The Hook - Bass Fishing Festival

October Bass Festival at the Hook Peninsula -
Having been invited, I attended a meeting this morning in Fethard as part of a working group involved in creating a Bass Angling Festival on the Hook Peninsula. Many aspects for the proposed development of the Festival were discussed.

I emphasised my usual cautionary approach to 'development' of the fishery, and having built a small business over ten years that utilises the reasons why many people want to come to Wexford and to fish bass, I expressed and re-emphasised that many bass anglers simply like the environment, peace and a sense of isolation combined with a chance of exploration and the challenge of the fishing.
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Those same people contribute to local economies throughout the season on a day by day basis in many Wexford coastal communities without using my services or having to experience it through the medium of a Festival.

Anglers use the peninsula and the facilities provided there all of the time, they do so on the basis that it is simply what it is and it already provides what they need. Indeed many are not necessarily bass anglers. Not everyone is aware of this.

This doesn't mean I am opposed to the Festival, I think its an opportunity for the Festival committee to demonstrate and to add and include other bass fishing related activities, some evening presentations, local history workshops, tours of the Peninsula to provide a sense of the magic, the spirit of the place. An inclusive experience for people.

I personally feel we have many local people who could make considerable and interesting contributions to the Festival - Billy Colfer (historian), Jim Hurley (naturalist), Kevin Dundon (chef), among many others too, promoted responsibly through Irish angling press it could be a real opportunity to showcase local expertise, talent and environment.

As a Wexford person who has invested ten years of my life in bass fishing in the area and many places in close proximity , how much I can contribute I'm not entirely sure as its the busiest time of year for me - I do know that the dates the Festival is on I will be just finished working with two returning Dutch visitors!


Friday October 26th - Sunday October 28th

Bass fishing with lures is becoming the next gold rush for some people. Do we want to be selling shovels, or, enlightening the powers that be be, that, shovels could be sold, but via tax revenues, from hotels and other tourist activity.

I believe, this festival can increase people's awareness of bass related issues, and angling issues in general. I support this.

Rory

Count me in:-)

I should be ok to get down to this as well.

Gold rushes tend to leave scars on the landscape and massive hangovers, an aftermath - done well over time with investment in aspects that make the peninsula unique, the history, the environment, the other service providers and people that exist in parallel to bass fishing can all culminate in making it a special place and event.

The sooner we realise that what makes a place special is what brings people to that place the better

We have the people the place and the 'product', but we need to do it right we need to make it special.

It's called [i]throwing the baby out with the bath water Jim.[i] You are quite right and with ten plus years promoting and selling the Irish bass product you should be listened to, unfortunately as is common within Ireland your wisdom will be overlooked and the "people who know best" will justify their misguided ideas and row on anyway.

Coarse fishing, modern sea match fishing, and lake fly fishing on large waters such as mask/corrib lend themselves to a festival approach, bass angling doesn't.

Ireland is a tiny country with a bass product in practically every corner, why not have a celebration of bass rather than have 150 odd people decending on a particular narrow area. Bass anglers want solitude and nature not Brighton pier, do your homework lads before you expose and wreck the marks that you enjoy today, as you inevitably will.

I would tend to agree with Ashley on this.

I would question the objective of pulling 100/200 people onto a small number of shore marks in an area for a bass fishing competition.
There are already parts of Wexford where marks are hemorrhaging bass through recreational over fishing and practically nobody on this forum or elsewhere gives a sh*te about it to the point of doing anything about it, yet a bass festival comes along and people will jump on it at the drop of a hat.
I'd be interested to know how a bass festival plans to educate the people it will attract instead of just increasing the problem and spreading it to new marks.

Again I would ask, what is the objective of the festival and how they intend to meet those objectives?
- to have the craic?
- to promote local business?
- to promote local tourism?
- to promote sustainable bass fishing and educate anglers?

