SEA ANGLING IN COUNTY WICKLOW

The coast of County Wicklow stretches from Bray in the north of the county to a point just south of the town of Arklow. The coastline comprises steep to shingle beaches and shallow sandy beaches, interspersed with an odd headland, Bray, Wicklow, and Mizen being the main ones. Species to expect are Bass, Smooth Hound, Tope, Mullet, Mackerel, Codling, Pollack, Coalfish, and Flatfish.

Offshore grounds are shallow averaging five fathoms and are swept by strong lateral tides. High and low tide Wicklow are forty minutes ahead of Dublin port. The seabed is mainly clean and home to large mussel banks, with the Moulditch ridge off Greystones the only area of truly rough ground. Small boat anglers should take into account the strong tides and relatively shallow ground when planning a trip, as a wind against tide situation can create quite a lumpy sea.

Most tackle shops stock a ready supply of fresh Lugworm, Ragworm, and Crab, with frozen Mackerel, Sandeel, Crab, and Mussel also available. For those who wish to, Ragworm can be dug in the Vartry estuary at Wicklow town, and Lugworm are plentiful on Merrion and Sandymount strands in south Dublin, about forty five minutes north of Wicklow town.

Main Sea Angling Marks (working north – south)

Greystones:
Greystones is the traditional sea angling venue in county Wicklow, both from boat and shore. Small boats can be launched from the local slipway to fish the grounds off Bray Head and the Moulditch ridge to the south. Codling, Coalfish, Plaice, Dabs, Mackerel, Smooth Hound and Tope are the species to expect. Mussel and Lugworm are the baits favoured by local boat anglers, and anchoring is far more productive than drifting. Off the beaches south of the town Bass are the main quarry, along with Pollack, Coalfish, Dogfish, and flatfish. Codling and Whiting appear in the autumn and winter. Lugworm and Rag tipped with Mackerel are two useful bait suggestions.

Kilcoole, Newcastle, Five Mile Point, Killoughter:
Kilcoole, Newcastle, Five Mile Point, and Killoughter are access points for an eleven mile stretch of continuous shingle bank between Greystones and Wicklow town. Over fishing and mussel dredging offshore has affected the quality of angling on offer, but these venues still can produce sport with Bass, Mackerel, Flatfish, Codling, Coalfish, Whiting, Dogfish, Smooth Hound, and latterly shore caught Tope (October – November) the species to expect. Use Crab and Rag tipped with Mackerel in the summer, while Lugworm and Mussel baits work best in winter. Another useful tip is that these venues fish best on a falling tide.

Wicklow town:
Surf casting off the murrough produces similar fishing to that described above, with Codling, Coalfish, Flatfish, and small Whiting available off the harbour walls. Mullet to specimen weight are targeted by specialist anglers in the Vartry Estuary.

Brittas Bay:
A shallow sandy surf beach more associated with holiday makers, in the autumn it comes into its own as a Bass venue. A blow from the south or south east attracts in the Bass and specimens up to ten pounds have been recorded, with the average size being three - four pounds. The southern corner in particular is worth trying, with evening and night tides best.

Ennereilly:
Ennereilly is an area south of Brittas Bay. There are two beaches here separated by the Ennereilly River which is noted for its run of Sea Trout. Ennereilly strand north is a long shingle beach with relatively deep water off shore. Smooth Hound, Dogfish, and Ray are targeted in the summer months, with Whiting, Codling, and Flounder making an appearance in winter. Ennereilly strand south is a sandy shallow beach which fishes best in a southerly breeze. It is a good Bass venue from April through to October with lugworm being the best bait. Aim for evening and night tides with the hour either side of low and high water being the taking time. Other species to expect are Whiting, Flounder, Smooth Hound, Dogfish, with Dabs and Codling in the winter.

Arklow:
Arklow North and South Beaches: Worm and fish baits will take Smooth Hound, Dogfish, Dabs, Flounder, Codling and Whiting. Baits fished close in will catch Bass in the three pound bracket, with an odd bigger fish always on the cards.

Clogga Strand:
Clogga Strand south of Arklow is the last of the Wicklow shore venues. A shallow sandy beach accessed from a car park, keep to the left for deeper water. Expect Bass, Flounder, Smooth Hound and Dogfish, with Codling and Whiting in winter.

Lure Fishing
Lure fishing using spinners, plugs, surface poppers, and flies is becoming increasingly popular. Depending on the venue Bass, Mackerel, and Pollack are the target species, along with an occasional Sea Trout. Seek out headlands, rocky areas, harbour walls, and tide races for some cracking sport. Water clarity needs to be good, and early morning or late evening, in calm settled weather fishes best.