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Brittas Bay as a fishing venue
Updated for the 2026 season. From late May, bass and smoothhound move onto Brittas Bay in earnest, making this 5km sweep of sand one of the premier summer venues on the east coast. The beach is best known as a holiday destination south of Dublin, but evening and night sessions through June and July produce the headline species before autumn and winter mixed fishing takes over.
The beach faces east, which means an easterly wind pushes colour and surf directly onto the sand, exactly the conditions that activate bass and bring feeding fish close in. The southern corner of the beach is the most productive section for large bass and specimen smoothhound. Daytime fishing in July and August is poor due to beach traffic, but evening and night sessions produce fish consistently from spring through late autumn.
Fish this spot
Brittas Bay
Full access, tides, species and safety notes for this mark on the Wicklow coast.
Open spot guide →What fish can you catch at Brittas Bay?
Bass
April to NovemberThe headline species at Brittas Bay. Specimen fish over 5kg have been caught from the southern end. September and October are the peak months as bass feed hard before moving offshore for winter. Night sessions and early mornings on flooding spring tides produce the best fish. Baits fished within 40 metres of the shore in a good easterly surf consistently outperform long casts into clean water.
Smoothhound
May to SeptemberBrittas Bay is one of the best shore smoothhound venues in Wicklow. Fresh peeler crab on the evening flood tide from May through August is the standard approach. Spring tides produce more fish than neaps. Fish the southern end of the beach in light to moderate surf. Specimen smoothhound over 6kg are caught regularly.
Flounder
October to MarchSandy ground at Brittas Bay produces flounder through autumn and winter on the flooding tide. Fish close in (within 30 to 40 metres) with fresh ragworm on a simple running ledger. The beach is quieter in winter which means undisturbed fishing and less competition for the best positions.
Dogfish
Year roundDogfish are present at Brittas Bay throughout the year and are the most reliable species for a guaranteed catch. They bite freely on ragworm, mackerel strip and lugworm at any state of the tide. Night sessions produce more dogfish than daytime. They are not the target species for most anglers but they are always welcome when the big species are quiet.
Whiting
October to FebruaryWhiting arrive at Brittas Bay in autumn and can be caught in numbers on night sessions through winter. Two-hook paternoster rigs with size 1/0 hooks and fresh ragworm or mackerel strip are the standard setup. The flooding tide into high water is the prime window.
Dab
Year round, best spring and autumnDab are present in Brittas Bay year round on the sandy ground. A lightweight running ledger with size 1/0 Aberdeen hook and ragworm fished close in on a flooding tide is the reliable approach. Often caught alongside flounder in autumn and winter.
When is the best time to fish Brittas Bay?
The answer depends on what you want to catch. For bass, September and October evening and night sessions on spring tides after an easterly blow are the prime window, this is when the biggest bass of the year are taken. For smoothhound, June and July evening flood tides with fresh peeler crab. For flounder and whiting, October to February night sessions on the flooding tide.
Avoid Saturday and Sunday afternoons in July and August, the beach is packed and fishing is impractical. The same beach on a Tuesday evening in October with a light easterly blowing is a completely different experience. Dawn sessions in spring and summer for bass on lures are also worth targeting, you have the beach to yourself and conditions are often ideal.
Access and parking at Brittas Bay
Brittas Bay is accessed via the R750 south of Wicklow town. Multiple car parks are signposted off the main road. The main south beach car park fills quickly on fine days in summer, arrive early or use the smaller off-road parking areas further along toward the southern end of the beach, which also provide access to the most productive fishing ground.
There is no railway crossing at Brittas Bay, direct beach access from the car parks via dune paths. The southern end of the beach offers more space away from the main beach entrance and is where the best fishing consistently happens. A short walk is worth the extra effort.
Best baits and rigs for Brittas Bay
Peeler crab
Smoothhound from May to September, also bass. Always use fresh peeler, frozen is a significant step down. Secure firmly with elastic thread.
Ragworm
Bass in surf conditions, flounder, dogfish and whiting year round. Buy fresh on the day from Wicklow town tackle shops.
Sandeel
Bass in summer when sandeel shoals are present inshore. Freelined or on a light running ledger works well in calm conditions.
Mackerel strip
Dogfish reliably, also whiting in autumn and winter. A good backup bait if ragworm is unavailable.
For all species at Brittas Bay, use a breakaway grip lead, the tidal run on this exposed beach means a plain bomb lead will roll and drag constantly. 4 to 5oz is the standard size; increase to 6oz in heavy surf or strong ebb conditions.
Recommended gear
Brittas Bay fishing essentials
Three items you need for a productive session at Brittas Bay, available on Amazon with delivery to Ireland.
Affiliate links, we earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
FFT Pro Breakaway Grip Leads Mixed Pack (10 pack)
~€27Essential at Brittas Bay, the tidal run on this exposed beach demands grip leads to hold bottom. Mixed 3oz to 7oz pack covers every condition from flat calm to heavy surf.
View on AmazonAni-Safe Bait Elastic Thread Dispenser
~€6Used to secure peeler crab and large baits to the hook at Brittas Bay. Essential for smoothhound fishing, a poorly secured bait will be stripped on first contact.
View on AmazonPhoxinus Aberdeen Hooks 1/0 (100 pack)
~€8Fine wire Aberdeen hooks in 1/0, the versatile everyday hook for bass, flounder, dogfish and whiting from Brittas Bay beaches. Good quality and affordable.
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