The popular holiday village of Curracloe (1) is some 5 miles (8km) due south of Blackwater. It was in this area that Steven Spielberg filmed the stunning beach landing sequences for “Saving Private Ryan” starring Tom Hanks.
During the summer, many holidaymakers’ fish on the beaches to the north at Ballinesker and south towards Raven Point. Unfortunately, the summer fishing does not compare with the spring and autumn shoulder periods. In spring, bass, smooth hound and flounder can be taken on a flood tide, while in autumn and winter, flounder, whiting, dabs and dogfish are common with the occasional codling. There is a 3 mile (4.8km) walk from the car park south of Curracloe to Raven Point. The best access is by following the main track through the forest, then across the dunes to the beach at the southern end. This is a very important area for wildlife and all visitors are requested to stick to the designated walkways. The walk should be well rewarded as this area is seldom fished but bass, dogfish, ray and tope are all possible for much of the year.
The estuary of the river Slaney enters the sea in the sheltered Wexford Harbour. This area is a very popular match fishing location, especially along the northern shore where access is easiest. Flounder can be caught almost everywhere in the harbour, but bass are much more elusive. Due to the shallow nature of the shoreline, chest waders are essential because anglers must be prepared to wade up to 100 yards (91.44m) in places, at low tide. This allows casts to be made into the channels which fish use like roadways to navigate around the estuary. As the tide floods, fish appear to move out of the channels and into casting range. Wading should only be attempted in those areas where the mud is firm enough to allow it. Generally, most of the recognised, signposted hotspots are safe, but it should be noted that fishing grounds can change over time, and that the rules of some tournaments prohibit wading as a safety measure.

Ardcavan (2) is easily approached from the R741 to the west. Flounder, bass, plaice and occasional sea trout can be taken there on a rising tide. Peeler and soft crab are essential baits, as all others are gratefully accepted by the large, local crab population! The sea wall to the east of the access road borders one of the most important wetland nature sites in Ireland. In winter, the area is home to internationally significant numbers of Greenland white-fronted geese, and to avoid disturbing these birds, fishing from the wall into the estuary should be curtailed. The area of beach between Ardcavan and the municipal caravan park to the south-west (A) is a noted crab gathering area while some ragworm can be dug, with difficulty, in the shallow mud at various places.
Spinning from the northern breakwater of the River Slaney (3) produces bass on a flood tide but bottom fishing with crab or ragworm is regarded locally as the more productive method. Flounder and dogfish will also fall to these baits. In summer “school bass” tend to congregate adjacent to the breakwater and road bridge where they can be taken in large numbers on virtually any bait presented to them. As these fish are juveniles which have not reached spawning age, they probably represent the future of bass fishing in the entire area. Anglers are requested to handle these fish with care and return them safely to the water.
A narrow slipway is located on the breakwater which allows small boats to be launched and retrieved. Unfortunately, this slip dries out, becoming unusable two hours either side of low water.
The species encountered by boat anglers are similar to those found on the shore but the beauty of using a boat in Wexford Harbour is that numerous marks which are out of range and inaccessible to shore anglers can be investigated. For instance, the vast area of sand banks and deep gullies near the estuary mouth provides excellent fishing, in fine weather, for bass, tope, dogfish and ray. The other advantage of boat fishing is that when fish are moving up or down the estuary on a flood or ebb tide, the boat can easily move to intercept them and therefore ensure optimum fishing time.
One of the most popular venues on the estuary is Kaats Strand (4) which is signposted a mile (1.6km) north of the road bridge and to the west of the R741. Fishing is similar to other marks with flounder tending to predominate, however, a number of specimen bass to over 10lbs (4.5kg) have been recorded there, with September and October being the best months. The majority of bass are taken on a flooding tide with crab being far and away the most successful bait. Another popular estuary fishing spot is at the junction of the R730 and N11 at Ferrycarrig Bridge (5).
To the east of the bridge the road runs along the riverbank and during the summer holidays, numbers of local youngsters go fishing there. Small school bass are very common and take baits freely. As previously mentioned, these immature fish should be handled with care and returned safely. Occasionally, a larger fish will fall to bottom fished crab, lugworm or ragworm.
