When it fishes well
Across-current lure work for bass on the flooding tide at dawn or dusk is the documented prime window for the biggest fish.
RockIntermediate
Wicklow Head, Long Rock
The southern rock mark on Wicklow Head, named locally as 'Long Rock'. Spinning produces mackerel and pollock; lures cast across the current take bass with dawn or dusk being the documented prime window. Fish baits will produce occasional conger.
Open today's plan
Long Rock is the southern Wicklow Head sub-mark named locally as Long Rock. The catalogue positions it as the bass-on-lures venue where lures cast across the current at dawn or dusk are the explicit Eastern Regional Fisheries Board prescription, with mackerel and pollock on standard spinning gear and conger only occasional on whole-fish baits while most anglers run surface gear.
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
Across-current lure work for bass on the flooding tide at dawn or dusk is the documented prime window for the biggest fish.
Primary target
Mackerel
Safety
Less dangerous than the lighthouse rocks but currents are still strong; never alone in any swell.
Live readings
Tides and weather charts. Confirm tides and Met Éireann sea-area forecasts before travelling.
Field note
Southern Head rock, lure fishing for mackerel and pollock, bass on across-current lures at dawn.
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 →Tactics · 8 min read
Bass Fishing Lures Ireland: The Complete Guide
The best lures for catching bass from Irish beaches and piers: soft plastics, surface lures, colours, retrieves and setups that consistently produce fish on the Wicklow coast.
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
- Whole fish baits (conger)
Methods
- Spinning
- Lures cast across the current (bass)
- Float fishing
- Fish-bait ledger (occasional conger)
Getting there
Access
Access from the southern side of Wicklow Head. Walk required. Rough terrain.
Parking
R750 car park area.
Hazards
Less dangerous than the lighthouse rocks but currents are still strong; never alone in any swell.
Nearest tackle
Where to top up
Wicklow town tackle shops.
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, Long Rock?
Check today's plan for tides, conditions, and gear.