Wicklow Head Fishing 2026: Pollack, Wrasse and Mackerel

Why Wicklow Head is different

Updated for the 2026 season. 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.

Species and seasons

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.