Looking for a beginners guide to fishing for someone who has never fished before. Specifically to sea fish, primarily for bass. Any good books which STW massive can recommend?

http://www.worldseafishing.com/shore/how_to_catch_rough_ground_bass.html

cheers, will have a look at that but need some guidance on the basics of fishing – is there a definitive guide out there?

you want to thread a small weight.. about an ounce.. onto your line and stop it about 4 feet from the end.. tie a size 2 hook to the end and attach a live sand eel..

chuck it into the water in a bassy area and bob’s yer uncle..

or use a salmon lure/spinner

cheers, sounds easy 🙂
is there a definitive guide out there which gives guidance on the basics of fishing – eg how to cast, attach a reel to a rod etc, etc?

1st port of call is your LTS (local tackle shop), especially if you live near the sea. A good one should be like a good LBS & guide you in the right direction in tackle choice, tactics & most importantly where to fish. Spinning for Bass is very effective but so is bait fishing. I don’t know of any ‘definitive guide books’ & no doubt there are some but It’s like biking, experience is the key. Just get out there & fish.
PS I can show you how to whang a 5 oz sinker from a 12′ beach rod & multiplier for about 150 yards! 🙂 although the world record’s over 300.