BASS ANGLING IN IRELAND - Fishing in Ireland
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BASS ANGLING
IN IRELAND
where
wherebetter
bettertotogo
gototocelebrate
celebratethan
thantotoa agenuine
genuine Irish pub
Irish pubwhere
whereyouyou cancan
share
shareyour
yourfishing
fishingstories
storiesover
overa apint
pintorortwo…
two…
This
Thisbrochure
brochurecontains
containssome
somebasic
basicinformation
information to to
help
help youyougetget
started
startedon on
youryour
Irish
Irish bass
bassfishing
fishingadventure.
adventure.There
Thereis isa ashort
shortdescription
description of of
bass fishing
bass fishingfol-fol-
lowed
lowedby bysome
somegeneral
generalangling
angling&&tourist
touristinformation.
information. TheThe
map mapon on
thethe
flipflip
sideside
of
ofthis
thisbrochure
brochurehighlights
highlightssome
someofofthe
thedifferent
different areas
areas along
alongIreland’s coastline
Ireland’s coastline
and
andsomesomeofofthe
thebetter-known
better-knownbassbassholding
holdingareas
areas to to
target.
target.
There
Thereisismuch
muchmore
moredetailed information
detailed on on
information thethe
www.fishinginireland.info
www.fishinginireland.infowebsite
websiteand onon
and thethe
accompanying
accompanyingGoogle
Googlemap:
map:
https://goo.gl/ty3pLf
https://goo.gl/ty3pLf
LOCATING
LOCATINGIRISH
IRISHBASS
BASS
Bass
Bassare arefound
foundall allround
roundIreland’s
Ireland’scoastline
coastlinebut buttraditionally
traditionally thethefishing
fishingis best
is best
south
southof ofaaline
linedrawn
drawnbetween
betweenDublin Dublinand andGalway.
Galway. However,
However, as asseasea tempera-
tempera-
tures
turescontinue
continuetotorise risebass
bassare aremoving
movingfurther
furthernorth
north in in
greater
greater numbers
numbers andand newnew
marks
marksare areopening
openingup. up.
Bass
Bass are areopportunistic
opportunisticpredators
predatorsand andare areconstantly
constantly onon thethe
move,
move, foraging
foraging forfor
food.
food. InInfact,fact,the
thebiggest
biggestproblem
problema abass bassangler
anglernormally
normally faces,
faces, is finding
is finding bass as as
bass
they
they roverovearound
aroundthe thecoastline
coastlineininsearch
searchofoftheirtheirnext
next meal.
meal. Local
Localknowledge
knowledge is key
is key
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION here,
here, as asbass
basswillwillusually
usuallyhave havepreferred
preferredareas areaswherewhere theytheyfeed
feed at atdifferent
different stages
stages
of the
the tide.
tide. For
For this
thisreason,
reason,we werecommend
recommendthat thatanglers
anglersfishing
fishing anan unfamiliar
unfamiliar area area forfor
thethe firstfirst
When When youyoutalktalk about
about bassbass anglingtotoa aEuropean
angling Europeanbassbassangler,
angler,ititwon’t
won’ttake
takelong
long for
for Ireland
Ireland time hire
hire aa guide
guidetotohelp helpthem
themget getoriented.
oriented.AAguide guidewillwillknow
know thethemain
main feeding
feeding times/zones
times/zones
to tocomecome upup in inthethe conversation.This
conversation. Thisis isbecause
becauseIreland
Irelandhashasbecome
become renowned
renowned as as aa bass for different
different marksmarksand andwillwillcut
cutoutoutaalotlotofofthetheguesswork
guessworkand and wasted
wasted time.
time.If you
If youcan’t
can’t avail
avail
fishing
fishing mecca
mecca whichwhich attracts
attracts avidbass
avid bassanglers
anglersfrom
fromallallover
overthethecontinent.
