Species profile
Octopus
Octopus as an occasional Greystones Harbour by-catch: where they hide, light-gear tactics, and how they fit Wicklow pier sessions.
Eric, Greystones · Reviewed Apr 2026 · IFI-aligned
Is it good tomorrow?Quick answer
Octopus as an occasional Greystones Harbour by-catch: where they hide, light-gear tactics, and how they fit Wicklow pier sessions.
Octopus · Running now
In season
June to OctoberIn season now
Typical size
Small to medium common octopus from harbour walls
Conservation
Release advised
Season on the coast
Peak and catchable months on the Wicklow shore.
Catchable Jun to Oct
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- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- This month
Where they live
Harbour walls, rock crevices and kelp edges. Most Wicklow reports are occasional by-catch from Greystones Harbour rather than a planned eging-style hunt.
What to use
Crab · Fish strip · Small jigs worked slowly along the wall
How to fish them
Fish close to structure on light gear. Octopus on this coast are rare enough that any take is worth noting; release carefully if you are not keeping one to eat.
Suggested gear
Starter searches matched to tactics above
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6000 to 8000 fixed spool sea reel
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Crab fishing lure
Realistic crab lure for bass, works from piers, beaches and rock marks.
Related guides and tools
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Eric
Based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, fishing the Irish coast since 2018
Target octopus on tomorrow's plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.