Bass on fly /lure? In south Leinster.

[cathalger]

I am hoping to go to Wicklow/Wexford this summer to attempt to catch a bass on fly or plug. I know people would be protective of venues and for very good reason, I'd be the same.

I would be going for 1 weekend with a Scottish cousin who is now based in Kildare and working in Dublin. I was told last Autumn that the rocks to the south of Brittas Bay, (Mizen Head?) is worth a try, is this as good a place to have a bash as any? Catching a half decent bass on the fly rod would be the goal if at all possible.

Any heads up would be very much appreciated,

Cheers,

Cathal.

[alano]

I'd agree that some anglers might like to keep spots to themselves, then again maybe a local angler will post a reply? If not, you can always use a little water craft. Bass are found in many different environments, as you may well know! Strange/unfamiliar rock marks would not be my first choice. Try and find a beach with rocks out in front of you or at either side of the beach. Again Cover heavily weeded/rough areas, these areas can very much so produce decent bass! Channels, deep sloping beaches, protruding rock ledges/gully's adjacent to a beach for safety as the tide floods are places where bass can be found and possibly you could have a successful days angling in a unfamiliar area.
Tight Lines. Alan O Neill

[cathalger]

I'd agree that some anglers might like to keep spots to themselves, then again maybe a local angler will post a reply? If not, you can always use a little water craft. Bass are found in many different environments, as you may well know! Strange/unfamiliar rock marks would not be my first choice. Try and find a beach with rocks out in front of you or at either side of the beach. Again Cover heavily weeded/rough areas, these areas can very much so produce decent Bass! Channels, deep sloping beaches, protruding rock ledges/gully's adjacent to a beach for safety as the tide floods are places where Bass can be found and possibly you could have a successful days angling in a unfamiliar area.
Tight Lines. Alan O Neill

Alan,
Thanks for your advice, and response. I totally understand why people wouldnt want to share valuable info like this with a total stranger on a public forum. But the advice you have given is exactly what I was after, I just want a bit of an insight into what kind of shoreline I should be looking for and possibly whaich state of the tide to be concentrating the effort on. What you have told me above is very helpful and I will bare it in mind. It would be something else to catch a bass on fly ,spinner or plug. If it comes to pass I'll put up a report without divulging the location, I have a couple of good marks for taking sea trout and pretty big pollack off the shore near me and I wouldnt like to see them advertized on here so I wont state exact locations (IF anything is caught) for fear of advertizing someone elses hotspot.

Thanks again, Cathal McNaughton.

[eoghanb]

Anywhere theres a fast tide is always worth a go,depth dosent really matter iv caught bass in two foot of water,find a shallow weedy spot sticking out into the tide flow ,u mite get trout or bass they tend to not favour the same spot but dont quote me on that,if u can get hold of an admiralty sea chart of the area look out for wavey patterns these indicate shoals(dangerous tides for boats but good for us),if no fast tides are on chart check for features that may hold fish,if u do find a spot dat produces be careful who ye tell,anyway have fun finding your new mark and enjoy it when ye do happy hunting

[cathalger]

Anywhere theres a fast tide is always worth a go,depth dosent really matter iv caught Bass in two foot of water,find a shallow weedy spot sticking out into the tide flow ,u mite get trout or Bass they tend to not favour the same spot but dont quote me on that,if u can get hold of an admiralty sea chart of the area look out for wavey patterns these indicate shoals(dangerous tides for boats but good for us),if no fast tides are on chart check for features that may hold fish,if u do find a spot dat produces be careful who ye tell,anyway have fun finding your new mark and enjoy it when ye do happy hunting

Thanks for the info Eoghan, looking forward to having a go at this. Even if a bass isnt caught its going to be interesting having a go. Some years back I had my spinner taken at Greystones beach in the exact spot I'd just seen a good sized bass very close to me in the waves. Heart was racing, the bass I saw was no schoolie. It turned out to be the only fish I caught that day, a 12oz mackerel. I intend to have a go with the fly rod, prob fish a sinking line but need to research fly patterns.

Thanks again,

Cathal.

[alano]

Hi Cathal. Hope I'm not opening a can of worms here? but if you are trying for bass on the fly an intermediate fly line might be a better all round choice rather then a sinking line for a number of reasons. If you haven't invested in a fly line yet you should certainly consider the intermediate line. There is an endless list of flies available with many fly anglers having there own personal preference. Flatwings, Hollow fleyes, Clousers, BT Deceivers -the list is endless.
My advise to you is to get some deceivers to start off with. I'm not sure if Andy Elliot http://www.chasingsilver.org/ (chasing silver) is still tying flies but if you get in contact with him he might be able to help you out? The fly rod/weight as you well know determines what conditions you fish and what flies you will be capable of casting and more important, delivering a proper presentation of your chosen fly into a head wind.
Jim Hendrick http://www.bassfishing.ie/ is another angler/guide that might be able to advise you , he has a very informative blog and is very knowledgeable about the area you wish to fish.
I hope this will help you out. Tight Lines Alan.

[eoghanb]

Simple bass fly dat always works for me is white body and wing with a yellow wing tied in slightly longer than the white one finish with white head and small red sequin and a black dot for eye then finish with epoxy ,u can put s but of lure flash in if u want,anyways always a killer for me

[eoghanb]

Reference sea chart,try a sailing club might be one framed on the wall or a seaside pub u may get lucky and see the area ur after

[cathalger]

Eoghan,
Thanks for your info and advice, will hopefully be having a bash soon.

Cheers,

Cathal.