End of the Session
A couple of casts later I snagged up and lost my lure and leader, which brought the session to an end.
Not ideal, but part of fishing around structure.
Still, for a couple of hours after winter, it was exactly what I needed. First bass of the year, plenty of signs of life, and a reminder that things are already starting to switch on.
Final Thoughts
What stood out most was how quickly things came back once I slowed down and stopped forcing anything.
Early season bass fishing isn’t about numbers. It’s about reading what’s happening in front of you and adjusting to it instead of trying to make fish behave a certain way.
I’m still undecided on gear as well. I’ve been on braid for a long time now, but I keep thinking about going back to simple straight through mono or fluoro again.
Less setup. Less thinking. More fishing.
Might try it next session and see how it feels.
Either way, first proper session of the year done. And it felt good to be back on it.
