Bass at Silver Strand.

Quick facts

Mark type

Beach

Skill

Beginner/Intermediate

Catalogue rank

Primary target

Why fish Bass at Silver Strand

Sheltered sandy cove. Spring/autumn surf bass and a rare-for-the-east-coast spurdog fishery on summer night tides.

A small, sheltered sandy cove tucked between rocky headlands south of Wicklow Head.

One of the cleaner sand beaches on the Wicklow coast and one of the few accessible east-coast marks for spurdog on summer night tides, under-known feature confirmed across regional sources.

Surf in spring and autumn at night is the classic productive window.

The sheltered position makes it a viable option in northerly or westerly winds when other marks are too rough.

Surf beaches, rocky headlands, harbour walls, estuaries and sandy gutters, most reliably in coloured, wind-driven surf and around tidal rips or white water.

Sheltered cove, spring bass and a rare east-coast spurdog chance on summer night tides.

You may see this beach listed as Furzeditch East, its townland name, but every fishing source calls it Silver Strand.

Spurdog on summer night tides is the species note worth knowing: these are not common at most east-coast beaches and Silver Strand is one of the few accessible marks for them in Wicklow.

Cut-off risk at high tide is the genuine safety story here, more than slippery rocks: the beach physically separates into coves and anglers have been caught out.

Season and tide

At Silver Strand, Bass is worth targeting in April to November (peak autumn Sep to Nov). Coast-wide, Bass runs April to November (peaks September to November autumn peak on Wicklow beaches).

Wider mark season: Bass: April to November (peak autumn Sep to Nov), Flounder: October to March, Dab: October to February, Plaice: May to September, Spurdog: summer (night tides), Mackerel: June to September, Thornback ray: occasional summer

Tide guidance here: High water and the two hours either side give the best fishing. The beach is relatively shallow and fish move in closest at the top of the tide. Flooding tide on a summer evening is the best time for bass along the shoreline. Spring/autumn surf at night for the bigger bass.

First two hours of the flooding tide in surf conditions. Dawn and dusk are most productive, bright midday sun switches them off. After a good easterly blow, any stage of tide can produce fish close in.

Fishable phases: first-flood, mid-flood, high, first-ebb, mid-ebb. Peak: mid-flood, first-ebb.

Tactics on this mark

Target the first two hours of flood on surf beaches, casting short into coloured water with crab baits or soft plastics; in calm clear conditions, switch to lures around rock edges and harbour walls at dawn and dusk.

Two-hook flapper; Running ledger; Light spinning (bass); Pulley rig at distance (occasional ray, spurdog)

Gear: general shore. Facing ESE.

• Running ledger, 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon hooklink, size 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook
• Pulley rig in heavy surf
• Soft plastics, paddle tails and shads on 10 to 20g jig heads
• Surface lures at dawn and dusk in calm conditions
• Two-hook flapper
• Running ledger
• Light spinning (bass)
• Pulley rig at distance (occasional ray, spurdog)

Baits and lures

Bass baits and lures: Peeler crab (spring and autumn); Sandeel; Ragworm; Soft plastic lures; Surface poppers and walkers.

What this mark typically holds: Ragworm; Lugworm; Sandeel; Squid for spurdog.

Ragworm; Lugworm; Sandeel; Squid for spurdog

Access and ground

Follow the coastal road south from Wicklow town, signed from the R750. Access through caravan parks. Short walk from the car park.

Parking: Small car park at the strand, fills quickly in summer. Seasonal charges may apply. Arrive early in July and August.

Safety: The beach separates into coves at high tide, creating a genuine cut-off risk. Mark your retreat route on arrival. Rocky approaches at low water require care; stick to sandy sections when moving along the beach.

Nearest tackle: Wicklow town tackle shops, a short drive north on the coastal road.

Nearest town: Wicklow. Skill level: Beginner/Intermediate.

Size and identification

Typical shore size: 1 to 3 kg from the shore on Wicklow beaches. Specimen class: Irish specimen weight is 4.5 kg; a bass over that is a fish of the season, not a routine surf capture.

Silver flanks with a blue-grey back and white belly. Two dorsal fins, the first with sharp spines. Mouth large and slightly upturned. Young bass show faint lateral spots. Unmistakable once you've seen one.

Tip: Bass feed into the wind and surf, don't be put off by rough conditions. A short cast (30 to 50m) into coloured water consistently outperforms distance casting into the clean water beyond the surf. In calm clear conditions switch to lures and work the edges of kelp and rock.

Irish shore context: record class around 8.08 kg (17 lb 13 oz), Doughmore Strand, 2000.

Same-mark companions

Other ranked targets on the same mark include Flounder, Dogfish, Plaice, Dab. Open those pair pages or the full mark guide when you want a multi-species session.

Live ranked advice for Silver Strand updates on the daily plan. Pair this page with the Bass species guide for coast-wide season bars and conservation detail.

Conservation

Bye-Law No. 826 of 2007 applies: two bass per angler per 24 hours at 42cm when retention is permitted, catch-and-release only 1 Feb to 31 Mar (Irish Sea / EU ICES 7a), no bass angling 15 May to 15 June. Most serious anglers practice full catch and release.

Guide conservation label: Bag Limit Applies.

Confirm current bag limits and closures on the Bass species guide and /learn/rules before retaining fish.

Other species at Silver Strand

• Flounder
• Dogfish
• Plaice
• Dab
• Mackerel
• Spurdog
• Thornback ray

Next steps

Related article: Summer Fishing Wicklow 2026: Best Marks June to August

Live ranked session advice for this mark sits on Today's plan. Rules and bag limits: learn / rules.