Species profile
Thornback Ray
Thornback ray from remote Wicklow surf beaches, when to expect them, which long-range rigs to use and how to handle rays safely in the surf.
Eric, Greystones · Reviewed Apr 2026 · IFI-aligned
Is it good tomorrow?Quick answer
Thornback ray from remote Wicklow surf beaches, when to expect them, which long-range rigs to use and how to handle rays safely in the surf.
Thornback Ray · Running now · June to August peak on the Wicklow coast
In season
May to OctoberIn season now
Typical size
2 to 5 lb from Wicklow beaches
Conservation
Release advised
Season on the coast
Peak and catchable months on the Wicklow shore.
Peak Jun to Aug · catchable May to Oct
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- Peak
- Catchable
- Off season
- This month
Where they live
Clean to slightly mixed sand off open beaches where sandeel, crab and small fish are present, often at long range.
What to use
Sandeel · Bluey or mackerel strip · Crab and fish cocktails
How to fish them
Cast pulley rigs or up-and-over pennel rigs long over clean ground, leaving baits anchored to soak on flooding tides and around high water.
Suggested gear
Starter searches matched to tactics above
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13ft beachcaster rod
A solid all-rounder for surf, casting and tide runs.
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6000 to 8000 fixed spool sea reel
Balanced line capacity for beach and mixed ground.
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Pulley rig ready-made pack
Fast setup for clean ground and snag avoidance.
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Crab fishing lure
Realistic crab lure for bass, works from piers, beaches and rock marks.
Need a full shopping list? Bait fishing gear buyer guide with comparison table, prices and Amazon picks.
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.
Ennereilly Strand SouthBeach
Remote, sandy, southerly-facing beach. Bass April to November (peak Sep to Nov), smoothhound on evening crab baits May to October.
Killoughter BeachBeach
Reputed best Wicklow beach venue. Specimen homelyn, thornback, smoothhound and bullhuss in the catch record.
Magheramore BeachBeach
Surf-shared cove. Honest reality: dogfish-dominated beach. Bass potential off the south rock shelf in calm conditions.
Silver StrandBeach
Sheltered sandy cove. Spring/autumn surf bass and a rare-for-the-east-coast spurdog fishery on summer night tides.
Related guides and tools
Marks, tactics, bait, gear, and tomorrow's plan for this species
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Eric
Based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, fishing the Irish coast since 2018
Target thornback ray on tomorrow's plan
Ranked marks, species windows, and gear for the Wicklow shore.