On Friday 28 th June 2013 Nigel Horsman , Andy Ford from SKY TV’s tightlines and I all fished together on Zen2 . The plan was to produce a nice little fishing film with an emphasis on highlighting the worrying issues concerning the current management of the species . I really hope the film helps get the message across to as many anglers as possible that our beloved bass face very worrying times . As a fishing guide it’s hard not to feel the pressure when you have one day to nail the film. The good news is we landed a fair few decent sized Bass, the feeling of relief when Nigel landed the first Bass of the day was massive! Nigel was on fire and landed nearly all the fish while Andy and I just had to stand aside – every dog has its day Nigel!
The Bass MLS piece will go live Friday 23 rd August at 10 PM. It will also be available on Sky player ( I watch this on my I Tunes on my PC) http://www1.skysports.com/watch/tv-shows/tight-lines
Seriously
Our stock has huge holes in the year classes thanks to a series of bitter winters killing the juvenile fish. Commercial harvesting has increased despite the environmental changes. I am now witnessing this change in the stock dynamic on a daily basis.. We all want to catch big bass, but we also want to catch bass in 5 years time and with so few small fish coming up through the ranks we could face a very grim future. Charter skippers and tackle shop owners should be banging on the doors of their local MP, chaining themselves to the railings of their local IFCA . No fish equals no future. We have growing Bass lure industry and a diminishing stock of fish to chuck our lures at. It’s a big worry !
Its not without hope
The recent ICES report has highlighted the issues facing bass and urgent meetings have taken place with the European Commission to try and avoid a stock collapse. The issue is on the table right now, we all need to pile the pressure on and get this magnificent species managed effectively. I can be just as lackadaisical as anyone else but I do realise that we can all make a difference. Only this week a letter arrived through my letterbox from Andrew George my local MP, we will hopefully meet to discuss the issues. I harass my local IFCA regarding Bass issues on a regular basis. Lets just keep the pressure on. It works !!
Let that MP in Dorset or Cornwall or Kent know that you are travelling to his area and spending hard cash in local shops . Ask him to explain why it is acceptable to harvest a fish that has not had the chance to spawn. Trust me that’s the killer punch , even a politician will struggle to sidestep that one if you hit them with it !!
To identify the MPs to write to see here: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/
Strike while the Iron’s hot!
If you look at the national IFCA website http://www.association-ifca.org.uk/ you will see BASS MANAGEMENT highlighted on the home page, that’s awesome! Not Cod management , not Pouting , not Plaice. What that means is that the powers that be are so aware of the issues and the value of our bass and the pressure to get management systems in place that its there slap bang on the homepage.
Being passionate about Bass and Bass fishing is great but right now that’s not enough, we all need to divert some of that drive and passion towards saving this magnificent fish .
Thanks for reading
Blogger: Austen Goldsmith