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The most colourful fish in Irish waters
Ballan wrasse are in peak form on Wicklow rock marks and pier walls from June to September, when clear, settled water lets you fish the kelp fringe. They are one of the most visually striking fish in Irish inshore waters, and powerful short-range fighters that use every crack and crevice in the reef to try to cut your line.
Wrasse are a rock and kelp species. They spend their entire lives in the same patch of reef, living in the crevices and feeding on crustaceans, mussels and small crabs. This means they are predictable, find the right rock mark with good kelp cover and clear water and wrasse will be there every time you visit. They are not migratory and do not move far from their home territory.
When to target wrasse
Wrasse are a summer species on the Wicklow coast, present inshore from April to November. They are most active and easiest to catch when water temperatures are highest, with June to September the prime window. In winter wrasse move into deeper water and become largely inactive, often entering a semi-dormant state in deep rock crevices.
The best conditions for wrasse fishing are calm, clear water in settled summer weather. Low tide exposing the kelp edges is ideal, wrasse feed right at the kelp fringe. Bright conditions and good water clarity actually help because wrasse hunt by sight. Early morning is excellent before boat traffic disturbs the shallower marks.
Best Wicklow marks for wrasse
Wicklow Head Long Rock
The premier open wrasse mark on this stretch of coast. Rocky platforms and kelp-filled gullies produce ballan wrasse reliably in summer. Large specimens over 3kg are caught here. Access requires care, rocky and slippery in places, never fish alone. The deeper kelp channels at low tide are the most productive areas.
Greystones South Beach Rocky Sections
The rocky sections at the southern end of Greystones beach produce wrasse in summer. Fish the kelp edges at low tide with peeler crab or ragworm on a simple running ledger. The harbour wall also produces occasional wrasse on lures worked tight to the stonework.
Wicklow Head Rocks
Rocky headland marks around Wicklow Head produce wrasse and pollack in summer. The clean Atlantic-facing rocks hold larger wrasse than the more sheltered Greystones marks. Access is challenging in places, suitable for experienced anglers only in calm conditions.
Tackle and tactics
Wrasse fishing requires robust tackle because of the snaggy nature of their habitat. A strong spinning rod of 9 to 10ft matched to a 4000 reel loaded with 20 to 30lb braid is the standard setup. Heavy braid is essential because wrasse instantly try to dive into crevices when hooked, if they reach cover the fight is usually lost. A short, strong fluorocarbon leader of 20 to 25lb completes the setup.
Bait fishing, float or ledger
A small float rig fished tight to the kelp edge with peeler crab or ragworm on a size 1/0 to 2/0 hook is the classic wrasse method. The float holds the bait at the right depth in the water column and registers bites clearly. Alternatively, a simple running ledger with a 2oz lead fished in the gullies between kelp beds also works well. Keep the bait close to the bottom.
LRF and lure fishing
Light Rock Fishing (LRF) with small soft plastic lures on light jig heads is a highly effective and satisfying method for wrasse. Small weedless-rigged paddle tails and grub lures worked slowly along the kelp edges trigger aggressive takes. The advantage over bait is covering more ground and finding actively feeding fish rather than waiting for them to find you.
Drop-shotting
Drop-shotting, a finesse technique with a small lure tied above a weight on the end of the line, is increasingly popular for wrasse from pier walls and rocky ledges where you can fish directly below your position. Lower the rig to the kelp level, twitch the lure, and hold on when a wrasse grabs it.
Conservation, handle with care
Wrasse are a slow-growing, site-faithful species that do not recover well from overfishing. A large ballan wrasse of 3kg may be 20 years old or more. The Irish wrasse fishery is also under commercial pressure from the salmon farming industry, which uses wrasse as cleaner fish. Please return all wrasse carefully, wet your hands, support the fish, unhook quickly, and lower it back to the water. There is no value in killing wrasse and doing so depletes a mark permanently.
Recommended gear
Wrasse fishing essentials
Hooks, lures and leader material for wrasse fishing from Irish rock marks and pier walls.
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Phoxinus Baitholder Hooks 4/0 (25 pack)
Strong baitholder hooks in 4/0, ideal for wrasse on peeler crab and ragworm. The barbed shank holds soft baits securely through the cast and prevents the bait sliding down.
View on AmazonSavage Gear Sandeel V2 Sinking 12cm 22g
Soft plastic sandeel for working lures through the kelp and rocky ground where wrasse live. Keep retrieves tight to cover and expect snags on the bottom.
View on AmazonSF Pure Fluorocarbon Leader 20lb
Strong fluorocarbon leader for wrasse fishing around rocks and kelp, abrasion resistant against barnacle-encrusted rock. Tie 3 to 4 feet between braid and hook or lure.
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