Bass Fishing Wexford & Ireland

Thursday, 3 January 2008

Saltwater lure fishing workshops

Qualified – Train the trainer, Advanced Trainer Leave No Trace Principles, Certified group facilitation and first aid.

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For those anglers starting lure fishing in saltwater there are often many skills to learn and numerous equipment requirements and choices to be made. This can prove daunting to the beginner or even the experienced fishermen. With more than 30 years of bass fishing experience and working at my eight year as a bass fishing guide my saltwater lure & fly fishing workshops are designed to help you fully understand the equipment, and also to help you learn about presentation, advanced lure fishing techniques, and why it is important to understand various species their habitats, influences and life cycles.

You will also learn how and where to purchase and use the best equipment. Having completed the courses you will have a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing and fast developing aspect of saltwater fishing, each customer is provided with over one hundred pages of notes and continued e-mail support - plus I bet too we can have some fun along the way as we spend as much time as possible with practical application on the water.

Summary details ONE-DAY Workshop Lure fishing

Session One at the SEAi Centre – 3hrs morning

Bass, mullet and seatrout a species overview
Seasons, breeding, timings, feeding patterns
History of, in Ireland
General behaviour in locations like estuaries, rocky shores, open sandy beaches
Discover how to read tides properly and the effects they have on our fishing.
Understanding the finer points of weather influences on the Wexford coast
Winds, Rain and its effects
Air temperature
Water temperature
Discovering and understanding location development and bass patterns

Lure fishing gear · Rod types and their different applications · Suitable reels · Braids, fluorocarbons, mono and clips · Line loading · Unique fluorocarbon and mono knots for braid · Lures fishing and rigging · Lure choice and type (recommendations) · Surface lure fishing · Sub surface lure fishing · Surface baits and jerk baits · Soft baits · Metal baits

Catch and Respect – an integral part of the fishing

Because of the range of subjects we will continue together on the water after lunch this allows us to integrate the workshop with your personal experiences at sea.

Break for Lunch at The Yard Restaurant

Session Two on the water – 3 hours afternoon and evening

Safety and a quick location audit for your safety and fish handling
How best to stay comfortable and safe when fishing
Learning 'Location development' over a tide
Watercraft and ‘running down the fish’ · Correct presentations
Lure choice and selection for any given time and location type
Catch and Return – it’s much more than returning fish (discussions)
An emphasis on returning fish even before and after the designated 'closed season' as conditions dictate
An emphasis on NOT killing mature fish but returning them
Fish handling regarding leaving the fish in the water when releasing
Playing and then landing the fish –
What to do over sand, rocks and other difficult areas
De-hooking, Handling, Photographing
Returning and recovery OR proper dispatching of fish and reviewing the legislation

Reviewing the different types of lure rods and their applicability to different types of lure fishing · The lure profile, colour, its action and its role in fishing when conditions are tough · Fishing and you—common errors to avoid and positive aspects to enhance · Advanced fishing tactics and strategies · Confidence when handling and returning fish and making super photographs Learning to apply your skills to a range of different saltwater fish.

Conclusion Photos and notes

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Costs of workshop with options – Under 17’s with parent no charge

Option One - bespoke to your requirements Tea/Coffee on arrival

Saltwater Lure Fishing Workshop

Including Lunch at The Yard Restaurant Total Fee €165.00 for one person - €215.00 for two people (total) - €265.00 for three people (total).

Option Two - bespoke to your requirements One night stay with B+B 100 metres from SEAi HERE Tea/Coffee and light refreshments during your day

Including Lunch at The Yard Restaurant Total Fee €215.00 for one person – €255.00 for two people – 2 people maximum.

Wednesday, 2 January 2008

Saltwater Fly Fishing Workshops

Qualified – Train the trainer, Advanced Trainer Leave No Trace Principles, Certified group facilitation and first aid.

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Would you like to experience and face a new angling challenge? A challenge that will see you develop your fishing instincts and skills further than you ever believed possible, a challenge that will reward you with consequences that may change your life forever. If so then bass and seatrout fishing on the fly in saltwater is for you!

For any person eager to begin fly fishing in saltwater there are often many skills and numerous equipment requirements and choices to be developed and made.

This can prove daunting to the beginner or even the experienced freshwater fly fishermen. It can be very challenging even to contemplate.

