I travel the world for my work, yet still there is nowhere on this rather magical earth that causes my heart to race as much as Ireland. I love it. I love going there with a passion that most likely borders on obsession. Sure, you can catch more and larger fish in some remote corner of the globe, but I live for that moment when I drive off the ferry at Rosslare and begin another Irish adventure. The people, the places, the fish, the way we catch them. Fishing and now guiding in Ireland is my drug. I am an addict and I don’t mind admitting it.
If you love bass fishing, then you love getting up early. You snooze, you lose, and I can’t live with myself if I miss a dawn like this when we’re on a trip over in Ireland. I can’t bring myself to go fishing without at least some camera gear in my rucksack, and by virtue of us anglers being out at all times of the day and night, the law of averages says that we are going to see the world showing off more than most other people.
We all have our favourite bits of fishing tackle, and for me my surface lure of choice continues to be the IMA Salt Skimmer. Why? Because it continues to catch plenty of bass for me and my mates. It matters not if you and I use different gear, rather let’s just love that we have a species of fish that is often inclined to come up and smash surface lures.
Very few people, plenty of fish, almost a silly number of different places to go fishing, the end of the road one could argue. Exactly where I want to be. Ballinskelligs Bay and the surrounding area quite simply takes me breath away, and I yearn to return again and again. The fact that I now get to do some guiding work down there with John Quinlan of Thatch Cottage Ireland is almost beyond my wildest dreams. Get in touch and come along if you can, and let us show you why this part of the world is so very, very special.
I don’t see myself as a landscape photographer, and I sure as hell don’t really know how to photograph people, but my photography of fishing is so much about capturing people in a landscape. Beats me, but I love it.
Just watch out for the electric fences. “I went to a different place.”
Write your story here. (Optional)
Spring bass fishing in Kerry is very special, and as per usual you move around and wonder where on earth everybody else is.
But I love it even more when the fish I catch then swim off nice and strong after a few photos and a careful release.
And if the light comes together as if on cue, even better. I don’t ask for much eh?
Another tide, another chance at the bass. Another excuse to spend time along Ireland’s shoreline.
© 2026 Henry Gilbey