continent. of a guide
guide the the following
followingpointers
pointersmay mayhelphelpyouyoulocate
locatebassbassholding
holding areas:
areas:
What What makes
makes Ireland
Ireland suchsuch
aa basshotspot?
bass hotspot?One Oneofofthethekey
keyreasons
reasonsisisthat
thatbass
bass have
have been
been a Bass are
are aa shallow
shallowwater waterspecies,
species,preferring
preferringtotohunt huntand
andforage
forage relatively
relatively closeclose inshore.
inshore.
protected
protected species
species forfor
manymany yearsin inIreland,
years Ireland,asasaaban banononcommercial
commercialfishing
fishingandand restrictions
restrictions They are
are rarely
rarely caught
caughtfrom fromdeepwater
deepwatermarks marksand andsosothetheangler
angler needs
needs to toavoid
avoid thethedeeper
deeper
on on thethe recreational
recreational fisheryhave
fishery haveallowed
allowedbass basspopulations
populationstotorecover
recover following
following years
years of water
water andand concentrate
concentrateon onshallower
shallowerareas areasofofcoastline.
coastline.
overfishing.
overfishing. Recent
Recent Europeanregulations
European regulationshave haveseen
seenthetheIrish
Irishmodel
model adopted
adopted on on aa wider
wider Rocks/Reefs:
Rocks/Reefs: Bass Basslovelovetotoforage
forageininthe thenooks,
nooks,crannies
cranniesand andgullys
gullys that
thatformformwhen when areas
areas of of
scalescale
withwith
bass bass now now considereda aprotected
considered protectedspeciesspeciesthroughout
throughoutthe theEU.
EU. rocky
rocky coastline
coastline and andshallow
shallowreefs
reefsare areexposed
exposedtotoheavy heavyseas.seas.These
These areas
areas areare often
oftencovered
covered
Another
Another reason
reason forfor Ireland’sstatus
Ireland’s statusasasa abass basshotspot
hotspotisisthe
thevaried
varied nature
nature of of its
its 3,000km
3,000km in dense
dense seaweed
seaweedbeds bedsand andsosoprovide
providecovercoverfor forprey
preyitems
itemssuch
such asas crabs
crabs and and small
smallfish.fish.
BassBass
coastline
coastline whichwhich is warmed
is warmed byby thethewaters
watersofofthe theGulf
GulfStream.
Stream.Facing
FacingthetheAtlantic
Atlantic on on its
its west-
west- will move
move inin andand out outof ofthese
theseareas
areasononthe thetide
tideandandcancanoften
oftenbebe caught
caught veryvery close
closein, in,
in ain a
ernern andandsouthsouth western
western seaboards,Ireland’s
seaboards, Ireland’scoastline
coastlineisisaamixmixofofinlets,
inlets, bays,
bays, reefs,
reefs, rocks
rocks , foot or
or two
two of of water.
water.
cliffs
cliffs andandsandysandy beaches.
beaches. Muchofofthis
Much thisis isshallow
shallowground
groundwhich
whichprovides
providesthe theperfect
perfect habitat
habitat Beaches:
Beaches: BassBass willwillhunt
huntininand
andaround
aroundsandy sandybeaches
beachesin insearch
search ofoffoodfood and andworms,
worms, crab crab& &
forfor foraging
foraging bass.bass. sandeel
sandeel areare the the favoured
favouredbaits baitsoff offmany
manybeachbeachmarks.
marks.Sandeel
Sandeel burrow
burrow intointothethe sandsandandand
OfOf course,
course, it’sit’s
notnotallall about
about thethefishing.
fishing.Ireland
Irelandisisaabeautiful
beautifulcountry
countryandandthe the scenery
scenery of of the emerge
emerge at at night
night to tofeed
feedsosonight
nighttimetimefishing
fishingis isusually
usuallythethemost
most productive.
productive. Beaches
Beaches tend tendto to
IrishIrish coastline
coastline cancanbebe breath-taking,making
breath-taking, makingit itaafantastic
fantasticplace
placetotospend
spendsomesometimetime enjoying
enjoying fish best
best when
when therethereisisaastrong
strongsurf,surf,asasthe
thewave
waveactionactionscours
scoursthethegravel
gravel and and sandsand to displace
to displace
thethe natural
natural environment.
environment. Then,after
Then, aftera along longdaydayfishing
fishing(and
(andmaybe
maybeeven even aa 70+cm
70+cm bass),
bass), food items.
items.
