Step by step
How to fish it
- Rig a paddle tail or shad on a weighted jig head, match hook size to lure length
- Cast uptide or across the surf and allow the lure to sink to the bottom
- Retrieve slowly, 2 to 3 turns of the reel handle, then pause and allow the lure to fall
- The 'sink and draw' retrieve is deadly for bass along the bottom in coloured surf
- Near structure (rock, kelp, pier walls) work the lure right along the edge
- For wrasse: use a worm-style soft plastic on a lighter jig head through rock gullies
Tackle
Gear you need
- Rod: 9 to 10ft medium lure rod, 10 to 40g casting weight
- Reel: 4000 size with 20 lb braid
- Leader: 20 to 25 lb fluorocarbon, 3 to 4ft
- Lures: 4 to 5 inch paddle tails for bass; 3 to 4 inch shads for pollack
- Jig heads: 10 to 20g for beach work; 7 to 12g for pier walls
Kit
Kit picks for soft plastic lure 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.
Savage Gear Sandeel V2 soft lures
The proven paddle tail for Wicklow surf bass. 4 to 5 inch in sandeel patterns covers Kilcoole and Greystones.
View on AmazonSidewinder sandeel soft lures
Irish sea staple soft plastics. A second profile to swap in when the paddle tail is refused.
View on AmazonSaltwater jig heads 10 to 20g
15g is the Wicklow beach default; go 10g in calm water, 20g in a push of tide.
View on AmazonPENN Squadron IV Travel Spin
A 3.0m lure rod with the backbone to work soft plastics through surf tables and turn a good bass.
View on AmazonSeaguar Blue Label fluorocarbon leader
20 to 25 lb fluoro leader for abrasion resistance along the gullies and rock edges.
View on AmazonBuilding a full setup from scratch? See the complete gear guide.
Conditions
When to use it
Bass in the surf from April through November (peak autumn Sep to Nov), best in 1 to 2ft of surf with some colour. Pollack from piers and rock marks spring through autumn. Wrasse on calm summer days from rock marks.
Local knowledge
On the Wicklow coast
Bass on soft plastics from Kilcoole and Greystones South Beach is one of the great local fishing experiences. Arrive an hour before high water, cast a 5 inch paddle tail on a 15g jig head into the white water, work it slowly back through the gullies. Takes are savage, return all fish carefully.
