Species profile
Ling fishing in Ireland
Ling in Irish waters. Catchable Year round, peak Year round. Why they are a Kerry, Cork and Donegal deep-rock fish and not an east coast shore target.
Quick answer
Ling in Irish waters. Catchable Year round, peak Year round. Why they are a Kerry, Cork and Donegal deep-rock fish and not an east coast shore target.
In season
Typical size
Conservation
Irish record
24.95 kg (55 lb) · Cork Harbour, 2004
Irish Specimen Fish Committee record list, checked 17 August 2026. A specimen-class fish is well below this, the record is the ceiling, not the target.
Season on the coast
Peak and catchable months on the Wicklow shore.
Catchable Jan to Dec
- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- This month
Where they live
Deep rough ground, wrecks and steep rock faces in 30 m or more, on the south and west coasts. Not a beach or estuary fish.
What to use
Whole squid · Mackerel flapper · Large fish baits · Heavy pirks
How to fish them
Fish a heavy pulley rig with a rubbing leader off deep Atlantic rock marks at night, using a large fish bait on a 6/0 to 8/0 hook into strong tide.
Optional detail
Kit, marks and more
Bait sourcing, starter gear, Wicklow and Dublin marks, related guides. Expand when you need the shopping list or mark directory.
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Suggested gear
Starter searches matched to tactics above
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12ft beachcaster rod
Backbone to turn a big fish before it reaches the rough stuff.
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Strong pulley rigs
Single big fish bait on a rig built to take the load.
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Heavy mono for the rubbing leader
The length of heavy line that takes the abrasion off a big fish.
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Long-nose pliers
Unhook at arm’s length. Both of these fish will take your hand off a hook.
Related guides and tools
Marks, tactics, bait, gear, and the daily plan for this species
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Irish Shore Fishing editorial
Written and checked on the Wicklow coast.
Target ling on the daily plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.