If you look at the catch reports section of this forum and other forums it is obvious that only a tiny fraction of bass caught are every reported on. Why?? IMO it is because people are painfully aware of the consequences of revealing marks to the wider public and the resulting pressure it would bring. Why then a festival, pushing 100+ anglers into a tight fishing space. If it's not handled properly it is easy to see the depressing legacy it could leave.

I had a very difficult time personally on saturday morning - In terms of my personal involvement I feel to a degree damned if I do and damned if I dont. There are a lot of forces at play here, some of which are beyond me as they are not transparent.

At times I felt I was fighting a battle without trying to sound negative or making it sound like I had exclusivity etc

There is a lot of responsibility at stake here, more than anyperson whos hasnt shared the experiences of the place can imagine -

I asked the question for what? many times - I still cantt hear an answer

I have many many reservations about bass fishing development in this country - I think this is transparent from my website and has been even before my invite to this meeting.

I wrote about the Hook in a piece published in the June edition of the Irish Anglers's Digest. In it I describe meeting two seperate groups of competant Welsh and English shore anglers who were lost in a fishing sense due to lack of reasonably specific information. In both cases they had come seeking the holy bass grail courtesy of Henry Gilbey and Failte Ireland, failing miserably as the marks are very specific.

The Hook has history, nice restaurants and pubs, places of interest, good varied shore, boat, and kayak fishing from Ballyhack right around to Cullenstown, with a season that stretches from June through to January. Rather than kill the goose by inviting 100+ anglers in October for a weekend chasing a single species, why not sell the area properly highlighting all the species available and develop a constant manageable flow over an eight month period? The latter approach is sustainable and will preserve the product into the future, which the former most definitely won't. The people who organised this event would want to take cognisance of that fact.

I suggested during the morning to change the name to The Hook Angling Festival - this was met with what I can only call variety of reasons as to why it wouldnt work - many of which were unfounded and to some extent nonsensical.

I cant go there to much on here, and most, if not all of it is not in my hands, - I have many reservations which I can only say I expressed with strength, belief and conviction.

I dont know which path will be taken.

Cant say I think this is a good idea. Yes it may generate some quick revenue for the area but there could be long term damage to marks in the area and bass stocks. Most of us are conservation minded, but no doubt this would highlight marks that are not known to some and lead to exploitation as a result, in an area that has enough of this going on from what I hear. Im not even a local, I am from Dublin. I have fished in Wexford twice last year so its not for selfish reasons either.

Am I being overly simple when I look at this as a fishing event for a governmentally protected species that is protected as it was overfished to the point of extinction?

And what if it becomes successfull and similiar events poped up around the country.

I wonder what the commercials will say to that as they approach the fisheries asking for the ban to be lifted...

Am I being overly simple when I look at this as a fishing event for a governmentally protected species that is protected as it was overfished to the point of extinction?

And what if it becomes successfull and similiar events poped up around the country.

I wonder what the commercials will say to that as they approach the fisheries asking for the ban to be lifted...

I don't think your oversimplifying at all.
Already it is evident that anybody who stops to think about what these guys want to do know that Bass stocks/protection is way down on their list of priorities.
I think its just jumping on the bandwagon for all the wrong reasons.

Jesus people get a grip.....

Its an even that will not only help an area " a whole town full of people struggling like the rest of the country " But its also a good way to educate people so why not??

I understand the worries some people would have about the area getting fished out but do people worry about the mussel and razor beds that getting striped, do they patrol the beaches for nets? Because they are our biggest problem when it comes to bass not a man with a rod and reel.

Take JimH for example, he has spent 10 year making a successful business from Bass fishing, he over the last 10 years has shown people how to target bass to perfection! All because of 1 fish! Should he stop showing people? Heck no, he has every right to do what he does. And so do the people arranging the even once they arrange it right.

Could you imagine what this event could do for a small town?

Here's some question's:
Are you guys against it because thats where your bass marks are?....
What about the pollock, wrasse and other fish in the area or are you only worried about the bass?
Is it only wexford bass anglers against this?

What really gets to me on this forums is the amount of people that will bitch and moan about FN's, Dubs and anything else that relates to catching bass is, they all love bass fishing and have all took bass home to eat. But have never done anything towards the poaching problem.

Im sorry for the rant but people need to relise that the fishing industry in this country is what keeps some towns alive..........

One last thing, can anyone here show proof that bass stocks are on the decline? Because over the last years they seem to be getting bigger and bigger which suggests they are living longer.....

Jesus people get a grip.....

No, we're entitled to have concerns.

Its an even that will not only help an area " a whole town full of people struggling like the rest of the country " But its also a good way to educate people so why not??
If they think an angling festival festival will bring money into the pub/village, why not have it for all species, a general angling festival?

I understand the worries some people would have about the area getting fished out but do people worry about the mussel and razor beds that getting striped, do they patrol the beaches for nets? Because they are our biggest problem when it comes to Bass not a man with a rod and reel.
Problems are coming from a number of quarters. Does that mean we don't address this one because of the others? No. Anglers are keeping a watch on nets as best they can and there are ongoing contacts with the IFI to try and help contain this and also heavy recreational 'take' in spots. It is fact that in some areas in Wexford the man with a rod and reel is indeed having a negative impact on stocks due to sustained catch and take home going on.

Take JimH for example, he has spent 10 year making a successful business from Bass fishing, he over the last 10 years has shown people how to target Bass to perfection! All because of 1 fish! Should he stop showing people? Heck no, he has every right to do what he does. And so do the people arranging the even once they arrange it right.

Could you imagine what this event could do for a small town?
Why not make it a general angling festival?? Celebrate all of the species that can be caught?

Here's some question's:
Are you guys against it because thats where your Bass marks are?....
No

What about the pollock, wrasse and other fish in the area or are you only worried about the Bass?
If they really want the festival why not open it up to all species including those you mention?
Also, the species you mention have a much faster growth rate than bass and are not nearly as susceptible to over fishing as bass is.

Is it only wexford Bass anglers against this?
I've seen anglers from Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Cork voice concerns about it.

What really gets to me on this forums is the amount of people that will bitch and moan about FN's, Dubs and anything else that relates to catching Bass is, they all love Bass fishing and have all took Bass home to eat. But have never done anything towards the poaching problem.
For what its worth, I'm a Dub.
There is work going on about poaching and its not easy in a lot of cases but its happening.
Nobody in this thread is bitching and moaning.

Im sorry for the rant but people need to relise that the fishing industry in this country is what keeps some towns alive..........
Very likely in some commercial ports, however, a bass fishing festival over a couple of days is not going to have the dramatic effect of keeping the Hook Peninsula alive or dead as you portray, it could however increase an already growing problem of pressure on bass stocks, particularly targeted to such a small area.

One last thing, can anyone here show proof that Bass stocks are on the decline? Because over the last years they seem to be getting bigger and bigger which suggests they are living longer.....

I can only point to my catch rates on the East and South East coast last year which were down 50% on the previous year.
However as a principle, a species that takes 15 years to reach a weight of 8 ish pounds and is very localised is always going to be vulnerable to overfishing, we are right to be cautious.

One of the most important factors in promoting angling-based tourism in rural areas is balancing the desire for increased visitor numbers and associated economic growth with the potential social, economic, cultural and environmental impacts related to tourism development. This is a particular concern in rural areas where wild fish stocks may be more sensitive to increased angling pressure than commercial or stocked fisheries.

There are two related issues at stake:

• Whether developing angling tourism in rural areas creates too much ‘angling pressure’ and damages sensitive fish stocks or the environment.

• What impact angling tourism has on the visiting angler experience, either through exceeding social carrying capacity or ‘over development’.

Please take a look here http://www.probassfisher.com/2012/05/an ... ities.html

If they think an angling festival festival will bring money into the pub/village, why not have it for all species, a general angling festival? Because its just an angling festival, a bass festival is something different and will attract more attention!

