South Holland
Beaches
There are a lot less breakwaters in southern compared to northern Holland. This, however, does not make it impossible to find European sea bass here.
What you need to find are the deep grooves running parallel to the beach. Take a stroll along the beach on a sunny day and you will see dark (grooves) and light (sand banks) spots on the water surface. When the tide is low, it’s easy to recognize the grooves running under land (picture on the right). The beach rod should be aimed towards these grooves, where tidal currents bring in all kinds of food for bass (crabs, prams and small fish). Not only do the local angler shops offer all kind of information about the latest types of bait, but we also find little hints at the beach informing us about typical bass food, for example: the accumulation of empty razor clam shells tells us something about what lands on hooks.
So-called cocktails made of rag worms and razor clams have proven to be quite successful. Remember to put the clam meat on last. It’s best to use elastic bait so that your cocktail doesn’t slip off the hook the first time you try to throw it. Tightly wrapped, the rig is ready for take-off with the delicious bait securely in place.
Europoort
Hoek van Holland (mole)
One of the most well-known and popular places to fish at Europoort. The deep fairway running at casting distance makes it a popular spot for anglers in all seasons. If you don’t mind having all the other anglers around you, the chances of making a catch there are quite high.
If you fish at the “Wandeliper” (Dutsch) during the summer time, you can be in for quite a surprise: it’s the place where by far most of the European sea bass with a length of more than 60 cm are caught! Different drifts, be it from the Maas or tidal currents, pull the bass close to the mole.
Fishing Methods:
Spin fishing
Shads and bucktail twisters are the best choice for fishing with lures.
Nieuwe Waterweg
It’s a bit more difficult to fish at the northern shore because it’s bordered by monotonous stone heaps. It’s best to take a close look at port entrances and piers.
Headland at Rozenburg
As you follow the southern shore, or to be exact, the headland close to Rozenburg which separates the Calland channel from the Nieuwe Waterweg, downstream towards the North Sea, you will see numerous jetties, each one of which offers bass a great hiding place from where they prepare their attacks on passing fish schools. Yet not every jetty means that there will be a bass-even here you have to always keep searching because bass just don’t stay at the same place all the time.
Rozenburg Promontory (Muisgat)
Let me give you some good advice: Walking on the jetties can be quite dangerous. One big bow wave from a large seagoing vessel can totally flood jetties from one moment to the next. It’s safer to fish from the shore.
Fishing methods:
Spin fishing
Float fishing
Maasvlakte Estuary
(Commonly known as: Stenen Glooing)
Starting from “Slag Maasmond” headed towards the harbor, the stony bank protection is a great hunting ground for European sea bass. Be careful walking on the stones, however! Don’t underestimate the slippery seaweed-more than once, an inexperienced angler has ended up in the hospital with a broken foot.
Fishing methods:
Spin fishing
Float fishing
Rag worms and prawns find happy consumers here
Papegaaienbek
(Papageinschnabel/Maasvlakte)
At the beach Papageienschnabel, natural baits can make their move. Since the casting distance is not far, it’s good for heavy feeders and carp rods (3.5 lbs). European sea bass often come along the first ridge with about 20 to 30m distance (high tide). Best bait is the rag worm.
Fishing methods:
Surfcasting, as the case may be with a feeder or carp rod.
Blokkendam
The protective belt of Europoort, consisting of big basalt blocks, goes from the Europoort power station all the way to estuary mouth. Climbing on the blocks is forbidden and life-threatening, however it is a promising for anglers from a boat on the shore and for experienced belly boat captains on the interior.
The interior part is separated from the North Sea. Kayaks and belly boats may sail on it. The gaps between the stapled blocks are not only a great hiding place for young fish, bass also really enjoy it there.
Fishing methods:
Spin fishing
Beerkanaal
Compared to the other places mentioned, the back part of the Beerkanaal (where it flows into the Hartelkanaal) is a rather easy place to angle. Not much naval traffic, no spread-out stony areas, which also means less structures.
Fishing methods:
Float fishing
The best bait is prawns, which is offered to you right behind the stone heap. The float should be kept as light as possible.
Spin fishing