My saltwater fly fishing courses are designed to not only help you understand fully the equipment and the required applications, but you will also learn about casting, advanced saltwater fly fishing techniques and watercraft. Why it is important to understand various species their habitats, life cycles and all of the influences.

You will also learn how and where to purchase and use the best equipment. Having completed the courses you will have a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing and fast developing aspect of saltwater sport fishing and all its dynamics. I hope too we can have some fun along the way as we fish in some of the best bass fishing locations this country has to offer.

Please be aware these introductory courses are not for ‘Experts’. I do run Advanced courses on request but this series is designed to make the fly fishing angler feel safe, comfortable and relaxed and to help remove some of the barriers that may exist especially when saltwater fly-fishing.

We will spend a considerable amount of time on the water

There is a comprehensive set of notes supplied and continuous e-mail support after completion of each workshop.

All fly fishing gear is provided should you need it including rods, lines and flies. I can run a bespoke one or two course designed around your needs. The two day course incorporates a half days guiding in some of Wexford’s best locations.

Options exist for both one and two day courses

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Two Day Saltwater fly fishing course

Saltwater fly Fishing Workshop Summary DAY ONE

Part One – Day One

Introducing Saltwater Fly-fishing

An introduction to Bass and seatrout in the salt
Behavioural patterns of the fish and ‘water craft’ for you
Discover how to read tides and the effects they have on our fishing.
Fly Rod types and their applications
Suitable reels
The technology of a fly fishing line
Leaders, loops and lines o How best to stay comfortable and safe when fishing
A brief look at some flies for both species
Accessories like the ‘stripping basket’
Learn to apply your skills to a range of different saltwater fish.
Catch and respect -
Short questions and answers session.

Part Two – Day One

Safety when casting
The types of rods and their effects on casting
The fly line profile and its role in casting
The cast as it unfolds
Basic efficient casting style for saltwater
Casting and you—common errors to avoid and positive aspects to enhance
Making your first cast on grass and later on the water
Tangible evidence of rod line and leader working together
Confidence when casting
Brief intro to various types of cast
Roll, overhead and single haul.

Saltwater fly Fishing Workshop Summary DAY TWO

Part Three – Day two

Beyond the basics – at the coast

Various knots their uses and how to tie them
Places to find fish and how and when to fish them effectively
Correct decisions regarding fly selection
Effective retrieves and how to use them
Casting techniques when conditions are tough
Casting big flies for big fish with safety in mind

Part Four - Day two – including a guided fishing session

Getting to grips with it and doing it for yourself

How to improve your casting, fishing skills and knowledge.
Techniques for big flies and strong winds
The single and double haul
Conclusion and summary of previous discussions, the future, you and SWFF.

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Costs of workshop with options

Option One - bespoke to your requirements Tea/Coffee on arrival

Saltwater Fly Fishing Workshop

TWO DAY OPTION Including Lunch at The Yard Restaurant and one nights B+B

Total Fee €355.00 for one person - €215.00 for two people (each)

ONE DAY OPTION - bespoke to your requirements One night stay with B+B 100 metres from SEAi HERE Tea/Coffee and light refreshments during your day Saltwater Lure Fishing Workshop

Including Lunch at The Yard Restaurant Total Fee €205.00 per person – group rate available on request – 2 people maximum.

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Tuesday, 1 January 2008

Saltwater Lure Fishing P10 of 21 - Catch & Release

Catch and Respect for Bass

There is a skill in a proper release of fish.

Please limit your kill rather than killing your limit.

Catching a fish is a skilful process, releasing one successfully back to the sea alive and healthy also requires skill and good techniques.
Before you start fishing look closely at the area where you are angling and search for lies that you suspect a fish may run to for cover and use to his advantage for escape or possible hang up.
Plan regularly as you move and consider how you will play land and return your fish under the circumstances you are in. Check for your safety and a path to bring the fish through.

Some helpful tips for successful catch and release

Handle the fish as little as possible and try to keep the fish in the water when removing hooks.
Avoid lifting or touching the fish if you can.
If you do need to touch the fish make sure your hands are wet.
If you do need to lift the fish make sure he is supported evenly.
Avoid lifting the fish out of the water unsupported.
If you are using lures for the first time and are nervous of treble hooks consider using a boga grip for in the water releases.

NEVER lift or SUSPEND a fish from a boga grip.

It is not necessary to use a boga grip when fishing for bass, especially when using single or barbless hooks, cut down or eliminate its use entirely as you grow in confidence.

