Strict conservation measures are already in place for bass in an effort to stop the steep decline in this species. Grapevine information suggests that bass may be making a comeback in some parts of Ireland but many of the fish are small. This brings back memories of great bass fishing on the Boyne in 1964 when I caught 125 large bass in the month of August at the third island (‘bass island’) on the Rathmullen stretch. Not a single one was retained as I (and for that matter most other people) did not realise that they were excellent to eat.

Source – Thomas Ronan Gormley – Angling in Ireland: an enduring passion of more than 60 years