Squid at Wicklow piers
European squid (Loligo vulgaris) have been showing up at Wicklow piers with increasing regularity over the past several years, and what was once an accidental catch is now a planned species for autumn night sessions. Greystones Harbour in October and November is the best mark, the pier lights attract whitebait to the surface, squid follow, and on a calm clear night you can watch them darting through the illuminated water before you've even made a cast.
This guide covers everything you need to catch squid from Wicklow piers, the technique, the timing, the gear, and what to do with your catch when you get home.
Fish this spot
Greystones Harbour Pier
Full access, tides, species and safety notes for this mark on the Wicklow coast.
Open spot guide →What is eging?
Eging is a Japanese-originated technique for targeting squid using dedicated artificial lures called egi. An egi is a weighted, shrimp-shaped lure with an umbrella array of barbless hooks at the rear, squid grab it with their tentacles rather than biting, which is why the landing technique is completely different from conventional lure fishing.
The method arrived in Ireland through crossover from continental European sea fishing, where squid eging is well-established in Portugal, Spain and the Mediterranean. On the Irish coast it is still relatively new, a good reason to get on it early.
When and where to fish
The Wicklow squid season runs from late September through to early December, with October and November producing the most consistent results. By mid-December numbers thin as squid move to deeper offshore water for winter.
Greystones Harbour
Primary mark. Fish the inner pier wall, as close to a working pier light as the layout allows. On productive nights you will see squid in the lit water before your first cast.
Wicklow Town Pier
Produces squid in autumn but less consistently than Greystones. The same principle applies: lit water attracts bait, bait attracts squid.
Arklow Pier
Occasional reports but has not established itself as a reliable target. Worth trying in October if you are in the area.
Within a session, the two hours either side of high water are most productive. Calm nights are essential, wind chop disperses the light cone, baitfish scatter, and squid retreat deeper. Less than 10 knots and a clear sky is the target.
The technique
The eging technique has two phases, the dart, and the sink. Both matter, but the sink is where you catch fish.
Cast and count
Cast the egi across or downtide and count the seconds as it sinks. This count is critical, when you get a take, you need to reproduce the exact sink time on the next cast. Begin with five seconds, then ten, then fifteen until you find where they are holding.
The dart
Once at depth, lift the rod tip sharply once or twice. This causes the egi to dart upward and flash like a startled shrimp, triggering the squid's instinct to grab it.
The sink, where takes happen
Immediately drop the rod tip and allow the egi to sink on a semi-slack line. Watch the line where it enters the water. A take feels like subtle added weight, or the line stopping its descent a second early.
Setting and landing
Lift the rod steadily and wind, do not strike or jerk. Squid hold the egi with their tentacles and a sharp strike causes them to release. Keep the rod bent and swing or net in one movement, the most common point of loss is the final moment before landing.
Gear overview
Rod
7 to 9ft spinning rod rated 10 to 25g. A standard light lure rod works fine to start.
Reel
2500 to 3000 fixed spool. Shimano Sienna 2500 or Daiwa Laguna LT 2500 are both good affordable options.
Braid
10 to 15lb. Thin braid transmits sink takes that mono completely misses.
Leader
6 to 8ft of 8 to 10lb fluorocarbon. In lit harbour water, braid is visible, a long fluoro leader is essential.
Egi size
Size 2.5 to 3.0 covers most Wicklow situations.
Egi colours
Pink and orange are most consistent. Luminous bodies work well in darker sections.
Tie the egi directly to the leader via a loop knot, never a snap link, which kills the natural dart-and-fall action.
Handling and cooking
Squid ink when disturbed, have a damp cloth ready. Keep caught squid in a cool bag on ice and ideally cook them the same night. To clean: pull the head and tentacles away from the mantle, remove the clear plastic quill and peel the outer skin. Cut the tentacle cluster just above the eyes, this piece is also excellent to eat.
Fresh squid needs very little: score the mantle, toss in olive oil and salt, and cook in a very hot pan for 60 to 90 seconds per side. Overcooked squid goes rubbery immediately, the window is narrow. Serve with lemon. It is one of the best things the Irish sea produces.
The three rules
- 1Light over tide, position near a working pier light, not just at high water
- 2The sink is the take, drop the rod tip after every dart and watch the line
- 3Count the depth, find the productive depth and repeat it exactly, every cast