Problems are coming from a number of quarters. Does that mean we don't address this one because of the others? No. Anglers are keeping a watch on nets as best they can and there are ongoing contacts with the IFI to try and help contain this and also heavy recreational 'take' in spots. It is fact that in some areas in Wexford the man with a rod and reel is indeed having a negative impact on stocks due to sustained catch and take home going on. So your saying there was data recorded on Rod anglers V Bass stocks?

Why not make it a general angling festival?? Celebrate all of the species that can be caught?
Because as I stated above, Bass festival will attract more attention!

If they really want the festival why not open it up to all species including those you mention?
Also, the species you mention have a much faster growth rate than Bass and are not nearly as susceptible to over fishing as Bass is.
I understand that bass grow slow, and thats why we have conservation laws which have worked since they have been introduced. Bass were nearly extinct in Irish waters but now they can be caught in all areas of the country, and in very big numbers in some areas... If what has been done with the conservation was not working there would be no bass in Ireland....

I've seen anglers from Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Cork voice concerns about it.
I have the same concerns but people are to quick to jump on the Bass ban wagon before they have proof of concerns.

For what its worth, I'm a Dub.
There is work going on about poaching and its not easy in a lot of cases but its happening.
Nobody in this thread is bitching and moaning.
I am also a Dub, I have also reported a few times to the IFI, but because the law is an ass it was to late......

Very likely in some commercial ports, however, a Bass fishing festival over a couple of days is not going to have the dramatic effect of keeping the Hook Peninsula alive or dead as you portray, it could however increase an already growing problem of pressure on Bass stocks, particularly targeted to such a small area.
Nothing to do with commercial, Im talking about the tourism that it generates... Lets say a failing business needs a few grand to stay afloat for the year... Well an event like this could save it.

One last thing, can anyone here show proof that Bass stocks are on the decline? Because over the last years they seem to be getting bigger and bigger which suggests they are living longer.....

I can only point to my catch rates on the East and South East coast last year which were down 50% on the previous year.
However as a principle, a species that takes 15 years to reach a weight of 8 ish pounds and is very localised is always going to be vulnerable to overfishing, we are right to be cautious.

Catch rates are nothing but catch rates.. They have 0 statistical value because there is so many factors that could cause a low catch rate...

Look at how late the mac are this year... Look at the weather. I was on a beach 2 days ago and it felt like oct.
But yet I have heard of some massive fish being landed over the last few years... Sure today I seen a pic of a bass caught in wexford that was a double..... So we are doing something right.

Look, I am all for conservation and I pray to god that all these scum poachers " anyone that breaks the bass law " get caught, but I am also open minded and wont shoot down an idea until I am proven wrong.

If this even was run right it could be a great weekend.

Jim Hendrick is one of the foremost authorities on tourism bass angling in this country. He has developed a business which has encouraged people to come from as far away as New Zealand to fish for Atlantic bass. His operation has evolved over a ten/twelve year period because Jim listens to what his clients want, essentially they want a high end experience which means uncluttered marks, beautiful wild scenary, and the chance to catch a decent fish.

Irish bass angling is and always has been the above from Inch strand in the late 1960's to date. You have to balance visitor numbers with the natural environment, it's a socio-economic tightrope but if you get it right, bingo. Bass fishing festivals get it wrong, they go against the grain of what real bass tourists want, and will act as a microscope opening up all the good marks to the unscrupulous anglers, etc, who are out there. This is not paranoia, this is fact.

Marketing the Hook properly attracting groups of anglers over an eight month period fishing both boat and shore for a range of species is the way to go, a longer season and more satisfied customers, pleasure anglers hate crowds and they're the bread and butter. The organisers of this festival should listen to the expert, they'll gain in the long run.

What is the difference between the "Irish Bass Sea Angling Festival" in Tramore in July and the "October Bass Festival at the Hook Peninsula"?

Genuine question, I am not aware of the background of either competition but I haven't heard the "Irish Bass Sea Angling Festival" mentioned in the same light as it is in some of the comments here?

Just move it to Dublin in November and call it The Dublin-Whiting fishing Festival plenty for everybody.