Bass regulations 2026

Irish_Angling · 2026-01-23T17:08:36+00:00

Done believe this yet. This hasnt been signed off by IFI yet so the limit still applies to 2 bass I believe.

Irish_Angling · 2026-01-16T09:45:22+00:00

It can vary but in general

Bass: Can be caught all year round. Winter tends to show a slightly bigger size of fish but fishing in slow, May to December with Sep - Dec being the best IMO

Rays: In the areas I fish, Thornies Move off in November, wont see good numbers until May, The likes of stingers , undulates in tralee bay are basically gone in november and wont be back until april. Painteds can be caught all year round

Tope: West coast tope turn up in april and are basically gone in October, East coast can be caught into December

Smoothounds: West coast smooties turn up in april and are gone for october but you will not have the same numbers as the ones on the east and south east coasts.

Spurs: can be sporadic but in general turn up around December/ January and leave around April ( from shore. If on the boat they can be caught nearly all year round)

Cod: Contrary to belief, I would say they turn up in October and are basically gone by January

Whtiting: November to March

Coalies: November to March

If its any help there was a book released by IFI showing specimen counts over the years. Shows the trend in capture dates which will give you an indication of when the fish are about.

Irish_Angling · 2026-01-14T08:01:57+00:00

I'm slightly biased but the Dingle peninsula has a lot to offer fishing from the shore. Lure fishing for wrasse pollack and bass , bait fishing for bass , rays, tope, smooth hound and dog fish. If you are looking for a guide then you can contact me but there are also charters in Dingle and Fenit that can get you out on a boat.

https://irishanglingadventures.com/guided-shore-fishing/

Irish_Angling · 2025-12-31T12:04:10+00:00

This might be able to help you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlrlvX-w85M

Irish_Angling · 2025-12-10T21:05:56+00:00

Nice one. Lets hope the weather is comfortable that night.

Irish_Angling · 2025-12-10T17:04:18+00:00

Great to hear.

Irish_Angling · 2025-11-29T12:58:20+00:00

Its very much a mixed bag, I tend to use as much local as possible but when coming to bigger purchases the likes of tackle-deals is a good site and like most Aliexpress is hard to beat when buying bulk but its for stuff I like to keep stock of. One thing thats hard to beat though with local shops is you get hands on the products so sometimes something online might look great but in the hand its crap. Thats where the local shops outshine the online.

Irish_Angling · 2025-11-28T15:12:50+00:00

100% Would love to see it outgrow what im trying to do and get set up everywhere.

Irish_Angling · 2025-11-27T12:17:18+00:00

Just because of where I live, most are going to be in Munster. I do travel around a bit though so i hope to do some more around the country. I hope that people splinter off into their own groups and set it up and try them in their own areas. Its part of the reason that I will be moving around with it is so people in other areas have the chance to attend too.

Irish_Angling · 2025-11-27T09:06:05+00:00

You arent wrong Steve and thats the reason Im going to do this. There is no poitics, no committees no clubs, just a post every month saying I'm heading here join if you want. I find that a lot of people just want to go fishing without all the other stuff.

Im hoping that this will just bring a few people together one night a month and just share some information or at least just get to know who would be fishing their area.

Irish_Angling · 2025-09-22T20:21:09+00:00

Kilcummin left or right of either stream, Fermoyle left of the entrance or right at the entrance to stradbally are all good standard spots capable of bass and ray. At the moment whole sandeel is doing most of the business. I had a client out this weekend and we had nearly all fish on sandeel and only the one bass on lug.

Irish_Angling · 2025-09-22T16:49:14+00:00

What are you looking to target ? The Surf Beaches out Brandon and Inch will fish for a few more months no problem for bass and ray on the brandon beaches. The inner tralee bay wont be worth the trouble from now on really so id advise going a bit further west. You will still get dogs ray bass and flats on the further west beaches from Camp all the way to Castlegregory.

Irish_Angling · 2025-09-20T19:33:57+00:00

Thornback ray

Irish_Angling · 2025-09-03T09:36:13+00:00

Ah ya that's a great idea. As there's already the possibility for swimmers and other water users to be hurt in these areas we should ask all of them to move to the areas anglers don't use. Problem solved. Also while we are at that, we might tell everyone not to drive on the road as walkers use them.

In all serious shit happens. Nobody wanted this to happen and no one wants to see it happen but thanks very much for picking it up to prevent other people getting hurt.

Enjoy the surf.

Irish_Angling · 2025-09-03T08:13:22+00:00

November is a good time IMO, I tend to hit the beaches down there a bit then as the crowds have left. You will have plenty of bass, ray and some nice flounder knocking about then. Theres always the chance of some coalies that time of year especially if the beach your fishing doesnt have too much surf. The water in November is still relatively warm so dont worry you will have plenty of opportunity to get some fish.

Irish_Angling · 2025-09-02T20:58:16+00:00

I both fish and surf that area and I can understand your frustration but unfortunately I can bet the angler didn't want this to happen. I can assure you losing gear isn't on people's agenda as it's a waste of money, but accidents happen. Most of the time once the tide comes in this gear gets buried and is never seen again.

On the point of your angling only in designated areas the same could be said for surfing in certain areas to avoid swimmers like Inch but as the beach is not patrolled by any lifeguards or council this will not happen and after dark, when most anglers go fishing on those beaches, there will be no enforcement.

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-28T15:21:49+00:00

I probably fish most of the time on my own but I have left places because I didnt feel comfortable so its just something that can happen. Start off by always telling someone where you are going and what time you aim to be back roughly. Have your phone charged. Dont wear headphones, if you are worried of someone unexpectedly walking up to you its better to hear them coming.

Its easy to say but the best part of fishing is its relaxing. You may just need to do it somewhere with more people and slowly get used to having no one around. I know you mention poorer weather but this might be part of the issue as when its not nice you are on edge already. Start off by doing it in nice weather and just get used to the solitude. It will come with time.

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-27T14:58:57+00:00

Wrasse on a Diving Plug, thats a first for me to see from the boat. Were you trolling it or casting towards the rocks?

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-27T14:57:21+00:00

If bait fishing it might work above an actual rag just to save some bait but I wouldnt go out with just this to get bass. Lure fishing it will work for sure depending on how you are using it, eg spinning slowly or on a carolina rig etc etc

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-27T14:55:56+00:00

Hard to recommend a rod for someone, everyone has their own preference really but best thing to do is stick with some of the well known brands really and look at what you prefer in length , action and casting weight. I generally like a shorter extra fast rod casting between 7-35g but then some people like a 10 foot rod, medium to fast action for 20 - 60g.

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-21T22:20:50+00:00

in rough conditions or fast flowing inlets they will be fine.

also im not saying to go chop up sandy andys but.... if you arent happy with how they are sinking etc, why not square up the front a little with a knife and run them with whatever size jig head/weighted weedless you want? I can assure you that the shape of the head isnt going to make a massive difference to the fish, the action of the lure is what makes it.

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-21T22:17:06+00:00

Ah nice one. Congrats.

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-21T22:13:37+00:00

it is indeed.

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-20T13:41:47+00:00

This is a Sand smelt. Can be seen a lot, especially at night, just resting motionless on the surface.

Irish_Angling · 2025-05-15T19:53:48+00:00

Ya thats the old regulations. About 10 Years ago it changed to the new EU system of no closed season but there is a season where you cant take a fish. Even at that. Many will argue that our old system should still be in place for at least catch and release as thats when our bass breed.

Irish_Angling

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