The Value of Bass - BellaVista Bass Challenge 2010 - Report

[JimC]

Bella Vista – Tight Lines Bass Challenge 2010

I got involved with the admin of this competition, it was run last week (6th – 11th September)
This was the inaugural event in what is planned to be a bigger event next year. It is organised by the Bella Vista Hotel and Tight Lines (Dutch angling travel company). Basically twelve Dutch anglers arrived on Saturday for seven nights and would have a bass fishing competition over four days. (Twelve anglers is the max amount that can be accommodated comfortably in the self-drive fleet.)

The competition was fished on a Catch Photo and Release basis. The winner would be determined by the best six fish in length over four days for each angler. Simple but effective!

The guys chilled out on arrival Saturday evening and were chomping at the bit to get out Sunday. The plan was that some of us locals would go out for a few hours with the competitors to give them some pointers as to where they may catch some bass. We took a spin round and managed to catch some fine fish so things looked bright for the week ahead.
The competitors decided they would book a charter for one of the non-competition days of the week. Looking at the forecast it was clear that Monday would be one of the poorer days in small boat terms so they took a charter and fished for a variety of species on Monday.

The competition proper started on Tuesday and there was a good return of fish almost all succumbed to Hard and Soft Plastics. Wednesday was a tougher day in bass terms, strange considering the huge spring tides. The anglers had a superb day on Thursday. Friday tested the best with some inclement weather but the competition was on a knife edge.
The competition was won by Georges De Bruyker with a fine total of 3480mm of bass, his best fish was a lovely fish of 660mm. The best fish of the week was a sturdy 730mm.

The winner took home an all expenses paid trip back to Cobh next year with the others getting rods and reels and some splendid trophies.
It is planned to run the event next year over a series of weekends to accommodate demand.

I got involved with this event for a number of reasons. I was most interested in running a CPR event to see how it would work out. It worked out perfectly.
There were no problems with photos or measuring the fish. Once the anglers knew what was required they went about their business in a professional manner.

I was also interested in the economic benefits of such an event to the area. I spoke to each of the anglers to get a feel for their expenditure during their week in Cobh:

The findings from my interviews are interesting (I am being ultra conservative here):

I broke down each anglers expenditure for the week into: The cost of the package (less flights) Fuel used, Meals, Gifts purchased from the Heritage Centre in Cobh, tackle locally, Beverages, Charter Boat and any misc expenses.
That’s a total of over 21000 euro into our economy!

Next year it is possible that this competition will be run with four groups.

There were two bass that did not survive over the week. The fish were released but did not make it. These fish were cooked and celebrated at the presentation of prizes. All other fish went back perfectly.

To a man the anglers enjoyed their experience in Cobh, both fishing and socially. We have something more special here in Ireland than an isolated fishing camp in a cold country! Each angler hopes to return next year.

What did we take from the event?
Apart from a few new friends! We should certainly be able to organise an open Bass event next year. We spoke about it this year but it did not get going. This competition has shown it can work.

The value of bass fishing and the potential value of bass fishing to our economy is substantial. The protection of the asset from illegal activity is paramount. Anglers must play their part as well by limiting their take of fish and promoting responsible angling to all.

[fastnet]

Well done Jim.Excellent report.

Any harm to ask how many fish were caught in total and what lure/bait proved most successful?

Thanks

[dunner]

outstanding....finally some forward thinking...well done all
Cork harbour is an excellent venue.

[JimC]

I don't think it prudent to discuss numbers of bass caught in public other than to say that the fishing is much harder this year over last. I don't think there are as many fish around.

The lads used a huge variety of lures. Georges, who won, had great success with a sammy...as he said, they were in his box unused for a while with all "new" lures on the market.

Shallow divers had more success than surface lures. The Tackle House "feeds" and "nodes" accounted for a lot of fish.

[Dave]

Good Stuff Jim, great report.

[JimH]

The potential can only be a good thing, it is there, sustainable and a great Irish Saltwater Sportfishery - we need more vision like this from within THIS country - great job Jim.

[Ashley Hayden]

Well done Kevin and Jim. There is no doubt that your event will prosper and grow. We have a real natural resource in bass, it is a great pity that prevarication gets in the way of vision. That said, your efforts have shown that we can rise above it. Keep up the good work.

[fishboy]

Top job , that's a fantastic report, competition and use of forward thinking. Imagine our government had the same vision !!!, although if they did we wouldn't be in the mess we find ourselves in today. Here's hoping fella's

[Bradan]

Well done lads, good report on a successful event. We were checking out of the Bellavista as the Dutch lads checked in, great to see they had a good week. The spend analysis just shows the potential value of the recreational bass fishery to the economy, very good to see that and it should be highlighted to local politicians and tourism interests.

[corbyeire]

excellent post jim - our dear minister needs to be informed of such

[JimC]

One of the Dutch lads Put this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGmWN9KOeAQ

[saving private brian]

well done on that report and most of all for getting involved.great to see the anglers really enjoyed it all.really enjoyed reading that report and wished it was longer

[fishboy]

Great to see Eco-tourism at it's finest. Top job. The sustainability of our bass stocks and the continued catch-and-release ethic is paramount to the success of Eco-tourism. It is the future-it is the way forward.