ANGLING NOTES:THE monthly newsletter produced by angling guide John Quinlan is much sought after by sea anglers. Up-to-date reports of catches and information in the quest to persuade the Government to retain existing bass legislation are always topical.
As chairpman of Irish Bass Group (IBG), Quinlan is to the forefront in bass angling and provides a guiding service from his home in Waterville, Co Kerry. Last month he played a leading role in the Setanta-Ireland production On The Flywith top chef Derry Clarke.
January is a quiet time for anglers, according to Quinlan. For the most part bass have left the east and south east coasts with the exception of some school bass. However, fishing continued at a pace in Kerry.
Even during the coldest weather after Christmas fish were caught from the Kerry coastline. Those beaches with deep water close by, proved the most productive, he says.
The north side of Dingle produced memorable days during the brief mild spells. When conditions were right, anglers caught good numbers to 2.7kg (6lb) and when coldest, fish tended to be smaller.
The south side of the Dingle peninsula and Rossbeigh beach were less predictable. Some days saw big numbers of medium-sized fish while other days they were hard to come by. “Inch beach often produces double-figures bass at this time of year,” Quinlan says.
The Waterville area was slow, although when the temperature was up and surf appeared, the fish were quick to turn up. Lugworm and razorfish are best at this time. “Although, we managed four to 2.3kg (5lb) on diving plugs,” he says. On the bass conservation campaign, he says a lot of work went into persuading government to leave the protection legislation alone and it is a credit to all concerned that our bass laws are still in place.
To highlight the need for better management of sea bass, IBG is running a campaign to encourage anglers to download copies of the newsletter and hand them to canvassing politicians.
Irish Bass Group will be represented at this weekend’s Angling Expo Show in Swords, Co Dublin, as part of the Dublin Angling Initiative stand (irishbass.org).
The Irish Specimen Fish Committee (IFSC) reports 12 specimen bass ratified during 2010, the largest caught by Tony Tait in Cork Harbour in July. The fish weighed 6.36kg (14.02lb) and fell to crab.
* The EuropeanFederation of Sea Anglers (EFSA)-Ireland held its 23rd winter shore festival recently on the beaches of Morriscastle, Clones and Ballinoulart in Wexford.
The three-day event attracted 50 top competitors from Britain and Ireland and although conditions were tough with easterly winds, the hardy anglers braved the elements to catch, record and return 1,500 fish.
Catches included codling, whiting, coalfish, flats and some bass. Longest round fish went to Ben Colliton with a cod of 42cm and longest flat to Sean Ivory for a flounder of 37cm. Both won prizes of €140 and reels sponsored by Viking Tackle.
Dave Roe from Dublin took top individual honours followed by Chris Clark (UK) and Joe Byrne (Wexford). Ireland also won the team event with Joe Byrne (Wexford), Martin Howlin (Wexford), Dave Roe (Dublin) and Richard Gormley (Kerry).
At the prizegiving in Sean Óg’s Hotel, Kilmuckridge, EFSA-Irl chairman George McCullough thanked all competitors for taking part and sponsors of the event. “I look forward to welcoming you all again at the EFSA championships in Wexford from April 27th-30th,” he said.