Mark × species · Seasonal

Mackerel at Silver Strand.

Mackerel is a seasonal target at Silver Strand near Wicklow. Best window on this ground: June to September. Follow the coastal road south from Wicklow town, signed from the R750.

Full mark guide Mackerel species guide

Silver Strand, Wicklow shore fishing mark

Mark type: Beach
Skill: Beginner/Intermediate
Catalogue rank: Seasonal

Why fish Mackerel 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.

Open water around harbour mouths and headlands when baitfish shoals are pushed close in; often mid-water rather than tight to the surface.

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, Mackerel is worth targeting in June to September. Coast-wide, Mackerel runs June to October (peaks July to August off piers and open beaches once the shoals arrive).

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.

Early morning and evening are the most reliable windows. Mackerel feed throughout the day when shoals are present but often disappear at midday in bright conditions. Moving water always helps.

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

Tactics on this mark

Cast 20 to 30 g lures or feather rigs across the flow and retrieve at varying depths, counting down to find the level of the shoal and keeping pressure constant once hooked.

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

Gear: general shore. Facing ESE.

Multi-hook feather or sabiki rigs, cast and retrieve at medium pace
Small metal lures for sport fishing
Float fishing a strip of mackerel for larger specimens
Two-hook flapper
Running ledger
Light spinning (bass)
Pulley rig at distance (occasional ray, spurdog)

Baits and lures

Mackerel baits and lures: Feather rigs; Sabiki rigs; Metal slices; Small soft plastics.

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: 200 to 400 g from piers and headlands. Specimen class: Heavy “jumbo” mackerel 600 g+ arrive in late summer.

Unmistakable, iridescent blue-green back with dark wavy tiger stripes, silver-white belly. Streamlined torpedo shape built for speed. Bright eyes. One of the most beautiful fish in Irish waters.

Tip: When mackerel are showing at Greystones Harbour in July and August the whole pier can be alive with fish. The key is getting the depth right, mackerel often shoal at mid-water rather than the surface. If you're missing takes, count down further before retrieving. Fresh mackerel is outstanding eating, gut and ice immediately.

Irish shore context: record class around 1.36 kg.

Same-mark companions

Other ranked targets on the same mark include Bass, 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 Mackerel species guide for coast-wide season bars and conservation detail.

Conservation

Highly perishable; gut and ice immediately and take only fish you will eat fresh, frozen mackerel is poor bait and eating quality.

Guide conservation label: Bag Limit Applies.

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

Other species at Silver Strand

Next steps

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

NEXT STEP

Open the full mark or species guide.

Pair pages assemble mark and species catalogue facts for this ground. Depth sessions live on today's plan.