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Why Greystones is the best local venue
Updated for the 2026 season. Greystones is entering its busiest fishing months: mackerel and pollack from the harbour from late May, wrasse on the rocks, and bass and smoothhound building on the beaches into June. Within a short walk of the town centre you have pier, shingle beach and rock marks producing bass, pollack, wrasse, mackerel and more. For north Wicklow and south Dublin anglers it remains an unbeatable local venue.
Fish this spot
Greystones Harbour Pier
Full access, tides, species and safety notes for this mark on the Wicklow coast.
Open spot guide →The marks
Greystones Harbour, South Pier
The centrepiece of Greystones fishing. The outer end drops into 4 to 6 metres over rock, sand and mussel beds, ideal habitat for pollack, wrasse and bass. Fish the wall with lures at dawn and dusk for pollack and bass. At night, a running ledger with ragworm catches flounder and dogfish from the sandy ground. The north pier is shorter and less deep but provides shelter in southerly winds, mackerel in large numbers from June through September.
Greystones South Beach
A serious bass mark in an easterly or southeasterly wind with 1 to 2 metres of surf running. The steep shingle shelf means fish feed close, bass are often within 20 to 30 metres of the stones. Fish a running ledger with peeler crab or whole sandeel on a 2/0 hook. Alternatively, lure fish with a 5-inch weedless soft plastic along the surf table. The ebb tide fishes better than the flood on this beach.
Jack's Hole
Rocky ground at the northern end of Greystones South Beach, one of the best marks in the area for pollack and wrasse from spring through autumn. Float fishing with ragworm or small sandeel produces wrasse consistently. Access at low tide only, wear studded boots and never fish alone in rough conditions.
Cliff Walk Rock Marks
The coastal path running north toward Bray passes several rocky outcrops accessible at low tide. Less fished and can produce excellent results for pollack, wrasse and occasional bass. Access only in calm conditions on a receding tide.
Species by season
Spring (March to May)
Mackerel arrive from late April. Pollack building on the pier. First bass from Greystones South Beach in May on peeler crab.
Summer (June to August)
Bass on the beach in easterly conditions. Mackerel from the pier on every cast. Wrasse and pollack on rock marks from Jack's Hole and the cliff walk.
Autumn (September to November)
Bass remain into October. Coalfish on the pier. Whiting arriving from October. Dogfish reliable after dark on all marks.
Winter (December to February)
Whiting from the pier and beach at night. Flounder in the harbour. Pollack and coalfish in deeper water off the pier end in coloured conditions.
Practical information
Parking
Harbour car park is pay and display but free after 6pm, ideal for evening sessions
Tides
Greystones runs approximately 5 minutes behind Dun Laoghaire tide times. The harbour fishes on all states of tide.
Best tide (beach)
Greystones South Beach fishes best on the ebb, particularly 2 to 3 hours after high water
Access
No railway crossing for the pier or main beach. Jack's Hole requires careful footing, low tide access only
Key points
- 1South pier is the premier mark, pollack, bass, wrasse, mackerel and flounder all year
- 2Greystones South Beach is a serious bass mark in easterly winds and surf
- 3Jack's Hole produces wrasse and pollack on float and lure at low tide
- 4Lure fishing at dawn and dusk on the pier produces the best sport
- 5Free parking at the harbour after 6pm, ideal for evening sessions
- 6Mackerel in summer are caught on almost every cast with feathers from the harbour
Recommended gear
Greystones fishing essentials
Recommended kit for a Greystones session in Wicklow.
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Sidewinder Sandeels 6" Bass Pack
Three proven sandeel colours for pier pollack, bass and coalfish, deadly worked along the south pier wall and through the harbour entrance at dawn and dusk. The go-to Greystones lure.
View on AmazonSF Pure Fluorocarbon Leader 20lb
Clear fluorocarbon leader between braid and lure, low visibility in Greystones Harbour's clear water where pollack and bass can be line shy. Tie 4 to 5 feet between braid and hook or lure.
View on AmazonNGT Tackle Box 7+1
One large lidded box plus six small lidded boxes and a rig board, the right scale for pier sessions where you need hooks, leads, swivels and small lures all sorted. Water resistant, Amazon's Choice for tackle box.
View on AmazonBD EYE UK Sea Fishing Rig Wallet (10 sleeves)
Ten clear zip sleeves keep pre-tied rigs separated and tangle-free. Pull a fresh rig out, clip it on, fish, instead of fighting knots in the wind on the south pier. Slim enough for any tackle bag.
View on AmazonBlack Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
400 lumens, IPX8 waterproof, red night-vision mode. Even summer evening pier sessions end after dark, and a reliable torch with a red mode keeps your night vision intact when unhooking fish or tying knots. Same torch we recommend for winter night sessions.
View on AmazonMackerel are on through June. See the June peak guide for dawn beach and evening pier tactics at Greystones.
