Wicklow Bass

I was out for a couple of hrs on saturday afternoon/evening on a beach in wicklow and managed to catch few schoolies. No monsters by any stretch of the imagination, with the biggest being about half a pound. I don't get out half as much as I'd like to, so it was great not to blank. My question is, generally speaking, are bass off the wicklow beaches smaller than those being caught further south? The last time I caught a bass over the 40 cm on a wicklow beach was way way back in November 2007 . I've caught a good few schoolies since, but nothing of any decent size. I'm just wondering is there a lack of of mature fish due to over fishing, the time of year or is it myself not being in the right place/right time and not putting in the hrs (which I'm tempted to put the money on)? I suppose a healthy population of smaller fish is a good sign for the future but I was just wondering if anybody had any views on the wicklow bass population in general? Thanks.John

Ive put in manys an hour down on the wicklow beaches and ive never had anything realy over 40cm, Ive always had loads of schoolies like yourself all nearly the same size 30cm.There are bigger fish around that area but certainly not in abundance i wont be making the same mistake this year il be heading Wexford Waterford direction in search of a doozie .My advice,if your going to fish the shallower beaches make sure you get the tides and weather reports before you head out your nearly always going to want a bita chop. .

I was out for a couple of hrs on saturday afternoon/evening on a beach in wicklow and managed to catch few schoolies. No monsters by any stretch of the imagination, with the biggest being about half a pound. I don't get out half as much as I'd like to, so it was great not to blank. My question is, generally speaking, are Bass off the wicklow beaches smaller than those being caught further south? The last time I caught a Bass over the 40 cm on a wicklow beach was way way back in November 2007 . I've caught a good few schoolies since, but nothing of any decent size. I'm just wondering is there a lack of of mature fish due to over fishing, the time of year or is it myself not being in the right place/right time and not putting in the hrs (which I'm tempted to put the money on)? I suppose a healthy population of smaller fish is a good sign for the future but I was just wondering if anybody had any views on the wicklow Bass population in general? Thanks.John

Drop the dodger a PM, he’s been known to locate one or two fish over 40cm!!

[roger de dodger]

last year 9lb was my best it can only get better

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Last edited by roger de dodger on Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

roger is the man

Thats a massive herring

last year 9lb was my best it can only get better

Just as I was talking your game up, you go and make a show of the two of us with this muck - viewtopic.php?f=3&t=33189

the first one is the hardest

nice 1 roger,good photo too...

That picture makes me sick ,i dident think that was possible down in wicklow

dont worry robbie now your a raider i have your no. i fish alot of hours to get the bass i do,and have invested many fruitless hours figuring them out ,and will always stay those few extra hours just in case i,ve also found if those very small schoolies are about the big uns aint!!
the hook fell out of that ones mouth when it got on dry land and it went back no worries so this year it might be a speceimen

had one last year over 7lb

nice 1 roger,good photo too...

Its takes a special type of person to take a picture that well

dont worry robbie now your a raider i have your no. i fish alot of hours to get the Bass i do,and have invested many fruitless hours figuring them out ,and will always stay those few extra hours just in case i,ve also found if those very small schoolies are about the big uns aint!!
the hook fell out of that ones mouth when it got on dry land and it went back no worries so this year it might be a speceimen

Good man roger id be delighted if i got a fish half that size ,never got to head out today in the end but il be going tomorrow hail rain or belly ache

Hell of a fish Roger , fairplay to you (even if it is an over sized herring) !! Guess they are out there after all!