Estuaries/Lagoons:
Estuaries/Lagoons: BassBass love
love aa strong
strongcurrent
currentasasthey theyare aresturdy
sturdyswimmers
swimmersthat that can
can hold
hold in braid will
braid will cover
cover mostmostbases.
bases.There
Thereareareaamyriad
myriadofofluresluresavailable
available andandthethe angler
angler should
should
thethe
current
current and andintercept
intercept smaller
smallerprey preyasastheytheyare areswept
sweptby. by.Estuaries/lagoons
Estuaries/lagoons that that flood
flood have aa range
range of of different
differentweights,
weights,colours
colours&&sizessizesininboth
bothsoft
softand and hard
hard plastics.
plastics.
withwith
thethetidetidecancan bebe particular
particular hotspots
hotspotsasasbass basswill willfollow
followpreypreymovements
movementsinin and and outout of of the
the most bait
For most bait fishing,
fishing,aalight
lightbeachcaster
beachcasterofof11-14 11-14ft ftable
abletotocastcast somewhere
somewhere in the
in the 3-63-6
lagoon
lagoon andand thetheangler
angler cancan intercept
interceptthem themenenroute.route.SomeSomewell-known
well-knownexamples
examples of of this
this type
type of range (beach)
oz range (beach)or or2-4
2-4ozozrange
range(estuary)
(estuary)matched
matchedwith witha afixed
fixed spool
spool reel
reel or or
65006500 sizesize
markmark would
would bebe Bannow
Bannow Bay Bayin in
Wexford
Wexfordororthe themouth
mouthofofthe theRiver
RiverInny
InnyininWaterville,
Waterville, but but there
there multiplier isis perfect.
multiplier perfect.UsingUsingasaslight
lightaarod
rodasasconditions
conditionsallow
allowwillwill help
help bite
bite detection.
detection. Pulley
Pulley
arearemanymany other
othersimilar
similar marks
marks around
aroundthe theIrish
Irishcoast.
coast. rigged crab
rigged crab and and worm
wormbaits
baitswork
workwell
wellononthethesurf
surfbeaches,
beaches,while while forfor estuary
estuary fishing
fishing peel-
peel-
Tides:
Tides:Bass Basstend tendto tofeedfeed moremore avidly
avidlyduring
duringperiods
periodsofofstronger
strongertidestidesso sothe
thekey
key times
times to to fish crab isis the
er crab the preferred
preferredbait.bait.
tendtendto be
to be thethe spring
spring tidetide periods
periodsaroundarounda afull/new
full/newmoon. moon.Tide
Tidemovements
movementsalso also have
have an an rods for
Fly rods for bass
bass would
wouldgenerally
generallybe be9ft
9ftandandAFTMAFTM8 8toto10. 10.Shooting-head
Shooting-head or or weight
weight for-for-
impact
impact on on individual
individual marks
marks asas bass
basswillwillprefer
prefercertain
certainmarks marksatatlow lowwater
waterandand other
other marks
marks at ward lines
ward lines inin intermediate
intermediate&&floating
floatingwill
willcover
covermostmostbases.
bases.A Aline line tray
tray is recommended
is recommended to to
midmidandand high water.
high water. Local
Local knowledge
knowledgeis isusually usuallythe thebest
bestwaywaytotodetermine
determinewhich which marks
marks fishfish line getting
stop line getting wrapped
wrappedaround
aroundrocks
rocksororfeet
feetbybythethewaves.
waves.Flies Flies
areare normally
normally streamer
streamer
wellwell
at at
different
different stages
stages of ofthethetide.
tide. variations such
variations such as asclousers,
clousers,deceivers
deceiversetc.etc.tied
tiedinina arange
rangeofofsizessizes and
and colours.
colours.
