Europoort’s Hidden Gem: Fly Fishing for Monster Bass (and Maybe a Sea Trout If You’re Lucky)

Let me tell you, the Maasvlakte isn’t just some industrial wasteland—it’s a bass fisherman’s playground. Miles of rocky quays, sandy beaches, and enough current to make baitfish panic. And the bass? Chrome-sided freight trains that’ll hit your fly like they’ve got a personal grudge.

First things first: wind and tide run the show here. Europoort’s got a reputation for breezes that’ll turn your backcast into a modern art sculpture, so pick your spot smart. I like the lee side of breakwaters when it’s howling—Google Maps is your friend for spotting those little corners where the wind eddies. And tides? Oh man, don’t even bother if you’re not fishing the swing. Bass stack up where the current pinches bait against structure. Think reef edges, harbor mouths, anywhere the water goes from "lazy river" to "white-knuckle ride." Check the charts, but trust your eyes more. If it looks like a buffet line for predators, it probably is.
Gear talk: Grab a 7-weight rod—stiff enough to punch into the wind but not overkill for these Dutch bass (which, by the way, get stupid big here). I swear by a slow-sink line; strip fast for topwater chaos, pause a beat and let it dig for the lazy ones. Floating line with a popper? Oh yeah, when they’re busting on fry, it’s like someone flipped the "attack mode" switch. Just don’t forget your stripping basket unless you enjoy untangling knots with numb fingers.

Now, about the battlefield. Those rocks? Slicker than a politician’s handshake, and oyster shells hide in there like little ninja stars. Wear boots with grip, or you’ll learn the hard way. And the ship traffic—yeah, it’s like a highway out there. Pick your spot, plant your feet, and work it hard. Wading’s overrated when the fish are hugging structure 20 feet off the rocks.

Oh, and one last thing: Every now and then, some lunatic hooks a sea trout in this place. Silver ghosts that shouldn’t be here but are. I’ve seen one. One. Took a shrimp pattern like it owed him money. So keep your eyes peeled—Europoort’s full of surprises.

Bottom line: If you want bass that fight like they’ve been lifting weights, and the occasional "what the hell is that?!" moment, this is your spot. Just watch your step, respect the tide, and for god’s sake, set the hook like you mean it.