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Species profile

Octopus fishing in Ireland

Octopus as an occasional Greystones Harbour by-catch: where they hide, light-gear tactics, and how they fit Wicklow pier sessions.

Octopus · Catchable Jun to Oct

Reading the coast feed.

Octopus

Quick answer

Octopus as an occasional Greystones Harbour by-catch: where they hide, light-gear tactics, and how they fit Wicklow pier sessions.

In season

June to OctoberIn season

Typical size

Small to medium common octopus from harbour walls

Conservation

Release advised

Occasional Greystones Harbour by-catch

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.

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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  • Egi jig, size 2.5

    The standard autumn size for Irish pier squid.

    View on Amazon →
  • Budget egi sampler

    Mixed colours to find what the light and the water want that night.

    View on Amazon →
  • Light jigging rod, 2.7m

    Soft tip to work a jig in short lifts without tearing the hold.

    View on Amazon →
  • Braided mainline

    No stretch, so you feel the weight change when one takes.

    View on Amazon →

Marks, tactics, bait, gear, and the daily plan for this species

Irish Shore Fishing editorial

Written and checked on the Wicklow coast.

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