Swapping Salmon for Bass: Why More Irish Anglers Are Turning to the Sea

Let's face it, salmon fishing in Ireland isn't what it used to be. For many anglers, the days of confidently heading to the river expecting to meet a fresh salmon seem to be getting further and further away.

Cormorants, seals, trawlers, poachers, farmers, Inland Fisheries Ireland — we've all heard the arguments. Sit in any fishing club long enough and somebody will have a theory about who's responsible!

But while salmon anglers are left wondering where all the fish have gone, something interesting has been happening around our coastline.

Bass fishing has been attracting enormous interest, and for anglers willing to swap the riverbank for the beach, there's a completely different fishing experience waiting.

Could bass be the answer to a disappointing salmon season?

Salmon Fishing in Ireland: What's Gone Wrong?

It's no secret that wild Atlantic salmon are struggling.

And unfortunately, this isn't simply a case of one bad fishing season.

According to figures highlighted in a 2026 review of Ireland's salmon management, wild salmon returns have fallen from well over a million fish annually during the 1970s to fewer than 200,000 in recent years.

Those are worrying numbers for anyone who loves salmon fishing.

I've had plenty of conversations with anglers over the years about what's causing the decline, and almost everybody has a different explanation.

One particularly interesting conversation was with a marine biologist who raised the possibility that changing sea temperatures could be affecting the distribution and survival of Atlantic salmon.

It got me thinking. Are we looking at something much bigger than the usual arguments about what happens in our rivers?

Are Warmer Seas Affecting Salmon?

Atlantic salmon spend an important part of their lives at sea, and changes in ocean conditions can have serious consequences for their survival.

Warmer water, changing currents and shifts in the availability of food may all affect salmon during their marine migration.

However, there's an important distinction to make.

Irish salmon aren't simply packing their bags and moving to Norway.

Atlantic salmon have a remarkable ability to return to the rivers where they originated. Although some fish stray into other rivers, there isn't evidence of Irish salmon abandoning their native rivers in large numbers to establish themselves in Scandinavia.

And Norway has its own problems.

Wild salmon returns there have also been under serious pressure, with exceptionally poor returns recorded in 2024.

So the idea that our salmon have simply moved north to enjoy better conditions doesn't really stand up.

The reality is more concerning. Salmon face a combination of threats, including pressures in freshwater and at sea, and there isn't one simple explanation for their decline.

Whatever the causes, one thing is clear: we need healthy rivers, healthy oceans and effective conservation if future generations are to enjoy salmon fishing.

And while we wait for better news, perhaps it's time to explore some of the fantastic fishing available along our coast.

When One Door Closes, Another Opens: Enter the Bass!

Now, here's where things get interesting.

While salmon anglers have been struggling, bass fishing has become a huge attraction for many Irish sea anglers.

Bass are powerful, aggressive predators that can provide spectacular sport on relatively light tackle.

They're found around beaches, rocky shorelines, estuaries and other coastal areas, feeding on sandeels, small fish, crabs and a variety of other prey.

Although they're generally more active in warmer conditions, bass can still be caught in cooler water. Water temperature is only one part of the puzzle. Tides, food availability, wind and sea conditions are all important.

What makes bass particularly attractive is the variety of ways you can target them.

You can fish bait from a beach, work artificial lures along a rocky shoreline or even catch them on a fly rod.

And you certainly don't need to own a boat.

Bass Fishing Is Attracting More Anglers

From my experience running Slaney Fishing, I've seen just how much interest there has been in bass fishing.

During particularly poor salmon seasons, sales of salmon tackle have been disappointing, while demand for bass and other sea fishing equipment, including tope tackle, has increased considerably.

At times, it has felt as though the business has changed from freshwater to saltwater almost overnight!

It's not just tackle sales, either.

Through the various fishing groups I'm involved with, I've seen organised beach fishing evenings attract substantial numbers of anglers.

A gathering of 20 or 30 anglers spread along a beach isn't unusual in some of these groups.

There's a great social side to it, too. Anglers comparing rigs, sharing advice, discussing conditions and, hopefully, showing off a few decent fish.

For anyone who has spent years waiting for a salmon to take, it's a refreshing change of scenery.

Why Bass Are Such Exciting Fish to Catch

If you've never hooked a decent bass, you're in for a treat.

Bass don't tend to mess around!

They're strong fish, capable of powerful runs, sudden changes of direction and putting a serious bend in your rod.

I've seen bass take bait with such force that a poorly secured rod can be pulled straight from its rest.

Believe me, that's one way to get your attention!

And if you're fortunate enough to hook a good double-figure fish, you're likely to remember the experience for a very long time.

Of course, a big salmon is a magnificent sporting fish in its own right. I'm not suggesting you throw your salmon rods into the nearest ditch.

But for sheer excitement, bass fishing deserves a place on every angler's list.

Getting Started with Bass Fishing: Bait or Lures?

One of the attractions of bass fishing is that you don't need an enormous amount of specialised equipment to get started.

The first decision is whether you'd prefer to fish with bait or artificial lures.

Both methods are effective, but they offer quite different experiences.

Beach Fishing for Bass

If you enjoy a relaxed evening on the beach, bait fishing is an excellent way to start.

Bass can be caught on a variety of natural baits, including lugworm, ragworm, peeler crab and suitable fish baits.

The right rod and rig will depend on the beach, weather and conditions.

For many ordinary surf beaches, a 12–14-foot beachcaster paired with a suitable fixed-spool reel is a practical starting point.

You don't necessarily need the heaviest beach rod available. On calmer beaches, lighter rods can make fishing for bass considerably more enjoyable.

