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Plaice run close to Wicklow beaches from March to September, with the best sport from May to July on clean sand and shingle when the sea is calm and the tide is moving. They are a classic close-in flatfish: fish often within 30 metres of the shore, respond well to worm baits with a small attractor, and are excellent eating when fresh. Brittas Bay, Kilcoole, Silver Strand and the Murrough all produce plaice in season on the east coast.
When and where on the Wicklow coast
Plaice favour open sandy ground with shell and occasional gravel. On Wicklow beaches they are a spring and early summer target rather than a winter species, though odd fish turn up outside the main window.
Brittas Bay
Open sand with good depth variation on the southern end. Plaice feed close in after calm spells and light colour in the water. Evening sessions on a flooding tide are reliable in May and June.
Kilcoole Beach
Shingle and sand mix with plaice inside casting range on warm, settled days. Match the spot guide tide pattern for this stretch and fish worm baits close to the surf line when the sea is flat.
Silver Strand
Clean sand south of Wicklow town suits plaice through March to September. High water and the hours close to it often concentrate fish on the inner surf table.
The Murrough
Eleven miles of shore between Greystones and Wicklow with multiple access points. Plaice show on sandy sections through spring and summer, often alongside dab and flounder.
Rigs and tackle
Plaice respond to a long, light flowing trace fished on a running ledger. The bait should move naturally in the tide without dragging a heavy lead constantly.
Trace
Long flowing trace of 3 to 5 feet of 10 to 15lb mono below a swivel
Hook
Size 1 to 2 Aberdeen or wide gape hooks, fine wire for worm baits
Attractor
Small sequin, spoon blade or bead above the hook helps in clear water
Lead
2 to 4oz grip lead on tidal beaches so the rig holds without rolling
Best baits
Ragworm
The top bait for plaice on Wicklow sand. A whole ragworm or two smaller worms on a size 1 hook, with a small attractor blade, fishes well close in.
Lugworm
A reliable alternative when ragworm is scarce. Fish a short section on the hook and keep the presentation light.
Peeler crab
Works for plaice in summer, especially on sand with shell content. Use small sections rather than large baits intended for bass or smoothhound.
Tides and conditions
The flood tide through high water is the classic plaice window on open sand, when fish move up onto feeding ground with the rising water. Calm or lightly coloured seas outfish bright, flat gin-clear days for close-in flatfish.
A day or two of easterly breeze that colours the surf often improves plaice fishing on beaches like Kilcoole and Greystones South, fish move inside the band of stirred sand and shell where worm baits stand out.
Eating plaice
Plaice are excellent eating with mild, sweet flesh. Fillet and cook the same day when possible. Pan frying in butter is simple and suits the delicate flavour. They freeze better than some flatfish but still taste best fresh from the beach.
Recommended gear
Plaice fishing essentials
Beach rod, reel and rigs for plaice from Wicklow sand beaches.
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Power Cast Marine Beachcaster 12ft
A 12ft beachcaster rated 4 to 6oz covers plaice fishing on Wicklow sand and shingle. Enough length for comfortable casting with a flowing trace and grip lead on tidal beaches.
View on AmazonPenn Spinfisher VII 6500
A 6500 size fixed spool with an IPX5 sealed body for surf and beach sessions. Load with 15 to 18lb mono for plaice on running ledger rigs from Kilcoole, Brittas Bay and the Murrough.
View on AmazonLuroad Pre-tied Flapper Rigs 2/0 (5 pack)
Ready-tied two-hook rigs suited to flatfish and plaice. Pair with a long flowing trace, small hooks and a sequin or spoon attractor above the bait for close-in plaice.
View on AmazonPlan your next session