Over the years the human population has a lot to be held responsible for. Many accessible points on the Georges are strewn with rubbish, cars, shopping trolleys and excess slicks of unmentionable sludge. This has led to many people turning their noses up at the Georges River.

All the better for anglers in the know. These badly polluted areas tend to be localized to populated stretches of the river. Most of the upper reaches of the Georges are not only relatively clean and clear but extremely beautiful. With plenty of snags and long channels of weed beds, Georges River bass fishing can be exceptional.

Bass fishing can be done throughout the season using a range of lures from surface lures, subsurface divers and soft plastics though river conditions will dictate what techniques and strategies are best. The Georges River tends to weed up as the weather gets warmer with weed blooms choking up large parts of the river. Until a good flood comes, I feel that this will continue to be a problem like the other Sydney bass river the Nepean

I have found most success to be during the early season migration. Weed blooms are yet to develop and channels are everywhere. As the weather gets warmer and the water temperatures rise I can’t wait to get my kayak down into the waters. Late afternoon sessions find large bass out on the cruise for any sustenance to assist in their run further up the river. Many bass I have caught during this time disgorge mouthfuls of white grubs. As spring is also the time of larval stage hatches of many insects, the old saying of match the hatch comes to mind at this time.

A small spinning outfit of 4lb fireline with a leader of 4kg fluorocarbon is the weapon of choice. Attached to a small white soft plastic on a 1/32 ounce jig head connected to a number 1 colorado blade betts spin is absolutely deadly within the river. Small spinnerbaits and texas rigged 3 inch worms have also given me success.

Cast alongside snags and weed bed drop offs, allow to helicopter down into the depths. Give the soft plastic some twitches as the lure drops and hold on. 90% of takes are on the drop. Remember these bass are looking for larval grubs at this time of year dropping into the depths from above. If not taken on the drop work an erratic retrieve back along the snag or weed bed. Work structure repeatedly as I have found that the bass cruise from structure to structure in this tight nit water. Very slow retrieves so as blades are just turning are also successful with many pauses on the bottom to entice a strike for the more finicky of bass

Don’t discount small surface lures during this time. Small Heddon Torpedos, Jitterbugs and River to Sea Buggi Pops are all the go. Work them just off the edges of the weeds winding back towards the beds. Expect the eruption of water as they hit the morsel that is trying to get away into the weed beds.

I had the opportunity last year to attend an Advance Bass Seminar held by Mr John Bethune. The seminar was held at Bakers Creek Station up on the Mid North Coast in Taylors Arm. The course taught casting of baitcasters and spinning reels, water strategies and planning, fishing techniques with different lures and soft plastics and understanding sounders.

Johns techniques used with Bucktail jigs and how to work these jigs around structure and lily pads have helped and opened my fishing opportunities within the Georges River. The techniques I learned at this seminar have expanded my fishing immensely. John runs many seminars throughout the year & I can thoroughly recommend them.

The bass fishing within the Georges is not only great but is on the increase. Persistence and patience is the key, look for the signs, read the water and enjoy.

Good Luck.

Dave George