{"description":"First-party BassLureFish field statements. No comments or YouTube analytics. Blank values mean not supplied.","observations":[{"test_number":1,"question":"Does travelling miles offshore automatically put you closer to better sea bass fishing?","result":"Not in this session. We travelled offshore, but the bass were ultimately found much closer to home.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"This was one day and one search pattern, not a controlled experiment proving that inshore water is generally better than offshore water.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/offshore-vs-home-bass/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjvOCF5d_3k","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":2,"question":"Can an ultra-budget £25 rod-and-reel combo cope with genuine UK sea bass fishing?","result":"Yes. The £25 TEMU combo landed multiple bass in rough saltwater conditions, including a 60cm fish.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Catching fish does not establish long-term durability, corrosion resistance or that every low-cost combo will perform the same way.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/temu-combo-big-bass/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d67L5usOfE","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":3,"question":"What happens when four anglers fish different bass methods side-by-side in the same session?","result":"Four approaches were put on the water at the same time so the methods faced the same broad conditions.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Different anglers, exact lure choices and micro-locations can still affect the result, so this is field evidence rather than a laboratory control.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/four-bass-fishing-methods/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc8UdS9X834","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":4,"question":"Are feeding birds a reliable shortcut to finding sea bass?","result":"Not on this trip. We followed the birds, but the bass were somewhere else.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Bird species, bait species, tide stage and predator mix can change the meaning of the same surface activity.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/following-birds-for-bass/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIQFeFrXBPs","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":5,"question":"Does changing soft-plastic lure colour change sea bass catches in the same session?","result":"Six Sidewinder colours were rotated in one on-water experiment. The test produced a clear pattern worth testing again in different conditions.","lures":"Sidewinder","colours":"Super Pearl; Dusk; Dawn; Candy King; Yellow; Pink","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"A colour test is especially sensitive to order effects, changing fish activity and the exact amount of fishing time each colour receives.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/six-lure-colours/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b8n83worH0","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":6,"question":"Will a larger lure or a smaller lure catch more sea bass when both are fished in the same session?","result":"We put big versus small lure thinking into a direct field test instead of relying on the usual “match the hatch” assumptions.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Different lure sizes can also change action, sink rate, casting distance and hook profile, so “size” is not the only thing changing.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/lure-size-test/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb7F3TXtUZ8","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":7,"question":"When bass are available, does a metal jig outperform soft plastics or vice versa?","result":"We compared two very different lure families—metal jigs and soft plastics—on the same bass fishing trip.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"The two lure families differ in sink rate, action, profile and depth control, so the result reflects whole presentations rather than material alone.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/metal-jig-vs-soft-plastics/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXTu5wo3d-0","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":8,"question":"Will actively working a lure catch more sea bass than leaving the presentation static?","result":"The static presentation won 4–0. Four fish came to the static approach while the active retrieve produced none in the test.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"A 4–0 score is striking but still a small sample from one session. It does not mean active retrieves are generally inferior.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/static-vs-active/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioLR4HhW1Zs","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":9,"question":"Does retrieving with the tide, against it or across it change the number of fish caught?","result":"We tested retrieve direction directly rather than treating tide direction as a fixed rule.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Direction also changes lure speed, depth and line angle; the fish may have moved during the comparison.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/retrieve-direction/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHOb_QWK0iw","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":10,"question":"Would the colour pattern from our earlier test repeat in deeper, more coloured water?","result":"The pattern changed. Pink, White, Candy King and Natural were compared in deeper, more coloured water, and one colour clearly separated from the others.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Depth and clarity differed from the earlier colour test, so the comparison helps show context but does not isolate exactly which environmental factor caused the change.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/pink-vs-white-lure-colour/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIWyEl89Ar0","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":11,"question":"Does added scent produce more sea bass bites than an otherwise comparable unscented lure?","result":"We found no meaningful scent advantage in this session.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Scent strength, lure material, current, soak time and fish activity can all change how much scent is available to a fish.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/scented-vs-unscented-lures/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aCPxZ2npqw","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":12,"question":"Does spending roughly £1,000 on a premium lure-fishing setup translate into more or better sea bass than a £20 budget setup?","result":"Both setups caught bass. The premium outfit produced the biggest fish of the day, while the ultra-budget setup still proved it could catch serious fish.