Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole
Live score checked today
Cliff-base rock ledges below Bray Head, named after the historical smuggling cave largely destroyed in the 1847 railway construction (the name persists locally for the area). Deep, clear water with strong currents that concentrate pollack, wrasse and coalfish. Single-figure pollack with occasional 6 to 8 lb fish is the realistic expectation from the rocks themselves; consistent shore-caught doubles are not well evidenced in modern reports (the published double-figure fish come from boat work on the Wicklow wrecks). A mark for experienced rock anglers who understand the sea.
This mark stays in the directory for reference. Do not attempt access until the cliff walk reopens. See open alternatives below.
What's here
Species running this month on this mark
Also: Tope
Bass, Conger eel, Wrasse are peaking this month.
Season grid
Peak and catchable months for every species listed at this mark.
| Species | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | Jan: Off | Feb: Off | Mar: Off | Apr: Catchable | May: Catchable | Jun: Catchable | Jul: Catchable | Aug: Catchable | Sep: Peak | Oct: Peak | Nov: Peak | Dec: Off |
| Conger eel | Jan: Catchable | Feb: Catchable | Mar: Catchable | Apr: Catchable | May: Catchable | Jun: Peak | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Peak | Oct: Peak | Nov: Catchable | Dec: Catchable |
| Wrasse | Jan: Off | Feb: Off | Mar: Off | Apr: Catchable | May: Catchable | Jun: Peak | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Peak | Oct: Catchable | Nov: Catchable | Dec: Off |
| Coalfish | Jan: Peak | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Catchable | May: Catchable | Jun: Off | Jul: Off | Aug: Off | Sep: Catchable | Oct: Peak | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Mackerel | Jan: Off | Feb: Off | Mar: Off | Apr: Off | May: Off | Jun: Catchable | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Catchable | Oct: Catchable | Nov: Off | Dec: Off |
| Pollack | Jan: Catchable | Feb: Catchable | Mar: Catchable | Apr: Catchable | May: Peak | Jun: Peak | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Catchable | Oct: Catchable | Nov: Catchable | Dec: Catchable |
| Tope | Jan: Off | Feb: Off | Mar: Off | Apr: Off | May: Off | Jun: Off | Jul: Off | Aug: Off | Sep: Catchable | Oct: Catchable | Nov: Peak | Dec: Catchable |
Table scrolls horizontally to show all twelve months.
Fishing it
Tide, tactics, and local read
If I were fishing here
If I were fishing Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole, I'd get settled before the best water arrives, keep a clean exit route, and fish pollack close to structure instead of punching unnecessary distance.
I'd skip when…
I'd skip when swell is up, the rock is greasy, or I'm fishing alone. Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole does not forgive a casual call.
When it fishes well
Slack water at low tide is the safest and most productive window. The currents run very strongly on the ebb and flood, making casting difficult and dangerous. Target the 30 to 45 minute slack window at low water. October and November produce the biggest pollack on the tide turn.
Serious rock under Bray Head, quality pollack and wrasse, experienced anglers only, never fish alone.
Baits
- Sandeel
- Mackerel strip
- Ragworm
Methods
- Float rig
- Heavy ledger
- Lure fishing, jigs and shads, weedless soft plastics for snags (pollack/bass)
Getting there
Access, parking, hazards, and getting back safe
Access
Access is currently closed. The cliff walk route to this mark is shut and unsafe. See the notice above.
Parking
Parking is available in Bray town near the seafront.
Hazards
Before you go
Statutory rules for the regulated species at this mark. Everything else here has no bag limit or closed season.
- PollackRetention allowed
30 cm
Rules checked 29 June 2026Pollack Fishing Conservation Bye-Law No. 1028 of 2026, Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 (SFPA MCRS list, Irish EEZ)
- BassRetention allowed
42 cm
Rules checked 29 June 2026Bass Fishing Conservation Bye-Law No. 826 of 2007, Council Regulation (EU) 2026/249
Rules change. Check the linked authority before you keep a fish: see all size and bag limits.
Common questions
- What fish can you catch at Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole?
- Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole produces Pollack, Wrasse, Coalfish, Bass and Mackerel. Which of those are actually feeding depends on the month: the season grid on this page shows the peak and catchable months for every species listed here.
- What bait works at Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole?
- Sandeel, Mackerel strip and Ragworm are the baits that work at Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole, fished on float rig, heavy ledger and lure fishing, jigs and shads, weedless soft plastics for snags (pollack/bass).
- Where do you park for Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole?
- Parking is available in Bray town near the seafront.
- How do you get to Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole?
- Access is currently closed. The cliff walk route to this mark is shut and unsafe. See the notice above.
- Is Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole safe to fish?
- Access is closed via the cliff walk. Rockfall risk from above and swell wash on the ledges make this an expert-only mark when access is legal. Never fish alone here. If in doubt, do not descend.
- Do I need a licence to fish at Bray Head Rocks, The Brandy Hole, and what can I keep?
- No State rod licence for ordinary sea angling. Salmon and sea trout need one. Retention rules do apply to some species here. Pollack: retention allowed, 30 cm and bass: retention allowed, 42 cm. Check the linked authority before keeping a fish.
Read before you go
Species · 7 min read
Wrasse Fishing Ireland 2026: Rock Marks, Baits and Lures
Wrasse hold tight to Irish rock and kelp from April to November, peaking June to September. The marks, crab baits and soft plastic tactics that winkle them out.
Read guide →Beginners · 6 min read
Shore Fishing Safety Ireland: Rock, Beach and Night Sessions
The safety rules that keep Irish shore anglers alive: reading swell on rock marks, the night fishing checklist, and exactly what to do if someone goes in.
Read guide →Spots · 7 min read
Wicklow Head Fishing 2026: Pollack, Wrasse and Mackerel
Wicklow Head is the county's best rock mark: pollack, wrasse and mackerel from May to August. The three platforms, how to reach them, and what to throw.
Read guide →
Related guides and tools
Species, tactics, tides, and today's plan for this mark
Nearest tackle
Where to top up
Bray town has fishing tackle shops within walking distance of the seafront. Good selection of lures and terminal tackle for rock fishing.
Eric
Based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, fishing the Irish coast since 2018