Have a plan for releasing a fish before landing it

Because time is crucial in keeping a released fish alive, work quickly and eliminate any over exposure to air.
Avoid using landing nets.
Do not drag fish over dry sand which clings to its slime.
Handling the fish with wet hands helps to avoid removing the beneficial fish slime.
Remove treble hooks carefully and quickly using pliers and try to avoid lip or flesh ripping, also avoid any contact to the red gill plate area.
When taking photographs make it very quick and always plan ahead.
Revive an exhausted fish in the water by pointing the fish into any available current until the fish recovers. Try not to recover the fish where water is muddy or sandy.

Points to Consider

Cut down on the number of hooks on your lures
De-barb your treble hooks
De-barb your single hooks
Try to land fish as quickly as possible to avoid over stressing them
Overplayed and overexposed fish die after release
A quickly landed bass will still have a lot of energy and is very inclined to shake his head from side to side – a dangerous time for both fish and angler for potential damage especially with multi hooked lures
Longer lures with multiple treble hooks cause greater damage to fish than shorter ones

If you intend to kill and keep a fish from time to time then carry the proper tool do the job. Don’t leave fish gasping and flapping on the shoreline but use a salmon priest to dispatch him quickly.
If keeping a fish consider keeping one that has spawned a number of times > 45 cms.
Try not to kill the fish that everyone wants to catch i.e. return bigger fish.

A code of angling Ethics from the FFF

The following nine behaviours comprise the Federation of Fly Fishers' Code of Angling Ethics:

Angling ethics begin with understanding and obeying laws and regulations associated with the fishery. Fly anglers understand that their conduct relative to laws and regulations reflects on all anglers. Angling ethics begin with and transcend laws and regulations governing angling and the resources that sustain the sport.
The opportunity to participate in the sport of fly fishing is a privilege and a responsibility. Fly anglers respect private property and always ask permission before entering or fishing private property. They seek to understand and follow the local customs and practices associated with the fishery. They share the waters equally with others whether they are fishing or engaging in other outdoor activities.
Fly fishers minimize their impact on the environment and fishery by adopting practices that do not degrade the quality of the banks, waters, and the overall watersheds upon which fisheries depend. These practices include avoiding the introduction of species not native to an ecosystem, and cleaning and drying fishing gear to prevent the inadvertent transport of invasive exotics that may threaten the integrity of an aquatic ecosystem. In simplest terms, fly anglers always leave the fishery better than when they found it.
Fly anglers endeavour to conserve fisheries by understanding the importance of limiting their catch. "Catch and release" is an important component of sustaining premium fisheries that are being over-harvested. Fly anglers release fish properly and with minimal harm. They promote the use of barbless hooks and angling practices that are more challenging but which help to sustain healthy fish populations.
Fly anglers do not judge the methods of fellow anglers. Fly fishers share their knowledge of skills and techniques. They help others to understand that fly-fishing contributes to sound fisheries conservation practices.
Fly anglers treat fellow anglers as they would expect to be treated. They do not impose themselves on or otherwise interfere with other anglers. They wait a polite time, and then, if necessary, request permission to fish through. They may invite other anglers to fish through their positions. Fly fishers when entering an occupied run or area always move in behind other anglers, not in front of them whether in a boat or wading.
Fly anglers when sharing the water allow fellow anglers ample room so as not to disturb anyone's fishing experience. They always fish in a manner that causes as little disturbance as practical to the water and fish. They take precautions to keep their shadow from falling across the water (walking a high bank).
When fishing from watercraft fly anglers do not crowd other anglers or craft. They do not block entrances to bays or otherwise impede others. Fly anglers do not unnecessarily disturb the water by improperly lowering anchors or slapping the water with paddles or oars.
Fly anglers always compliment other anglers and promote this Code of Angling Ethics to them whether they fish with a fly or not.

The following is a shortened version suitable to be carried by the angler:
Fly anglers understand and obey laws and regulations associated with the fishery.
Fly anglers believe fly fishing is a privilege and a responsibility.
Fly anglers conserve fisheries by limiting their catch.
Fly anglers do not judge fellow anglers and treat them as they would expect to be treated.
Fly anglers respect the waters occupied by other anglers so that fish are not disturbed
When fishing from a watercraft, fly anglers do not crowd other anglers or craft or unnecessarily disturb the water.
Fly anglers respect other angling methods and promote this Code of Angling Ethics to all anglers.