SPECIES PROFILE
Smoothhound
Smoothhound fishing on Wicklow surf beaches, learn when crab feeders arrive, which tides to fish and how to rig baits safely for these powerful sharks.
Eric, Greystones · Reviewed Apr 2026 · IFI-aligned
See if smoothhound are worth targeting todayIn season
May to SepIn season now
Typical size
3 to 6 kg on Wicklow surf beaches
Conservation
Catch and release
Season on the coast
Peak and catchable months from the catalogue season window, parsed for Wicklow shore fishing.
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
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N
D
- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- Now
Where they live
Smooth sandy beaches and clean ground where crab populations are strong; follows peeler crab movements along surf tables and gutters.
What to use
Peeler crab · Soft-back crab · Hermit crab · Squid and crab cocktails
How to fish them
Fish peeler crab on strong pulley or running ledger rigs from evening flood into dark, using long fluorocarbon hooklengths to let baits sit naturally in the surf.
Suggested gear
Starter searches matched to tactics above
Amazon UK affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See the fishing calendar for month-by-month targets.
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Crab fishing lure
Crab imitation for smoothhound on clean sand.
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Strong pulley rig pack
Heavy-duty rigs for shark-class shore fish.
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60lb fluorocarbon trace
Abrasion-resistant trace for big fish close in.
Wicklow marks
Arklow South Beach & FerrybankBeach
Avoca river-mouth shore complex (Ferrybank + South Beach). Bass, hounds, flatfish; historical specimen sole.
Brittas Bay (South End)Beach
Premier Wicklow bass beach. Specimen bass in storm conditions; smoothhound and rays in summer.
Clogga StrandBeach
Last Wicklow venue. Two-zone beach, deeper water north for flatfish/hounds; rock platforms south for bass on lures.
Ennereilly Strand SouthBeach
Remote, sandy, southerly-facing beach. Bass April to October, smoothhound on evening crab baits May to September.
Five Mile PointBeach
Specimen smoothhound run on spring nights, the single insight justifying this mark. May ray/plaice; nursery beach the rest of the year.
Killoughter BeachBeach
Reputed best Wicklow beach venue. Specimen homelyn, thornback, smoothhound and bullhuss in the catch record.
Read next
Species
Smoothhound Fishing Ireland 2026
Smoothhound arrive off Wicklow from late May 2026. Peeler crab, rigs, marks and evening tides for Ireland's top summer shore shark.
Tactics
Peeler Crab: The Complete Irish Shore Fishing Guide
Everything you need to know about peeler crab: how to find it, identify it, prepare it and use it to catch bass, smoothhound and more from Irish beaches.
Spots
Brittas Bay Fishing 2026
Brittas Bay fishing in 2026: bass and smoothhound from late May, baits, tides and access on Wicklow's premier summer beach.
Target smoothhound on today's plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.