NOTE: My 2nd Guide Joe’s Remaining 2026 Availability can be found towards the bottom of this post.
Joe, and his clients Andrew and Chris, really were into Extra Time during the period that bass of 53cm, and a quite stunning 68cm struck. Therefore, first and foremost, all credit to both guide and both clients for sticking it out, during the inclement weather during the session(s).
Canopy
The backdrop for this memorable session saw Joe and I having to circumnavigate the howling wind, and the overall unseasonal weather we’ve experienced since the late-May heatwave.
But with a modicum of lateral thinking, I devised a plan for these Hertfordshire brothers that would see them sheltered from the elements, as the worst of the wind and rain was diverted over their heads, courtesy of a rather useful canopy of trees.
The dreaded ‘one that got away…’
This was the 3rd session of a two day trip for the boys down to the usually glorious south Devon – the first of which had taken place two days prior and that was curtailed by an hour due to the torrential rain. Then there was a day off as it were, followed by what I’d decided should be a 9 hour stint, split in two so to take in separate estuarine systems.
Adding context to an already wonderful story of how the 68cm beasty ended up in the net, during the session on Day 1, Andrew had been ‘beaten up and broken off’ by a large bass that had ‘gill-plated’ him by severing the leader as it thrashed under the rod tip – keep that rod low when battling these bass close in people!
Leaking… But not caring!
Fiiiiiiissssshhhh!!! Trust me when I say that, as a Professional Angling Guide, there is no better sound than this word bellowing out of the darkness! Ducking under branches, hopping over fallen trunks, and wading into the water to join his client, Joe’s arrival was greeted with Chris’s drag buzzing to the sound of an angry bass, hell-bent on reaching the thickest section of bladderwrack in order to ‘throw’ the big 6/0 hook.
“It felt really powerful and heavy Joe, but now it isn’t moving” was Chris’s reply to Joe asking him what was happening. With his headtorch on, Joe now knew what had occurred – a ‘proper bass’ had gotten its head down and needed bringing quickly from out in the gloom…
Following the braid, Joe was required to wade into the waist-deep water with the net in hand to where he surmised this brute had attempted make good its escape. There, with its massive, spade-like tail breeching the surface, and in something of a daze presumably now that it was under the spotlight, Joe made what would be a vital approach…
Defying Gravity
With cold water leaking into the crotch and behind the knee sections of his knackered waders (there’s some on order I promise Joe!) he positioned the net in a manner that upon lifting the line out of the weed, what he could see was a very large bass would ‘hopefully’ flee straight into the oversized net (our clients often laugh at the size of it!)
The Savage Gear Gravity Stick Pulse Tails, in white, rigged onto the weightless, weedless 6/0 hook that comes in the Gravity Stick set had claimed yet another victim – I really MUST count up how many bass these lures have caught for us!
Yes, Joe and his client had defied the awful weather, they’d stuck it out for longer than had we’d originally planned, but by God they’d received their reward. Well done Andrew, Chris, and of course, Joe. A 53cm bass for Andrew, and a 68cm (7lb+) bass for Chris – 2x PBs in 5 minutes! Not bad eh!
Their Words
“Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed the 2 days guided fishing with Joe. It was great to learn new ways for catching bass on river estuary marks with a variety of lures.
We appreciate that Joe worked into “extra time” on the second day to help us catch a couple of lovely fish.”
Andrew B”
Joe was excellent and very knowledgeable. He taught and guided me through the new styles & techniques I had asked to be introduced to. His enthusiasm and energy was boundless and great company.
The fishing locations were scenic and varied, the borrowed equipment in almost new condition and user friendly.
I caught my PB Bass by listening to and putting into practise Joe’s every word, when the Bass took it happened exactly as he had predicted. Many thanks Joe, fabulous experience! “
I hope you both have an excellent season and hopefully see you again in the future, for now I’ll re-watch your great YouTube videos.”
Chris B
2nd Guide Joe Remaining 2026 Availability
My 2nd Guide Joe has the following availability in 2026 as follows.
Our Prices and Information Page can be found here.
8 Hour Sessions
- July – 16
- August – Fully Booked – see 3 Day Packages
- September – Fully Booked
- October – 2, 22, 27, 30, 31
- November – 3, 4, 22, 23, 24, 25
- December – 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16
3 Day Packages
- 3 – 5 May – Fully Booked
- 14 – 16 May – Fully Booked
- 14 – 16 June – Fully Booked
- 17 – 19 June – Fully Booked
- 2 – 4 July – Fully Booked
- 12 – 14 July – 2x places remaining
- 3 – 5 August – 2x places remaining
- 6 – 8 August – Fully Booked
- 2 – 4 September – Fully Booked
- 9 – 11 September – Fully Booked
- 13 – 15 September – Fully Booked
- 24 – 26 September – Fully Booked
- 8 – 10 October – Fully Booked
- 12 – 14 October – Fully Booked
- 18 – 20 October – Fully Booked
- 10 – 12 November – 1x place remaining
To Book a Session or 3 Day Package
To reserve your position or to enquire, please complete the Contact Form below and I will reply as quickly as I possibly can amongst my/our guiding commitments. Alternatively, we can be contacted via the following means:
Phone: 07787 844332
Email: southdevonbassguide@yahoo.com
Thanks for reading.
Marc Cowling
Owner/Director – South Devon Bass Guide Ltd
South Devon Bass Guide Ltd 