The historic town of Wexford (6) which dates back to early Celtic times lies along the southern shore of the Harbour. The Irish name for the town is Loch Garman (Garman’s Lake) after a legend, where a Celt, called Garman Garbh, was drowned in a great flood caused by an enchantress. In the early tenth century, the Vikings called the settlement “Weissfiord” (inlet of the mudflats).
There is a fine all tide slipway to the west of the town at Wexford Boat Club, where a warm welcome awaits all visitors. A nominal charge is made for the use of the club facilities which include toilets, showers, lounge bar and safe parking for car and trailers. For further details contact Tel: + 353 91 22039 (pm) / +353 91 47504 (am).
There is good shore fishing for bass and flounder opposite the boat club at the old bridge wall or from the car park wall. The largest bass ever taken in this area weighed 13lb (5.9kg) and took peeler crab.
In the late nineties the town quays underwent dramatic improvement work, and this created several new vantage points for shore anglers. Bass, flounder, plaice, codling, whiting and coalfish are all available, with the hours around high water the most productive. Ragworm and crab are the two most widely used baits in Wexford. Live and frozen baits can be purchased in Wexford Town. It is advisable to order live bait the day before fishing to ensure a supply. Tides at Wexford Quay are -4hrs 15mins on Dublin
The south-eastern side of the harbour is protected from the open sea by a narrow spit of land which runs north for 3 miles (4.83km) and terminates at Rosslare Point (7). Bass can be taken on lures fished in the deep channel on the western or “inner” side of the point. A flooding tide particularly on an autumn evening is the best period. The strong tides in the area make bottom fishing very difficult but the reward for perseverance during the slack water period of springs or on the gentler neap tides can be worthwhile for bass, flounder, dogfish and occasional ray.
On the seaward side of Rosslare Point, the tides are not as strong and bottom fishing is much easier. Sandeel and mackerel baits cast out from the eastern facing groyne will attract tope to over the specimen size of 40lbs (18.14kg), spurdog and dogfish. Crab and worm baits will account for smooth hound to over the specimen size of 7lbs (3.17kg), bass, dogfish and flounder. Rosslare Point can be reached by taking the R740 off the N25 through to Rosslare village, then turn left and follow the Burrow Road until it becomes a track which runs directly to the point. Care should be exercised in this area as the track can become difficult to traverse on spring tides or in wet conditions. Lugworm and ragworm can be dug at low tide on the mudflats below the Burrow Road (B).
Night tides in autumn will yield bass on Rosslare Strand, particularly when surf is running. Fish to over 12lbs (5.44kg) have been recorded with crab and lugworm the most successful baits. The section of beach from the car park in the village to the track across the golf course is the most widely used by anglers.
North of the village of Kilrane, a narrow road runs from the N25 to a small cove at Ballygerry, just to the east of Rosslare Harbour (8). Two slipways are located there with the outer one the most suitable for launching boats. Local inshore fishermen keep their boats in the cove, and as space is limited, care should be taken to avoid impeding their activities by ensuring that cars and trailers are parked properly. Boat fishing on Rosslare Bay is for ray, plaice, dabs, codling and gurnard. An Irish Record for grey gurnard of just over 3lbs has been held there since 1967. During the summer some of the best boat fishing is to be found in the buoyed channel leading into the ferry terminal. Common sense and vigilance should be exercised there because modern day ferries travel at considerable speed and what was a small speck on the horizon a moment ago can be almost on top of you the next. The majority of ferries moving in and out of Rosslare Harbour would also have great difficulty avoiding a small boat anchored in their path particularly in the narrow confines of the channel.
