Wreckfish/Stone Bass

[partylikeits1969]

I just realised that the Irish record for wreckfish was caught here in Kinsale, albeit 21 years ago.

Just wondering if anyone has caught one?
I've never seen one, are they a viable target in the Summer?

Any tips or info greatly appreciated

[yappo]

One of our lads caught one on Brian Byrnes boat Lagosta II a few years ago pure accident though.
Brian might be able to help.
http://www.loughcarrig.com

Yappo

[JimC]

The wreckfish / stone bass grows to considerable size. Have seen huge lunkers in aquariums. The “Fish ID “ book says the juveniles (up to 20lb) are noted for following wreckage on the surface. I have never caught one myself but in most cases I know of there was floating wreckage involved, stuff that had been in the water for a long time that weed and crustaceans had attached themselves to.

I would imagine them to be very much an opportunistic fish rather one that you could go out and hunt. Unless you anchor a raft offshore somewhere……..

Here is a small one that was caught by Robbie Cotter during the Cork Small Boats Festival 2006:

[evan699]

Thats one rough lookin fish. Must of been a fair scrapper in his day.

[Dave]

They seem like a pretty rare fish alright so I don't know how how targetable they would be. Actually there was a report on the site of one caught from Killiney of all places last year, I'll see if I can route it out.

Yeah here it is:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20869&p=160332&hilit=+Stone+Bass+killiney#p160332

[Mohawk]

They are caught here off Cork Harbour and also all along the West Cork coast nearly every year but tend to be accidental rather than specific targets

Here's a Cork Harbour example!

[yappo]

Might be worth dropping a line just under the boat when anchored as Jim says they tend to be caught under floating cluster of weed and other crap.

Yappo

[partylikeits1969]

Thanks for all the info guys.

Sounds like I'm better off not trying to target them.... maybe just keep doing the Lotto instead

They seem like a pretty rare fish alright so I don't know how how targetable they would be. Actually there was a report on the site of one caught from Killiney of all places last year, I'll see if I can route it out.

Yeah here it is:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20869&p=160332&hilit=+Stone+Bass+killiney#p160332

That was a shore caught fish eh? Even rarer!

[thebigman]

They get a run of these in October off the south west coast of France, have seen 40lb specimens taken on conger baits.

[Dave Jolly]

I have actually caught 2 stone bass over the years, both of them off Cork harbour, both of them out shark fishing.
The first one was when I was fishing the bottom for whiting etc when there was a run on one of the shark rods, I reeled in straight away, but left the rod with a set of baited feathers hanging a few feet under the surface, a couple of seconds later the rod was nearly pulled over the side and I just grabbed it in time to find a Wreckfish hanging off the end hook.
the following year I was shark fishing again, and someone thought they saw something dart out from under the boat, I put on a 4' trace with a hook baited with a belly strip of mackerel, and lowered it over the other side of the boat, letting it drift under and I hooked up straight away with another stone bass.
The 2 things in common were that the fish were taken on the drift after 4-5 hours so they must have followed the trail up, and hid under the boat (called wreck fish because they hang around floating debris), and each year it was a very hot summer and we had seen several sunfish during the day.
I bet if more people did what I did the second day out shark fishing there would be more of them caught.
Dave

[partylikeits1969]

I have actually caught 2 stone Bass over the years, both of them off Cork harbour, both of them out shark fishing.
The first one was when I was fishing the bottom for whiting etc when there was a run on one of the shark rods, I reeled in straight away, but left the rod with a set of baited feathers hanging a few feet under the surface, a couple of seconds later the rod was nearly pulled over the side and I just grabbed it in time to find a Wreckfish hanging off the end hook.
the following year I was shark fishing again, and someone thought they saw something dart out from under the boat, I put on a 4' trace with a hook baited with a belly strip of mackerel, and lowered it over the other side of the boat, letting it drift under and I hooked up straight away with another stone Bass.
The 2 things in common were that the fish were taken on the drift after 4-5 hours so they must have followed the trail up, and hid under the boat (called wreck fish because they hang around floating debris), and each year it was a very hot summer and we had seen several sunfish during the day.
I bet if more people did what I did the second day out shark fishing there would be more of them caught.
Dave

I'm always looking for an excuse to put on a mask and snorkel and dive in.
This summer I have a legitamate reason! Especially considering the amount of waiting involved in shark fishing..

Keep an eye on the underside of the hull. Seems like a proactive hunt is necessary!

[Wrasseputin]

We had one aboard Rooster out of Baltimore a in 2003.
while heading out to the sharking grounds Nick the skipper noticed some large piece of flotsam and said there may be a stonebasse underneath that, i wasnt expecting to see one but sure enough it was visible under the water, a freelined mackeral chunk was tossed in front which it took straight away and fought like feck.
the fish was a beautiful creature on deck, my pal who had brought her in had never been fishing before and while holding it for a pic it kicked he got freaked out and threw it back before we could weigh it.
the current record was then caught on board rooster the following year.
i still have the pic but its an old fashioned print and a i have no scanner, any ideas how to find a scanner library etc.?

[hugo]

Fascinating, never heard of them before. Anybody ever come across one further up the west coast?

[twinkle]

just bring out an old plank and tie it to the stern and wait for them to arrive great looking fish

[Dave Jolly]

A group of anglers out of valentia a couple of days ago saw a big plank floating out deep, and caught 11 stone bass including 1 specimen under it......

[twinkle]

told you so