When it fishes well
Flooding tide for bass on across-current lures; dawn or dusk window. Most species accessible HW ± 2 hours.
RockIntermediate
Wicklow Head, Brides Head
The northeast face of Wicklow Head, accessed on foot from the R750 car park down past the golf course. The safer of the three Wicklow Head rock marks, solid spinning ground for mackerel and pollock with float fishing for wrasse and coalfish. Worm and crab over sand patches between the rocks turn up dabs and plaice in July and August.
Open today's plan
This is the northeast face of Wicklow Head below the golf course, the safer Wicklow Head spin mark for mackerel and pollock compared to Long Rock and the lighthouse rocks, and the only one of the three where the catalogue calls out worm or crab over July to August sand patches between the rocks for plaice and dab alongside the rock species.
SSE 26
Wind
1.0m
Swell
Flooding · High in 6h 21m
Tide
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Session plan
Ranked marks, species targets and today's call for the Wicklow coast live on the plan page — not on individual mark guides.
Open today's planTide window
Flooding tide for bass on across-current lures; dawn or dusk window. Most species accessible HW ± 2 hours.
Primary target
Pollock
Safety
Walk-in from the R750 car park; rough cliff terrain. Less exposed than the lighthouse rocks but still requires care. Tide rip can be significant.
Live readings
Tides and weather charts. Confirm tides and Met Éireann sea-area forecasts before travelling.
Field note
Spinning mark below the golf course, reliable mackerel and pollock, safer than the lighthouse rocks.
Read before you go
Spots · 7 min read
Wicklow Head Fishing 2026
Wicklow Head fishing in 2026: pollack, wrasse and mackerel on the county's top rock mark through the May to August inshore peak.
Read guide →Species · 7 min read
Pollack & Coalfish Ireland 2026
Pollack and coalfish from Wicklow rocks and piers in 2026: ID tips, lures and marks as pollack peak from late May through summer.
Read guide →Species · 7 min read
Mackerel Fishing Ireland 2026
Mackerel arrive off Wicklow in late May. Best marks, rigs and timing for shore mackerel in Ireland, updated 2026.
Read guide →
Practical notes
On the ground
What to bring
Baits
- Mackerel strip
- Sandeel
- Ragworm
- Crab
Methods
- Spinning (mackerel/pollack)
- Float fishing (wrasse/coalfish)
- Lures across the current (bass)
- Worm/crab on running ledger over sand patches (flatfish)
Getting there
Access
Walk required from the car park on the R750 to reach the rock fishing below the golf course on Brides Head. Rough but manageable terrain, sturdy boots essential.
Parking
R750 car park near Wicklow Head.
Hazards
Walk-in from the R750 car park; rough cliff terrain. Less exposed than the lighthouse rocks but still requires care. Tide rip can be significant.
Nearest tackle
Where to top up
Wicklow town tackle shops, short drive north.
Gear for this mark
Tackle
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13ft rock rod (heavy)
Extra backbone for rough ground and tide pressure.
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Limpet sinker set
Holds bottom when current hits rocky ledges.
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Rock ledger rig pack
Short, tough traces for snags and kelp edges.
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Crab fishing lure
Crab lure for wrasse and bass around rock and kelp marks.
Ready to fish Wicklow Head, Brides Head?
Check today's plan for tides, conditions, and gear.