To the southeast of Rosslare Harbour lies a long shallow underwater reef known as the Splaugh Rock. In the late sixties, this area was famous for the large numbers of bass that shoaled there in spring and autumn. An armada of small Wexford cots hunted the free feeding bass and lures like the German Sprat took up to 40 fish on a tide to each boat. Alas, like bass fishing everywhere, this wonderful sport declined due to over exploitation, so that by the mid-eighties, it had all but gone. Since then, there has been something of a recovery and today trolling with redgills, shads or similar lures can catch bass. To the south of the harbour wall, there is shore fishing over mixed ground for bass, dogfish and flounder. A number of specimen bass of over 10lbs (4.53kg) have been recorded on this stretch, particularly where the flooding tide flows across the rock outcrops at Greenore Point. Tides at Rosslare are -5hrs 58mins on Dublin.
St. Helens (9) is located 3 miles (4.82km) southeast of the N25 and Kilrane. The beach, which lies to the north of a small harbour, is a popular swimming place in summer. Most of the fishing carried out there is at night in spring and autumn when bass and flatfish are the quarry. Boats can be launched, with some difficulty, at high tide from a disused slipway on the northern side of the harbour. Launches or retrievals should not be attempted without the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle. There is ample parking for vehicles and trailers beside the slipway.
Ballytrent (10) is some 4 miles (6.5km) southeast of Kilrane. This is possibly the best autumn bass fishing venue in the southeast, particularly after an easterly blow has put up a good surf. Dogfish, flounder, dab and occasional plaice also turn up there. Crab, ragworm and sandeel are the best baits with night tides or overcast days offering most opportunities.
The slipway in the southwestern corner of Carne Pier (11) is only viable at high tide. Small boats can however, be launched across the beach, below the car park. The sand is usually quite firm but to avoid difficulties, boats should only be launched by four-wheel drive vehicles. Carne is the nearest launch site for fishing the reefs 6.5 miles (10.45km) away at the Tuskar Rock. Over twenty-five species have been recorded in the area including tope to over 50lbs (22.68kg), an Irish Record smooth hound of 16.58lbs (7.52kg) and an ex Irish Record cuckoo wrasse of just over 2.00lbs (.91kg). Anglers fishing from the pier have recorded bass to over 11lbs (5kg) with crab and sandeel proving to be the most successful baits. Spinning at high water on evening tides also accounts for bass and mackerel. To the west of the pier (C) lugworm and sandeel can be dug in the sand at low tide, while crab can be collected around the rocks on the seaward side of the pier.
Carnsore Point (12) is located in the extreme south-eastern corner of Ireland and can be reached by passing the turn off for Carne at the Lobster Pot Restaurant and following the road for a further 2 miles (3.22km) until it peters out into a track. This track runs east over very rough terrain and is not recommended for the standard family saloon! The point is made up of very rocky ground, running onto shingle, where big wrasse, rockling, dogfish and pollack can be caught. Tides are extremely strong there and fishing is virtually impossible on anything other than neap tides when the prime fishing periods are directly after low water and one hour either side of high water.
As the coast swings away from the east, towards the west, the inshore waters come under the increasing influence of the North Atlantic Drift (an offshoot of the Gulf Stream). As a result, the sea is marginally warmer and therefore produces a greater diversity of marine species.
The Coombe (13) is a south facing, steep-to, shingle and sand beach, to which runs for over 8 miles (12.88km) from Carnsore Point, almost to the port of Kilmore Quay. The eastern end is affected by the strong currents at Carnsore and as a result is best fished on neap tides. The currents ease, however, the further west one travels. Night fishing, on a flood tide in spring or autumn is regarded locally as offering best opportunities. Species to be expected are bass, dogfish, flatfish, codling and seatrout. Tope to over 30lbs (13.60kg) turn up regularly, but wire traces are essential to ensure that any hooked fish are actually beached. From time to time an opening is cut through the beach to ease flooding on Lady’s Island Lake. On these occasions, large numbers of fish are attracted to the outflow and sport can be hectic from the beach there. The trick, therefore, is to know exactly when the flood easing exercise is to take place!
One of the easiest access points to the beach is on the western shore of Lady’s Island Lake at Rostoonstown, where a road runs for 3 miles (4.8km) south from the R736. From the beach there spinning in summer, particularly on flood tides, can produce large numbers of mackerel. Occasionally seatrout and bass will also be taken.