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"This is a practical field comparison, not a durability or engineering test. Long-term corrosion resistance and component life need time to assess.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/budget-vs-premium-fishing-setup/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpDTGMETAA0","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":13,"question":"Does sink-and-draw or a straight retrieve put more sea bass on the line?","result":"We tested the two retrieve styles directly in the same fishing context.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"The techniques inherently change speed, depth and pause time, so the test compares complete presentations rather than a single isolated variable.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/sink-draw-vs-straight-retrieve/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvlwxhmG25Q","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":14,"question":"Does adding a fluorocarbon leader change sea bass catches compared with tying the lure straight to braid?","result":"We put braid-direct and fluorocarbon-leader setups into a direct field comparison.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"Leader material changes several things at once, and a single session cannot establish how visible line is to bass in every water condition.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/braid-vs-fluorocarbon/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g4canWoubw","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":15,"question":"Can slow-pitch jigging be an effective way to target UK sea bass in deeper water and tide?","result":"Yes in this session: slow-pitch jigging produced our biggest fish of the trip.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"The method was tested on one trip and fish location mattered as much as technique. It is not evidence that slow pitch will outfish all other methods.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/slow-pitch-jigging/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GElA4MMH_aE","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":16,"question":"Which lures actually produced our best sea bass across the season so far?","result":"We brought together the six lures responsible for some of our best bass of the season and showed the fishing behind them.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"This is a retrospective field review rather than a controlled same-session comparison.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/six-best-bass-lures/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKmwFI1w6nA","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":17,"question":"If the same anglers swap methods in the same session, does fly fishing or lure fishing catch more sea bass?","result":"Fly: 34 bass","lures":"20 bass\nWould you have predicted that?\nThis isn’t just a numbers challenge either. If you’ve ever looked at saltwater fly fishing and thought it seemed too technical or difficult, this video shows just how effective — and addictive — it can be when the fish are feeding.","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"The score reflects one high-catch session and specific flies, lures, fish depth and feeding behaviour. It should not be generalised to every venue.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/fly-vs-lure/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8lwUl76CyM","provenance":"YouTube description — explicit result","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":18,"question":"Can an AI model read marine-chart features well enough to suggest a sea bass location worth testing?","result":"We gave ChatGPT the chart-reading problem, took its suggested area onto the water and turned the AI answer into a real fishing test.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"The result does not show that AI can reliably find bass in general. The prompt, chart information, season and local context all influence the suggestion.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/chatgpt-bass-hotspot/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WahUQ5meDpY","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":19,"question":"Can two complete beginners be put onto sea bass on their first proper lure-fishing trip?","result":"Yes. Both beginners were helped through the basics and caught bass on their first trip.","lures":"","colours":"","water_clarity":"","tide":"","conditions":"","limitations":"This is a teaching session rather than a controlled test, and successful first-trip catches depend heavily on fish availability and conditions.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/beginners-first-bass/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MssgrosxdfA","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":20,"question":"When three classic lure colours are fished in clear water, do the bass show a measurable preference?","result":"White caught 9 bass. Khaki caught 2 and Mackerel caught 2.","lures":"Ebbrox Titan Shad","colours":"White; Khaki; Mackerel","water_clarity":"Clear","tide":"Neap","conditions":"Clear water · neap tide · bright sun · light northerly wind","limitations":"Colour order, local fish behaviour and changing micro-conditions can affect a small field sample. The result is specific to the session.","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/classic-lure-colour/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2HumGgMt54","provenance":"curated field notes","location":"","lure_size":"","lure_weight":"","depth":"","effort":"","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-02T07:28:50+00:00"},{"test_number":23,"question":"We tested 6 different colours of the same lure.","result":"Total bass: 50\nSuper Pearl — 16 bass\nCandy King — 13 bass\nDawn — 10 bass\nDusk — 9 bass\nYellow One — 1 bass\nPink One — 1 bass","lures":"Sidewinder Skerries Pro — Shore Model\nSidewinder Skerries Pro Shore Model, 125mm / 22g","colours":"","water_clarity":"Good","tide":"Flood, starting at low water","conditions":"","limitations":"","source_url":"https://basslurefish.com/tests/do-lure-colours-really-make-a-difference-when-bass-fishing/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJqOXLq6IVE","provenance":"YouTube description — explicit result","location":"Christchurch Ledge, Dorset, UK\nChristchurch Ledge, Dorset, England, UK","lure_size":"5” / 125mm","lure_weight":"22g","depth":"3–5 metres","effort":"Approximately 4 hours\n4 hours","session_id":"","updated":"2026-10-05T18:26:15+00:00"}]}