It's the most visual form of shore fishing, watching a float slide under is deeply satisfying. From harbour walls and pier edges, a float-rigged sandeel drifting along the wall face is one of the most reliable methods for pollack and wrasse in Wicklow.
Step by step
How to fish it
- Attach a sliding or fixed float, set the depth so your bait fishes 1 to 2ft above the kelp
- Add sufficient shot to cock the float properly
- Attach a 4 to 6ft fluorocarbon hooklink below the last shot
- Tie a size 1/0 to 2/0 hook for pollack; size 1 to 2 for wrasse
- Bait with a fresh sandeel for pollack, or ragworm for wrasse
- Lower over the pier wall and allow the float to drift with the current
- Strikes often come as the bait swings around structure
Tackle
Gear you need
- Float: 10 to 20g waggler or pencil float for harbour walls
- Shot: AAA or SSG shot to cock the float
- Hooklink: 10 to 15 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook: size 1/0 to 2/0 for pollack; size 1 to 2 for wrasse
Kit
Kit picks for float fishing
Researched for Irish shore conditions on Wicklow marks. Where we have fished an item ourselves, we say so. Links go to Amazon.ie; skip anything you already carry.
Ugly Stik Elite 2.7m
Light harbour rod for float work along the Greystones wall. Doubles as a light spinning rod.
View on AmazonSliding sea floats and stops kit
Sliding floats let you set the bait 1 to 2ft above the kelp and change depth in seconds.
No live Amazon.ie listingSSG and AAA split shot assortment
Enough shot to cock the float properly. An under-shotted float misses half the takes.
No live Amazon.ie listingSeaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader
10 to 15 lb fluoro hooklink below the last shot for pollack and wrasse tight to structure.
View on AmazonPhoxinus Aberdeen hooks 2/0
Size 2/0 Aberdeens for float-fished sandeel along the harbour wall run.
View on AmazonBuilding a full setup from scratch? See the complete gear guide.
Conditions
When to use it
Harbour walls and pier edges where direct access to deep water is limited. Rock marks for wrasse in calm summer conditions. The mackerel season from any structure where fish are visibly feeding.
Local knowledge
On the Wicklow coast
Greystones Harbour is an outstanding float fishing mark. On a flooding spring tide, the current pushes along the harbour wall and a float-fished sandeel drifted through the run will take pollack and coalfish consistently.