Guide last updated 12 June 2026Live score checked today
You can catch Bass, Smoothhound and Flounder here. Bring lugworm or peeler crab, and fish a pulley rig.
A wild, remote sandy shallow beach south of Brittas Bay, separated from Ennereilly Strand North by the Ennereilly River (sea trout run). The lack of fishing pressure means the fish are less wary than at more popular marks. Bass through April to November (peak autumn Sep to Nov) is the documented core fishery; smoothhound on evening tides May to October on crab. Set realistic expectations: bass average around 3 lb with occasional bigger fish, this is a numbers-of-quality-fish venue, not a specimen-bass venue.
This mark today
GoodLive right now
Primary target
Bass
Safety
See hazards belowTarget list and season windows
What to bring, and the rig that matches conditions
Big bait and distance on Ennereilly Strand South, so the pulley pennel protects the cast and presents cleanly on the drop. A light grip lead still casts clean on calm sand.
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Strong wire circles for pennel mounting of peeler crab and sandeel. Smoothhound and bass standard on Wicklow marks.
Check price on Amazon.ieBreakaway grips for surf pulley fishing at distance on open Wicklow beaches.
Check price on Amazon.ieRecommendations follow the same Wicklow-first editorial standards as the rest of the site.
Pack next
Today's conditions at Ennereilly Strand South suit a pulley pennel rig. A heavy-duty distance rig that protects large soft baits during the cast. The hooklink slides through a pulley swivel so bait and hooks lift on splash-down while the lead anchors.
On the ground
Baits
Methods
Access
Access from the Ennereilly area or by walking south from Brittas Bay, a significant walk of 2km or more. No direct road access to this section of beach. NOTE: Ennereilly North is a distinct mark (long shingle beach with deeper water offshore) and should not be confused with this entry, North requires a longer walk from limited roadside parking.
Parking
Very limited roadside parking only at Ennereilly South. Do not obstruct farm entrances or passing places. The walk in keeps this mark unfished and productive.
Good day or better. Email when conditions score well
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Species, tactics, tides, and today's plan for this mark
Remote southerly beach, bass April to November (peak Sep to Nov), evening smoothhound on crab when the sea is settled.
From the shore
Two non-obvious notes from regional sources. First, lugworm is named as the best all-round bait here (Visit Arklow / regional guides), not the peeler-crab default many beach anglers reach for. Crab specifically for hounds on evening tides; lug for everything else. Second, Ennereilly South and Ennereilly North fish completely differently and should be treated as two distinct marks in any catalogue: South is shallow sand for bass and hounds, North is shingle with deeper water offshore for flatfish, dogfish and occasional ray. Set bass expectations honestly, typical fish are in the 3 lb bracket with occasional bigger; this is a numbers-of-quality-fish venue, not a 10-lb-specimen venue like Brittas Bay in storm conditions. The Ennereilly River sea trout run between the two beaches can produce takes on lures close to the river mouth in season, a low-pressure bonus opportunity. Quieter and more accessible (parking-wise) than Brittas Bay, with comparable bass fishing on the right night.
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Read guide →Where to top up
Wicklow town is the nearest tackle option. Stock up well before the trip, there is nothing available locally.
Eric
Based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, fishing the Irish coast since 2018
Check today's plan for tides, conditions, and gear.