A suitable tripod or secure rod rest is important, too.

Trust me, after watching a bass try to take a rod swimming, you'll understand why!

EXPLORE BASS FISHING EQUIPMENT

Bass Lure Fishing: A Whole New Addiction

Now, this is where things can become seriously addictive.

If you enjoy active fishing, moving along the coastline and searching for fish, bass lure fishing is well worth trying.

Instead of sitting behind a bait rod, you're casting and retrieving artificial lures designed to imitate the fish and other prey bass naturally feed on.

There are several types worth knowing about:

• Soft plastic lures: Excellent for imitating sandeels and small baitfish, particularly around estuaries and coastal features.

• Hard plastic minnows: Very popular for covering shallow water, gullies and rocky ground.

• Surface lures: Possibly one of the most exciting ways to catch bass. Watching a fish smash a lure on the surface is something else!

• Metal lures: Useful when you need additional casting distance or want to imitate fleeing baitfish.

For someone starting out, a bass lure rod around 8–9 feet with a casting weight of approximately 10–35 g is a versatile choice.

A 3000 or 4000-size spinning reel with suitable braid and a fluorocarbon leader will cover plenty of typical Irish shore-lure situations.

If you're fishing rougher ground, using larger lures or need additional distance, a rod rated around 10–50 g may be more suitable.

You don't need dozens of lures, either. A few carefully chosen patterns that fish at different depths will give you a good starting selection.

EXPLORE BASS LURES

Can You Catch Bass on a Fly Rod?

Absolutely. And I believe this is one area of saltwater fishing that more Irish fly anglers should explore.

For anyone who has spent years salmon or trout fishing, catching bass on the fly offers a completely different challenge.

I've tried my hand at it over the years, sometimes with more enthusiasm than actual knowledge!

I eventually attended a saltwater fly fishing course, which taught me quite a bit about tackle selection, casting, presentation and approaching suitable water.

Did I catch a bass on the course?

No!

But that's fishing for you. Sometimes you come home with a fish, and sometimes you come home knowing a lot more than you did that morning.

The important thing is that many of the skills you've developed through freshwater fly fishing can be carried over to the coast.

You'll still be reading the water, looking for feeding fish and trying to present a fly naturally.

The difference is that you'll be dealing with tides, waves, saltwater and potentially some very energetic fish.

What Fly Fishing Equipment Do You Need for Bass?

A 9-foot #8 saltwater fly rod is a popular all-round choice for bass, particularly where wind and larger flies are involved.

You'll also want a suitable saltwater-resistant reel, a matching fly line and an appropriate leader.

Sandeel patterns, Clouser Minnows and other baitfish imitations are excellent places to start.

If you already own a suitable heavier fly rod, you may be able to use some of your existing equipment, although everything needs to be appropriate for saltwater use and cleaned carefully afterwards.

For salmon anglers who enjoy the challenge of fly casting, bass on the fly could open up a whole new world of fishing.

EXPLORE BASS FLIES

Where Should You Look for Bass in Ireland?

You don't need to travel halfway around the country to find worthwhile bass fishing.

Ireland has a wide variety of suitable coastal habitats, particularly along the south and east coasts.

Here in the southeast, anglers have access to sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, estuaries and mixed ground, all of which can provide opportunities depending on conditions.

Some of the features I'd encourage beginners to investigate include:

• Gullies and channels running through shallow ground.

• Rocky areas where baitfish can find shelter.

• Estuary mouths, particularly where tidal currents concentrate food.

• Beaches with visible changes in depth or structure.

• Areas where sandeels and other baitfish are active.

Tides make a tremendous difference, and a mark that looks almost lifeless at one stage of the tide can become productive a few hours later.

Keep an eye on local conditions, speak to experienced anglers and always put safety first, particularly around exposed rocks and rising tides.

And remember, bass are a protected species in Ireland. Make sure you're familiar with current regulations, including any closed periods, minimum sizes and catch limits, before heading out.

Is Bass Fishing the Future for Irish Anglers?

I'm certainly not suggesting we give up on salmon.

Far from it.

Salmon fishing is part of our angling heritage, and I sincerely hope we'll see a meaningful recovery in wild stocks.

But there's no reason anglers should limit themselves to one species.

If your local salmon river isn't producing, why not head to the coast and try something different?

You might discover that you enjoy bass fishing just as much.

Perhaps even more. Although I wouldn't say that too loudly at the next salmon club meeting!

For me, watching anglers discover new methods, new equipment and new places to fish is one of the enjoyable parts of running a tackle shop.

And whether it's a salmon taking a fly on the river or a bass smashing a lure in the surf, that feeling when the rod suddenly bends is what keeps us coming back.

Final Thoughts: Don't Hang Up the Rod Just Yet

Salmon fishing may be facing a difficult future, but that doesn't mean Irish anglers have to spend the season staring at an empty river.

We have some tremendous fishing opportunities around our coastline, and bass offer one of the most exciting alternatives.

Whether you prefer bait fishing, lure fishing or fly fishing, there's a way to enjoy them.

And who knows? You might end up with a whole new fishing obsession.

At Slaney Fishing, we're happy to help you put together a suitable bass setup, whether you're completely new to sea fishing or a lifelong salmon angler looking for something different.

I'd also love to hear what other anglers think.

Have you noticed a decline in your local salmon fishing? Have you started targeting bass instead? Or do you think salmon fishing will recover?

Leave a comment below. I'm particularly interested to hear from anglers who've been fishing the same rivers for decades.

Tight lines — whether it's fresh or salt!