Bass Fishing in Ireland

Saltwater fly-fishing in Ireland presents its own unique challenges and opportunities. The little island perched precariously on the eastern side of the Atlantic is subject to many influences and none more so than that of the weather. The Atlantic Ocean plays the dominant part in our weather, insulating us from the temperature extremes that can be experienced in other European countries. Our position on the Northwest of Europe places us in the path of Atlantic low-pressure systems hence we are subject to a lot of cloudy overcast, humid and often very wet days. But don’t despair, its not all doom and gloom! The sunniest months of the year occur during late spring and early summer and the southeast of the country gets the most sunshine, often up to 6 or seven hours a day during early summer. Air temperatures reach between 18 and 20 degrees C during the summer and average around 8 degrees C during winter. We live in a temperate climate that is heavily influenced by the North Atlantic drift; in fact our seas are considerably warmer than average global temperatures at similar positions. Winter water temperatures along the coast fall to as low as 8 degrees but by August and September they are at their warmest and are as high as 15 degrees C. In fact during winter our seas are warmer than the air temperature while during summer the air temperature is warmer than the surrounding sea.

So as one can imagine with all of these influences the fishing opportunities that exist are many and varied. As the season’s roll on summer species like smoothound and tope move offshore and are replaced with typical autumnal and winter species like coalfish and codling. Springtime is often a transitional and difficult fishing period but with the days getting longer and seas getting warmer during March and April, fishing slowly begins to improve through into early summer and the cycle starts again. There are several interesting species that we could target on the fly in Ireland, wrasse, pollack, coalfish, and even garfish, but two species spring to mind as the most immediate, interesting and challenging. These are, early summer mullet and autumn bass.

Catching mullet on the fly is quite an angling challenge, not an impossible one, but one that takes a little patience and time. From as early as late March or the first few weeks of April these fish can be seen mooching, swirling and splashing about in our estuaries. As water temperatures rise and the days grow longer into late April so their numbers increase, where they spend their winter months maybe something of a mystery, but I greet them as the first sign of hope after a bleak January and February.

This species is late maturing often as late as nine or ten years, and not only are they late developers but they also seem to possess an ability to spawn in which ever year they choose. Subject to the usual influences like water temperature and availability of food, it is suggested that they do not spawn until at least late April and spawning may continue into late summer. Fish tend to remain in one local over time especially if there is a local 'food supply'. Often to be taken advantage of by the fly angler.

So what are we to do? How do we set about catching them? Like many of our approaches to saltwater fly fishing in Ireland it helps to find a congregation of fish or rather where at specific times do fish tend to congregate in good numbers. Estuaries, harbours, tidal drainage systems and even the open sea, quite often close to shore hold large numbers of fish. Through simple observation we can judge when might be the best time to tackle our elusive quarry. During the early stages of a rising tide large shoals of mullet will sweep into the estuary moving further inshore with the flow of water. There is an interesting behaviour that you can observe during this time especially where there is a lot of bladder wrack. Fish will often swim in less than six inches of water and you can often see their dorsal and tailfins. Its important that you stay out of sight to avoid spooking them, if you do don’t worry too much as they will return. With the rising tide fish will often swim under sections of the seaweed with a very much-exaggerated sinuous motion, almost snakelike. I often wonder are they dislodging food particles from the seaweed tentacles? Watch them move from bunch of weed to bunch of weed!

Ok so we have found a few fish I here you say but what are they eating? If there is a local supply of food like an outflow pipe or effluent from a commercial fishery or otherwise, mullet will tend to gather at these locals - imitative flies of the food source can catch you some fish no doubt. Bread flies, worm flies, seaweed flies even grayling flies have been cast at this wonderful fish. The latest story I have heard is that in one locality during summer they develop a weakness for ice cream cone! Now there’s a tying challenge.

It’s probably best to fish and cast at them as effectively as possible with a generic 'white fly' or bread type imitation at first, then try fishing with more specific patterns if this doesn’t work. They ‘scooch’ about, hoovering the surface and seabed looking for microscopic material. They digest this material rather slowly through their long guts. But they must also from time to time eat other things. Some of the types of flies that I have caught fish on can be seen here - and its worth remembering that streamer patterns, seatrout patterns and even small bass patterns have also caught me fish.

