SPECIES PROFILE
Cod
Cod and codling-class fish from Wicklow piers and winter beaches, how tides, baits and rigs line up with what the local spot catalogue actually records.
Eric, Greystones · Reviewed Apr 2026 · IFI-aligned
See if cod are worth targeting todayIn season
Oct to Jan
Typical size
1 to 3 lb codling-class fish from pier channels and shingle beaches
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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F
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- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- Now
Where they live
Deep harbour channels, pier-wall snags and the Greystones to Wicklow shingle belt in winter, wherever spot copy concentrates codling around tidal flow and coloured water after blows.
What to use
Lugworm · Ragworm · Crab baits · Mackerel and squid cocktails
How to fish them
Run strong ledger or pulley rigs with worm or crab cocktails after dark: Wicklow Town Pier copy cites the last two hours of ebb and first of flood in the channel, while Bray Harbour notes the first two hours of the fill plus night sessions on the outer wall for codling and dabs. On Kilcoole and Greystones South the shingle-belt consensus is a falling-tide edge for general fishing, still read each spot page before committing to one tide rule.
Suggested gear
Starter searches matched to tactics above
Amazon UK affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See the fishing calendar for month-by-month targets.
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13ft beachcaster rod
A solid all-rounder for surf, casting and tide runs.
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6000 to 8000 fixed spool sea reel
Balanced line capacity for beach and mixed ground.
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Pulley rig ready-made pack
Fast setup for clean ground and snag avoidance.
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Crab fishing lure
Realistic crab lure for bass, works from piers, beaches and rock marks.
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.
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.
Kilcoole BeachBeach
Flat shingle beach, great for beginners. Reliable flatfish year-round; codling and coalfish through the colder months.
Killoughter BeachBeach
Reputed best Wicklow beach venue. Specimen homelyn, thornback, smoothhound and bullhuss in the catch record.
The Breaches (Vartry Outflow)Beach
Specialist mark, under-targeted specimen mullet on the Vartry outflow under the rail bridge. Flounder, sea trout, bass at the same outlet.
Read next
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Target cod on today's plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.