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Why Wicklow Head is different
Wicklow Head is at its best from late May through summer, when pollack, wrasse and mackerel feed in the tide races and clear water around the headland. This dramatic rocky point juts into the Irish Sea, creating deep water and species diversity unlike sheltered beaches further north. Access demands care, but the rewards through the inshore peak are significant.
The headland produces species that rarely appear at more sheltered inshore marks, large pollack and coalfish, specimen wrasse, mackerel in summer, bass on lures in autumn, and the occasional conger from the deeper gullies. The clear, tide-swept water and rocky ground make it a prime mark for lure fishing throughout the season.
Access and safety
Wicklow Head is accessed via the R750 south of Wicklow town. The lighthouse road leads to a car park above the headland. From there, footpaths descend to various rock platforms. The descent is steep in places and the rocks are slippery when wet, appropriate footwear with grip is essential. Never fish alone at Wicklow Head and always check the sea state before committing to a platform.
The tidal run around the headland is stronger than it looks from above. Rogue waves are possible in any swell, even in apparently calm conditions. Establish your exit route before fishing and keep a constant eye on the sea behind you. The headland faces east and easterly swells arrive with no warning. Dawn sessions on calm days in settled summer weather are the safest and most productive combination.
Safety note
Wicklow Head is an experienced-anglers-only mark. Never fish alone, always tell someone your plans and expected return time, and leave if conditions deteriorate. No fish is worth the risk.
Species and seasons
Pollack & coalfish
Year round, best spring and autumnThe headline species at Wicklow Head. Pollack to 5kg+ are caught on lures worked through the deep water off the headland points. Coalfish are present from autumn through spring. A 20g metal lure or large rubber sandeel retrieved at speed through the tide brings savage takes.
Wrasse
April to OctoberBallan wrasse are present in the kelp-filled gullies around the headland throughout summer. The clear Atlantic water and the rich kelp growth make this one of the stronger wrasse marks, larger than average fish are caught here consistently.
Mackerel
June to SeptemberMackerel shoals pass close to the headland in summer, pushed inshore by the tidal structure. Dawn sessions with feathers or metal lures produce bags of mackerel and occasionally large individual fish on single lures.
Bass
May to NovemberBass are caught on lures around the rocky gullies and white water at the headland points, particularly in autumn. A soft plastic worked through the broken water at the base of the rocks produces fish in the September-October peak.
Conger
Summer to autumn, night sessionsLarge conger occupy the deeper crevices and gullies around the headland base. Night sessions with whole mackerel or squid on heavy tackle produce conger to well over 10kg. Not for the faint-hearted, a large conger in a rocky crevice is a formidable opponent.
Best methods at Wicklow Head
Lure fishing is the most effective method for the headline species at Wicklow Head. A strong 9 to 10ft lure rod with 20 to 30lb braid handles the strong tides and the need to stop powerful fish from reaching the rocks. Metal lures of 20 to 40g cast across the tide and retrieved at speed through the water column produce pollack and mackerel. Soft plastics worked slower through the gullies take bass and wrasse.
For bait fishing, a pulley rig with a 5 to 6oz grip lead holds bottom in the tidal run. Fresh mackerel strip or whole sandeel for pollack and bass. Peeler crab for wrasse. Position your bait uptide and allow it to wash down naturally into the gullies where fish are holding.
Getting the most from Wicklow Head
The key to fishing Wicklow Head well is timing. The tidal run creates the feeding conditions but also makes certain states of tide unfishable. The period from two hours before low water through to low water itself, when the tide is running hardest, is when pollack and coalfish are most active, feeding in the fast-moving water. Slack water at low tide is the best window for wrasse and conger. The flooding tide brings bass onto the rocky gullies.
Go with local knowledge if possible, the mark rewards familiarity. The safest and most productive platforms are not always the most obvious ones from above.
Recommended gear
Wicklow Head essentials
Three items that cover the core requirements for fishing Wicklow Head safely and effectively.
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Any 4-6oz breakaway grip lead
Essential for Wicklow Head, where the tidal run around the headland is strong and demands a grip lead to hold bottom. A 4 to 6oz spread covers calm through to heavy tide.
View on AmazonBlack Diamond Astro 300 Headlamp
Non-negotiable for Wicklow Head rock marks at dawn and dusk. 300 lumens, waterproof, brightness memory. Never approach unfamiliar rock marks at night without a quality headtorch.
View on AmazonBerkley Sick Fluorocarbon Leader 20lb
Fluorocarbon leader for lure fishing at Wicklow Head, abrasion resistant against the barnacled rock edges. Low visibility in the clear Atlantic water around the headland.
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