Some 2 miles (3.22km) farther west is another outflow, this time a permanent fixture, from Tacumshin Lake. This is known by local anglers as the “Tunnel”. It is a large concrete culvert that runs from the lake, under the dunes, through the beach and out to sea. Several specimen bass over 10lbs (4.5kg) have been recorded there and flounder, dab, dogfish and occasional ray have also turned up recently.
The beach at Ballyhealy is 2 miles (3.22km) southeast of the R739 and in autumn, it produces codling and bass. Generally, this section of the beach fishes best after an onshore blow, which creates surf conditions.
Tides at Carnsore Point are + 29mins. on times at Cobh.
When broaching the top of the hill leading down to the picturesque village of Kilmore Quay (14) with its quaint, thatched and whitewashed cottages, pubs and restaurants, one could be excused for a first impression that the air of peace and tranquillity which greets you, applies to the entire surrounding area. On arrival at the bottom of the hill however, it quickly becomes clear that this is no sleepy hamlet, but a busy commercial fishing port.
The harbour also contains a 55-berth marina from which a good number of fully licenced, purpose built, charter vessels operate annually. The huge all-tide slipway, possibly the widest in Ireland, has contributed greatly to the rapid expansion of small boat angling locally. Indeed, the boat fishing from Kilmore has built up a truly deserved international reputation. Over 40 species have been recorded including blue shark and tope to over 50lbs (22.68kg), thornback ray to over 20lbs (9.00kg), bass and sea trout to over 12lbs (5.45kg) and Irish records for pouting of 4.80lbs and a new red mullet record in 2010 of 1.81lbs (.82kg).

All the boat fishing hotspots, such as the marks around the Saltee Islands 2.5 miles (4km) offshore to the Barrels, Brandies, Bores and Conningbeg Rock afford a very wide variety of seabed types from mud, sand and gravel to boulder and reef.
This diversity offers great opportunities for the experienced angler and novice alike. Shore fishing locally also provides exciting prospects, and fishing from the piers will produce wrasse, flounder, mullet and bass. To the east of the harbour is a long low-lying spit of rock known as St. Patrick’s Bridge. Fishing with crab baits close to the rock will yield bass and wrasse. Lures worked across the reef on a flood tide will also produce bass with additional possibilities for pollack and seatrout. Lures can also be used successfully, for bass, to the west of the harbour at Forlorn Point. Lugworm and clam can be dug at low tide on the eastern side of the harbour (D).
Details on berthing charges and facilities at Kilmore Quay can be obtained from the harbourmaster’s office on +353 53 912 9955. Kilmore Quay can be reached by taking the N25/R739 Roads from Wexford town which is 14 miles (22.50km) to the north.
Ballyteigue Strand (15) lies west of Kilmore Quay. The 5.5 mile (9km) long sandy beach produces good bass fishing when surf is running. Fish to over 10lbs (4.54kg) have been recorded in autumn when codling, whiting, dab flounder, and occasional ray are also possible. The beach can be difficult to fish on spring tides, particularly after a period of onshore winds, which cause rafts of floating weed to collect along the shore. Tackle losses are unavoidable in these conditions. Behind the beach, a narrow strip of sand dune known as the Ballyteigue Burrow, separates the sea from a long estuary, which drains the slob lands between Bridgetown to the northeast and Duncormick in the northwest.
Just before the main channel enters the sea, a deep hole has formed where local fishermen moor their boats. This is where several Irish record flounders have been caught including a fish of almost 5lbs (2.27kg)! Crab and lugworm are the best baits there. The western side of the entrance can be approached from Cullenstown, where fly fishing in the tideway with streamer flies has proven to be very effective in taking bass and seatrout. Bottom fished crab or sandeel baits on slack water will also yield bass and flounder. Further west towards Blackhall, the ground becomes very rough and difficult to fish, although a number of very big bass have been recorded over the years. Lure fishing on early morning tides could pay off there particularly in autumn. Peeler crab can be collected in May and June along the weedy margins of the estuary (E) and lugworm can be dug on the northern shore at low tide.