Bass in Strangford

**Skulmartin** · 14-09-2005, 16:16

Has anyone any experience of Bass fishing in Strangford Lough. If there are bass at Greenore and Bass along the Antrim Coast surely there must be basss around Strangford. It seems to be ideal ground? Any thoughts

**Mick the Fish** · 14-09-2005, 17:44

Hello there,

As far as I'm aware there is a fairly good stock of bass in Strangford. If you read Irish Angler, there was an article about a guy who guides on Strangford some months back. I'll look it up for you and send you his number. If he's like any of the guides I know, he'll be only too glad to have a chat with you.

All the best,

Mick

**raymondo** · 14-09-2005, 18:45

i have a boat on strangford and i've never heard of bass being caught there only pollack, small cod, whiting, wrasse, sea trout and dogs and non of these are what you might call abundant!

**MarieK** · 15-09-2005, 15:00

I fish the mouth of Stangford lough regularly and although I dont target them I havent heard of Bass being taken, reading Micks article though I wish there was some! Going to take a trip down to Carlingford Lough one of these stays to try a bit of spluttering myself.

mariek

**Mick the Fish** · 15-09-2005, 17:28

I would bet my best box of flies that there are bass in Strangford!! I will look up that guide that was interviewed in Irish angler some months back and give you his number. I bet he confirms that I'm right!

Mick

**MarieK** · 15-09-2005, 23:01

You could teach us all the art as our WSF Ireland outing!!

**Headlander** · 16-09-2005, 11:58

I visited Northern Ireland between the 5th and 12th September 2005 (staying at Killyleagh) and the Lough seemed to be full of very small 3 to 4 inch codling. I fished from the quay there and consistently caught mackerel to spinners and float-fished mackerel strip, but never saw any other species other than those mentioned even when bottom-fishing with fish and worm baits.

Certainly no Bass, but the ground around the weed-covered rocks did look ideal for it.

Hope to return one day, but I'll pick a time when there are no riots and you don't beat us at football!

**Skulmartin** · 16-09-2005, 13:34

Dear Headlander
Please dont dispair. In recent years you can be assured that both riots and beating anyone at football is a rare occurrance. Mind you you really did choose the right location as the goalscorer David Healy is from Killyleagh.

However I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. Hope you got to sample the delights of the fishing in this little place. The makeral fishing has been good this year but the sea trout fishing is poor. I wonder what others think. I have heard that there is too much illegal netting.

Any comments. By the way Wales have to play Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in October. Cant wait.

**fergal** · 16-09-2005, 13:58

read the article in irish angler too and theres defo bass in strangford. the guide caught bass, sea trout and pollock all on the fly from a lake style boat. seems it would take you to know your way about as it seems it can get shallow and rocky in places. just checked through all my magazines and cant find the one with the article about strangford.

**raymondo** · 16-09-2005, 17:59

headlander is right about the baby cod, out on some of the reefs they are in plague proportions but i've never had one above about 12-15inches. in fact the lough is usually choc-a-block with what i refer to as finger fish that is fish about 3-4 inches long, but as yet i've never found where their mommies and daddies hang out!