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Garfish arrive off Wicklow from late April, with numbers building through May and peak fishing in June and July. They are slim, vivid green fish that hunt near the surface, and on light float tackle they fight hard for their size. Greystones Harbour Pier and Wicklow Town Harbour are the most reliable marks on this coast when calm water lets you fish a bait shallow and still.
Why target garfish
Garfish are not the easiest species to hook. Their narrow mouths and surface feeding habit mean missed bites are common until you tune depth and bait size. When it clicks, float fishing for garfish is absorbing: delicate bites, sudden runs, and fish that leap clear of the water.
They often arrive with mackerel on Wicklow piers, so a summer session can mix fast feather fishing with quieter float work along the wall. Garfish are also underrated on the table: mild white flesh when eaten fresh, quite different from the oily species many shore anglers target.
When and where on the Wicklow coast
Garfish are present from late April through August on the east coast, with the best sport from June into July when water is warm and baitfish hold in harbours. They are surface feeders and favour calm, sheltered water, so flat evenings after a warm day often outfish rough afternoons.
Greystones Harbour Pier
The most consistent garfish mark in north Wicklow. Fish the harbour entrance and outer wall on a sliding float set shallow. Calm high water and a light breeze are ideal. Mackerel often show in the same session from late May, so bring feathers as well as float gear.
Wicklow Town Harbour
Sheltered water and steady depth make Wicklow pier productive for garfish through summer. Work the channel edges and the end of the pier where baitfish gather. Bring mackerel strip or feathers if you need bait on the day.
Open beaches
Garfish are occasionally taken from exposed beaches but piers and harbour walls are far more reliable. If you fish sand, treat it as a bonus rather than the main plan, and keep the float shallow in coloured water after a breeze.
High water and the two hours either side often fish best, when tidal movement carries bait along pier walls. Bright midday sun can push fish deeper; early morning and evening are worth prioritising.
Rigs and tackle
The standard approach is a sliding float rig with the bait held 30 to 60cm below the surface. Garfish feed up, and fishing too deep is the most common reason for blank sessions.
Rod
Light rod 10 to 12ft, match, float or light spinning rated roughly 5 to 15g
Line
8 to 10lb monofilament mainline, light enough for presentation, strong enough for sudden runs
Hook
Small long-shank hooks size 8 to 10, fine wire helps hook the narrow mouth
Trace
No wire trace needed, a short fluorocarbon or mono hooklink of 6 to 8lb is enough
Set the float stop so the bait fishes in the upper metre. In very calm conditions you may need to shorten to 30cm. A small split shot under the float helps the bait sink cleanly without pulling the float under.
Best baits
Mackerel strip
Thin strips cut from fresh mackerel are the most effective garfish bait on Wicklow piers. Hook once through the skin so the strip hangs straight and twitches in the tide.
Sandeel strip
A small strip of sandeel works well when garfish are feeding on baitfish. Keep baits small, a large chunk is often ignored.
Ragworm
A short section of fresh ragworm on a size 8 hook catches garfish when they are grazing rather than chasing fish. Useful when mackerel strip is not available.
Bread crust
Bread flake or crust can take garfish in harbours, especially after groundbaiting. It works, but mackerel or sandeel strip is usually more consistent on the Wicklow coast.
Playing and landing garfish
Garfish are acrobatic once hooked. Expect sudden bursts of speed and frequent jumps. Use a light drag and avoid rushing the fish back to the wall, steady pressure keeps small hooks planted better than a hard strike and immediate haul.
A landing net helps. Garfish thrash at the surface and throw hooks easily if you swing them onto stone. Wet the net and lift quickly once the fish is over the rim of the net bag.
Eating garfish
Garfish have an unusual green-tinted bone structure. It looks striking but is harmless, not a sign of anything wrong with the fish. The flesh is mild and white, and best cooked the same day it is caught.
Pan-fried whole after gutting is a simple approach. Filleting removes the rib bones cleanly if you prefer bone-free portions. They do not keep as well as oily fish once frozen, so treat them as a fresh catch meal rather than a freezer species.
Recommended gear
Garfish fishing essentials
Float rod, reel and terminal tackle for garfish from Irish harbour piers.
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Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod 2.7m
A 9ft saltwater spinning rod with enough length for float fishing garfish from pier edges. Rated for 25 to 60g, tough Ugly Tuff guides, and available for next-day delivery.
View on AmazonUgly Stik Ugly Tuff Spinning Reel (Size 40)
A reliable fixed spool reel for pier float fishing. Load with 8 to 10lb monofilament for garfish. Pairs well with a 10 to 12ft float or light spinning rod.
View on AmazonSinker Float Stops (600 pack)
Beads and float stops for sliding float rigs on the mainline. Essential for setting depth on a waggler or sliding float when garfish are feeding in the top metre of water.
View on AmazonPlan your next session