Onshore
Onshore winds:
winds: A good
A good onshore
onshorewind windcan cancreate
createexcellent
excellentbass bassfishing
fishingconditions
conditions as as the
the
force
forceof of
thethe wind windonon thethewaves
waves churns
churnsupupthe thewater
watercloseclosetotoshore.
shore.This
Thischurned
churned up up water
water isis CATCH && RELEASE
CATCH RELEASE
highly
highlyoxygenated,
oxygenated, which
which attracts
attractsbass,bass,and andit italso
alsodisorients
disorientsprey preyitems
itemsleaving
leaving them
them vulnera-
vulnera- We all
all have
have aa responsibility
responsibilitytotoprotect
protectand andconserve
conserveourourfisheries
fisheries
sosothat
that they
theycancan
bebeen-en-
bleble
to attack,
to attack, thusthusproviding
providing perfect
perfectconditions
conditionsfor forbass
basstotofeedfeedhard.
hard. joyed
joyed byby future
future generations.
generations.Most
Mostfisheries
fisheriesface
facemultiple
multiplethreats
threatsincluding
including pollution,
pollution,
water
water
Day/Night:
Day/Night: Bass cancan
Bass bebe active
active over
overthethewhole
whole24-hour
24-hourcycle cycleand andthethedawn/dusk
dawn/dusk period period abstraction
abstraction and
and illegal
illegalfishing,
fishing,all
allofofwhich
whichhave
havea anegative
negativeimpact
impactonon fishfish
stocks.
stocks.
ForFor
thatthat
usually
usuallyproduces
produces better
better thanthan average
averageresults,
results,particularly
particularlyififititcoincides
coincideswith withaa good
good tide.tide. reason,
reason, wewe would
wouldaskaskthat
thatall
allanglers
anglersconsider
considerpracticing
practicingCatch
Catch && Release
Release forfor
thethe
majority
majority
ForFor
thosethoseprepared
prepared to to
loselosesome
somesleep,sleep,night
nighttimetimefishing
fishingcan canbe bevery
veryrewarding
rewarding and and often
often of fish
fish they
they catch.
catch.Record
Recordany
anytrophy
trophyfishfishwith
witha aquick
quickphoto
photoand and
then
thencarefully
carefully return
return
to to
produces
produces larger
larger than thanaverage
average fishfishthat
thatbecome
becomeless lesswary
waryand andmovemoveinshore
inshoreduring
during darkness.
darkness. the water.
water. Remember:
Remember:#CPRsavesfish
#CPRsavesfish
Night
Nighttime timefishing
fishing is sometimes
is sometimes thetheonly
onlyoption
optionwhen whenfishing
fishingbeaches
beachesthat thatarearebusy
busy withwith
swimmers/bathers
swimmers/bathers during
during thetheday.
day.
Indicators:
Indicators: There
There areare somesome signs
signstotolook
lookforforthatthatcan canindicate
indicatethe thepresence
presenceof of bass
bass or or the
the
baitfish
baitfishthatthat bassbassfeed feed on.on.Diving
Divingbirdsbirdssuchsuchasasgannets
gannetsusually
usuallymeanmeanthat thatthere
there isis aa shoal
shoal
of baitfish
of baitfish in the
in thearea area and and bass
bass will
willnotnotbebetootoofar faraway.
away.Splashes
Splashes&&boils boilsor or small
small bait-
bait-
fishfish
breaking
breaking thethe surface
surface usually
usuallymean meanthat thata apredator
predatorisisfeeding
feedingand andanglers
anglers should
should
concentrate
concentrate on onthatthatarea.
area. In In
clearer
clearerwater,
water,bassbasscan cansometimes
sometimesbe beobserved
observedusing using thethe
power
power of ofthethewaveswaves to to
‘surf’
‘surf’after
afterprey preyitems.
items.
