SPECIES PROFILE
Coalfish
Coalfish on the Wicklow coast from piers and rock marks, prime seasons, lures and bait tactics for these aggressive shoal fish.
Eric, Greystones · Reviewed Apr 2026 · IFI-aligned
See if coalfish are worth targeting todayIn season
Sep to Apr
Typical size
300 g to 1.5 kg on harbour and rock marks
Conservation
Release advised
Season on the coast
Peak and catchable months from the catalogue season window, parsed for Wicklow shore fishing.
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- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- Now
Where they live
Harbour walls, pier mouths and rough ground where baitfish shoals run, especially in colder months when pollack fishing fades.
What to use
Feathers · Sandeel · Mackerel strip · Soft plastics · Metal jigs
How to fish them
Fish small metals, feathers or natural baits in the flow around harbour mouths and deep pier edges, letting lures swing through the current in autumn and winter.
Suggested gear
Starter searches matched to tactics above
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Feather rig pack
Reliable multi-hook rig for coalfish shoals.
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Metal jig set
Fast jigs for coalfish in pier channels.
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Soft plastic shads
Shads on a jig head for exploring the water column.
Wicklow marks
Arklow South Beach & FerrybankBeach
Avoca river-mouth shore complex (Ferrybank + South Beach). Bass, hounds, flatfish; historical specimen sole.
Bray HarbourPier
Dargle-mouth working harbour. LRF-style mixed-species pier; codling, dab, flounder and plaice with summer bass and mullet.
Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy HoleRock
Serious rock mark below Bray Head. Quality pollock and wrasse for experienced anglers only, never alone.
Five Mile PointBeach
Specimen smoothhound run on spring nights, the single insight justifying this mark. May ray/plaice; nursery beach the rest of the year.
Greystones Harbour & PierPier
Sheltered marina pier, ideal for families and beginners. Good wrasse, pollock, mackerel and an established autumn squid fishery.
Greystones South BeachBeach
Accessible competition-grade town beach with reliable winter codling and close-in plaice in calm weather.
Jack's HoleBeach
Mixed beach/rock cove south of Wicklow. Autumn night fishing for bass and pollock; winter school bass.
Kilcoole BeachBeach
Flat shingle beach, great for beginners. Reliable flatfish year-round; codling and coalfish through the colder months.
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Target coalfish on today's plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.