Grey mullet at The Breaches, Kilcoole.

Quick facts

Mark type

Beach

Skill

Intermediate

Catalogue rank

Primary target

Why fish Grey mullet at The Breaches, Kilcoole

Kilcoole shingle-belt outflow under the rail bridge. Under-targeted specimen mullet; flounder, sea trout and bass at the same channel.

Marsh gullies and mountain streams from the Kilcoole shingle belt meet the sea under a railway bridge, on older maps marked as 'The Breaches'.

This is ERFB Site 23, not the Broad Lough / Vartry system at Wicklow (Site 28 Broadlough on the Murrough), which lies about 12 km south.

The single most under-targeted specialist mark on this stretch of coast, the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board guide explicitly notes mullet 'well over the specimen weight of 5 lb' present, with 'little attempt to catch them'.

Flounder concentrate at the freshwater interface; sea trout pass through on their run; bass at dawn/dusk on the outlet.

Harbours, marinas, estuaries and tidal rivers with rich, slow-moving water and ample algae or detritus to graze.

Local note: Specimen >5lb

Kilcoole outflow specialist mark, specimen mullet and flounder, groundbait and finesse tactics required.

The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board guide points straight at this mark (Site 23): 'Some of these fish appear to be well over the specimen weight of 5 lbs but to date there has been little attempt to catch them.

Time spent fishing for both of these species may be well rewarded'.

Two tactical points: (1) the pool BEHIND the rail line is sheltered from open-sea conditions and fishes on days the open beach is unfishable; (2) flounder concentrate at the freshwater/saltwater interface at all tides, not just slack, this is reliable winter fishing.

Season and tide

At The Breaches, Kilcoole, Grey mullet is worth targeting in May to October (specimen-class possible). Coast-wide, Grey mullet runs May to October (peaks July to August in harbours and tidal rivers).

Wider mark season: Grey mullet: May to October (specimen-class possible), Flounder: year round at freshwater interface, Sea trout: July to October, Bass: April to November (peak autumn Sep to Nov; outlet at dawn/dusk), Dab: October to February

Tide guidance here: Mullet move into the pool behind the bridge on the flood and back out on the ebb, both windows fish the channel. Bass at the outlet on the flooding tide at dawn or dusk. Flounder concentrate at the freshwater/saltwater interface throughout the tide.

Mullet feed throughout the tidal cycle but are most catchable on the flooding tide. Hot, calm summer days with the fish visible and actively feeding are the best conditions. They become more wary in cold or cloudy water.

Fishable phases: first-flood, mid-flood, high, first-ebb, mid-ebb. Peak: mid-flood, first-ebb.

Tactics on this mark

Prime marks with mashed bread and fish light float gear on small hooks, striking gently at dips as mullet sip baits among the loose feed.

Float-fished bread or flake (mullet, specialist technique); Light ledger with worm or crab close in (flounder); Surface lures or sub-surface plugs at the outlet (bass); Single-handed fly (sea trout)

Gear: vertical drop. Facing E.

• Float fishing with a very light, sensitive float, mullet bites are gentle
• Size 8 to 12 fine-wire hook, mullet mouths are small and soft
• 6 to 8 lb low-diameter mainline and fluorocarbon hooklink
• Groundbaiting with liquidised bread or bran to create a feeding response
• Float-fished bread or flake (mullet, specialist technique)
• Light ledger with worm or crab close in (flounder)
• Surface lures or sub-surface plugs at the outlet (bass)
• Single-handed fly (sea trout)

Baits and lures

Grey mullet baits and lures: Bread flake; Bread punch; Maggots; Tiny harbour ragworm; Small mackerel cubes.

What this mark typically holds: Bread/flake (mullet); Ragworm; Peeler crab; Small lures (bass/sea trout).

Bread/flake (mullet); Ragworm; Peeler crab; Small lures (bass/sea trout)

Access and ground

Long walk in from either Kilcoole (north) or Newcastle (south). The railway bridge with the freshwater channel is the singular landmark. No road access mid-beach. The pool behind the rail line is sheltered from open-sea conditions and fishes when the open beach does not.

Parking: Limited; Kilcoole station or Newcastle area as starting points.

Safety: SAC/SPA wetland, quiet behaviour required, bird sensitivities apply. Fast-flowing channel at peak ebb, never wade across. Long walk in, no facilities, patchy mobile coverage.

Nearest tackle: Wicklow town or Greystones tackle shops; specialist mullet bread/groundbait is BYO.

Nearest town: Newcastle. Skill level: Intermediate.

Size and identification

Typical shore size around 1 to 2 kg from Wicklow harbours and river mouths; specimen class from about Irish specimen weight is 2.7 kg; fish over that are the prize at established mullet venues.

Thick-lipped Grey Mullet is the most common Irish species. Silver-grey body with distinct dark horizontal stripes along the flanks. Blunt rounded head with thick fleshy lips, the key identification feature. Two separate dorsal fins. Often seen in shoals near the surface in harbours.

Tip: Grey mullet have defeated more Wicklow anglers than any other species. The foundation of mullet fishing is the groundbait, mash bread or bran and introduce small amounts little and often to draw them into a feeding rhythm. Once they're actively consuming loose feed, introduce the hookbait among it. Use the lightest float that will cast, strike at the gentlest dip. Patience is everything.

Irish shore context: record class around 4.22 kg (Thick-lipped).

Same-mark companions

Other ranked targets on the same mark include Flounder, Bass, Sea trout, Dab. Open those pair pages or the full mark guide when you want a multi-species session.

Live ranked advice for The Breaches, Kilcoole updates on Today's plan. Pair this page with the Grey mullet species guide for coast-wide season bars and conservation detail.

Conservation

Long-lived and slow-growing; full catch and release is strongly recommended for all shore-caught mullet.

Guide conservation label: Catch & Release Recommended.

Confirm current bag limits and closures on the Grey mullet species guide and /learn/rules before retaining fish.

Next steps

Related article: Ragworm Guide Ireland: Buy It, Keep It, Fish It Right

Live ranked session advice for this mark sits on today's plan. Rules and bag limits: learn / rules.