Anglers Asked to Help Shape New National Bass Handling Guidance

The Angling Trust is inviting recreational sea anglers across England and Wales to help shape new national best-practice guidance for handling bass. This work is being delivered under the Bass Fisheries Management Plan and has been co-developed with the recreational sector and key fisheries organisations, including the Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society, the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities, the Welsh Government and Cefas. The project is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The new Recreational Bass Handling Guidance will provide clear, practical advice for anglers, charter skippers, clubs and tackle shops on how to handle bass responsibly – whether you’re fishing from the shore, a private boat or a charter.

Anglers Leading the Way

“Sea anglers already have a huge amount of experience on the water, and many are strongly conservation-minded. Some bass will be returned, others will be taken home for the table, and both are entirely legitimate choices within the rules.

This guidance isn’t about telling anglers how to fish – it’s about sharing clear, evidence-based advice that helps people make the best call for their own circumstances, whether that’s maximising survival on release or dispatching and handling a fish properly for the table.

We want anglers’ input to make sure the guidance is practical, balanced and genuinely useful, wherever and however you fish.” – Hannah Rudd, Head of Marine

Feedback from this consultation will directly shape the final guidance and supporting resources before their national rollout in 2026.

Before the guidance is finalised, we want to hear from anglers to make sure it’s clear, realistic and works in the real world.

Have Your Say

The six-week consultation runs from Monday 5 January to Monday 16 February 2026. It will close at 23:59 on Monday 16th February 2026. The survey is open to responses from:

• Recreational sea anglers
• Charter skippers
• Angling clubs
• Tackle shops
• Local authorities involved in sea angling

You can take part by:

• Completing the online survey, which is available here in English and here in Welsh.
• Emailing your views to [email protected]
• Joining the live consultation webinar on Thursday 12 February 2026 at 7pm (Microsoft Teams)

Helping Bass Survive and Thrive

This guidance is being developed under the UK Government’s Bass Fisheries Management Plan.

Alongside the rules, the proposed guidance focuses on a small number of simple, memorable actions that can significantly improve post-release survival, including:

• Keep it wet – Unhook in the water where possible and use wet, knotless nets or mats.

• Barbless & circle hooks – Make unhooking quicker and reduce injury.

• Two-hand support – Hold bass horizontally; never by the jaw or gills.

• Minimise air exposure – Be photo-ready and aim for less than 30 seconds out of the water where possible.

• Revive before release – Support the fish in the water until it swims away strongly.

• Know the law – Follow the seasons, size limits and bag limits.

The proposed guidance also includes advice on humane dispatch and proper chilling for retained fish, helping to protect both fish welfare and eating quality.

How to Get Involved

• Consultation open: Monday 5th January – Monday 16th February 2026 (23:59)
• Respond online: the survey is available here in English and here in Welsh.
• Email: [email protected]
• Webinar: Thursday 12 February 2026, 7pm (Microsoft Teams)

In collaboration with: