One perspective on the Irish bass fishery

I found this 'interesting' perspective today - http://www.flyforums.co.uk/saltwater-fl ... c-fly.html

and an interesting perspective it is, worth a thought but on the other hand, why analyze it, too many unknown factors will play into it and drive you paranoid as a result. Most of these circumstances are totally out of our hands and the ones supposed to be in control don't care. Sorry, I honestly didn't want to let this end in a negative tone, so lets go back to stage 1 and let us all try to catch a double figure bass on a homemade fly in, let's say mid July. First successful report on this post wins a selection box of (unused and brand new) bass flies, courtesy of myself. Hope that didn't sound too cynical now as well...

It is an interesting perspective. It seems to me that bass fishing has disimproved over the last few years here. Less fish and smaller fish. What it says to me is though on paper we have great legislation in place and so it looks from other countries how well is it being implemented is another matter and I realise how hard that is.Maybe its other reasons climate temps etc and I really don't know much about that but I have found myself fishing for mullet(on the fly) ahead of bass a lot the last two years on the better tides as they are there in numbers.( Better fight/sport too!) My experience would be mostly of south west kerry and east cork to a lesser degree. pat

I can't speak for the last year or two, because i'm only in my second season back from a 7 year break from fishing between 2003 - 2010. I can definitely say without a doubt that the bass numbers in the south east have improved drastically. especially on the larger fish.

It was so obvious when i started up again since i was actually catching them for a change

Actually.. on the same note, smoothies have been so easy to catch in recent years too. maybe i'm just getting better at fishing or i'm simply changing bait more often

What a load of b####x, comparing the experience of one Cornish bass festival with the Waterford based equivalent and stating that Cornwall, if it had Ireland's bass legislation, fishing wise would be streets ahead is opinion pure and simple.

What I can contribute with certainty is that I have seen my Wexford/Wicklow bass fishing, primarily but not totally bait fishing conducted off beaches, disimprove year on year since I started back shore fishing in 2007, my fishing diaries testament to this.

I cannot speak for Cork, Kerry, Clare or points outside of those counties with any degree of authority today. However I used to fish Brandon bay and Inch on occasions during the 1980's and the fish images that I see posted from these areas nowadays exhibit on avearage a smaller stamp of fish then I used to catch back in the day.

Personally, and this is opinion: I believe that something is amiss and that is a failure by Ireland (at Government and citizen level) to capitalise on the legislation it put in place circa 1990. Quite simply a bit of honesty both in mind and deed wouldn't go astray from all vested interests.

Super post Ashley ,way too much large scale inshore netting has destroyed manys a once prolific mark where proper sized bass could be caught upto a few years back.All this been done with so called bass legislation in place,don't make me laugh,the next thing will be people selling gps co ordinates to the highest bidder for their bass marks

The Bass legislation is in place, and it is the envy of anglers Europe-wide. The Irish Govt has set a standard and a precedence the we can be proud of. The problem isn't with the legislation, the problem is with the lack of enforcement of the legislation. A different problem entirely, sadly.

The Bass legislation is in place, and it is the envy of anglers Europe-wide. The Irish Govt has set a standard and a precedence the we can be proud of. The problem isn't with the legislation, the problem is with the lack of enforcement of the legislation. A different problem entirely, sadly.

Exactly. In our frustration with the lack of enforcement let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. The legislation itself should remain. Not only has it the potential to protect bass but it also sets a precedent for other species.

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Who said anything about getting rid of legislation, the posts above are self explanatory, the legislation is only of use if it is both implemented and adhered to. In both instances we as a nation have failed. Sadly we know this, citizen, government official, and politician, but typically Irish, we still prevaricate to the contrary. Hence in my opinion, a grain or two of honesty is required from all parties concerned.

Surely you must realise honesty and a willingness to express either accuracy and or truth leads to isolation and a particular categorisation that's red flagged!

A two day bass fishing competition is in no way reflective of any perspective of the Irish bass fishing experience good or bad.

I don't understand Jim.

At the 2011 Cornish bass fishing festival (the first one) the 76 anglers only managed 1 bass of over 50cm , which was the qualifying length, during the festival.

The 2012 festival fished better as mentioned in the forum post.

It's just promotional guff really .......