SEASONS & REGULATIONS
SEASONS & REGULATIONS
BassBass
cancan
bebe fished
fished
forfor
allall
year
year in inIreland
Irelandbutbutthey
theyare
arepredominantly
predominantlytargeted
targeted inin the the
April
April
to October
to October period.
period.However,
However,along alongthethesouth
southcoast
coastbass
basscan
canbe
becaught
caughtregularly
regularly
through
throughthethe
winter
wintermonths,
months,withwithbait
baitfishing
fishingusually
usuallythe
themost
mostproductive
productivemethod.
method.
In recent
In recent
years,
years,bass
bass
angling
angling regulations
regulationshave havechanged
changedsosooften
oftenthat
thatititisisdifficult
difficult to
to
givegive
anyany
useful
usefulguidance
guidance here.
here.There
Therecan canbeberestrictions
restrictionsononnumbers
numbersand
andsize sizeof of bass
bass
an anangler
angler
cancantaketake
andand
there
there cancanalsoalsobebeclosed
closedseasons.
seasons.Anglers
Anglersneed
needtotocheck
check ourour
website
websitehttp://fishinginireland.info/regulations.htm
http://fishinginireland.info/regulations.htm
prior
prior
to fishing
to fishingto to
make
makesure
surethey
theyare areaware
awareofofregulations
regulationsininplace
placeatatthat
thattime.
time.
METHODS
METHODS
Lure
Lure
fishing
fishing
is the
is the
most
mostpopular
popularmethod
methodtototarget
targetbass
bassthese
thesedays
daysand
andaarod
rodbetween
between
8 and
8 and
10ft10ft
casting
castingfrom
from
1010
to to
40g
40gmatched
matchedwith withaagood
goodfixed
fixedspool
spoolreel
reelwith
with 15kg
15kg
FURTHER
FURTHER
INFORMATION
INFORMATION Leave
Leave No
No Trace
Trace
Angling
AnglingInformation
Information Please
Please adhere
adhere totothe
theseven
sevenprinciples
principlesofofLeave
LeaveNo NoTrace
TraceIreland:
Ireland:
ThisThis
guide
guide provides
provides a basic
a basicintroduction
introductiontotobassbassangling
anglingininIreland
Irelandand
andgives
gives aa summary
summary Plan ahead
ahead and
andprepare;
prepare;Travel
Traveland
andcamp
camponondurable
durablesurfaces;
surfaces;Dispose
Dispose of of
waste
wasteproper-
proper-
of of
somesomeof of
thethe
keykeyangling
angling hotspots
hotspotsyou youcan
canvisit.
visit.However,
However,there
thereare
areaanumber
number ofof addi-
addi- ly; Leave
Leave what
what you
youfind;
find;Minimise
Minimisecampfire
campfireimpacts
impacts(be (becareful
carefulwith
with
fire);
fire);
Respect
Respect wildlife;
wildlife;
tional
tional
resources
resources where
where youyoucan
canfind findmore
moredetailed
detailedandandup-to-date
up-to-dateangling
angling information.
information. Be considerate
considerate of
of other
othervisitors.
visitors.
Firstly,
Firstly,
there
thereis is
a adedicated
dedicatedangling
anglingwebsite
websitewhich
whichhas
hasmore
more detailed
detailed information
information on Vehicles
Vehicles should
shouldbebeparked
parkedinindesignated
designatedareas
areasand
andininsuchsucha amanner
mannerthat
that
they
they
dodonotnot
cause
cause
individual
individual fisheries
fisheries andand
service
serviceproviders
providersat:at:www.fishinginireland.info
www.fishinginireland.info obstruction.
obstruction.
