Species profile
Sprat fishing in Ireland
Sprat in Wicklow harbours through winter. Catchable September to March, peak November to January. How to catch them for bait, and why finding them changes the whole session.
Quick answer
Sprat in Wicklow harbours through winter. Catchable September to March, peak November to January. How to catch them for bait, and why finding them changes the whole session.
In season
Typical size
Conservation
Not an ISFC-listed species, so there is no Irish record or specimen weight
Season on the coast
Peak and catchable months on the Wicklow shore.
Peak Nov to Jan · catchable Sep to Mar
- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- This month
Where they live
Harbours, marinas and sheltered deep water, where enormous winter shoals gather close to walls and under lights.
What to use
Size 12 to 14 sabiki · Bait feathers · Fine drop net
How to fish them
Drop tiny sabiki feathers straight down harbour walls on cold still winter nights, using only enough lead to hold depth because the shoal usually sits shallow.
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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Pier spinning combo
Rod and reel matched for feathers, sabiki and light metals.
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Mackerel feather rigs
The standard multi-hook rig when a shoal is under the wall.
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T-bar disgorger
Clears a multi-hook rig fast without handling every fish.
Wicklow marks
Dargle-mouth working harbour. LRF-style mixed-species pier; codling, dab, flounder and plaice with summer bass and mullet.
Sheltered marina pier, ideal for families and beginners. Good wrasse, pollack, mackerel and an established autumn squid fishery.
Deep-water working-harbour pier. Pollack, coalfish, winter whiting; rare connection to autumn shore-tope traffic on big distance baits.
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 sprat on the daily plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.