Shore fishing for Bass in Mayo

Hi,

I am new to fishing. I bought 2 cheap rods for my kids 6 weeks ago and then got interested myself, which is more than can be said for the kids who got fed up after five minutes and decided it was more fun firing stones into the water.

Anyway, i have been off fishing 3 times since, Bertra and Lecanvey pier (caught several mackerel), Lough mask (caught nothing) and the last time at Corraun rocks where I caught a few pollock.

I would be grateful if someone could give me advice on the following:

Is there much Bass on the West coast? Most of the posts I read here refer to the East coast and I'm wondering if they come around this side at all.

Also, if I do catch a Bass and am fishing off rocks - how do I land it? Do you use a net for shore fishing?

If anyone replies - thanks in advance.

I like to think I know a bit about bass but to be honest I'm not sure whether you would catch bass on the west coast. I've heard of them being caught around Cork, Kerry and Clare but not Mayo.

But who knows!

John D

There is bass in the north west coast its a matter of looking for em id say two or three big lug on an old style paternoster rig at night would do the trick................ off the surf beaches but it takes a lot of paitence I caught one off a beach in Sligo called rosses point he was around 4lbs

There is bass in the north west coast its a matter of looking for em id say two or three big lug on an old style paternoster rig at night would do the trick................ off the surf beaches but it takes a lot of paitence I caught one off a beach in Sligo near rosses point he was around 4lbs

As Neilus said, they are there. I don't think they are there in any numbers though. Because of this people tend not to try for them that far North. The just drive a couple of hours south. You can land Bass in a net and I would advise this if you are new to handling then. They have very sharp gills (outside) and they have the spines on the dorsal fin. When removing them from the net you can lip them or lift them under the belly. Lipping is easier. They do not have teeth at all so this is a very safe way of handling the fish If the fish is of a decent size as soon as you get control of him by lipping support him by the belly with your other hand. This helps keep a hold of him should he kick and also is less stressful for the fish.

Tight lines,

Kev

Thanks for your replies lads, I appreciate the help.

Hey Sidd, caught a 3lb bass spinning a silver wedge off the Corraun rocks last year. Maybe a fluke but they are there.

thats good to hear woody!

There are Bass all around Ireland, they are just thinner on the ground all around the North/North West Coast (very thin this year for me :( ). I have seen numerours sessions of 3 or 4 fish in the past (not just schoolies) in North Donegal/Derry. They do seem to vary greatly in numbers from year to year - presumably due to natural stock fluctuation/water temperature (and netting).

What i am more concerned about is the very marked decline in flounder stocks around the same area - but that's another story..