Species profile
Ling
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.
Eric, Greystones · Reviewed August 2026 · IFI-aligned
Is it good today?
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.
Ling · Running now
In season
Typical size
Conservation
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.
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 today's plan for this species
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Eric
Based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, fishing the Irish coast since 2018
Target ling on today's plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.