📍Wicklow · East📋IFI (Republic of Ireland)Season Open
11Species Present
Wicklow is a harbour town on the County Wicklow coast, midway between Bray and Arklow. Its harbour piers and surrounding coastline are fished for codling, mackerel, and bass.
Wicklow Harbour sits at the base of Wicklow Head on the east coast of Ireland, approximately 50 kilometres south of Dublin. The waters around Wicklow and the sandbanks east of the Head represent Ireland's most consistently productive ground for Smooth Hound, a member of the shark family that congregates on the clean sandy seabed from early summer through to autumn. The ISFC specimen data from this venue — over 800 verified specimens including nearly 500 Smooth Hound — reflects a concentration of qualifying fish that is unmatched anywhere else on the Irish east coast.
Charter boats operate year-round from Wicklow Harbour, working the ground east of Wicklow Head and the offshore banks where Smooth Hound hunt in numbers through June, July and August. The seabed here is predominantly clean sand, with tidal flow and depth averaging around nine metres over the main productive marks. Tope are present in the same area and specimen fish have been recorded regularly; Spurdog and Bull Huss round out the elasmobrach mix available to boat anglers.
Shore fishing is available from the South Pier, the harbour walls and from the beach and rock marks on Wicklow Head. Pollack and Wrasse hold on the deeper rocks below the lighthouse and golf course, while Mackerel run through in season. The long shingle beach stretching north toward Greystones gives access to Bass, Smooth Hound and occasional shore Tope, though the beach is popular with tourists in summer and is most productive on evening and night tides.
As a sea angling destination Wicklow is strongest as a boat charter venue. The combination of easy access from Dublin, a reliable charter operation, and the exceptional Smooth Hound and Tope fishing has made it one of the best-known elasmobrach venues on the east coast of Ireland. All shark species are catch-and-release, handled carefully and returned promptly.
Wicklow town is a well-serviced base with good accommodation, restaurants and transport connections. It sits at the gateway to the Wicklow Mountains and offers easy access to Glendalough and the Vale of Avoca for non-fishing days.
Also present: Thornback Ray, Pollack, Mackerel, Bass, Dogfish, Gurnard, Cod
Methods
Boat AnglingShore AnglingSpinning
Venue details
Season dates
Year-round
Best times
Premier Smooth Hound Mark · Elasmobrach Fishing · East Coast · Charter Boat
Difficulty
Intermediate
Access & bases
Wicklow Harbour is on the R750, 50km south of Dublin. Charter boats depart from the South Quay (No. 1 South Quay, Wicklow). A slipway at the harbour gives small boat access. Shore fishing from the South Pier, Wicklow Head rocks (access via R750 carpark), and the beach north of the harbour.
Signature features
Ireland's Premier Smooth Hound Mark
No other location in Ireland produces Smooth Hound in the numbers and consistency seen at Wicklow. The clean sandy seabed east of Wicklow Head and the strength of the tidal flow create ideal feeding conditions for Smooth Hound throughout summer.
Three Lighthouse Head
Wicklow Head carries three lighthouses — an unusual architectural feature visible from the sea. The headland creates a defined tidal race and the rocky ground below the cliffs holds Pollack and Wrasse accessible from shore.
East Coast Accessibility
Wicklow is one of the most accessible serious sea angling venues from Dublin, lying 50km south of the capital with rail and bus connections. This makes it a viable day-trip destination for east coast anglers who cannot reach the west coast marks.
Season by season
Spring (March – May)
Early season boat fishing for mixed species. Smooth Hound begin to arrive on the sandbanks from May. Shore fishing for Bass improves on the beach marks north of the harbour.
Peak Summer (June – August)
Prime Smooth Hound and Tope season. Charter trips target the sandbanks east of Wicklow Head. Mackerel run through the harbour in season. Best conditions are calm days with neap tides.
Autumn (September – November)
Smooth Hound numbers thin from September. Cod begin to appear on boat marks. Shore fishing for Bass continues on the beach south of the harbour. Tope are still present into October.
Best conditions
Based on 0 reports, these conditions consistently produce the best fishing on Wicklow:
💨
SW Force 2–3, calm to moderate
Best wind
☁️
Any — overcast or sunny
Best sky
🌡️
Best June–August when sandbanks warm
Water temp
⏰
Neap tides June–August for Smooth Hound
Best window
Seasonal fly & tactics guide
Smooth Hound (June – August)
Patterns
Fresh peeler crab on 2/0–4/0 hookUptide ledger rig with 5–6oz breakout lead
Anchor over the sandbanks east of Wicklow Head and fish fresh peeler crab on an uptide rig cast well ahead of the boat. Smooth Hound patrol the tidal run and pick up stationary baits. Keep rigs simple — a single hook on a 30lb fluorocarbon trace. Strike on a confident take rather than immediately. Middle neap tides are consistently better than spring tides which can make anchoring difficult.
⚠️Common mistake: Using frozen or preserved crab. Fresh peeler is essential — it releases scent that Smooth Hound locate in the current. Frozen crab produces a fraction of the bites.
Tope
Patterns
Fresh mackerel fillet on large single hookRunning ledger, no swivels above the hook
Tope are taken on similar rigs to Smooth Hound but with larger baits — a half mackerel or large fillet on a 6/0 hook. Use a wire or heavy mono trace of at least 1 metre to prevent bite-offs. Allow the fish to run before striking. All Tope should be unhooked in the water where possible and released promptly.
⚠️Common mistake: Striking too early. Tope pick up a bait and run before swallowing — give the fish time to turn the bait before engaging the drag.
Shore Angling — Wicklow Head
Patterns
Spinning with metal lures for PollackFloat fishing for Wrasse on crab
The rocks below the lighthouse on the southern side of Wicklow Head produce Pollack and Wrasse. Access is from the R750 carpark — a short walk down to the rocks. Fish a flood tide for best results. The rocks can be slippery and dangerous in wet weather; only fish in calm, dry conditions.
⚠️Common mistake: Fishing the rocks in anything other than calm conditions. The ground here is exposed and dangerous when seas are running.
What works here
Flies and methods reported most successful by the community.
Where to Fish at Wicklow
Sandbanks East of Wicklow Head
The primary Smooth Hound and Tope mark. Clean sandy bottom in 8–12 metres of water with strong tidal flow. Charter boat territory — local knowledge of the exact marks is essential.
South Pier and Harbour
Shore fishing from the pier walls for Mackerel, Coalfish, Pollack and Dogfish. Good family-friendly venue. Night tides produce Flounder and occasional Codling in autumn and winter.
Wicklow Head Rocks
Rock marks below the lighthouse for Pollack and Wrasse. Accessible by foot from the R750 carpark. Exposed and potentially dangerous — calm conditions only.
The Murrough Beach
The long shingle bank stretching north toward Greystones. Bass, Smooth Hound and occasional shore Tope. Best fished on night tides away from summer tourist activity.
Conservation & stewardship
🌿
Smooth Hound, Tope, Spurdog and Bull Huss are all elasmobranchs (sharks and shark relatives) that are slow-growing and vulnerable to overfishing. All should be handled carefully, unhooked in the water where possible, and returned promptly. Avoid removing these species from the water unnecessarily. Bass are subject to EU catch regulations — check current rules before fishing.
Frequently asked questions
Before You Go — Key Regulations
Jurisdiction
Republic of Ireland (IFI)
No rod licence required for general sea angling in the Republic of Ireland. Bass are subject to EU conservation regulations including a closed season (May 15 – June 15) and catch-and-release requirements — check current IFI regulations before fishing for Bass.
Main access: Wicklow Boat Charters, No. 1 South Quay, Wicklow — full-day and half-day charter trips, Local tackle shops in Wicklow town — enquire locally for current bait and tackle supplies, Wicklow and District Angling Club — local contacts and match information
