Mackenzie Pro Guide Jason O’Riordan looks ahead to the Irish Fly Fair in Galway where himself and Ken Whelan will be sharing their experience with the crowd. More details below. Recently Jason tells us he recently spent a few days guiding Ken, Brendan and Lee for sea bass along the Copper Coast and around Dungarvan. He reports:
We had some of the best bass fishing in a long time. It wasn’t just about the numbers of fish but the average size too. We had some seriously well conditioned bass.
One of our best hard lures was the ever reliable IMA Komomo (sf125, slim 130 and Komomo II). It really does do the business over shallow rough ground. It casts well and works great on a slow retrieve. The IMA Sasuke 120 is another similar and reliable lure.
I can’t explain the delight when Brendan caught his first bass in over 40 years!! He seems to be a natural when fishing weighted soft plastics like the Fiiish Black Minnow and HTO Artic Eel.
Ken was keeping up with brother and nailed some really good fish.
When everyone had caught the boys were very generous and said I could fly fish for a while. I didn’t need to be asked twice because normally I never get to have a cast when guiding and if there’s one thing I love to do it’s catching bass on fly. I tie my own bass flies but also use some tied by friends of mine who are commercial tyers of predator flies. Andy and Paula of Chasing Silver Flies tie some awesome proven bass patterns. My pal Dougie from Scotland also ties stunning predator flies.
We caught bass just about everywhere we fished, shallow rough ground – deep channels – clean sand bars and beaches. Tactics were altered to suit the conditions – jigging soft plastics, weightless/weedless stick worms, shallow diving and surface lures. Changing colours for different light conditions. There is a lot to learn but what a way to do it!
The Copper Coast was just on fire and it one of the nicest places to pursue this hard fighting wild fish.
Of course when you are catching good numbers large fish it is important to practice catch and release. Bass are a very slow growing species.
There are still good opportunities to fish for bass right through October and into November. I’m looking forward to some more good sessions and I know the boys are itching to get back out there.
Irish Fly Fair
Jason O’Riordan and Ken Whelan will be giving talks on fly fishing for bass and other species at the Irish Fly Fair at the Galway Bay Hotel on 12th and 13th of November. Link here: http://www.irishflyfair.com/talks.html
Jason O’Riordan
Mackenzie Pro Guide and an IFFF Qualified Fly Casting Instructor
Notes: Jason has a lifetime of experience in fishing and guiding on the rivers, lakes and coastline in the area. Jason has given talks on fishing techniques at the leading angling shows in Ireland. Game Fishing Ireland offers guided packages for salmon, river trout, lake trout and saltwater game species. Fishing packages can vary in price depending on the target species and time of year. A typical package can include permits, travel, guiding, and packed lunch. Tackle hire is also available.
Address: Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.
Telephone: +353 (0) 87 296 5712
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gamefishingireland.ie
To make a booking with Ken contact..
Ken Whelan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353 (0)86 7835900
Web: http://www.kenwhelan.info
Ken runs his own fisheries consultancy. He has been a keen angler since a very young age and has written extensively on angling topics. He has fished in many remote locations throughout the world and he is a qualified angling instructor (AAPGAI and STANIC) and angling guide. Ken has also produced, scripted and presented many films and videos on various aspects of Irish fisheries and angling. He is a regular radio contributor to Mooney Goes Wild on RTE. Lucky to have weaved his hobby into his job, he is never quite sure whether he is working or enjoying himself!
DISCLAIMER NOTE: Inland Fisheries Ireland do not support any brand over another.
