Mackerel at Wicklow Head, Lighthouse Rocks.

Quick facts

Mark type

Rock

Skill

Advanced only

Catalogue rank

Seasonal

Why fish Mackerel at Wicklow Head, Lighthouse Rocks

Lighthouse rocks at Wicklow Head. Deep water and severe tide rip, experienced rock anglers only. Autumn herring brings tope and conger.

Cliff-base rocks beneath the Wicklow Head Lighthouse.

Deep water close in, severe tide rip, very deep holes just off the steps.

Pollack to specimen size on the wrecks offshore (Kit Dunne / Wicklow Boat Charters has multiple Irish Specimen Pollack recorded under 20nm), the shore mark connects to similar water but tide rip and depth holes make this an experienced-only venue.

Tope and conger possible in October as herring shoals push into the bay with the first frosts.

Short: Lighthouse rocks at Wicklow Head.

Deep water and severe tide rip, experienced rock anglers only.

Open water around harbour mouths and headlands when baitfish shoals are pushed close in; often mid-water rather than tight to the surface.

Lighthouse rocks with severe tide rip, expert rock anglers only, autumn herring can bring tope.

This is the Wicklow Head sub-mark that requires the explicit safety overlay.

SAI forum sources describe the tide rip as 'lethal' with multiple posters reinforcing that 'your first accident could well be your last'.

There are very deep holes just off the steps, known locally as a 'tackle graveyard'.

Budget heavy gear loss or rig a sacrificial weak link to your leads.

Season and tide

On Wicklow Head, Lighthouse Rocks the catalogue season for Mackerel is Seasonal on this mark. Coast-wide, Mackerel runs June to October (July to August).

Wider mark season notes: Pollack: year-round (fishes best from the rocks April to November; biggest fish Sep to Nov on the tide turn), Wrasse: May to September, Coalfish: October to February, Bass: April to November (peak autumn Sep to Nov), Tope/Conger expedition window: October (with the herring run as first frosts arrive)

Tide guidance for this mark: Slack water is the only safe and productive window, the tide runs very fast here. Lighthouse Rocks tide rip is described in SAI threads as 'lethal, your first accident could be your last'. October tide turn for the biggest pollack.

Species tide and time pattern: Early morning and evening are the most reliable windows. Mackerel feed throughout the day when shoals are present but often disappear at midday in bright conditions. Moving water always helps.

Catalogue fishable phases: first-flood, mid-flood, high, first-ebb. Peak phases: mid-flood, first-ebb.

Tactics on this mark

Cast 20 to 30 g lures or feather rigs across the flow and retrieve at varying depths, counting down to find the level of the shoal and keeping pressure constant once hooked.

Float rig; Heavy ledger with sacrificial weak link to leads (tackle graveyard); Lure fishing (jigs, shads); Tope-rig with whole mackerel or fresh herring (October)

Gear class for this mark: rough rock. Facing E. Confidence HIGH.

• Multi-hook feather or sabiki rigs, cast and retrieve at medium pace
• Small metal lures for sport fishing
• Float fishing a strip of mackerel for larger specimens
• Float rig
• Heavy ledger with sacrificial weak link to leads (tackle graveyard)
• Lure fishing (jigs, shads)
• Tope-rig with whole mackerel or fresh herring (October)

Baits and lures

Mackerel baits and lures: Feather rigs; Sabiki rigs; Metal slices; Small soft plastics.

What this mark typically holds: Sandeel; Mackerel strip; Ragworm; Whole mackerel or fresh herring (autumn tope/conger).

Sandeel; Mackerel strip; Ragworm; Whole mackerel or fresh herring (autumn tope/conger)

Access and ground

Approach via the lighthouse road from Wicklow Head; not far from the car. SAI threads note access is 'not too far from the car' but the descent to the rocks themselves is hazardous. Only attempt in calm dry weather; never alone.

Parking: At/near Wicklow Head Lighthouse.

Safety: SERIOUS, SAI consensus is that this is one of the most dangerous shore marks in the area. 'If you fall in you'll be lucky to get back out.' Never fish alone, never in any swell, only in calm dry weather. Rockfall risk from above. The 'tackle graveyard' deep holes off the steps mean significant gear loss.

Nearest tackle: Wicklow town tackle shops, short drive north.

Nearest town: Wicklow. Skill level: Advanced only.

Size and identification

Typical shore size around 200 to 400 g from piers and headlands; specimen class from about Heavy “jumbo” mackerel 600 g+ arrive in late summer.

Unmistakable, iridescent blue-green back with dark wavy tiger stripes, silver-white belly. Streamlined torpedo shape built for speed. Bright eyes. One of the most beautiful fish in Irish waters.

Tip: When mackerel are showing at Greystones Harbour in July and August the whole pier can be alive with fish. The key is getting the depth right, mackerel often shoal at mid-water rather than the surface. If you're missing takes, count down further before retrieving. Fresh mackerel is outstanding eating, gut and ice immediately.

Irish shore context: record class around 1.36 kg.

Same-mark companions

Other ranked targets on the same mark include Pollack, Wrasse, Coalfish, Bass. Open those pair pages or the full mark guide when you want a multi-species session.

Live ranked advice for Wicklow Head, Lighthouse Rocks updates on Today's plan. Pair this page with the Mackerel species guide for coast-wide season bars and conservation detail.

Conservation

Highly perishable; gut and ice immediately and take only fish you will eat fresh, frozen mackerel is poor bait and eating quality.

Guide conservation label: Bag Limit Applies.

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

Next steps

Related article: Wicklow Head Fishing 2026: Pollack, Wrasse and Mackerel

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