If you
If you
areareplanning
planning onon
fishing
fishingin inNorthern
NorthernIreland
Irelandororononthe
theFoyle
Foyleand
andCarlingford
Carlingford area Anglers
Anglersshould
shouldfish
fishresponsibly
responsiblyand
andsustainably
sustainably– where
– wherepossible
possibleuseuse
single
single
bar-bar-
on oneither
eitherside
side
of ofthethe
border
borderyou youshould
shouldconsult:
consult: bless
blesshooks
hooksand
andpractice
practiceno-weight,
no-weight,“in“inthethewater”
water”catch
catchandand
release.
release.
www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/outdoor-recreation-and-sport/angling
www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/outdoor-recreation-and-sport/angling www.leavenotraceireland.org
www.leavenotraceireland.org
andand www.ufishireland.org/
www.ufishireland.org/ 2014
2014
Safety
Safety
IFI IFI
alsoalso
produces
produces a weekly
a weeklyAngling
AnglingUpdate
Updatewhich
whichprovides
providesup-to-date
up-to-date reports
reports on
on what
anglers
anglersareare catching
catchingand andwhere.
where.You Youcan
cansign
signupuptotobe
beemailed
emailed the
the weekly
weekly Angling
Angling Angling
Angling isis aa water
waterbased
basedactivity
activitywith
withchanging
changingconditions
conditionsandand
dangers
dangersthat
that
areare
sometimes
sometimes
Update
Update byby emailing
emailing contact@fisheriesireland.ie
contact@fisheriesireland.ie hidden.
hidden. Drowning
Drowningisisan anever
everpresent
presentrisk
riskand
andyou
youshould
shouldexercise
exercise
utmost
utmost
care
care
forfor
your
your
ownown
safety
safety and
and thatthat ofof angling
anglingpartners/buddies.
partners/buddies.
General
General Tourism
Tourism Please
Please consider
consider the thefollowing
followingwhen
whengoing
goingfishing:
fishing:
Ireland
Irelandalso
also
hashas
a general
a generaltourism
tourismwebsite
websitewww.ireland.com
www.ireland.comthat thatwill
willhelp
help you
you plan
plan your • Wear
Wear aa life life jacket.
jacket.
triptrip
to to
Ireland,
Ireland,
providing
providing a awealth
wealthofofinformation
informationonontravel
traveland
andaccommodation
accommodation as as well • Follow
Follow advice
adviceon onwarning
warningsigns,
signs,permits
permitsand
andnotices
notices
as as
information
information ononthings
things
totododoand
andsee
seewhile
whilevisiting
visitingthe
theisland.
island. • Don’t
Don’t take
take any
anyrisks
riskswhen
whenwading
wadingororfishing
fishingfrom
fromboat,
boat,shore
shoreoror
bank
bank
##CPRSavesfish
CPRSavesfish
Regions and Hotspots
The east coast of Ireland (A) faces the Irish Sea, and experiences smaller tides and usually colder water temperatures than the south and west coasts. Bass are present all along the east
coast but are not as plentiful as on the south/south west coast. The coastline is characterised by long stretches of beach interspersed with small rocky outcrops. Traditionally, bait fishing
at night from the beaches has been the most successful method. In recent years, lure/fly fishing the rocky stretches has become more popular and has produced bass given the right
• Check the weather forecast and tide tables before you go conditions. North of Dublin, Carlingford Lough, Port Beach and the Boyne Estuary are known marks that regularly produce bass for lure anglers. South of Dublin, lure/fly anglers can fish
from the rocky marks in south Wicklow & north Wexford while the long stretches of beach in south Wexford are better suited to bait fishing at night. Towards the very southern end of
the coastline, from Rosslare Harbour to Carnsore Point, bass become more plentiful and there are some noted marks along this stretch which fish well to both bait and lure. The water
• Take time to observe weather, water and tide conditions while fishing clarity along much of the east coast can be an issue for lure and fly anglers, particularly after a period of easterly winds.
