Species profile
Dover sole
Dover sole on the Wicklow coast: the historical Arklow specimen fish, and how to fish the beaches realistically today.
Eric, Greystones · Reviewed Apr 2026 · IFI-aligned
Is it good tomorrow?Quick answer
Dover sole on the Wicklow coast: the historical Arklow specimen fish, and how to fish the beaches realistically today.
In season
June to JulyIn season now
Typical size
Shore sole are uncommon on this coast, with the historical specimen-class fish coming from around the Avoca river mouth.
Conservation
Release advised
Season on the coast
Peak and catchable months on the Wicklow shore.
Catchable Jun to Jul
JFMAMJJASOND
- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- This month
Where they live
Sandy and estuary-influenced ground at the Avoca river mouth, the same shore complex that produces bass, smoothhound and flatfish through the rest of the year.
What to use
Ragworm · Lugworm · Small worm baits on light ledger
How to fish them
Fish the same autumn night-tide and worm-led approaches as for flounder and whiting on the Arklow beaches, but treat sole as a bonus encounter only, since the records are historical rather than a modern regular catch.
Suggested gear
Starter searches matched to tactics above
Amazon.ie affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See the fishing calendar for month-by-month targets.
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we've used or would genuinely buy ourselves.
- View on Amazon →
13ft beachcaster rod
A solid all-rounder for surf, casting and tide runs.
- View on Amazon →
6000 to 8000 fixed spool sea reel
Balanced line capacity for beach and mixed ground.
- View on Amazon →
Pulley rig ready-made pack
Fast setup for clean ground and snag avoidance.
- View on Amazon →
Crab fishing lure
Realistic crab lure for bass, works from piers, beaches and rock marks.
Related guides and tools
Marks, tactics, bait, gear, and tomorrow's plan for this species
Read next
Species
Winter Flounder Ireland: Beach Marks and Rigs
Winter flounder on Irish beaches, October to March. Estuary mouths, short casts, ragworm ledger rigs and the flood tides that put flatfish at your feet.
Species
Bass Fishing Wicklow 2026: Best Marks, Baits and Tides
Where to catch bass on the Wicklow coast in 2026: the beaches and rock marks that produce, the baits and lures that work, and the tides to fish them on.
Species
Smoothhound Fishing Ireland: Beaches, Rigs and Bait
Smoothhound from Irish east coast beaches, May to October (peak June to August). Peeler crab rigs, evening flood tides and Wicklow sand marks that produce hard-fighting double-figure fish.
Eric
Based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, fishing the Irish coast since 2018
Target dover sole on tomorrow's plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.