Fish will often be quite close to you less then 10 metres or so and you can stalk them
by staying low and sneaking up on them. I fish with a #7 rod and a line with a short head, which allows a quick effective turnover at short range. Tapered leaders are a must for that extra little and better presentation – whilst they are spooky, they tend to return rather quickly but often become wary and will move off with constant splashdowns. Upon hooking a fish hold on for a surprise they fight like demons.

The late summer and autumn present one of the greatest opportunities for the saltwater fly fisher with many species in perfect condition after a long period of bountiful feeding. The seas at this time are often full of sandeel, fry and sprat, huge mackerel shoals herd the baitfish onto the beaches and inevitably bass are never far away. Warm water and shortening days condense these ideal fishing conditions and often provide classic saltwater fly-fishing sport. It’s during September and October that tidal flows and ebbs are often at their strongest of the year. Sea water temperatures are at their highest and the sea is often alive with baitfish. If you want to catch a bass on the fly then this is the time to do it.

…The pale pink, cream and lavender skies of late September and early October signify a special time in fishing for me. As water temperatures drop slowly and the days get shorter the quality of bass fishing improves greatly. There’s an atmosphere of calm, which pervades your fishing after a summer of hectic visitors and holidaymakers. Traffic is lighter on the roads and people stop and talk, and in the lateness of a warm September evening you can get lost in chat with strangers about nothing and everything and the state of the world and the people in it. There is a feeling of winding down, of giant wheels slowly coming to rest with a deep sigh. A ceasing of a distant noise somewhere that you can’t quite identify. The stark whiteness of the last of summer’s terns against a gunmetal sky forces you to stop fishing again for the umpteenth time – you here the splash you see the flutter and shake of the feathers and watch the droplets fall back into the calm sea as the bird continues down the beach in its never ending quest for food. You wave your rod to straighten the line, pick it up, make a false cast, and shoot a little and then cast and retrieve slowly again. The big deceiver pattern lands perfectly on the next cast, you throw a little offshore mend, tighten slowly into the line and suddenly you see a dark and silvery shape and the line tautens...this is what is all about.

Generally a #9 rod and line is sufficient for bass fishing in Ireland – this allows us to cats some quite big flies long distances. It’s not always about distance though as bass are to often to be found at our feet. It is possible to locate what I call a two shot fish, which may reside in a location that can be only five or six metres distance. One cast to grab his attention another to hook him. One more cast its often the case the fish will swim away.

These are just two of our challenging species that can both be tackled in Irish waters on similar tackle in similar locations. Both present their different angling challenges and both are worthy species to fly fish for.

Salt Water Lure Fishing - P3 of 21 - Fishing Ultralight Lures

Fishing ultra light lure gear doesnt mean ultra weak - dispense with that other theory too - big fish big lure - yes its true on occasions but big fish also eat little fish if given the opportunity. Heres another one - light/small lures restrict my fishing - take that one with a big pinch of salt too! The biggest opportunity for the saltwater lure fisherman who chooses to fish ultralight is that it creates access to many more species. Seatrout, wrasse, bass, mackerel, pollack, garfish, even mullet can all be taken on ultralight tackle - by confining your fishing to larger heavier lures and gear you may be limiting your experiences and opportunities for enjoying these other species.

Ultralight lures also transfer to fresh water for perch, pike, brown trout and salmon

How many quality seatrout have you caught on saltwater lures intended for bass - some perhaps, but by scaling down and adjusting your lures and lure tackle not only can you continue to target bass but you can also put seatrout positively in the frame! And so many other species too. By opening the box of micro lures your fishing becomes instantly more creative more active and more involved.

So what is ultralight? To me ultralight fishing is done with lures less than 10 grammes in weight - rods are often shorter than eight feet - reels are small in the 2500 or less style of things and braids are kept light too , less than 5kgs.

My current ultralight set up is of the following

Rod -Smith Bayliner boron - casting 2 - 10 grammes - length 6'-6"
Reel - Shimano stradic 2500
Line - Powerpro
Tippet - Varivas fluorocarbon

No swivel or clips are used.

