Sea Bass Distribution in UK

[andah]

I'm up in the far north of Scotland and often look at this forum with great envy when members talk about the bass in the southern waters - so much so I was planning a trip down towards the end of the season.

Local Highland fisherman have mentioned catching 'the odd bass' locally but I took this with a pinch of salt. However I was amazed to have a conversation yesterday with a surfer/spearo that said the north coast was heaving with big sea bass just now.

When I say north coast I'm talking far north coast - namely the area around Thurso bay but was told any rocky/sandy area up there holds fish.

Having searched this forum many members suggest that bass don't come anywhere near this far north.

Is there a definitive distribution map?

I'm going for a look myself tomorrow - just hope the vis is ok (forecast not good)

 

[sunfish]

Good luck with it mate and let us know how you get on. Bass definately go further North these days and are regularly caught near my hometown (Blyth in Northumberland).

 

[JRH]

I have speared for years around Aberdeen and the Moray Firth but have never seen a bass in Scotland. I have also heard these stories of bass on the North coast, inparticular the bay where the river Naver enters the sea. Like you I have always been dobtful. I have a friend who fishes Luce Bay in Galloway (rod and line), he takes a few bass most years but I have never speared there and anyway Galoway is virtually in England. Peterhead angling club bass record was caught of the North pier in Peterhead so there are a few fish about.

I'm desperate to find a good bass area as I have only ever shot one and that was years ago near Brixham harbour. I now spend about half of my time in Galway - Southern Ireland and I am still searching for a bass spot.

If you find a good mark up North let me know or better still give me a shout and I see if I can come up, maybe a joint effort might locate a few fish.