Moving westwards, between Carnsore Point and the Waterford Estuary (B), the coastline becomes more broken as the beaches become smaller and rocky ground starts to dominate.
This is perfect habitat for bass and they can be taken all along this stretch with some noted hotspots at Cullenstown, Bannow Bay and on both sides of The Hook Peninsula.
• Fish with a partner/buddy or let someone know where you’re going Across the Waterford Estuary, from Tramore as far as Dungarvan (C), you enter one of the most noted bass fishing coastlines in all of Europe. The Copper Coast which extends
westwards from Tramore towards Dungarvan is a complex network of shallow water, rocks, reefs, gullys, coves and storm beaches. It has been made famous through the writing of
noted bass anglers such as Henry Gilbey who have travelled here year on year to sample the top fishing in a wild and wonderful setting. Anglers are really spoilt for choice here
• Take a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof case/bag. and while marks at Kilfarrasey, Annestown and Bunmahon are well known, there are plenty of equally good marks without a name to denote them. It is an area that will reward
the adventurous, exploring angler. But a word of warning, incoming tides can push right up to the often-steep cliffs and may trap unwary anglers. Anglers unfamiliar with an
area should consider fishing reefs on a dropping tide to become acquainted with the lie of the land and care should be taken at all times to be observant of changing tides and
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear conditions. Just west of the Copper Coast lies the busy town of Dungarvan where the east facing Dungarvan Bay is lanced by the 3km long Cunnigar Spit. There are oyster beds
all along the east side of the spit which provide shelter and hunting grounds for bass and which can be fished by careful wading or, more easily, from a small boat.
From Dungarvan west to Ballycotton (D) the ground becomes a little less rocky and a number of longer beaches feature, as does the estuary of the River Blackwater at
For a more detailed guide to safety when angling please visit: Youghal. These beaches such as Ardmore, Garyvoe and Whiting Bay are known for throwing up record fish across a range of species and are also capable of producing
large bass, especially when bait fishing at night if the surf Is running. There is no shortage of rock fishing either at known marks such as the Black Rocks near Ardmore, the
reef at Ballinwilling or any number of other outcrops in between.
www.fishinginireland.info/safety.htm West of Ballycotton and the most prominent feature on Ireland’s south coast, Cork Harbour (E) is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and provides a shel-
tered environment for numerous fish species. The harbour, which is fishable in all but the strongest of winds, is the centre of a busy recreational angling scene and bass,
which can congregate here in good numbers, are one of the primary target species. The bass fishing in the harbour is mainly by boat and lure or fly fishing are the
most popular methods. There are self-drive small boats
Biosecurity available to hire locally or, alternately, a number of
guides also provide boat fishing for those that prefer to
let others do the driving.
Once into West Cork (F), the force of the Atlantic Ocean
Aquatic Invasive Species and fish pathogens are readily transferred from one water- has more of an effect and the coastline becomes more
indented. Smaller beaches are the norm and these are
punctuated by rocky headlands and bays. The key bass
For a Google map, scan the
QR code or use the following web link:
https://goo.gl/ty3pLf
course to another on angling tackle, boats and protective clothing. These can be very fishing spots on this coastline are at Courtmacsherry
and Clonakilty, fishing in the estuaries and from the rock
marks and small bays in the vicinity. There are self-drive
damaging to resident fish stocks, the aquatic habitat and the general environment. We boats available for hire in Courtmachsherry allowing
greater scope for exploring the area while there are
guides working both areas that can also provide fishing
would ask that all anglers inspect and clean their gear prior to travelling to Ireland to from boat or shore.
West of Clonakilty the coastline becomes steeper, with
more cliffs and deep water than the shallow ground that
fish. bass prefer. This type of deeper water coastline stretch-
es all the way around the south west tip of Ireland as far
as Kenmare in Kerry. While bass will be present in many
locations, this part of the coast is better suited to deep-
Full information on prevention of invasive species is available on our website at: er water species such as pollock and wrasse and is not
normally known as a bass hotspot. If fishing for bass, bait
fishing from the beaches close to estuaries will probably
www.fisheriesireland.ie/Research/invasive-species.html produce the best results.
