WICKLOW COAST
Kilcoole beach is a classic east-coast shingle mark in the Greystones to Wicklow belt. Flounder and dab dominate winter sessions, with codling and whiting after storms.
1 mark · Wicklow coast
Marks
From the shore
Bass and plaice appear in warmer months when water colour and tide fall align. Access is via Kilcoole station and the designated railway crossing: treat the line as live infrastructure, not a shortcut. The beach rewards anglers who accept long casts in summer and shorter casts after a blow. It is beginner friendly on calm evenings but exposed when wind stacks into the bay. Kilcoole is not a harbour safety net; if the surf builds, Greystones pier may be the better call the same day. For locals on the rail line, this is one of the most efficient serious beach sessions in the county.
Species calendar
| Species | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | Jan: Quiet | Feb: Quiet | Mar: Quiet | Apr: Possible | May: Good | Jun: Good | Jul: Good | Aug: Good | Sep: Peak | Oct: Peak | Nov: Peak | Dec: Quiet |
| Coalfish | Jan: Peak | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Good | May: Possible | Jun: Quiet | Jul: Quiet | Aug: Quiet | Sep: Good | Oct: Peak | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Codling | Jan: Quiet | Feb: Quiet | Mar: Quiet | Apr: Quiet | May: Quiet | Jun: Quiet | Jul: Quiet | Aug: Quiet | Sep: Quiet | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Dab | Jan: Good | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Good | May: Possible | Jun: Quiet | Jul: Quiet | Aug: Quiet | Sep: Good | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Dogfish | Jan: Good | Feb: Good | Mar: Good | Apr: Good | May: Possible | Jun: Possible | Jul: Possible | Aug: Possible | Sep: Good | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Flounder | Jan: Good | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Good | May: Possible | Jun: Quiet | Jul: Quiet | Aug: Quiet | Sep: Possible | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
| Mackerel | Jan: Quiet | Feb: Quiet | Mar: Quiet | Apr: Quiet | May: Quiet | Jun: Good | Jul: Peak | Aug: Peak | Sep: Good | Oct: Possible | Nov: Quiet | Dec: Quiet |
| Plaice | Jan: Quiet | Feb: Quiet | Mar: Possible | Apr: Good | May: Peak | Jun: Peak | Jul: Peak | Aug: Good | Sep: Possible | Oct: Quiet | Nov: Quiet | Dec: Quiet |
| Tope | Jan: Quiet | Feb: Quiet | Mar: Quiet | Apr: Quiet | May: Quiet | Jun: Quiet | Jul: Quiet | Aug: Quiet | Sep: Possible | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Good |
| Whiting | Jan: Possible | Feb: Peak | Mar: Peak | Apr: Good | May: Quiet | Jun: Quiet | Jul: Quiet | Aug: Quiet | Sep: Quiet | Oct: Good | Nov: Peak | Dec: Peak |
Access
Access note: Active railway crossing only at the signed point.
FAQ
Kilcoole Beach is a well-known local mark: Flat shingle beach, forgiving for first sessions, reliable flatfish and winter codling when it is calm. Open the plan page for ranked picks against today's conditions.
No state licence is required for sea angling in Ireland. The state rod licence covers salmon and sea trout only. If you plan to target sea trout from the shore, a state licence is required.
Winter flatfish; spring bass and close plaice in settled spells.
From the shore
NEXT STEP
Check today's plan for marks, tides, and conditions on the Wicklow coast.