With this setup its possible to cast a 6 gramme lure 50 metres and more. Light lure fishing does not restrict your fishing, with the correct setup it enhances it. Nor does a balanced and light setup mean excessive 'playing' of fish. The technology invloved in modern ultralight lure rods allow you to/or

1. cast sufficient distances with micro lures
2. work the lure properly
3. work across a range of different lure types
4. land fish quickly and efficiently
5. fish comfortably for long periods
6. provides access to many different species

Next Month (June) - Choosing ultra light lures for differnt species

Bass fly fishing Ireland - P4 - Choosing a fly

Although I have been saltwater fly fishing for a good few years now I guess I’m still in my infancy when compared to many other people. I have also realised my personal fishing tends to be very much limited to the beginning and end of the seasons. In between times I’m guiding for customers and I generally don’t like to fish when guiding unless asked. Because of my limited time, which must be similar to many other peoples, I like to make the most of any opportunities that I may have. It still surprises me to get a fish on the fly and I always try to go fishing as best prepared as I possibly can. This to some extent eliminates the factor of luck, but I believe you make your own luck in many things and fly fishing is no different.

During preparation I inevitably need to make choices regarding equipment etc. One of the things I have started doing lately is travelling only with my jacket, waders, line tray, rod and reel, two spare spools plus some tippet material. And that’s it! My jacket holds two fly boxes, the tippet material and the spare spools. Of course I’m tempted to bring another fly box but where do I put it – in a bag? Then I’ll put more stuff in the bag that I don’t need. But what flies do I put in my fly box? How do I make my decisions?

Size Does Matter.
Size is a very important factor when choosing from your selection. Early spring time and summer I tend to choose smaller, skinnier flies whilst later in the year and towards autumn my choice is towards bigger fatter flies. Be sure that what you see out of the water in a fly is replicated when the fly is in the water. Many materials have different qualities whilst under water!

Shape and silhouette.
If you are seeing sandeels in the water then i would suggest that you fish with a sandeel type pattern - long and skinny. If you see baitfish then choose a broader denser pattern. Often a change within a pattern type ie changing a deciever for a different deceiver from a different tier or material may result in more takes. This seems to be related to the material type of the fly and its better representation of the bait present in the water. How is the natural behaving?













Imitating natural motion.
If you are witnessing lots of surface smash takes from bass then it might pay to fish on the surface with a popper or gurgler. If baitfish are visible and moving slowly in tight shoals then fish slowly with a deceiver pattern on a dead drift. Again softer materials fished slowly are often all that is needed. If fish are beyond visible range a clouser pattern might be succesful in reaching those that are closer to the bottom.
What colour is the sun?
Whilst color may not be considered by many to be a huge factor in fly choice there are some hard and fast rules - colours closer to the surface are more important than colours in deeper water due to light absoprtion and reflection. Choose a colour that is closest to the natural baitfish present if possible - grey/white - brown/tan/olive - pink - black/grey/white and the best general colour for bass is chartreuse and white or just plain white. White is beyond doubt a favourite.

My two boxes are divided into quarters - reading the quarters from top to bottom and left to right the following applies

Bass Box 1
Quarter one - small clousers of the colours above and some with larger dumbells - size 4- 1
Quarter two - larger clousers of the colours above - size 1 - 3/0
Quarter three - half and half patterns of the colours above size 1- 2/0
Quarter four - various clousers of different sizes and material

Bass Box 2
Quarter one - small deceivers of the colours above size 4 - 1
Quarter two - larger deceivers of the colours above size 1- 4/0
Quarter three - eel and crab patterns of various sizes and colours
Quarter four - surface patterns - poppers and gurglers size 1 - 4/0
Next month (June) - how far should I cast?

what we saw today the dog and I - May 28th

there are other places too

Boat Angling Ireland

Just a short note to the guys from BAI to say thank you for your patience and interest at Saturday evenings 'workshop'.

Its not often I get the opportunity to speak in front of such a large number of people about the many aspects of Bass fishing.

I was glad to be able to help and encourage many of you into what surely is some of the best and most exciting fishing Ireland has to offer at the moment.

Your positive questions and answers allowed us to develop a very worthwhile evening, and for me personally it created and confirmed another opportunity to help continue the development of SEAi.

keep casting - Jim

larry makes loops at the river