Both the Iveragh (G) and Dingle (H) peninsulas in Kerry
provide a return to the shallow water habitat that bass
Or via Invasive Species Ireland at thrive in and it is no surprise that they contain some of
the best-known bass angling marks in Ireland. Bass are
regarded as a year-round species in this part of Ireland
http://invasivespeciesireland.com/cops/water-users/anglers/ and they are regularly taken right throughout the winter
months. At the tip of the Iveragh peninsula, Waterville
Bay hosts a range of bass marks from both beach and
rock with the best known being the Inny mouth right in the
Disclaimer
centre of the bay. Bass will congregate here to ambush
smaller species as they move in and out of the estuary
with the tide. Bass are also found in the bays, coves and
beaches around the town of Caherciveen to the north of
Every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this publication and
Waterville.
Opposing each other across the expanse of Dingle Bay,
the two spits of Rossbeigh and Inch can provide excellent
associated maps and web pages. Inland Fisheries Ireland cannot accept responsibility
surf fishing for bass. Further along the peninsula, Trabeg
on the southern shore and Ballinrannig, Brandon Bay (var-
ious marks) and Castlegregory stream are all known bass
for errors or omissions therein. Some sporting activities may by their nature be hazardous
marks.
North of Tralee (I), bass are caught from a number of
marks around Fenit, Barrow Harbour and Carrahane as
and involve risk. It is recommended in such cases to take out personal accident insurance.
the tide pushes in and out of the various channel systems.
Further north, lure fishing from the outcrop at Black Rock
and surf fishing from Ballyheigue Strand can produce re- A
While many operators would have public liability insurance it is always advisable to
sults as can fishing Ballybunnion beach. K
County Clare (J), famous for the Cliffs of Moher, is often
overlooked when it comes to bass but they are present in
check with the establishment or operator concerned as to the level of cover carried.
decent numbers for anglers that are prepared to put in a
bit of work. On the northern side of the Shannon Estuary,
fishing at the mouth of Poulnasherry Bay from the western
side and at Querrin will produce bass. On the other side of
the peninsula bass are found at Kilkee, Doughmore Strand
Acknowledgements (where the Irish record bass was caught) and at Spanish
Point. Northern Clare is usually known for its deepwater
fishing but when you can find areas of shallower water bass
J
will be present. Such areas exist at beaches around Doolin,
© Published by Inland Fisheries Ireland 2018. P/N: IFI/2018/1-0451 - 022 Trawee and Fanore.
Galway Bay (K) is generally regarded as the northern ex-
tremity for productive bass fishing on the western seaboard
I
Photos courtesy of: IFI, Shane O’Reilly, Christin Breuker, Markus Müller & James Barry.
and while bass are targeted successfully by some local
anglers they are not considered plentiful. Anglers seeking
bass in this area should concentrate on the shallow ground
around Ballyvaughan and the channel at Newquay on the
The document includes Ordnance Survey Ireland data reproduced under OSi Copyright southern shore while on the northern shore, marks at Sea- H
weed Point and Barna Beach can be productive. Autumn is
generally the best season as it usually coincides with the
Permit No. MP 007508. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Ordnance Survey Ireland
presence of sprat and mackerel close to shore.
Further north, bass are an occasional capture, with the surf
beaches of Mayo including Whitestrand, Carrowniskey and
and Government of Ireland copyright. © Ordnance Survey Ireland. the Mullet peninsula producing the odd bass. Donegal was C B
long regarded as a bass wilderness, but in recent years they
have been turning up here in better numbers, all the way to G
the surf beaches of north Donegal.
This brochure can be made available in alternate formats upon request. D
IRELAND/
BASS ANGLING
NORTHERN IRELAND F Loughs Agency DERRY
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