Hidden February bass haunt behind Suffolk shingle bank
Hidden February bass haunt behind a Suffolk shingle bank
On the East Anglian coast a shallow tidal lagoon that forms behind a shingle bank in Suffolk—between the Aldeburgh and Southwold stretches—can briefly harbour cruising sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) after strong southwesterly gales. The breach-and-fill dynamic creates a warmer, food-rich pocket that sustains schooling bass through short cold snaps, a phenomenon noted in local shore reports and Sea Angler summaries.
Low-impact access and ideal tide windows
Access on foot via designated beach paths and public rights of way from Aldeburgh or nearby car parks minimizes disturbance. Enter at low to mid tide as the lagoon is fullest on a rising tide following a SW gale; prime windows are the two hours either side of high water when current circulates food into the lagoon.
Stealth approaches and tackle
Approach quietly along the shingle edge; keep gear silhouette low and avoid wading across vegetated margins. For shallow schooling fish, recommended presentations include 60–90mm soft shads on 7–14g jigheads, small sinking or surface walkers 50–80mm, and micro-metal slices 10–20g. Use braid mainline with a short 0.5–1.5m 10–15 lb fluorocarbon leader for low visibility and quick hookups.
Local February specimen log
Compiled from local shore reports and club forums: Feb 2016 — 5 lb 8 oz; Feb 2019 — 6 lb 2 oz; Feb 2020 — several school marks, largest 5 lb; Feb 2022 — 7 lb 4 oz. Such encounters underline the lagoon’s value as a winter refuge for coastal bass on the Suffolk shore.